Cortland Community Grants

After years of supporting local nonprofits through Cortland Bright Ideas, the Central New York Community Foundation is excited to announce the program’s transition into our Community Grants round. Thanks to a significant investment from the Renzi Fund, nonprofit organizations serving Cortland County will soon be eligible to apply for larger grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000, with approximately $600,000 available annually. This expansion marks an important next step in our commitment to Cortland County and creates new opportunities for organizations to pursue projects that address pressing community needs.

The first Community Grants cycle open to Cortland County nonprofits will run from July 6 through August 28, 2026, with this fall round focusing on health, human services and workforce/economic development. To prepare, organizations must register in the Community Foundation’s online grants portal and schedule a required meeting with staff before beginning an application. We encourage applicants to learn more about eligibility, priorities and next steps by visiting our Community Grants page.

The Cortland County Advisory Group will play a key role in guiding grantmaking, offering local insight and supporting nonprofits throughout the application process. The group will assist with proposal review, engage with prospective applicants and help ensure effective implementation of funded programs.

Members of the Cortland County Advisory Group include:

• Sandy Cardillo, Community Member
• Linda Dickerson Hartsock, Community Member and Former Community Foundation Board Member
• Audrey Lewis, Community Member
• Doug Pasquerella, Principal, Homer Central Elementary School
• Dr. Doug Rahner, Chief Medical Officer, Family Health Network of CNY
• Kristina Thelen, Executive Director, United Way of Cortland County