Advancing the sustainable well-being of the people of Schenectady County through strategic initiatives, grantmaking, convening partners, and stewardship of community endowment.
A $500,000 award to Schenectady Community Action Program for the SCAP Campus Project signals how The Schenectady Foundation uses major grants to shape local community infrastructure, not just fund short-term programs. Its recent giving also includes sizable commitments for food access, neighborhood housing support, youth arts, and services for residents facing urgent needs, all within Schenectady County. The foundation’s portfolio mixes large institutional grants with smaller scholarships and micro grants, which lets it support both major projects and narrower community initiatives. Among the larger recent awards, Hamilton Hill Arts Center received $250,000 for a museum, gallery, and performing arts center, while Better Community Neighborhoods Inc. received $200,000 for housing support. The foundation also funded Ellis Hospital Foundation for expanding care for adolescents in crisis, and Cornell Cooperative Extension for Healthy Living 360 programming. Across those grants, the pattern is local, program-specific, and tied to community well-being, with recurring emphasis on food security, housing stability, education, arts access, and emergency response.
Food access is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $200,000 to Regional Food Bank for food distribution-responsive procurement and $100,000 to The Food Pantries of the Capital District for food distribution and delivery coordination. A separate $50,000 grant to Luken Daily Bread Food Pantry supported food distribution and access to culturally relevant options, showing attention to both supply and fit. Housing and neighborhood improvement are another clear lane. Better Community Neighborhoods Inc. received $200,000 for housing support, while Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. got $75,000 for Jay Square park creation. In arts and culture, Hamilton Hill Arts Center’s $250,000 grant supported a museum, gallery, and performing arts center, and Empire State Youth Orchestras received $200,000 for CHIME. The foundation also backs youth and workforce pathways through scholarships and literacy/workforce readiness grants.
Typical grants cluster around mid-sized awards, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $50,500, and p75 of $75,000. That distribution sits alongside occasional larger commitments, including several six-figure grants in the recent record. The portfolio mixes one-time project support with recurring program lines such as scholarships, micro grants, emergency response, and community event sponsorships. Multiple active programs accept unsolicited requests, including Micro Grants, Equity Access to Healthy Food Grants, and the scholarship offerings. The structure is a mixed community foundation with a community-endowment role, and the data shows direct support to organizations rather than individuals.
$1.4M
$56M
$3.5M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $75K, with a median of $51K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$51K
75th Percentile
$75K
ROBERT CARREAU
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Recent grants land entirely in the United States, with all 60 tracked awards going to U.S. recipients. The strongest concentration is in Schenectady County, with named recipients in Schenectady, Schenectady City School District, and Hamilton Hill. Nearby regional recipients also appear, including Albany and Rensselaer County organizations such as Albany Barn and Literacy Volunteers Rens Co. The list also reaches beyond the county through Regional Food Bank and SUNY Schenectady, while still anchoring most awards to local community needs.
Its active programs cover food access, neighborhood revitalization, emergency needs, scholarships, grassroots capacity building, and arts. Recent grants also show support for housing, adolescent crisis care, literacy and workforce readiness, immigrant support, veterans and first responders, and urban ecology.
Typical awards cluster in the middle range: p25 is $10,000, the median is $50,500, and p75 is $75,000. The recent record also includes larger six-figure awards, but the central pattern is mid-sized grants with a smaller number of very large commitments.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Community Event Sponsorships / Special Initiative Funds, Erbacher Teaching Scholarship, Scholarships, Equitable Access to Healthy Food Grants, Micro Grants, Neighborhood Revitalization Grants, Grassroots Fund, Emergent Needs (Open) Grants, and Fund for the Arts.
No. The recent record includes project support, operating support, and capacity-building support. The active program list also includes scholarships, micro grants for planning and pilot projects, and a Grassroots Fund for smaller organizations in a nonprofit capacity-building program.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Schenectady Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Funds nonprofit corporations registered with the New York State Office of Charities Registration and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation does not fund individuals, private businesses, or endowments/quasi-endowments.
Deadline: RFP released August 5; LOI due September 4; grant applications due October 9; approximate decision date October 28.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Schenectady County; subject to Foundation priorities and eligibility rules.
Deadline: Varies by sponsorship / initiative; no single deadline specified.
