Kindling Award Grant

Kindling Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Adirondack Foundation
Amount: US $1,000
Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Summary

Overview

Adirondack Community Foundation For three decades, Adirondack Community Foundation has been a steady hand, helping our region grow from within. Our Mission: Connecting people, ideas, and resources to improve lives and expand opportunities throughout the Adirondack region. Kindling Awards Celebrating the everyday neighbors who bring us together and spark love of community. In the Adirondacks, we lean on one another. Our towns are held together by the quiet, steady efforts of people who show up for their neighbors. Whether it’s the parent turning a school into a welcoming community hub, a neighbor strengthening opportunities for local seniors, or a small group of friends organizing to tackle a local need, these individuals are the "living kindling" of our region. The Kindling Awards are named after the essential ingredient that starts the warm fire we all gather around. This year, we are shifting our focus from events to people. We want to honor the unsung heroes who spark connection, foster a sense of belonging, and keep the spirit of community alive and well in our neck of the woods. How It Works We are looking for nominations of the everyday residents and small groups who do great things without seeking the spotlight. If selected, we will profile these community heroes to celebrate their story. Thirty of the best nominations will receive a Kindling Award. To keep that light shining, each honoree will choose a local community-based organization they work with, such as a library, youth group, volunteer fire department, or nonprofit, to receive a $1,000 grant in their honor. It’s an award for the person, in support of the community love they help create. The Ongoing Spark: We don't want the story to end with the award! Over the following months, we will follow up with the chosen organization to highlight the great work they are doing with the grant, showing how your nominee’s "spark" continues to grow and support the community. Kindling Awards Criteria We seek to honor those who provide the "kindling" for a healthy, vibrant and connected community. We evaluate nominations based on three simple pillars: Sparking Connection: Does this person create opportunities for people to meet, interact, problem-solve, and build genuine relationships? Fostering Belonging: Do they go out of their way to make sure everyone—especially those who might feel isolated or new to the area—feels welcome and included? Community Heart: Is their work rooted in a love for their town or the Adk region? We look for those who strengthen the "social glue" that makes our communities supportive and resilient.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Any resident or small, informal group within the Adirondack Region (the Adirondack Park, plus all of Clinton and Franklin counties and the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory). We are specifically looking for "unsung heroes" — everyday neighbors, volunteers, and grassroots organizers rather than established civic leaders or large organizations. This year's awards will recognize new individuals or groups not previously awarded a Kindling Award in 2025.