Park Foundation Grants: Sustainable Ithaca

The Park Foundation Grants: Sustainable Ithaca aims to support initiatives fostering a fully sustainable community in Ithaca and Tompkins County. The foundation prioritizes projects that integrate environmental, social, and economic systems, with a focus on accessibility for low-income and communities of color. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits, and grants are limited to local sustainability projects. Proposals outside Tompkins County are generally not considered.

NOTE: Prospective applicants may want to consider submitting a Letter of Inquiry as a preliminary step before submitting a full proposal.  Letters of Inquiry (LOI) are accepted at any time. Once an LOI is submitted, please do not submit a full proposal unless contacted by a staff member. If you have recently (within the last year or two) received a grant from Park Foundation, it is not necessary to submit an LOI before submitting a renewal proposal.
We are principled, strategic and fearless in our grantmaking, collaborative with our partners, and nimble and innovative in our approach.
Our Funding Priorities
The Park Foundation funds a variety of non-profit partners, from local Tompkins County grassroots programs to initiatives with national impact.
EnvironmentCivic ParticipationMediaDemocracyCommunity NeedsSustainable IthacaAnimal WelfareSchool Food & Nutrition
The vision of the Sustainable Ithaca program is that Ithaca and Tompkins County become a fully sustainable community – environmentally, socially, and economically.
Accordingly, grantmaking addresses a spectrum of topics with emphasis on the integration of systems and cross-sectoral collaboration. A special interest is on projects that enable low-income and the community of color access to and participation in sustainability measures.
In addition to the Foundation restrictions outlined in the overview here, grants are limited to projects and programs that impact sustainability in Tompkins County, NY. Requests for projects outside the county will generally not be considered.
Program Priorities
Ecosystem Conservation: Ecosystem Conservation includes both terrestrial and aquatic systems conservation and restoration. The primary emphasis of aquatic systems is Cayuga Lake and its tributaries. The overall goal is to maintain intact, functional ecosystems in Tompkins County. Projects and programs that address toxic threats to humans and natural systems will also be considered.Energy and Climate Change: Energy and Climate Change includes addressing climate change by reducing energy use via efficiency measures and increased use of renewable energy sources. The overall goal is to assist the residents of Tompkins County in meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets.Environmental Education: Environmental Education includes an emphasis on informal K–12 programs and adult education to encourage individual and organizational sustainability practices.Smart Growth: Smart Growth includes support for smart growth planning, zoning reform, alternative transportation modes, and vehicle mile reduction.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must be classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Unless you have a fiscal sponsor, your organization must be recognized as a 501(c)3 or 509(a)2 under IRS guidelines. In addition, as a private foundation, we may not grant to an organization for a total of more than two-thirds of its annual budget (see "public support test" under IRS guidelines). Grants are limited to projects and programs that impact sustainability in Tompkins County, NY.

Ineligibility

Requests for projects outside the county will generally not be considered.