Nonprofits

Discover Grant Opportunities

Steuben County Community Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations to support their critical work in creating brighter tomorrows for our community. Our grants are made possible by the generosity of our donors, who are passionate about these fields of interest.

Download Grant Guidelines
Apply or Manage a Grant Application
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Our Grant Cycles

  • Cycle Opens : November 1
    Letter of Intent Requested by: December 1
    Application Due: January 31

    For projects related to education, training, and advancement of skills to participants of all ages.

    Once an LOI is submitted, staff will review it and either invite eligible organizations to submit a full application or contact the applicant if the LOI does not meet the criteria.

  • Cycle Open: February 1
    Letter of Intent Requested by: March 1
    Application Due: April 30

    For projects that increase the number and quality of artistic offerings in the community; promote the preservation/appreciation of Steuben County’s natural resources; improve access to and facilities available for recreation, such as parks, bike trails, walking paths, etc.; or develop the heart of the community and promote the gathering of local community members for collective action and relationship building.

    Once an LOI is submitted, staff will review it and either invite eligible organizations to submit a full application or contact the applicant if the LOI does not meet the criteria. 

  • Cycle Opens: May 1
    Letter of Intent Requested by: June 1
    Application Due: July 31

    For projects that address physical and mental health, provide additional healthcare services or improve the existing services for Steuben County residents, address basic human needs like hunger or homelessness, or improve quality of life by preventing issues and addressing current problems.

    Once an LOI is submitted, staff will review it and either invite eligible organizations to submit a full application or contact the applicant if the LOI does not meet the criteria. 

  • Letter of Intent Due: August 15, 2026

    Selected organizations will be invited to submit full applications due October 15, 2026.

    Designed for collaborative, innovative, multi-year initiatives demonstrating broad community impact and long-term sustainability planning.

  • Fall Cycle :

    • Opens: October 1

    • Application Due: November 1

    Spring Cycle:

    • Opens: May 1

    • Application Due: June 30

    These grants are available to nonprofits, healthcare providers, and government agencies. Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation's grant portal.

  • Applications Due: Applications considered throughout the year.


    For projects that increase Steuben County residents’ awareness of and participation in the humanities and include performances, exhibits, multi-cultural experiences, workshops, and readings on humanities topics.

  • Applications Due: Applications considered throughout the year.


    For projects like local festivals, community events, or other projects that directly impact the communities of Angola, Ashley-Hudson, Clear Lake, Fremont, Hamilton, Helmer, Metz, Orland, Pleasant Lake, and Salem Center, these funds have local volunteer committees that review grant requests that support their communities.

  • The Steuben County REMC Operation Round Up Grant Applications are due the last Friday of March, June, September, and December. The applications are reviewed the following month. The Steuben County REMC Operation Round Up fund was created to help with economic development and growth projects in our community, but the program has also helped with philanthropic organizations that are doing good for our members and community.

    Grants can only be awarded once every four quarters per organization and organizations must have a valid 501c(3) status. The Final Grant Report must be completed for returning applicants to receive future funding.

    Quarter 1 Cycle:

    • Cycle Opens: January 1

    Applications Due: 4:00PM the last Friday of March

    Quarter 2 Cycle:

    • Cycle Opens: April 1

    • Applications Due: 4:00PM the last Friday of June

    Quarter 3 Cycle:

    • Cycle Opens: July 1

    • Applications Due: 4:00PM the last Friday of September

    Quarter 4 Cycle:

    • Cycle Opens October 1

    • Applications Due: 4:00PM the last Friday of December

  • Cycle Opens: August 15
    Application Due: October 31

    For programs that support nonprofit and school projects that positively impact the youth of Steuben County. Examples include an educational trip, special events, or creative projects that empower the youth of Steuben County to give back to their community. FIST also seeks opportunities for its members to volunteer at events, encouraging local nonprofit organizations to engage with the youth who will become our future community leaders.  FIST does not fund general classroom supplies or projects that do not fit the mission statement

    Eligible applicants include any school employee or nonprofit organization located in or serving Steuben County, including churches and service clubs. Please note that Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) must possess 501(c)(3) status to apply. School employees should apply using the name of their school district as their organization.

    The application process requires a detailed description of the program and an itemized budget or cost estimate. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to programs that align with FIST’s mission: to inspire Steuben County youth to become tomorrow's leaders by sharing their resources and empowering others to donate their time, talent, and treasures.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

SCCF Now Requires a Letter of Intent for ALL Quarterly Grant Cycles!

