John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

NOTE: A Letter of Inquiry must first be submitted via the Online Grant Application System between November 1st and February 1st of the year in which a grant is requested. If the proposal meets the stated guidelines and priorities of the Foundation & Memorial Trust, Grant Application instructions will be sent to the applicant.
About The Memorial Trust
In 1975, two years after his death, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust was established in New York. The four original trustees were a member of the Snow family, a lawyer, a publishing associate and a corporate trustee, the Irving Trust Company, now BNY Mellow N.A. The current Trustees continue this legacy being well aware of the donor and his beliefs, values and ideals. The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of program areas.
The Memorial Trust strategically focuses funding within core geographic regions of the United States and within specific program areas (prioritized below and visually depicted here) while responding to the ever-changing needs of targeted populations, especially to the needs of youth and people who are disadvantaged economically, emotionally, or physically.
Dating back to the inception of the Trust in 1973, the primary and overarching grant making priority has been and continues to be programs that focus on education.
Education: Targets funds to organizations that provide educational opportunities or academic assistance to individuals who demonstrate an intellectual aptitude and a financial need. Examples include scholarships, fellowships, academic tutoring or counseling, literacy, and journalism.
Secondarily, the Trust considers proposals within the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Initiatives, and Youth Programs. The Trustee’s objective is to extend the primary educational focus by providing funding support within these additional program areas.
Community Initiatives: Provides funding for programs or services that directly improve the quality of life within the geographic focus areas that we serve. Examples include support for libraries, food pantries and shelters, and neighborhood revitalization. Generally, the Trust does not seek proposals for health care initiatives or animal welfare programs.Arts and Culture: Offers grants that promote arts education and appreciation, particularly for young adults, via the development of educational curriculum and professional instruction including visiting artists and performance support for targeted populations.Youth Initiatives: Offers grants that provide character education or enrichment opportunities via mentoring or after-school programming
As a third priority, the Trust does consider proposals in the areas of Disabilities and Universal Access, Environmental, and Historic Preservation. As these are not core focus areas, funding is often limited. Priority will be given to proposals with an educational focus.
Disabilities and Universal Access: Offers grants to organizations in complying with ADA requirements within their facilities (e.g. elevator, handrails, automatic doors, and ramps) or offering services targeted for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.Environmental: Provides funds for organizations that strive to protect strategic parcels of land and bodies of water as well as programs that educate the general public on key environmental issues such as conservation and water management.Historic Preservation: Provides funding for organizations that preserve historical artifacts (e.g. sites, structures, objects) and accounts (e.g. events), and educate the greater community on their significance. Examples include museums, historical societies and educational programming.

Eligibility

The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust is pro-active in seeking grant proposals from qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. Additionally, the Memorial Trust accepts unsolicited proposals from qualifying organizations.There are no minimums or maximum grant amounts; however, most grants range from $10,000 to $20,000. First-time grants to organizations typically range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Ineligibility

Finally, the Memorial Trust will not accept proposals from individuals or for-profit organizations. The Memorial Trust does not encourage proposals from religious organizations, government agencies, or proposals for endowments, contingency funding, or debt reduction. Generally, the Trust does not seek proposals for health care initiatives or animal welfare programs.