Sustainable Finger Lakes is accepting applications for our October 2026 round of Neighborhood Mini-Grants, now available in Cayuga, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties. Local residents often know best what projects would improve quality of life for their neighborhoods, but need a little help covering the costs, and we hope to support those who seek to improve the resilience, equity, and health of their communities.
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 launching the program in 2008, Sustainable Finger Lakes has awarded more than $100,000 in over 250 grants to innovative grassroots projects throughout Tompkins County. A Keuka and Seneca Watersheds Chapter, launched in Fall 2025, has awarded over $5,000 in 11 grants to projects in Seneca, Schuyler, and Yates Counties. A newly-launched Chemung and Tioga Watersheds Chapter serves Steuben, Chemung, and Tioga Counties. Now we have added Cayuga and Cortland Counties to Tompkins County, creating a Cayuga and Owasco Watersheds Chapter.
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, community development, and/or addressing social and economic inequality.
Proposals are reviewed twice a year by a team of community reps from each county. The Cayuga and Owasco Watersheds Chapter is sponsored by AES Renewables and Power, 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 small and/or new entities with relatively few sources of financial support. Funds are available for supplies and other expenses, but not for salaries or stipends.
Successful 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 October 1, 2026. Prospective applicants may call (607) 272-1720 or email sasha@
