In a time of expanding needs, the Community Foundation of Otsego County (CFOC) has opened a Fall awards cycle focused on family and child welfare, with a focus on food insecurity programs. In partnership with the Mildred Parish Foundation Fund at CFOC, the Black Family Foundation, and the Black Family Foundation Fund at the Richland Community Foundation, CFOC is allocating $135,000 for the Fall cycle.
This awards cycle focuses on the following types of applications that include, but are not limited to, programs that:
- Support for alleviating the effect of cuts in federal and regional food programs, such as SNAP;
- Create or expand school-based food programs;
- Focus on new healthy eating programs;
- Provide funding for small capital needs at food pantries (for example, refrigeration, energy efficiency efforts);
- Focus on health-related needs, including, but not limited to, mental health and dental hygiene;
- Provide necessities that support learning (for example, warm clothing, daily nutrition, language services);
- Support programs focused on housing and utility costs/electric bills, as well as preventative rental support;
- Provide childcare credentialing and classes, including the cost of instructors.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. Groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization are also eligible but must submit evidence of the sponsorship (funds will be disbursed through that sponsor, which must also provide the identifying information requested in our application).
Organizations may apply for multiple programs within a single application.
This is our first awards cycle using our new Foundant software. If this is your first time applying through Foundant, you will be directed to build your organizational profile. Once your organization is in our system, you won’t have to provide that information again.
What We Do Not Fund through Fall 2025 Awards Cycle:
- fundraising efforts
- direct grants to individuals
- direct grants to businesses
- large capital projects
Award Details:
- The deadline for applications is October 24, 2025.
Application Instructions:
- Please answer all questions.
- If an award is offered, funds will be disbursed upon written acceptance of our award and compliance with any conditions of the award.
- A final report will be required on the use of award funds. Reports must include metrics on what the program or activity accomplished, evaluations of how it performed in comparison to expectations, lessons learned, and what changes will be made if the program continues. Reports should be written for a general audience, with technical terms and jargon defined. Reports for prior awards are required before new applications will be considered.
- Applications must be submitted online.
Questions Welcome
If you have any questions about the application or awards round, we are glad to help. Please email contact@cfotsego.org or call 607-286-3750.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: If I’m not a 501(c)(3), is it possible for me to apply?
A: Yes, but… you will need to find a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) in good standing and willing to act as the applicant. That organization’s mission should be aligned with the goals of the proposed project. The sponsoring organization will be accepting financial and reporting responsibility and will be liable for complying with the provisions of our award letter.
Q: Can churches and religious organizations apply?
A: Yes, churches and religious organizations can apply, but the project/service applied for must be for the benefit and use of the general public. Projects/services that only serve a specific religious congregation are not eligible.
Q: Can I apply if I received an award in previous cycles?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I need to upload my financial statement and most recent 990?
A: Yes, we do require these materials as part of a complete application. We only consider complete applications. Your financial statement should include the most recent year’s Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Activity. Project budget is required too, but not here.
Q: Why do you need to know how many of my Board members made cash donations in the past 12 months?
A: We have seen that healthy 501(c)(3) are ones with strong boards, demonstrated by personal financial commitments. We do not need to know the amounts of such commitments. We encourage you to explain the importance of this to your board members. While a factor in the review process, the percentage of board member cash contributions is not a deal-breaker.
Q: What do you want to see in the project budget?
A: The more detail, the better. If you are including administrative costs, please clearly indicate those costs. This budget is for the project; we are not asking for your organization’s overall budget.
Q: Does my organization need to spend all award money in one calendar year?
A: While we expect the funds to be used in the course of the year that follows receipt, we do not require it. How the funds were spent should be explained in detail in the final report.
Q: Is the deadline firm?
A: Yes. The application process will be closed when the deadline date has passed. Submissions will not be possible after the deadline date.
Q: When will awards be announced?
A: We expect to review and approve applications by the end of the month that follows the deadline.
Q: If my application is unsuccessful, is there any way for me to understand why?
A: Yes. We are happy to review your application, either by email or phone.
Q: I have a question that has not been covered above? Is there a way for me to ask it?
A: Yes. We want to do everything we can to make our award process work best for our Otsego County nonprofits. You can email us at contact@cfotsego.org or call Jeff Katz, Executive Director, at (607) 286-3750.