Do you have an idea for a project to make our community more sustainable, resilient, or inclusive? Need a little help in covering the costs? Sustainable Finger Lakes is accepting applications for our fall 2024/winter 2025 round of Neighborhood Mini-Grants.
The Sustainable Finger Lakes Neighborhood Mini-Grant program supports initiatives building resilience, equity, and environmental stewardship in Tompkins County. Since it began in 2008, it has awarded more than $92,000 in 229 grants to innovative grassroots projects throughout the county.
Grants range from $150 to $750 and support initiatives promoting sustainable food systems, alternative transportation, waste reduction/reuse, energy conservation/fossil fuel use reduction, environmental education, and addressing social and economic inequality.
Proposals are reviewed biannually by a team of community members. The program is sponsored by the Park Foundation, Craig Riecke, and local donors.
Individuals, organizations, and neighborhood groups are welcome to apply, as are local microbusinesses seeking to green their operations or extend their products or services to low-income clientele. Priority is given to new and/or small entities with relatively few sources of support.
Successful initiatives supported by Neighborhood Mini-Grants in the past decade include the founding of the Freeville Farmers Market, establishment of the Finger Lakes Toy Library, creation of an urban neighborhood garden in Ithaca, restoration of a disused and overgrown trail in Dryden, and bicycle maintenance education workshops in Ithaca, and installation of bike racks in the Village of Dryden.
Applications must be received on or before October 1, 2024. To request an application form, or if you have questions, please call (607) 272-1720 or email sasha@sustainablefingerlakes.org.
