FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sustainable Finger Lakes Brings Grassroots Funding Opportunities to Keuka and Seneca Watersheds
July 3, 2025 — Sustainable Finger Lakes (SFLX), a community-based organization dedicated to promoting sustainability initiatives across the Finger Lakes Region, is excited to announce the expansion of its successful Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program as part of a broader regional initiative launching this summer and fall.
Since 2004, the organization has supported long-term resilience in our region by weaving social equity, economic vitality, and ecological stewardship into community life. Launched in 2008, the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program (NMG) has awarded $98,000 across 241 grants in Tompkins County to date. Formerly known as Sustainable Tompkins, the organization rebranded to Sustainable Finger Lakes in 2021, reflecting its alignment with its growing portfolio of regional programs and partnerships.
Notably, the SFLX’s Finger Lakes Climate Fund, a local carbon offset program that helps fund energy upgrades in lower-income homes, has assisted 14 counties in the region, including 5 households in Schuyler County. While the expansion of the Mini-Grant Program is a new endeavor, SFLX has received a sponsorship from AES Solar, preparing them to launch pilot programs in Schuyler, Seneca, Yates, Chemung, and Tioga Counties.
Small Grants, Big Impact
Mini-Grants of $150 to $750 will be awarded to grassroots projects that promote community development. From composting education to tool-sharing libraries, community gardens to youth leadership projects, the possibilities are wide-ranging and can be tailored to local priorities.
For over 10 years, the program has relied on the generosity of individual and business sponsors who are invested in the well-being and progression of their communities.
“Looking at the list of projects that got funded the previous year is always a great experience for me. I love the variety of projects and the great ideas that come out of it. The smallness of it lets someone try out an idea that they may not be sure about, get it off the ground, and see if it works.”
— Craig Riecke, Longtime Program Sponsor
The Mini-Grant Program offers a proven, scalable model for community-led impact, enabling businesses to invest directly in local resilience. Recipients will also benefit from increased intercounty collaboration through connections with a network of over 200 past grantees.
Real Stories of Community Change
Grants have sparked projects that garner positive media attention. Dryden Middle and High School, for example, drew local attention for replacing disposable utensils with reusable ones, allowing their school to save on costs in the long run.
“The addition of the metal utensils makes lunch feel higher quality, and I believe that it will be a valuable change to the sustainability in our community at Dryden.”
– Zach Washburn, Student at Dryden High School
Spectrum News 1 coverage of the project. The middle and high school cafeterias were equipped with these utensils in spring 2024, ending the monthly $240 purchase, use, and disposal of about 8,060 plastic utensils.
Many projects evolve into larger initiatives or nonprofits. Recipients are eligible for repeat grants to build on their early success. Claire Dehm applied for her first grant to host a bike maintenance workshop for women.
“It was a really great way for me to connect with other female cyclists in the area and build confidence in those women.”
– Claire Dehm, Two-Time NMG Recipient
Her second grant, in partnership with Bike Walk Tompkins, created a “bike seat library” where community members can borrow and try seats before purchasing to help more people bike comfortably.
The Bike Seat Library, funded in Fall 2024, is now officially open.
Businesses Can Lead Sustainable Change
The ability to sustain the Mini-Grant Program in these new counties will also depend on the support of local sponsors. Sustainable Finger Lakes offers tiered sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals. In return, sponsors receive public recognition and increased visibility for their role in supporting grassroots initiatives. Working with businesses has also been a key component for some of the funded projects.
One example is Zero Waste Ithaca, which partnered with local businesses to strengthen their “Bring Your Own Container” campaign.
“Without that grant, we wouldn’t be here. We probably wouldn’t have gotten the approval from the health department. It just totally legitimized what we are trying to do.”
— Yayoi Koizumi, Zero Waste Ithaca
Yayoi Koizumi outside of Taco CDMX. Photo by Desiree Holz/Ithaca Week.
Contact: Emily La
Email: emily@sustainablefingerlakes.org
Website: www.sustainablefingerlakes.org
