Internal Diversity, Equity & Action (IDEA) Grants

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, publicly supported organizations such as schools and municipalities, and organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
• Organizations serving residents of Onondaga and Madison counties
• Organizations should have done some initial staff and/or board training around structural racism, engaged in efforts to diversify their staff and/or board, participated in Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) at the staff and/or board levels, or other assessment, or other such activities.

Internal Diversity Equity & Action grants support the following types of projects (this list is not exhaustive, but meant to provide examples):

• Cultural competency work with staff and/or board
• Leadership consultation
• Training for managers
• Audit of and recommendations for policies and practices, including compensations/benefits analysis, hiring practices, use of vendors, financial and/or service investment, onboarding procedures
• Incorporation of DEI in strategic and/or financial planning

• Applications for Internal Diversity Equity & Action (IDEA) grants are accepted year-round.
• All grant applications must be submitted through our online form.
• Prospective applicants are required to discuss their grant request with Community Foundation staff before beginning the application process. Please call Danielle Johnson at (315) 883-5554 or email at djohnson@cnycf.org.

If your organization receives an IDEA grant, we request that you submit a final report. These reports assist us in assessing our grantmaking efforts.

• The Community Foundation can only pay grants to registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (including churches) or to a public entity such as a town, public school or state agency. All others will need to use a fiscal sponsor.