Staff Advancement Initiative

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations
• Organizations serving residents of Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cortland and Cayuga counties
• Funding is limited to the front-line staff, non-management or entry-level management employees of nonprofit organizations, and focuses on individualized career advancement for workers who interface directly with clients on a daily basis.
• No more than two Staff Advancement grants can be awarded to a single nonprofit organization within a 12-month period. Grants can be for individual staff members or training staff members in a group

The following professional development examples would qualify for a Staff Advancement grant:

• Professional seminars and conferences
• Training classes, varying from one-day skill-building courses to multi-day career enhancing workshops. This can be individual staff members or training staff members in a group
• Associated costs such as travel, lodging and childcare
• Includes virtual seminars, conferences, and trainings

• Tuition for colleges
• Training for middle or upper management staff
• Trainings focused on administrative functions
• Trainings/conferences that take place within two weeks of submitting the application

• To apply, login to our CNYCF Grants Portal with the below link or using Grantee Login at the top of the page.
• Applications to the Staff Advancement Initiative are accepted year-round.
• Grant requests should not exceed $1,500
• Decision notifications are generally made within 10 business days.

• If your nonprofit has received a Staff Advancement grant, you are required to submit a final report. These reports assist us in assessing our grantmaking efforts. Login to the CNYCF Grants Portal to access the report form.