Community Foundation Impact Grants

Funding Priorities

The Foundation manages several funds that allow discretion to make grants that fund projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs. These funds, our “Community Impact Funds,” are either Discretionary Funds, which allow the Foundation the flexibility to use its extensive knowledge of community issues and organizations to make grants that address emerging issues; or Field-of-Interest Funds, which give the Foundation grantmaking discretion within given areas of interest. With these funds, the Foundation utilizes the expertise of its staff and Board of Directors to identify opportunities to make grants that will have the most impact in the community.

Impact Grants

Due to restrictions placed on some of our funds by our donors, preference may be given to organizations and/or programs that address the following issues:
1. Homelessness: Organizations/programs that serve the needs of a homeless population;
2. Disabilities: Organizations/programs that serve the needs of the intellectually and/or physically disabled, including the hearing and sight impaired;
3. Land Conservation and Preservation: Organizations/programs that focus on the preservation/conservation of land for the protection of wildlife;
4. New Americans: Organizations/programs that focus on supporting new Americans;
5. Programs that benefit the residents of Amsterdam, NY: Organizations/programs that focus on the provision of services to the residents of Amsterdam, NY.

Grant Size and Duration

Community Foundation Impact Grants usually range from $1,000 to $15,000. Grant period will not exceed one year.

Occasionally, complex applications will require additional time to review. Applicants will be kept informed of their proposal’s progress.

Occasionally, complex applications will require additional time to review.
Applicants will be kept informed of their proposal’s progress.

Pre-Application Questionnaires Due

N/A

Application Due

February 21, 2025

Final Decision Will Be Made

May 31, 2025

The Hortense & Louis Rubin Community Health Fund

Organizations can apply for up to $150,000 annually. Organizations may apply for multi-year funding; funding will not exceed three years.

The Niskayuna Community Foundation

Grants made for the Competitive Grant program may not exceed $10,000. Grant requests at or below $2,000 may be considered under the mini-grant program. The grant period may not exceed one year in duration.

The Bender Scientific Fund

Grants from this fund usually range between $1,000 and $12,500. Grants period will not exceed one year.

The Bender Family Foundation

Grants from this fund usually range from $5,000 to $15,000.

• If your organization was awarded a grant in 2023, you will be eligible to apply for new Bender Family Foundation funding in 2025.
• If your organization was awarded a grant in 2024, you will be eligible to apply for new Bender Family Foundation funding in 2026.

The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau Fund

Grants from this fund range between $1,000 and $5,000. Multi-year funding will be considered, but the grant period may not exceed three years.