Please carefully review all details below before proceeding with completing an application for this funding opportunity.

Important: Have you read the FAQ? Click here to review the official FAQ document before you begin. It contains critical information on eligibility and application guidance.

Questions can be sent to rfp@fpwa.org.

APPLICATION OVERVIEW

With State funding provided by the New York State Legislature, the Fiscal Conduit Consortium—comprising Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Inc. (FPWA), the New York Urban League (NYUL), and the United Way of New York State— seeks grant proposals from certified 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing direct services, civic engagement or capacity building services to individuals and families residing in communities in New York State with the highest disparities in health, education, economic insecurity, and justice involvement.

Community-based organizations are the backbone of New York’s social and economic well-being. They are trusted anchors that provide culturally and linguistically responsive services, empower residents, and foster community resilience. This initiative invests in their work to promote community engagement and support community-based initiatives including but not limited to workforce development, civic engagement, capacity building, educational initiatives and health services in underserved communities. Funds may also be used for operational, administrative or other ancillary expenses in direct support of these activities.

GRANT DETAILS & AWARDS

• Small Organization Grant Amount: The maximum grant amount is up to $25,000 for the Small Organization Support Fund.

• Program Operations Grant Amount: The maximum grant amount is up to $500,000 based on project scope, scale, and demonstrated impact for the Program Operations track. 

• Program Operations Funding Cap: Awards will be capped to a sliding scale based on applicant organizational budget.

  $1M to $1.999M: Award cap is $100,000
  $2M to $2.99M: Award cap is $200,000
  $3M to $3.99M: Award cap is $300,000
  $4M to $4.99M: Award cap is $400,000
  $5M or more: Award cap is $500,000

• Award Determinations: Funding decisions will be based on alignment with grant priorities, organizational capacity, and the availability of State resources. All awards are subject to final State approval. 
   

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

To be eligible for funding, organizations submitting applications must meet the following requirements:

• Have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Be current in registration with the Charities Bureau of the New York State Office of the Attorney General (CHAR500).
• Have a demonstrated record of serving underserved communities.
• Have demonstrated commitment to equal employment opportunities.
• Have demonstrated commitment and capacity to deliver culturally competent services.
• Fiscal Sponsors: Organizations with fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply if the sponsor meets all eligibility requirements.
   

HOW TO APPLY

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM ET on Monday, November 17, 2025

Important: This application must be completed in one sitting; progress cannot be saved.

All sections of the application must be completed in full and successfully submitted to obtain a receipt of submission.

Please reference the Application Sample to view all questions, as well as the Budget Template Worksheet in preparation for the online application.
 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

Before starting your application, please have the following documents ready to upload:

• IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter (if applicable, provide your Fiscal Sponsor's EIN and letter).
• Most recent NYS CHAR500 Annual Filing/Registration (if applicable, provide your Fiscal Sponsor's CHAR500).
• Most Recent Fiscal Year Organizational Budget, Financial Statement (audited or board-approved) or your most recent tax filing (e.g., Form 990).
• Key Leadership Bios (Please download template here)
• Board of Directors List (Please download template here)

FUNDING TRACK SELECTION

This application has two distinct funding tracks. The eligibility criteria and application questions are different for each track.

You may only apply for ONE track. Please read the descriptions below before making your selection.

1. Funding Category Grants (Program Operations Grants): This track is for organizations seeking funding for program operations and services. Applicants will be required to select one of the following main funding categories (Arts and Culture, Capacity Building, Civic Engagement, Criminal Justice Reform, Education, Health or Workforce Development.)

2. Small Organization Support Fund (Non-Reimbursable Grants): This is a separate fund designed to provide flexible, non-reimbursable grants to support your organization's core operations. Awards are capped at $25,000. 

FUNDING CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS

Organizations seeking funding must carefully consider the category that best aligns with their proposed project when completing this application. Please note that only one funding category may be selected per application.

• Arts and Culture: Initiatives and programming that facilitate and nurture community engagement in the arts and in cultural preservation.  Program areas including but not limited to arts education and programming, and community programming supporting the cultivation, safeguarding, promotion, and advancement of heritage, language, history, and other traditions. 
• Capacity Building: Capacity Building grants strengthen nonprofits by funding services including but not limited to training, leadership development, strategic planning, management, fundraising, financial management, board development, IT/infrastructure, communications/marketing, and staff hiring for service expansion. 
• Civic Engagement: Training and community-based programming and activities that build government, and political and community empowerment, to participate in democracy. Program areas including but not limited to voter education and mobilization, community organizing and advocacy, leadership development, civics and government education, and community forums and convenings on current events, critical issues affecting community services, and policy issues.
• Criminal Justice Reform: Initiatives and programming that promote and support justice in police and court involvement,  reduced incarceration and recidivism, advocacy, and community centered healing. Program areas including but not limited to gun violence prevention, legal support and advocacy, mental health support, and restorative justice.
• Education: Initiatives and programming that support learning and development across the lifespan. Program areas including but not limited to Early Care and Education supports and afterschool activities, reading and math literacy, STEAM, college and career readiness, vocational training, and adult and continuing education.
• Health (Behavioral & Mental, Physical): Initiatives and programming that promote access to care that are designed to improve the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of individuals  and families in one or more designated communities. Program areas including but not limited to preventive care, health and nutrition education, physical education, community wellness, mental health services, substance use services, maternal health education and health.
• Workforce Development: Initiatives and programming that equip individuals with the skills, training, and support necessary for gainful employment. Program areas including but not limited to job readiness, career pathways, vocational training, youth employment and internships.

