The Schenectady Foundation announces $1.45 million grant program for 2026

The Schenectady Foundation will invest $1.45 million in charitable projects in 2026, continuing the organization’s efforts to make Schenectady County food secure, revitalize neighborhoods, nourish grassroots groups doing vital work in the community, support youth and enhance arts programming. 

The Foundation will award $650,000 in Equitable Access to Healthy Food grants. These grants fund initiatives to ensure every Schenectady County resident has access to fresh, healthy and nourishing food. This new round of funding furthers the Foundation’s work to build a more equitable and sustainable local food system, a project that dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Foundation will also give $270,000 to neighborhood revitalization projects to transform Schenectady’s neighborhoods into healthier, cleaner and more dynamic places. Another $270,000 will address emergent needs - new and arising challenges that require creative and community-based responses.

The Foundation will also award $80,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors and $50,000 in sponsorships of non-profit community events.

The Foundation’s Grassroots Fund will award $50,000 to smaller, community-based organizations that participate in a non-profit capacity-building program aimed at expanding their reach and growing their operations. Another $50,000 will be awarded in micro-grants - grants less than $10,000 intended to help with small projects, or seed program innovations.  

The Foundation’s Fund for the Arts will award $20,000 to projects that promote the arts in Schenectady County. 

“We are pleased to announce such a diverse slate of grants for 2026,” said Robert Carreau, executive director of The Schenectady Foundation. “We are looking forward to continuing to support important, ground-level work to meet the needs of Schenectady County residents."

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