The City Federation of Women’s Organizations concentrates its modest giving on Ithaca-area community service and civic projects that support older adults, youth learning, local sustainability, and community organizing. Grants are directed to well-known local nonprofits that deliver practical services (housing, education, transportation, reuse) and to groups focused on grassroots civic or transformative action. The foundation appears locally focused and interested in strengthening everyday community infrastructure rather than national or arts-focused causes.
City Federation of Women's Organizations Inc has built a clear local pattern around Women Building Community grants for Tompkins County, with awards that repeatedly support women and girls alongside broader neighborhood needs. In the recent grant list, Village at Ithaca received $16,000 in 2025, a top award that sits within a broader portfolio of Ithaca-area support for older adults, students, housing, reuse, transportation, and civic participation. The foundation’s giving reaches established local nonprofits as well as grassroots-oriented organizations, suggesting interest in practical services that strengthen daily community life. Recent grants show that the foundation does not limit itself to one service lane. It has supported the Village at Ithaca, The Center for Transformative Action, Tompkins Learning Partners, Bike Walk Tompkins, Finger Lakes ReUse, and Women’s Opportunity Center, among others. That mix points to a funder that uses modest-to-mid-sized grants to back community infrastructure, especially projects tied to education, health, transportation access, and local organizing. With annual grants of $190,010 and a local geographic scope, the foundation’s role is concentrated and place-based rather than regional or national.
Women and girls are central to the foundation’s active grant programs. Through WBC Grants, it funds annual community projects in Tompkins County, and the recent grants include $5,000 to Women’s Opportunity Center in 2024 and another $5,000 in 2025. The same program structure also supports innovative or urgent needs, including awards up to $10,000 under the Innovation Grant and up to $1,000 under the Unexpected Needs Grant. Education and youth supports are another recurring lane. The foundation gave $12,000 in 2025 to Tompkins Learing Partners and $5,000 in 2023, then $2,670 in 2024, showing continued support across years. It also backed Child Development Council with $5,000 in 2023 and $4,000 in 2025, and Family Reading Partnership with $2,000 in 2025. Community well-being appears alongside that work through grants such as $5,000 to Ithaca Health Alliance and $7,000 to Second Winds Cottages, linking health access and housing-related support to the foundation’s local priorities.
$71K
$1.6M
$90K
$91K
Most grants fall between $3K and $5K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, local grantmaking: a small number of mid-sized discretionary grants to established Ithaca-area nonprofits across social services, education, transportation, and sustainability rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: Village at Ithaca, Tompkins Learning Partners, Bike Walk Tompkins, Finger Lakes ReUse, The Center for Transformative Action
The foundation’s recent grant sizes cluster around small and mid-sized awards. Typical giving is p25 $3,000, median $5,000, and p75 $5,000, which indicates a strong concentration at the $5,000 level. Recent grants also show some larger local awards, including $16,000, $14,000, and $12,000. The grant record suggests recurring support rather than one-off giving. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including The Center for Transformative Action, Ithaca Health Alliance, Village at Ithaca, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Finger Lakes Toy Library, and Tompkins Learing Partners. The foundation is not a program-related investor and does not fund individuals. Its active grant programs accept unsolicited applications.
Giving is tightly concentrated in Ithaca and nearby Tompkins County. In the recent grants list, most awards went to organizations in ITHACA, NY, with one grant to Second Winds Cottages in NEWFIELD, NY. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 37 grants, or 100%, going to U.S. recipients. The foundation’s active grant programs also specify Tompkins County, NY, and the grant history matches that local footprint rather than a multi-state or international pattern.
Its active programs focus on community projects benefiting women and girls in Tompkins County, plus innovative projects and unexpected-needs support. Recent grants also show support for housing, education, health, reuse, transportation, and civic engagement in the Ithaca area.
Typical awards are small to mid-sized: p25 is $3,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $5,000. The recent list also includes larger awards such as $16,000, $14,000, and $12,000.
Yes. The active Women Building Community grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including annual general project grants, Innovation Grants, and Unexpected Needs Grants.
