CIP Grant Application

To be considered for an award, local organizations must apply using the official CIP Grand Application. An advisory group reviews each application and recommends awards to the Schenectady County Legislature. Award recipients are announced by resolution at a meeting of the County Legislature.

Technical assistance is available to all organizations wishing to submit an application for funding.  Contact Jason Lecuyer, Director of Special Events, at (518) 388-4603.

2023 Grant Applications
Due Thursday, March 16, 2023

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed and judged using the following criteria:

1. Existing community support for the organization including membership, subscribers, program participation and volunteers and financial support for proposed program.
2. Additional private or other funds to be generated in support of the proposed program.
3. Collaboration with other Schenectady County nonprofit organizations.
4. Estimated community participation in or attendance at the proposed program.
5. The extent to which the proposed program is likely to enhance the visibility and/or attractiveness of Schenectady County and increase visitors from outside of Schenectady County.
6. Proposed activity represents a project involving historic preservation, or the performing/visual/literary arts.
7. The effective use of the County Initiative Program award for the proposed program with respect to quality, soundness of program administration, adequacy and appropriateness of cost involved and need for the funds to ensure program success
8. Projects that received funding in past years will also be judged on growth (new challenges, changes in programming, greater organizational professionalism, funding growth, or audience reach.)
9. Projects that have not received funding in past years will be judged on sustainability and the potential to grow larger and attract more participants in future years.
10. Additional consideration will be given to projects that are proposed as part of existing or proposed 2022 Schenectady County Special Events.  Please call Jason Lecuyer, Director of Special Events, to discuss your proposal prior to submitting your application.

Proposals for general support of fundraising events will not considered.  Awards may be given in support of events that do have a fundraising component, but award must be used in support of an aspect of the event that includes historic preservation, tourism, or the performing/visual/literary arts.

Not Eligible for Funding

• Projects that take place outside of Schenectady County.
• Works of individual artists, except under the sponsorship of such organizations listed above.
• Programs or projects that are not open to the public, or those that primarily serve the organizations’ own members or subscribers.
• Requests for Capital Projects or the purchase of equipment, except such equipment directly related to programs or exhibits of the performing, visual or literary arts and/or historic preservation.
• Proposals for general support of fundraising events.

Eligibility

To be eligibile for a grant from the Schenectady County Initiative Program, an organization must meet each of the following criteria: 

• An established association or institution whose earnings do not benefit any individual. Evidence of this status must be presented in the form of ONE of the following:
  1. IRS letter of tax-exempt not-for-profit status (501(c)(3) organizations)
  2. Charter issued by the Board of Regents under Section 216 Education Law
  3. Letter on official letterhead, signed by the appropriate county, city, town or village executive or departmental official, verifying the organization’s status as an official agency or entity thereof
• The organization must be up-to-date with all required filings with the New York State Attorney General Charities Bureau and the IRS (if applicable).
• The organization must be located in or have a physical presence/office in Schenectady County and the program services for which funding is being requested must be provided within Schenectady County.
• The organization may not exclude persons because of disabilities, religious preference, age, gender, ethnic background or other practices prohibited by provision of the 1991 American with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards, and Affirmative Action Policies set by the US Government.
• Programs/Projects must take place within Schenectady County and must increase tourism and/or involve historic preservation and/or the performing/visual/literary arts.
• Programs/projects must take place between April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024.

Only one application per organization will be considered per funding cycle.

Important Information for Award Recipients