A local not-for-profit figures the best way to improve a community is from within.
The Niskayuna Community Foundation is opening its annual submission period for requesting grants. Around $20,000 is expected to be distributed through grants this year, with a maximum of $5,000 awarded for a single grant.
The NCF, an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, was founded on Dec. 31, 1999, and since has support a variety of organization and causes through support from town residents. Through the economic downturn, support is still strong, said Foundation Board of Directors member Karen Huggins.
“We have sponsors who have weathered the economy very well,” she said. “We had a little dip in a few of the months when the stock market was the worst.”
Applicants must first send a letter of inquiry, which allows the foundation to assist potential applicants in preparing their grant applications. The letter shouldn’t exceed two pages and must include the following information: an introduction to the organization’s mission, recent achievements and structure; a brief outline of the needs, problems or opportunities to be addressed by the grant; and specifics about the grant requested, including total costs.
Letters must be submitted by March 1 and can be sent to Niskayuna Community Foundation, PO Box 9711, Niskayuna 12309. Grants approved during the eligibility screening must be followed by a final grant application by April 15 and the awarded grants will be announced on July 1.
“We evaluate based on the viability of the project, the viability of the organization,” Huggins said. “If a project seems worthwhile and they need a little help explaining their request that is fine. It has to be something that will be completed and clearly has a need.”
Founding Board member Cindy Phillippe said throughout the years more donors have helped fund the group’s mission.
“More and more people in the community are deciding they are willing to give back to the community they have lived or worked or attended school … for the life they have enjoyed there and we have been able to grow in the number of grants we give out,” Phillippe said. “Niskayuna has families that have diverse economic backgrounds and needs. The Niskayuna Community Foundation positively impacts all economic levels.”
She said as schools, government and public funding of non-profit organizations are being reduced, the foundation helps provide some relief as needs arise.
Previously, it has offered grants to assist the school district in projects or initiatives, such as a $3,000 grant for the high school to build an outdoor science classroom utilizing hands-on experiences. On the other end of the spectrum, assisting the elderly has been a consistent focus, such as supporting Umbrella of the Capital District, Inc, to increase home repair services for the frail, elderly and those with disabilities.
Providing funds to a variety of organizations is a goal for the group.
“We try not to always fund the same organizations every year,” Huggins said. “There are other certain things that we do tend to repeat.”
Phillippe said the organization started as a grassroots movement at the end of the 90s, because some residents started to thinking about where the town was headed in the new century.
“We thought it was important to strengthen the community for the future, so therefore we started the foundation so the town and school district would be taken care of in the new century,” she said.
Becoming an affiliate of the Greater Capital Region Community Foundation allowed the local group to serve as a standalone entity while receiving administrative and investment support and guidance from the parent group.
For more information on the Niskayuna Community Foundation or to donate to the organization visit its website at www.NiskayunaCF.org.