FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
- Emily La
- Sustainable Finger Lakes
- Tel: 607-272-1720
- Email: emily@sustainablefingerlakes.org
ITHACA, NY—November 18, 2025— Sustainable Finger Lakes is announcing updates for Neighborhood Mini-Grant projects awarded last year, including Danby Food and Drink’s new shade sails, an air-quality monitoring research project by an Ithaca High School student and the Bike Seat Lending Library hosted in Bike Walk Tompkins.
The full stories, as well as the announcement of this Fall’s 11 new awardees for both Tompkins and Keuka/Seneca chapters, will be shared on Sustainable Finger Lakes’ website and social media platforms over the next few weeks. This is part of their “Give the Gift of a Mini-Grant” fundraising campaign for Giving Tuesday on December 2nd to raise $2000 for the Spring cycle awards in 2026.
Through the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, Sustainable Finger Lakes (SFLX) supports those who seek to improve the resilience, equity, and health of their communities. Local residents often know best what projects would improve the quality of life for their neighborhoods, but need a little help covering the costs. The program is sponsored by Applied Energy Services (AES), Visions Federal Credit Union, Wegmans, Park Foundation, and local donors.
More recently, the newest pilot in Seneca, Yates, and Schuyler Counties has been successful in engaging community leaders and grant applications. SFLX is now seeking out interested donors to pilot this program in the Chemung and Tioga River Basin, comprising Steuben, Chemung, and Tioga counties.
“Our sponsors can be proud of the diversity of citizen-based initiatives they have helped implement in our community. By helping local leaders bring good ideas to life, we all benefit from a healthier environment, community connectivity, and growing overall resilience,” noted Gay Nicholson, President of SFLX. “This year’s Giving Tuesday donations will funnel straight into this program to pay for the 2026 grant awards. It’s very satisfying for sponsors and donors to read the stories of the awardee projects, and know they were essential to these successes.”
About Sustainable Finger Lakes
Sustainable Finger Lakes (SFLX) is a community-based organization whose mission is to promote the long-term well-being of the region by integrating social equity, economic vitality, ecological stewardship, and shared responsibility.
