Bender Family Foundation Grant

The Bender Family Foundation Grant supports arts, culture, education, history, and environment initiatives in New York's Capital Region. Established in 1997, it prioritizes projects within Albany County and offers funding ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. Nonprofit organizations, including those under fiscal sponsorship, are eligible to apply. However, grants are not available for individuals or annual fund drives, ensuring support is directed toward impactful community projects.

Grants for arts, culture, education, history and/or environment. Preference is given to projects in (1) the city of Albany; (2) the county of Albany; however, the area within a radius of no more than 30 miles measured from the site of the present New York State Capitol Building (State Street, Albany) will also be considered.
Focus Areas
Arts, culture, education, history and/or environment.
Funding
Grants from this fund usually range from $5,000 to $15,000.

Eligibility

Qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a nonprofit organization or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a qualifying nonprofit organization.The Foundation accepts proposals from organizations whose directors are active as volunteers, directors or donors;The Foundation will award challenge grants and will permit grants to be used as matching funds for other foundation grantsThe Foundation will consider requests for funding to support capital campaigns and capital expenditures;

Ineligibility

We do not make grants to individuals or to support annual fund drives.
The Bender Family Foundation will not consider grant proposals that do not follow the guidelines.Please note: If your organization was awarded a grant in 2023, you will be eligible to apply for new Bender Family Foundation funding in 2025.If your organization was awarded a grant in 2024, you will be eligible to apply for new Bender Family Foundation funding in 2026.The following are generally not eligible for competitive grants:Programs that the Community Foundation will have to operate;Individuals;
Conferences and/or speakers’ expenses;
Advertisements in programs, journals or other publications;Special events and other fundraising events;
Annual appeals or membership contributions.

Nonprofit organizations (including fiscally sponsored projects). Preference for projects in the city of Albany, then Albany County; projects within 30 miles of the NYS Capitol also considered. A pre-application/Letter of Intent is required. Organizations funded the previous year must wait until the following year to reapply. No grants to individuals or annual fund drives.