Committed to improving the quality of life in Tompkins County by supporting nonprofit organizations through semi-annual grant awards funded from an endowment, donations, and planned gifts.
Semi-annual grant cycles are the clearest marker of how Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County funds local work: it uses an endowment, donations, and planned gifts to support Tompkins County nonprofit organizations through direct awards. The foundation’s grantmaking is built around six program areas—Health, Education, Recreation, Human & Social Services, Aging, and Arts & Culture—and it also makes awards that recognize contributions to the county’s quality of life. Recent grants show that support often reaches organizations embedded in Ithaca’s civic, cultural, and human-service network, including United Way of Tompkins County, Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, Southside Community Center, and Sciencenter of Ithaca. The portfolio includes both unrestricted and project-oriented support, and the foundation also considers capital, operating, and seed-funding requests within its local scope. Its structure is closely tied to community-based nonprofit work rather than individual giving, and its recurring grant cycles suggest a steady channel for organizations serving Tompkins County. The latest 990 year on file is 2024, and annual grants given totaled $440,928.
Health, education, recreation, human and social services, aging, and arts and culture are the foundation’s recurring focus areas. In health-related work, it gave $10,000 to Cayuga Medical Center Foundation for awards, contributions, and operations. In human services, it awarded $10,500 to Unity House of Cayuga County Inc for awards, contributions, and operations, showing that the local emphasis can extend to neighboring county organizations that serve the region. Arts and culture also appear in the grant record: the foundation gave $8,000 to State Theatre of Ithaca Inc and $9,700 to Sciencenter of Ithaca for awards, contributions, and operations. Education is another visible thread, reflected in grants such as $6,000 to Beverly J Martin School Pta and the separate Ray Van Houtte Education Awards program for area primary and secondary educators.
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $1,888, the median is $3,611, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The foundation gives through competitive, semi-annual cycles and accepts unsolicited applications in several grant programs. Its grantmaking is local and centered on tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, with some programs also allowing projects with a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. The recent grant list shows repeat recipients across years, including Paleontological Research Institute, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Family & Children's Service of Ithaca, and State Theatre of Ithaca Inc, which points to recurring support rather than one-time-only awards.
$214K
$3.6M
$647K
$345K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Grant dollars stay entirely in New York, and the recent grants concentrate in Ithaca and nearby Tompkins County communities. Ithaca appears repeatedly in the recipient list, along with Freeville and Newfield; nearby Auburn, Elmira, and other New York locations also appear in the recent grant record. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Because the foundation’s geographic scope is local, the map of giving is shaped by organizations serving Tompkins County rather than by a broader regional or national footprint.
It funds tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, and some programs also allow projects with a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. The recent grants list shows awards to groups such as United Way of Tompkins County, Southside Community Center, and Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Inc, all within a local nonprofit framework.
Its core program areas are Health, Education, Recreation, Human & Social Services, Aging, and Arts & Culture. Those categories appear across the foundation’s grant programs and in the recent grants list through awards to organizations working in health care, education, culture, and human services.
The foundation runs two grant cycles each year. Several of its active programs are described as semi-annual or biannual, including the General Grants and Community Grants programs.
The typical grant size is small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,888, the median is $3,611, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent grants list includes awards above and below that range, but most sit in that lower-thousands band.
Its geographic scope is local, and 100% of grants in the recipient distribution go to recipients in New York. The recent grants list includes nearby New York communities such as Auburn, Elmira, Freeville, and Newfield, alongside many Ithaca recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Tompkins County aligned with the Foundation's program areas. Specific eligibility criteria not provided on site.
