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Richmond County Savings Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Richmond County Savings Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,142,250 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $250,000
  • Average Grant: $5,000 (median)
  • Geographic Focus: Staten Island, NY (with occasional grants to neighboring areas)
  • Total Grants in 2023: 136 awards
  • Assets: $56 million
  • Application Timing: Rolling basis, quarterly board review

Contact Details

Address: 900 South Avenue, Executive Suite 17, Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: (718) 568-3631
Website: rcsf.org
Executive Director: Cesar J. Claro
Email: Available through website contact form

Overview

The Richmond County Savings Foundation (RCSF) was established in 1998 by Richmond County Savings Bank, whose roots in the Staten Island community date back to 1886. The foundation was created to share the bank's financial success with the community and has since contributed over $70 million to nonprofit organizations. With assets of approximately $56 million and annual giving of over $2.1 million, RCSF focuses on supporting charitable organizations whose programs advance educational opportunity, enrich cultural development, and strengthen health and human services. The foundation emphasizes "social responsibility coupled with fiscal accountability" as its guiding philosophy, prioritizing wise resource management alongside philanthropic impact. Executive Director Cesar J. Claro has emphasized that the foundation is "most proud of providing education and training opening the doors to the fulfillment and satisfaction of having a job."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Board Grants: $1,000 - $25,000 (standard program)

  • Most applications fall into this category
  • Submissions accepted on rolling basis
  • Quarterly board review
  • Competitive process

Signature Projects: $10,000+ (by invitation only)

  • Initiated by Executive Director invitation
  • Larger strategic investments aligned with foundation priorities

Capital Initiatives: $10,000 - $250,000

  • Building renovations and construction
  • Equipment purchases
  • Facility improvements
  • Recent examples: Richmond University Medical Center ($250K for Mother/Baby/NICU renovation), Staten Island University Hospital ($250K for Princes Bay Campus transformation)

Programmatic Funding: $10,000+

  • Ongoing programs and services
  • Must demonstrate sustainability and community impact

Food Pantry Program: Up to $5,000

  • Rotating quarterly grants to 30 food pantries and soup kitchens
  • Rolling application process
  • Helps increase food supply to meet community needs

Priority Areas

RCSF actively funds programs in these areas:

Education

  • Educational opportunity and access
  • Job training and workforce development
  • Student support services
  • School infrastructure improvements

Health & Human Services

  • Healthcare facility improvements
  • Patient care services
  • Senior services and programs
  • Support for vulnerable populations
  • End-of-life and hospice care
  • Food security and hunger relief

Cultural Development

  • Arts and cultural programming
  • Historic preservation
  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Community events and public art initiatives
  • Theater and performing arts

Environmental Conservation

  • Nature preservation
  • Environmental education
  • Green initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Event funding or sponsorships
  • Individual applicants
  • Organizations using fiscal conduits/fiscal sponsors
  • Organizations without direct IRS 501(c)(3) determination letters
  • Programs that do not serve Staten Island residents
  • Organizations not current on final reports to RCSF
  • Organizations without recent (within 18 months) Form 990 and financial statements

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Gail Donovan - President
  • Michael F. Manzulli
  • Alfred B. Curtis, Jr.
  • Caroline Harrison
  • James L. Kelley
  • Anthony Santo - Treasurer
  • Thomas N. Kendris
  • Mary Caracappa
  • Godfrey H. Carstens, Jr. - Director Emeritus

Staff

  • Cesar J. Claro - Executive Director
  • Kim Seggio - Senior Program Officer & Secretary
  • Jaclyn Gerard - Program Officer

Leadership Philosophy

Executive Director Cesar Claro has articulated clear priorities for the foundation's work. On education and employment, he stated: "I can think of no greater investment than providing education and training opening the doors to the fulfillment and satisfaction of having a job." Regarding food security and comprehensive services, Claro noted that Queens County Farm Museum's expansion would help "fight food insecurity for low-income New Yorkers, provide job training, increase employment opportunities, and offer educational/cultural programming." The leadership emphasizes both social responsibility and fiscal accountability in all grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Preliminary Application

  • Submit online through the foundation website at rcsf.org
  • No deadlines - rolling submissions accepted year-round
  • Foundation uses preliminary applications to determine alignment with funding priorities
  • Include organization contact details, Federal ID, project name and description, target constituency, timeline, budget, and other funding sources

Step 2: Selection & Follow-Up

  • RCSF staff review preliminary applications
  • Selected applicants contacted by staff member to formalize grant request
  • Applicants participate in foundation interview with Executive Director and Board Member (recommended)

