Sustainable Finger Lakes is accepting applications for our Spring 2026 round of Neighborhood Mini-Grants in Schuyler, Seneca, and Yates Counties, for local residents who seek to improve quality of life in their neighborhoods and need a little help covering the costs.
The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program was designed to stimulate resident-based, grassroots initiatives that improve quality of life and long-term health in local communities, promote environmental stewardship and local resilience, generate collaboration between differing groups, and create opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Since its launch in 2008, it has awarded more than $100,000 in 246 grants to innovative grassroots projects throughout Tompkins County. The program’s Keuka and Seneca Watersheds Chapter, serving Schuyler, Seneca, and Yates Counties, launched in Fall 2025 with six grants supporting public pollinator gardens in Schuyler County, a network of neighbors helping neighbors in Interlaken, health-monitoring equipment for loan at the Dundee Library, and carts at the Lodi Food Pantry.
Grants range from $150 to $750 and support initiatives such as promoting sustainable food systems, alternative transportation, waste reduction/reuse, energy conservation/fossil fuel use reduction, environmental education, community development, and addressing social and economic inequality.
Proposals are reviewed by a team of community reps from each county. The Keuka and Seneca Watersheds Chapter is sponsored by Applied Energy Services (AES), the Park Foundation, and local donors. More program expansion in the Finger Lakes Region is planned for 2026.
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 limited access to funding. Grants may be used for supplies and other expenses, but not for salaries or stipends.
Successful Tompkins County initiatives supported by Neighborhood Mini-Grants in recent years include the creation of an urban neighborhood garden in Ithaca, installations of a bike repair station at the Groton Public Library and bike racks in the Village of Dryden, “senior safe tools” for a community garden at a senior apartment complex, a library cart of books for adult ESL students in Ithaca, textile repair workshops in Trumansburg, and reusable utensils in the Dryden Middle/High School cafeteria,.
Applications must be received on or before May 1, 2026. Prospective applicants may call (607) 272-1720 or email sasha@sustainablefingerlakes.org to request an application form or ask questions.
