Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

October 9, 2026

15 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Equitable Access to Healthy Food Grants

Funder: The Schenectady Foundation

Geographic Scope: Schenectady County, NY

Projected Funding: $500,000

Impact Statement

Schenectady County will be food-secure, ensuring that all residents have consistent access to fresh, healthy, and nourishing food.

Focus

Funding for projects advancing equitable access to healthy food and food security in Schenectady County.

    Key Requirements

  • Applications must demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes
  • Priority given to initiatives with potential for transformative impact
  • Strong applications show client/beneficiary engagement in service design and delivery
  • Two-step application process required (LOI then full application)

Strategic Initiative

Part of the Foundation's "Food-Secure Schenectady" and "Schenectady County Food Council" initiatives

    Contact

    Sofia Pawlusik
  • Phone: (518) 393-9500
  • Email: spawlusik@schenectadyfoundation.org

    Office Hours for Support

  • Tuesdays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Wednesdays: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

How to Apply

Two-Step Application Process

1. Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Submission
- RFP Released: August 7, 2026
- LOI Due: September 4, 2026
- Submit through Foundation's online grant portal
- LOI provides general overview of proposed project and associated outcomes
- Foundation responds to appropriate and complete LOIs within 10 days
- Applicants may be asked to submit additional information or meet with Foundation staff
- Approved LOIs grant access to full grant application

2. Full Grant Application
- Due: October 9, 2026
- Submit through Foundation's online grant portal
- Must meet all requirements for substance, accuracy, and completeness by deadline
- Applicants will be invited to grant conference with Distribution Committee members
- Approximate decision date: October 28, 2026
- Notification of funding decision within approximately 2 weeks after conference
- If approved, allow 2-3 weeks for fund processing and check issuance after grant agreement is signed

    Required Materials

  • Outcomes must be measurable or observable
  • Demonstrate how clients/beneficiaries are engaged in service design and delivery
  • Clear explanation of how funding will deliver meaningful impact

    Resources

  • Support videos available on Foundation's YouTube channel
  • Outcomes Terms outline available to guide applicants
  • Foundation staff available for guidance on outcomes development

What The Schenectady Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

Grants in 2024
22
Total given
$1.41M
Median grant
$48K
Range
$7,500–$250K
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 64% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

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    Museum, gallery, and performing arts center

    $250K

  • Empire State Youth Orchestras

    Chime

    $200K

  • Better Community Neighborhoods Inc

    Housing support

    $200K

  • Ellis Hospital Foundation

    Expanding care for adolescents in crisis

    $150K

  • Schoharie River Center

    Environmental study team-urban ecology

    $80K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

nonprofitsfood-securityfood

Categories

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