Introduction

The Gifford Foundation gives grants in two ways: through its neighborhood intiative, which are project based grants, and through its community/capacity building initiative.  If you are interested in applying for either you should make an appointment to meet with the Foundation staff.  Please call for further information (315-474-2489). See the Grantmaking FAQ page to learn more about what will happen at these meetings.

Before meeting to discuss a neighborhood grant we encourage you to learn more about the initiative by visiting this page on our website.

The Foundation offers capacity and program grants to nonprofits in our three county area of investment (Onondaga, Oswego and Madison). Grants will be considered for those progressive organizations that:

• have the ability to be the Foundation’s community partners
• are willing to build the organization’s long term capacity
• have significant community impact and relationships with others
• possess a desire and eagerness for improvement
• are willing to assess and understand their organization’s present and future

The Foundation believes that all of these characteristics are necessary if an organization is to understand the value of change as part of building capacity and sustaining their programs, with the goal of having durable impact and stability.  

NOTE FOR ALL ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS:

The Foundation requires submission of a Cultural Data Project report with all proposals. In many instances this report will replace information required as part of the guidelines.  For further information on the Cultural Data Project please click here and also visit our FAQs section. Creating a CDP data profile does require some time for input and review; please allow for this when developing your timeline for applying to the Foundation.