Who can apply: Requests must be $10,000 or less. Funds nonprofit corporations registered with the New York State Office of Charities Registration and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Deadline: No separate deadline listed; available as part of the Foundation's grants portfolio.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAMILTON HILL ARTS CENTER | — | $250,000 | 2025 | MUSEUM, GALLERY, AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER |
| EMPIRE STATE YOUTH ORCHESTRAS | — | $200,000 | 2025 | CHIME |
| BETTER COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS INC | — | $200,000 | 2025 | HOUSING SUPPORT |
| ELLIS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | — | $150,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS IN CRISIS |
| SCHOHARIE RIVER CENTER | — | $80,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY TEAM-URBAN ECOLOGY |
| THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS | — | $76,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY LIFE |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS RENS CO | — | $75,000 | 2025 | LITERACY AND WORKFORCE READINESS |
| SUNY SCHENECTADY | — | $59,882 | 2025 | WORKFORCE INITIATIVE |
| GOOSE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | — | $50,000 | 2025 | CARRIE ST PARK IMPROVEMENTS |
| CENTER FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE | — | $50,000 | 2025 | LEGAL ASSISTANCE CALL-IN CENTER |
| RISSE-REFUGE AND IMMIGRANT SUPPORT | — | $50,000 | 2025 | SCHENECTADY CO. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD GREATER NY | — | $45,000 | 2025 | SURVIVOR SUPPORT SERVICES HOTLINE |
| CREATE COMMUNITY STUDIOS | — | $25,000 | 2025 | CERAMICS STUDIO FOR WELLNESS |
| CAPITAL REGION CLASSICAL | — | $20,000 | 2025 | MUSIC SERIES CONCERTS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES TRI-COUNTY SERVICES | — | $12,000 | 2025 | HEALTH FOOD ACCESS |
| RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE | — | $12,000 | 2025 | PREFACE PROGRAM - STUDENT TRAINING |
| MUSIC HAVEN | — | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024 SUMMER SERIES |
| PROCTORS | — | $10,000 | 2025 | STUDENTS AND STAGES YOUTH ARTS & EDUCATION |
| NEW YORK FOLKLORE | — | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHENECTADY PAN AFRICAN ORCHESTRA |
| COMMUNITY FATHERS | — | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY FATHERS DOCUMENTARY |
| MOHAWK HUDSON LAND CONSERVANCY | — | $8,500 | 2025 | SCHENECTADY NATURE BUS - ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION |
| MOONCATCHER PROJECT | — | $7,500 | 2025 | PERIOD PANTRIES |
| REGIONAL FOOD BANK | — | $200,000 | 2024 | FOOD DISTRIBUTION-RESPONSIVE PROCUREMENT |
| CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION | — | $182,000 | 2024 | HEALTHY LIVING 360 - PART 3 |
| THE FOOD PANTRIES OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT | — | $100,000 | 2024 | FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND DELIVERY COORDINATION |
| CROSSROADS CENTER FOR CHILDREN | — | $100,000 | 2024 | EXPANSION TO NEW SCHOOL BUILDING |
| SCHENECTADY INNER CITY MINISTRIES | — | $100,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY - BASED FOOD ACCESS |
| MESSIAH LUTHERAN | — | $75,000 | 2024 | CHANGING NEIGHBORHOOD SYSTEMS, INCLUDING FOOD ACCESS |
| DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY IMPROVEMENT CORP | — | $75,000 | 2024 | JAY SQUARE - PARK CREATION |
| ALBANY BARN | — | $75,000 | 2024 | ART STUDIOS AND MAKER SPACE |
| SEAT CENTER | — | $75,000 | 2024 | JERRY BURRELL PARK ARTS COLLABORATIVE |
| SAFE INC OF SCHENECTADY | — | $70,000 | 2024 | EXPANDING SHELTER CAPACITY |
| OPERATION AT EASE | — | $61,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS |
| LUKEN DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY | — | $50,000 | 2024 | FOOD DISTRIBUTION; ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RELEVANT OPTIONS |
| SUNY SCHENECTADY | — | $43,000 | 2024 | REFRIGERATED FOOD LOCKERS |
| COCOA HOUSE | — | $40,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY CENTER EXPANSION |
