“What if…” Mini Grants

Funder: The Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation (The Gifford Foundation)

The 'What If...' Mini Grants program, funded by the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation, aims to empower City of Syracuse residents aged 12 and older to enhance their neighborhoods. Grant applicants must attend an orientation and are encouraged to partner with an advisor if under 18. The initiative seeks projects that foster community participation and address local needs, ensuring that the voices of Syracuse residents are heard and valued.

NOTE: It is important to attend orientation before applying for a “What If…” Mini Grant. At those meetings, you will receive a special access code. When you log into our grants portal – Foundant – you will see a place to enter the access code which will then take you to the application.  Registration is required – no walk-ins, please.
The “What If…” Mini Grant program is designed to help City of Syracuse residents foster growth in neighborhoods, strengthen their capacity, and improve the safety and wellbeing of their community.
Successful grants will make positive changes in their neighborhood while increasing community participation, awareness, and partnerships.
Therefore, we look for projects that are driven by neighbors, grassroots organizations, or others who are actively involved in making our city a better place.
Since launching in 2011, The Gifford Foundation’s “What If…” Mini Grant program has grown its reputation as an accessible way for Syracuse City residents of all ages and backgrounds to access funding and support for projects that make our community a better place to live.
However, these same groups or individuals may not have the 501c3 nonprofit status or capacity necessary to qualify for most philanthropic grant programs. Therefore, the “What If…” program provides an accessible pathway to acquire the funding and guidance necessary to make those ideas a reality.
Previous “What If…” projects have included an after-school youth mentorship program, a community-wide dinner for parents and students at the Ed Smith Elementary School, and a voter registration/education drive. More than 200 different projects have been funded since the program’s inception in 2011, amounting to more than $600,000 in total grant dollars.