Deadline: Two grant cycles per year (specific dates not listed)
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER | ELMIRA, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| DOWNTOWN ITHACA CHILDREN'S CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $9,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION | ITHACA, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ENFIELD | NEWFIELD, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| AREA CONGREGATIONS TOGETHER INC | SHELTON, CT | $7,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| YMCA OF ITHACA AND TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $7,145 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| SCIENCENTER OF ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $6,900 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY | ITHACA, NY | $6,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| THE LEARNING WEB | ITHACA, NY | $6,150 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| 4-H PRIMITIVE PERSUITS OF CORNELL COOPERATIVE | ITHACA, NY | $6,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF TOMPKINS & CORTLAND COUNTIES | ITHACA, NY | $5,625 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES INC | ITHACA, NY | $5,250 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| GROTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE | GROTON, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FRANZISKA RACKER CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY SCIENCE INSTITUTE | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| COLLEGE INITIATIVE UPSTATE | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| BEVERLY J MARTIN SCHOOL PTA | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| LOAVES AND FISHES OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FINGER LAKES REUSE INC | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN | ITHACA, NY | $4,530 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| LONGVIEW | ITHACA, NY | $4,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $4,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| SEEVENTH ART OF CORPORATION OF ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| GROTON COMMUNITY CUPBOARD INC | GROTON, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP | ITHACA, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | ITHACA, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA COMMUNITY RADIO INC | ITHACA, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| AMPLIFY EQUITY INC | ELMIRA, NY | $2,663 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| HANGER THEATRE CENTER FOR THE ARTS OF ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $2,600 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| GROUNDSWELL CENTER FOR LOCAL AND FOOD FARMING | ITHACA, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| THOMPKINS LEARNINGS PARTNERS INC | ITHACA, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF STEWART PARK | ITHACA, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| KITCHEN THEATRE COMPANY | ITHACA, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK | ALBANY, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE | ITHACA, NY | $2,350 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| WHARTON STUDIO MUSEUM | ITHACA, NY | $2,250 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| LIFELONG | ITHACA, NY | $2,235 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION INC | ITHACA, NY | $2,200 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| LANSING LUNCHBOX | LANSING, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FOODNET MEALS ON WHEELS | ITHACA, NY | $1,950 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| PALEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | ITHACA, NY | $1,750 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| ITHACA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA | ITHACA, NY | $1,276 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP | ITHACA, NY | $1,250 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| THOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $1,250 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| NAMI FINGER LAKES | ITHACA, NY | $1,125 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| TRUMANSBURG EDUCATION FOUNDATION | TRUMANSBURG, NY | $1,114 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| DISCOVERY TRAIL | ITHACA, NY | $1,114 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
| MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN THOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $1,114 | 2026 | AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS |
CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER
$10,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
DOWNTOWN ITHACA CHILDREN'S CENTER
$9,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
$7,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ENFIELD
$7,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
AREA CONGREGATIONS TOGETHER INC
$7,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
YMCA OF ITHACA AND TOMPKINS COUNTY
$7,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
$7,145AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
SCIENCENTER OF ITHACA
$6,900AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
$6,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
THE LEARNING WEB
$6,150AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
4-H PRIMITIVE PERSUITS OF CORNELL COOPERATIVE
$6,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF TOMPKINS & CORTLAND COUNTIES
$5,625AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
GROTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FRANZISKA RACKER CENTER
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY SCIENCE INSTITUTE
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
COLLEGE INITIATIVE UPSTATE
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
BEVERLY J MARTIN SCHOOL PTA
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
LOAVES AND FISHES OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FINGER LAKES REUSE INC
$5,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN
$4,530AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
LONGVIEW
$4,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
$4,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
ITHACA COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTER
$3,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
SEEVENTH ART OF CORPORATION OF ITHACA
$3,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
GROTON COMMUNITY CUPBOARD INC
$3,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
$3,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$3,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
ITHACA COMMUNITY RADIO INC
$3,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
AMPLIFY EQUITY INC
$2,663AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
HANGER THEATRE CENTER FOR THE ARTS OF ITHACA
$2,600AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
GROUNDSWELL CENTER FOR LOCAL AND FOOD FARMING
$2,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
THOMPKINS LEARNINGS PARTNERS INC
$2,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF STEWART PARK
$2,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
KITCHEN THEATRE COMPANY
$2,500AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE
$2,350AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
WHARTON STUDIO MUSEUM
$2,250AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
LIFELONG
$2,235AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION INC
$2,200AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
LANSING LUNCHBOX
$2,000AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FOODNET MEALS ON WHEELS
$1,950AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
PALEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
$1,750AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
ITHACA COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
$1,276AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP
$1,250AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
THOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS CENTER
$1,250AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
NAMI FINGER LAKES
$1,125AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
TRUMANSBURG EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$1,114AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
DISCOVERY TRAIL
$1,114AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN THOMPKINS COUNTY
$1,114AWARDS, CONTRIBUTIONS & OPERATIONS
