Apply for an Oswego County Community Foundation (OCCF) Grant

Nonprofit organizations in Oswego County are encouraged to apply for grants to fund innovative projects in the areas of: arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services and the environment.

Eligibility

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, publicly supported organizations such as schools and municipalities, and organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
  • Organizations serving residents of Oswego County
  • Organizations that have completed any projects/programs previously funded by the Oswego County Community Foundation

The Advisory Council looks for innovative programs that address problems to be solved, or opportunities to be seized, in Oswego County. Priority is given to capacity-building activities and new projects within an organization rather than ongoing projects/programs. We invite proposals that:

  • Suggest practical approaches to community problems.
  • Promote cooperation among agencies without duplicating services.
  • Generate community support, both professional and volunteer.
  • Strengthen an agency’s effectiveness or stability.
  • Address prevention as well as remediation.

We do not make grants for the following:

  • Recurring grants to a program previously supported.
  • Annual operating budgets, except when it is “seed” or “bridge” funding.
  • Endowments.
  • Religious purposes.
  • Loans or assistance to individuals.
  • Medical or academic research (except where requested by a donor).
  • Activities that occurred before OCCF’s decision date.

The OCCF grant application deadline is July 15 each year. There is only one grant round per year.

  • All OCCF applications and attachments must be submitted through our online system. Click here to register and log-in to the grant application online portal.
  • Grant requests should not exceed $5,000.
  • You will be notified of the grant decision approximately eight weeks after the deadline date.
Apply Now

If your organization receives a grant, we encourage sharing of photos, outcomes and testimonials upon completion of your funded project. We may also request supplemental information about a previous grant project if your organizations applies for another grant in the future. This information assists us in assessing our grantmaking efforts and sharing stories of impact.

If your organization is not recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, municipality or school district, you may identify a qualified sponsor to act as your organization’s fiscal agent. The fiscal agent must be a legitimate 501(c)(3) organization [or publicly supported organization, e.g., municipality/school district]. One copy of the sponsoring organization’s IRS Letter of Determination showing 501(c)(3) [or equivalent] status must be uploaded with your proposal, along with one copy of the sponsor’s most recent annual financial statements (audited if available), and a current board list. The sponsoring organization must also provide a letter of support, indicating their willingness to oversee the grant finances. If a grant is approved, payment will be made to your organization through your fiscal agent.

News & Stories

News Releases July 11, 2023

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Lead Testing & Awareness Projects

Runners-up of the Community Foundation's participatory budgeting project received LeadSafeCNY grants.

Blogs July 8, 2023

Reflections: A Strategic Focus on Equity

Bea González, board of directors vice-chair, explains how proximate leadership is a driving element of ...

News Releases June 28, 2023

From our Outgoing President & CEO: Our New Strategic Plan and a Fond Farewell

Peter Dunn, outgoing president & CEO, introduces our new strategic plan and remarks on his ...

cayuga grants 2023
News Releases June 28, 2023

Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $85,000 in Grants

The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2023 grant recipients.

News Releases June 24, 2023

CNY Community Foundation Releases New Five-Year Strategic Plan

Our new five-year strategic plan deepens our existing work and takes on new opportunities that ...

Erie Canal
Stories June 23, 2023

Building Bridges of Opportunity

John Winter's legacy as a devoted father, philanthropist, and advocate for marginalized communities lives on. ...

News Releases June 21, 2023

Community Foundation Announces New Board Members

Warren Hilton, Ed.D, President, Onondaga Community College and Leyla Z. Morgillo, CFP®, Financial Planner, Madison ...

hand holding growing money
Publications June 9, 2023

Giving Back is Good Business

Hear from Pragya Murphy, MBA, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, on you can help your clients ...

News Releases July 11, 2023

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Lead Testing & Awareness Projects

Runners-up of the Community Foundation's participatory budgeting project received LeadSafeCNY grants.

Blogs July 8, 2023

Reflections: A Strategic Focus on Equity

Bea González, board of directors vice-chair, explains how proximate leadership is a driving element of ...

News Releases June 28, 2023

From our Outgoing President & CEO: Our New Strategic Plan and a Fond Farewell

Peter Dunn, outgoing president & CEO, introduces our new strategic plan and remarks on his ...

cayuga grants 2023
News Releases June 28, 2023

Cayuga Community Fund Distributes More Than $85,000 in Grants

The Cayuga Community Fund has announced its 2023 grant recipients.

News Releases June 24, 2023

CNY Community Foundation Releases New Five-Year Strategic Plan

Our new five-year strategic plan deepens our existing work and takes on new opportunities that ...

Erie Canal
Stories June 23, 2023

Building Bridges of Opportunity

John Winter's legacy as a devoted father, philanthropist, and advocate for marginalized communities lives on. ...

News Releases June 21, 2023

Community Foundation Announces New Board Members

Warren Hilton, Ed.D, President, Onondaga Community College and Leyla Z. Morgillo, CFP®, Financial Planner, Madison ...

hand holding growing money
Publications June 9, 2023

Giving Back is Good Business

Hear from Pragya Murphy, MBA, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, on you can help your clients ...

View More