Section 1: Organizational Demographics

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Section 2: Applicant Program Details

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Section 2: Small Application Organizational Fund

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Section 3: Application Budget

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The funds may be used for operational, administrative or other ancillary expenses in direct support of the activities proposed and cannot be used for Capital expenses. Please ensure the expenses you list in the application form correspond to your grant request and reflect only the funds you are requesting from the fiscal conduits of the NYSBLT.

Program Operations Guidelines

Applicants must provide a 12-month budget that is clear and realistic that demonstrates precisely how the requested funds will be used. This concise financial overview must align directly with the project's proposed activities, outcomes, and your organization's capacity. The budget should also address how the applicant's program operations might be sustained beyond the grant period.

Budgets must be proportionate to the proposed work and reflect sound financial management. All budgets must comply with the initiative’s funding parameters.

Funding Cap: Awards will be capped according to a sliding scale based on the applicant's organizational budget:

$1M to $1.999M Budget: $100,000 Award Cap
$2M to $2.99M Budget: $200,000 Award Cap
$3M to $3.99M Budget: $300,000 Award Cap
$4M to $4.99M Budget: $400,000 Award Cap
$5M or more Budget: $500,000 Award Cap

Small Organization Grant Guidelines

If you are applying for the Small Organization Grant Program, please detail how you intend to utilize the grant amount you've requested. Please be reminded that the Small Organization Grant is capped at $25,000.

Personnel Services

For the Personnel Services section, you must provide a detailed breakdown of all staff positions associated with the project. You may include fringe in this area. Note your fringe rate in the narrative section below.

For each position:

• List the individual's Title.
• Provide the full Annual Salary for that position.
• Specify the Percentage Allocated to Project, which is the percentage of that person's time that will be dedicated specifically to this grant-funded project.
• Calculate the Total Amount Allocated to Grant, which is the portion of the salary being requested from the grant (Annual Salary x Percentage Allocated).

Non-Personnel Services (OTPS)

For all Non-Personnel Services (OTPS) categories, you must follow these general instructions:

Use the narrative section below to describe and fully justify all costs in each line.

Shared Costs: For any costs that are shared (e.g., rent, utilities), you must describe the methodology for allocating costs (for example: $XXX x number of FTE).

Below are the specific rules for each OTPS sub-category:

1. Contractual Services

This category includes items like telephone, postage, rent, utilities, rental or repairs to equipment, lease of equipment, contracted services and contracted construction costs.

TBD Contractors: If a specific contractor has not yet been selected, list the name as "TBD". You must still briefly describe the work that the contractor will do and the amount that will be awarded.

MWBE Goals: Be aware that services and supplies may be subject to a 30% MWBE (Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise) goal. This requirement applies to contracts and grants with a value over $25,000.
 

2. Equipment

This category is specifically for equipment items that meet both of the following criteria:

The cost exceeds $200 per item.

 The item has a useful life of one year or more. (Items under $200 should be listed under Supplies.)

 

3. Travel
 

This category is restricted to New York State (NYS) travel ONLY.

Calculation: You must show the calculation for travel costs.

Mileage: All mileage must be reimbursed at or below GSA guidelines. If you are reimbursing for mileage, you must include a sentence in your justification stating this.

 

4. Supplies/Materials

Use this category for items like office supplies, printing supplies, small tools, building materials and like category descriptions.

You must list the description of the supply category and the costs associated for each line.
 

5. Other

Use this category for any expenses that do not fit into the categories listed above.
You must identify and justify these costs and include the cost for each item.

• IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter (if applicable, provide your Fiscal Sponsor's EIN and letter).
• Most recent NYS CHAR500 Annual Filing/Registration (if applicable, provide your Fiscal Sponsor's CHAR500).
• Most Recent Fiscal Year Organizational Budget, Financial Statement (audited or board-approved) or your most recent tax filing (e.g., Form 990).
• Key Leadership Bios (Please download template here)
• Board of Directors List (Please download template here)

Attestation Statement

I, [Executive Director/Equivalent Name], attest that all information provided in this NYSBLT Grantee Funding Application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that no misrepresentations have been made. I further represent that our organization is a certified 501(c)(3) organization in good standing.

I understand and acknowledge that:

• Award Determination: Funding awards will be determined by alignment with program priorities, organizational capacity, and are subject to the availability of State resources and final approval of applicants by the State.
• Reimbursement Basis: All funds are granted on a reimbursement basis, except for awards made from the small organization support fund, and our organization must adhere to all related claiming and documentation procedures.
• State Contracting & Compliance: If selected for an award, our organization will be subject to all requirements for managing and stewarding the awarded dollars in accordance with State contracting requirements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, guidelines for record retention; periodic progress and financial reporting; submission of a final impact report; financial audits; and, other compliance measures as stipulated by New York State contracting guidelines, the New York State Legislature, and the Consortium.

I affirm our commitment to adhere to all such obligations.