Cortland Community Foundation: Less than $1,000 Grants

The Cortland Community Foundation provides grants under $1,000 to support local nonprofit organizations in Cortland County. These grants are intended for capital improvement projects, equipment purchases, and necessary materials. Eligible organizations must demonstrate how the funding will benefit the community, with applications considered quarterly. The foundation emphasizes visionary and inclusive grant-making to enhance the quality of life for residents and address community needs effectively.

NOTE: If your project’s funding needs do not fit with the timing of our schedule, please contact our Executive Director to make special arrangements.
About the Cortland Community Foundation
The Cortland Community Foundation is the only public foundation responding exclusively to the needs of Cortland area organizations and the people they serve. Grants from the Foundation help support capital improvement projects and provide many types of equipment, materials and supplies for local organizations.
Our Mission Statement
The Cortland Community Foundation, through use of its endowment, shall enhance the quality of life for those who live and work within the Cortland community by:
Encouraging a permanent charitable endowment to meet the needs of the Cortland community.Providing a vehicle by which donors with diverse philanthropic interests may make gifts to benefit the community.
Carrying out a grant of gift making programs that is visionary, inclusive and enhances the quality of life in the Cortland community.
Grant requests made to the Cortland Community Foundation must align with the foundation’s mission and values, which is to provide a grant making program that is visionary, inclusive and enhances the lives of those in Cortland County. The Cortland Community Foundation awards grants as investments in our community.
Grant request must demonstrate how the funds are going to impact/benefit the community. Grants of varying sizes are then awarded based upon community need and organizational capacity to impact those needs.
The Cortland Community Foundation awards grants for the following:

• Capital Improvement Projects
• Equipment purchases
• Materials/Supplies

Note: Grant requests should be for capital improvements and/or new equipment, materials and supplies. Requests for building and/or equipment repairs may be considered under special circumstances at the board’s discretion.

Eligibility

All eligible nonprofit organizations located in Cortland County, large or small, established or newly created, are encouraged to share their projects with us. Unless there is an emergency, grant applications are considered on a quarterly basis. Grants are awarded exclusively to non-profit organizations with an IRS 501(c) determination.All grant funds are restricted for use exclusively within Cortland County.