Yes. The active grant programs are focused on Tompkins County, NY, and the recent grant record is entirely U.S.-based, with recipients concentrated in Ithaca and one in Newfield, NY.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Center for Transformative Action, Ithaca Health Alliance, Village at Ithaca, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Finger Lakes Toy Library, and Tompkins Learing Partners.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOAVES & FISHES OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE | ITHACA, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $7,500 | 2026 | GRANT |
| FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP | ITHACA, NY | $6,500 | 2026 | GRANT |
| ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES | ITHACA, NY | $6,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $6,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | ITHACA, NY | $4,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| ITHACA MURALS | ITHACA, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| VILLAGE AT ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| VARNA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| WEST VILLAGENO MAS LAGRIMAS | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GRANT |
| VILLAGE AT ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| TOMPKINS LEARING PARTNERS | ITHACA, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| RUNNING TO PLACES THEATRE | ITHACA, NY | $9,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| SECOND WINDS COTTAGES | NEWFIELD, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | ITHACA, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP | ITHACA, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| BIKE WALK TOMPKINS | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION | ITHACA, NY | $14,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| BIKE WALK TOMPKINS | ITHACA, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| GREATER ITHACA ACTIVITIES CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES | ITHACA, NY | $4,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| FINGER LAKES TOY LIBRARY | ITHACA, NY | $3,500 | 2024 | GRANT |
| VILLAGE AT ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $3,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| TOMPKINS LEARING PARTNERS | ITHACA, NY | $2,670 | 2024 | GRANT |
| OAR OF TOMPKINS COUNTY | ITHACA, NY | $2,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| CANCER RESOURCE CENTER OF THE FINGER LAKES | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| LEARNING WEB | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| SECOND WINDS COTTAGES | NEWFIELD, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | GRANT |
| FINGER LAKES REUSE | ITHACA, NY | $9,840 | 2023 | GRANT |
| FINGER LAKES TOY LIBRARY | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| GREATER ITHACA ACTIVITIES CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| VILLAGE AT ITHACA | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| ITHACA NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
| WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER | ITHACA, NY | $1,000 | 2023 | GRANT |
LOAVES & FISHES OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
$15,000GRANT
ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE
$10,000GRANT
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER
$7,500GRANT
FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
$6,500GRANT
ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES
$6,000GRANT
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
$6,000GRANT
FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP
GRANT
THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION
$5,000GRANT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$4,000GRANT
ITHACA MURALS
$2,000GRANT
TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS CENTER
$1,000GRANT
VILLAGE AT ITHACA
$1,000GRANT
VARNA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
$1,000GRANT
WEST VILLAGENO MAS LAGRIMAS
$1,000GRANT
VILLAGE AT ITHACA
$16,000GRANT
TOMPKINS LEARING PARTNERS
$12,000GRANT
RUNNING TO PLACES THEATRE
$9,000GRANT
SECOND WINDS COTTAGES
$7,000GRANT
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
$5,000GRANT
THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE
$5,000GRANT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$4,000GRANT
FAMILY READING PARTNERSHIP
$2,000GRANT
BIKE WALK TOMPKINS
$1,000GRANT
THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION
$14,000GRANT
BIKE WALK TOMPKINS
$10,000GRANT
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE
$5,000GRANT
GREATER ITHACA ACTIVITIES CENTER
$5,000GRANT
FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES
$4,000GRANT
FINGER LAKES TOY LIBRARY
$3,500GRANT
VILLAGE AT ITHACA
$3,000GRANT
TOMPKINS LEARING PARTNERS
$2,670GRANT
OAR OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
$2,000GRANT
CANCER RESOURCE CENTER OF THE FINGER LAKES
$1,000GRANT
LEARNING WEB
$1,000GRANT
SECOND WINDS COTTAGES
$1,000GRANT
FINGER LAKES REUSE
$9,840GRANT
FINGER LAKES TOY LIBRARY
$5,000GRANT
GREATER ITHACA ACTIVITIES CENTER
$5,000GRANT
FREE SCIENCE WORKSHOP
$5,000GRANT
VILLAGE AT ITHACA
$5,000GRANT
CHILD DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA HEALTH ALLIANCE
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES
$5,000GRANT
ITHACA WELCOMES REFUGEES
$5,000GRANT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000GRANT
THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION
$5,000GRANT
WOMEN'S OPPORTUNITY CENTER
$1,000GRANT
Current and upcoming funding from City Federation of Women'S Organizations that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: For not-for-profits and projects aligned with CFWO/WBC mission to support women and girls and improve the lives of women and girls in Tompkins County.
Deadline: Fall cycle; applications due September 21 (historical reference on site).
Who can apply: Projects must be innovative and benefit women and girls in Tompkins County.
Deadline: Annual cycle; fall cycle mentioned, with a winter deadline planned in future years.
Who can apply: Open to nonprofits with unexpected needs, opportunities, and/or emergencies benefiting Tompkins County women and/or girls.
Deadline: Rolling application opportunity; no fixed deadline.
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