| 518 ELEVATED | — | $24,000 | 2024 | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
| ALL OF US COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP | — | $10,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT |
| CAPITAL REGION CLASSICAL | — | $10,000 | 2024 | MUSIC SERIES CONCERT |
| CITY MISSION OF SCHENECTADY | — | $10,000 | 2024 | AMBASSADOR PROGRAM AT THE GREENMARKET |
| MUSIC HAVEN | — | $10,000 | 2024 | 2023 SUMMER SERIES |
| CREATE COMMUNITY STUDIOS | — | $10,000 | 2024 | SCHENECTADY AND ME ART BENCHES |
| CLARKSON UNIVERSITY | — | $7,500 | 2024 | MAT PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK FOLKLORE | — | $7,200 | 2024 | SCHENECTADY PAN AFRICAN ORCHESTRA |
| SCHENECTADY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM | — | $500,000 | 2023 | SCAP CAMPUS PROJECT |
| CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION | — | $150,000 | 2023 | HEALTH LIVING 360 - PART 2 |
| SCHENECTADY INNER CITY MINISTRIES | — | $109,700 | 2023 | ACCESS, SOLIDARITY AND IMPACT; SOLARIZING FEHR AVE FARM |
| THE FOOD PANTRIES OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT | — | $100,000 | 2023 | EXPANDED ACCESS TO HEALTH FOODS IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY |
| CITY MISSION OF SCHENECTADY | — | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATIONS; BRIDGES TO WELLNESS AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM |
| FREE FOOD FRIDGE ALBANY | — | $75,000 | 2023 | FREE FOOD FRIDGE SCHENECTADY |
HAMILTON HILL ARTS CENTER
$250,000MUSEUM, GALLERY, AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
BETTER COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS INC
$200,000HOUSING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY LIFE
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS RENS CO
$75,000LITERACY AND WORKFORCE READINESS
SUNY SCHENECTADY
$59,882WORKFORCE INITIATIVE
GOOSE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
$50,000CARRIE ST PARK IMPROVEMENTS
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY JUSTICE
$50,000LEGAL ASSISTANCE CALL-IN CENTER
PLANNED PARENTHOOD GREATER NY
$45,000SURVIVOR SUPPORT SERVICES HOTLINE
CREATE COMMUNITY STUDIOS
$25,000CERAMICS STUDIO FOR WELLNESS
CAPITAL REGION CLASSICAL
$20,000MUSIC SERIES CONCERTS
MUSIC HAVEN
$10,0002024 SUMMER SERIES
PROCTORS
$10,000STUDENTS AND STAGES YOUTH ARTS & EDUCATION
NEW YORK FOLKLORE
$10,000SCHENECTADY PAN AFRICAN ORCHESTRA
COMMUNITY FATHERS
$10,000COMMUNITY FATHERS DOCUMENTARY
MOONCATCHER PROJECT
$7,500PERIOD PANTRIES
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
$182,000HEALTHY LIVING 360 - PART 3
CROSSROADS CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$100,000EXPANSION TO NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
MESSIAH LUTHERAN
$75,000CHANGING NEIGHBORHOOD SYSTEMS, INCLUDING FOOD ACCESS
DOWNTOWN SCHENECTADY IMPROVEMENT CORP
$75,000JAY SQUARE - PARK CREATION
ALBANY BARN
$75,000ART STUDIOS AND MAKER SPACE
SAFE INC OF SCHENECTADY
$70,000EXPANDING SHELTER CAPACITY
OPERATION AT EASE
$61,000SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
LUKEN DAILY BREAD FOOD PANTRY
$50,000FOOD DISTRIBUTION; ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RELEVANT OPTIONS
SUNY SCHENECTADY
$43,000REFRIGERATED FOOD LOCKERS
COCOA HOUSE
$40,000COMMUNITY CENTER EXPANSION
518 ELEVATED
$24,000WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
ALL OF US COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP
$10,000COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT
CAPITAL REGION CLASSICAL
$10,000MUSIC SERIES CONCERT
MUSIC HAVEN
$10,0002023 SUMMER SERIES
CREATE COMMUNITY STUDIOS
$10,000SCHENECTADY AND ME ART BENCHES
NEW YORK FOLKLORE
$7,200SCHENECTADY PAN AFRICAN ORCHESTRA
SCHENECTADY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
$500,000SCAP CAMPUS PROJECT
CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
$150,000HEALTH LIVING 360 - PART 2
ACCESS, SOLIDARITY AND IMPACT; SOLARIZING FEHR AVE FARM
EXPANDED ACCESS TO HEALTH FOODS IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY
FREE FOOD FRIDGE ALBANY
$75,000FREE FOOD FRIDGE SCHENECTADY