Step 3: Full Application (if invited) Required documentation includes:

  • Current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
  • Recent Charities Bureau filing copy (first page, signed/dated)
  • Executive staff and board rosters with 12-month contribution history
  • Audited or unaudited financial statements
  • Form 990 (produced within last 18 months)
  • Detailed program and operating budgets
  • Proof of 75% matching funds commitment (from sources other than anonymous or operational funds)
  • For capital projects: bids, estimates, and photographs

Decision Timeline

  • Board meetings: Quarterly
  • Review process: Multi-step (preliminary review, staff evaluation, interview, board decision)
  • Total timeline: Due to the extensive review process, immediate funding needs cannot be accommodated. Organizations should plan several months from preliminary application to funding decision.
  • Notification: Successful applicants contacted by foundation staff

Success Rates

Based on 2023 data:

  • 136 grants awarded from an unknown number of applications
  • Grant awards have ranged from 130-166 grants annually in recent years (2020-2023)
  • Board Grants described as "very competitive"
  • Success rate not publicly disclosed but competitive nature suggests selective process

Reapplication Policy

If declined: Reapplication depends on the reason for declination

  • Cannot reapply: Organizations or proposals clearly outside guidelines or geographic funding area (Staten Island)
  • May reapply: Organizations declined due to budget constraints or competitive selection may resubmit the following year
  • No waiting period specified for eligible reapplications

For previous grantees: Organizations must be current on final reports to RCSF to be eligible for new funding

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Geographic Focus

RCSF exclusively serves Staten Island, with rare exceptions for projects that directly benefit Staten Island residents. The foundation's FAQ explicitly states organizations outside the geographic area cannot receive funding.

Demonstrate Financial Readiness

  • 75% matching funds requirement: Applications must show other committed or secured funding covering at least 75% of the project budget. This is a strict requirement.
  • Recent financial documentation: Organizations must have Form 990 and financial statements produced within the last 18 months
  • Good standing: Must be current on all federal and state filings

Strong Community Impact in Priority Areas

Recent successful grants demonstrate the foundation's preferences:

  • Alice Austen House: $250K for outdoor community museum and garden transformation
  • Richmond University Medical Center: $250K for Mother/Baby/NICU unit renovation
  • Staten Island University Hospital: $250K for Princes Bay Campus transformation
  • Queens County Farm Museum: $75K innovation grant for food security, job training, and educational programming
  • AHRC NYC - EBS Staten Island: $25K for technological improvements for employment preparation

Emphasize Education, Employment, and Self-Sufficiency

Executive Director Cesar Claro has consistently highlighted education and job training as top priorities. Proposals that connect to workforce development, employment opportunities, and educational access align strongly with foundation values.

Prepare for the Interview Process

  • Selected applicants participate in interviews with the Executive Director and a Board Member
  • This is an opportunity to build relationships and demonstrate organizational capacity
  • Be prepared to discuss project details, sustainability, and community impact

Complete Documentation

The foundation is explicit that "all requested information must be provided or the proposal returns to the organization." Incomplete applications will not be considered. Review the checklist carefully and ensure all materials are included.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

  • Don't apply for event funding or sponsorships - these are explicitly excluded
  • Don't submit without reading program guidelines - competitive process favors those who align closely with stated priorities
  • Don't apply if you use a fiscal sponsor - only direct 501(c)(3) organizations eligible
  • Don't rely on anonymous or operational funds for match requirements - these don't count toward the 75% threshold

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Staten Island-serving organizations eligible; this is non-negotiable and the most common reason for declination
  • Matching funds matter significantly: The 75% match requirement demonstrates community support and project viability; secure commitments before applying
  • Rolling deadlines with quarterly decisions: Apply anytime but plan for multi-month review; submit well in advance of project start dates
  • Interview is critical: Being selected for an interview indicates strong preliminary interest; prepare thoroughly to discuss impact, sustainability, and organizational capacity
  • Food pantries have dedicated program: If your organization operates a food pantry or soup kitchen, apply through the specialized Food Pantry Program (up to $5K, rotating quarterly basis)
  • Relationship building pays off: The foundation values working with organizations over time; successful grantees who complete final reports remain eligible for future funding
  • Capital projects receive significant support: Recent large grants ($250K) have gone to capital initiatives; if seeking major facility improvements, RCSF may be an excellent fit

References

Information accessed December 2024

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