 Due to an increase in funding requests and our commitment to being responsible stewards of limited grant dollars, SCCF has introduced a Letter of Intent (LOI) requirement for all quarterly grant applications. This new step helps ensure our grant review committees are not overwhelmed and allows us to focus on proposals that best align with SCCF’s mission and funding priorities. Quarterly grant opportunities include Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Environment, Recreation, Community Development, and More.

 What This Means for You:

Organizations must now submit a digital LOI form before being invited to complete a full grant application. The LOI helps our staff determine:

  • Your organization’s eligibility

  • Alignment with SCCF’s mission and funding priorities

  • Whether your organization will be invited to submit a full application

Please Note:

  • LOIs must be submitted through your online dashboard.

  • Written or mailed LOIs will not be accepted.

  • SCCF requests that all LOIs be submitted within 30 days of each grant cycle’s opening date.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to make our grantmaking process more effective and equitable for all applicants.

Grant Eligibility

  • We fund nonprofit organizations serving Steuben County. Requests for nonprofits headquartered outside Steuben County may be approved if most people benefitting from the grant funds reside in Steuben County.

  • We do not fund individuals, organizations with outstanding grant reports due to SCCF, or organizations that do not serve Steuben County.

  • We fund projects and programs intended to improve the quality of life in Steuben County. Special consideration is given to collaborative projects and those that consider and attempt to address root causes, fit within a nonprofit organization’s mission and strategic plan and have support from their board, demonstrated by board-approved meeting minutes supporting the application.

  • We do not fund:

    o   Projects typically fully funded by the government or schools

    o   Religious activities that do not serve the community at large

    o   Political organizations or campaigns

    o   Projects that duplicate existing services without collaboration

    o   Projects where SCCF is the sole funder

    o   Requests for projects that have already occurred or debt reduction

    o   Requests for a project that SCCF has funded for three consecutive years

    o   Fundraising campaigns

Grant FAQs

  • You can apply for one of our grants by visiting our online grants portal. This includes the three general grants cycle, the Impact Grants cycle, the Women’s Fund, the Community Funds, and all other application-based grantmaking opportunities administered through SCCF.

  • The SCCF Board of Directors makes all final decisions on grant recipients, but they utilize a committee of volunteers to review the applications, host site visits, and make recommendations.

  • Whether you have specific questions or are looking for general recommendations about grants, we encourage you to contact us before submitting your grant request. If you are a first-time applicant, we can help clarify the process and guide you in the right direction. Contact Silby Kays with any questions at skays@steubenfoundation.org.

  • An organization may not apply for funding for the same program or project during the other grants cycles while receiving Impact Grant cycle payouts (or for the duration of their Impact Grant funding). The organization may request funding for other programs or projects during the other grant cycles. 

  • If your application is not approved, SCCF will provide feedback on the proposal’s review. Remember, “no” doesn’t mean “never.” Your organization may be able to submit an updated application for a different grant cycle or submit a grant request for a different project.

  • Grantees should complete their final grant reports through the online grants portal where they initially applied.

  • In 1999, the Steuben County Community Foundation extended a challenge to the communities of Steuben County to form community funds to help deal with issues and concerns distinct to their community and to provide grantmaking. Since then, ten communities (Angola, Clear Lake, Fremont, Hamilton, Helmer, Metz, Orland, Pleasant Lake, and Salem Center) have established community funds at SCCF. Each community fund has a set of local volunteers to review grant requests and make funding recommendations. SCCF continuously works with the ten local advisory committees to increase and strengthen their funds and grantmaking capabilities. Nonprofits may apply for a grant from a community fund through SCCF’s online grants portal.

  • The average grant size varies widely depending on the grantmaking fund. However, the average grant size for Education, Arts & Culture, etc., and Health & Human Services is $500 - $25,000.

  • Typically, the grants committee meets in the month after each grant cycle ends. Their recommendations are sent to the SCCF Board of Directors for final approval. Recipients must sign a grant agreement, and checks will be mailed afterward. This process takes 60–75 days from the end of the grant cycle.

Want to apply for or manage a grant?

Visit our online portal or contact Silby Kays at skays@steubenfoundation.org or 260 665-6656 to learn more.

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Nonprofit Resources

Click HERE to view SCCF's Nonprofit Resource Page

Meeting Spaces

Looking for a meeting space? Nonprofits can reserve the community room at Steuben County Community Foundation’s office for free Monday-Friday during our business hours 8:30-4:30pm. The room can easily accommodate 20 people. Wi-Fi is available, along with a computer and large TV for presentations or virtual meetings. Download our room reservation guidelines and contact us to request a room reservation.

“ If there’s a need, there’s an answer here in Steuben County.”
— Mada Waldrop, Women in Transition