Community Foundation Of Herkimer And Oneida Counties Inc - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Total Assets: $210 million
Annual Giving: $15.7 million (2024, record year)
Decision Time: Varies by grant round
Grant Range: $2,500 - $340,000+ (varies significantly by program)
Geographic Focus: Herkimer and Oneida Counties, NY
Established: 1952 (70+ years of service)

Contact Details

Address: 2608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502

Phone: 315-735-8212

Fax: 315-735-9363

Email: info@foundationhoc.org

Grant Inquiries: grants@foundationhoc.org

Website: https://foundationhoc.org

Grant Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=foundationhoc

Overview

Founded in 1952, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has grown into a leading social impact investor in Upstate New York, stewarding approximately $210 million in charitable assets across 550 active funds. With over 2,600 active donors, the foundation concluded a record-breaking year in 2024, awarding more than $15.7 million in grants, scholarships, and emergency relief funds—the highest amount in its 70+ year history. The foundation's mission is to "Engage, Invest, and Lead to strengthen Herkimer and Oneida counties" through strategic partnerships with nonprofits and outcomes-driven investments in core community needs. In 2020, they launched a transformative $10 million, 10-year commitment to address racial equity and social justice, demonstrating their evolution from traditional grantmaker to strategic impact investor focused on creating "a vibrant region with opportunity for all."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Education, Health, and Sciences (EHS) Grant Round

2024 Awards: $367,000 to 16 organizations
Focus: Outcomes-driven programs or projects in education, health, and/or sciences
Eligibility: Benefits residents of any age in Herkimer and Oneida counties
Application: Through online grant portal

Arts Grant Round

2024 Awards: $270,000+ to 43 organizations
Focus: Arts and cultural programs serving the region
Application: Through online grant portal

Equity Grant Round

2024 Awards: $234,700 to 21 organizations
Application Deadline: April 30 (annual)
Focus: Addressing systemic racism and socioeconomic inequity impacting historically marginalized populations
Part of the foundation's $10 million, 10-year commitment to racial equity

Senior Grant Round

2024 Awards: $340,300+ to 32 organizations
Focus: Programs and services for the health and well-being of older adults in the Mohawk Valley

Library Grant Round

2024 Awards: $35,000 to 21 libraries
Focus: Program-related expenses, physical structure updates, or technology upgrades

Helpful Harvest Grant Round

2024 Awards: $106,000+ to 44 organizations
Application Deadline: September 30 (annual)
Focus: Food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and human service organizations addressing food insecurity
Supported by the Helpful Harvest Fund

First Responders Grant Round

2024 Awards: $20,000+ to 17 organizations
Application Deadline: June 30 (annual)
Supported by the Hero Fund America (HFA) Fund
Focus: Education, training, lifesaving equipment, and mental health support for fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies
Note: Organizations in New York and other states are eligible

Adirondack League Club Grant Round for Old Forge

Application Deadline: Summer (annual)
Geographic Focus: Old Forge community

Funding Opportunities Catalog

Ongoing opportunity for immediate needs
Grant Range: Up to $2,500 per request
Focus: Projects/programs with immediate funding need (next 3-6 months)
Not for general support
Organizations can submit multiple requests
Listed in online directory for donor matching

Scholarship Programs

2024 Awards: $415,000+ to 155 students through 70 different scholarship funds
Eligibility: Students from Herkimer and Oneida counties pursuing higher education
Various fields of study supported

Donor-Advised Funds

2024 Activity: 761 grants totaling $5.7 million to 368 organizations locally and nationally

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four core areas of community need:

Economic Development: Workforce development, job opportunities, career pathways for local graduates, partnerships with MV EDGE
Education: Programs serving residents of all ages, STEM initiatives, summer programs, literacy
Health: Health services, lead-free and healthy homes initiative, mental health for first responders
Arts and Culture: Cultural programs, museum support, performing arts organizations

Strategic Initiatives

Community Equity: $10 million, 10-year commitment (launched 2020) to address racial equity and social justice
Lead-Free MV Coalition: Coalition of 100+ members focused on reducing lead hazards in pre-1978 housing
Neighborhood Revitalization: Developing "impact centers" in high-needs neighborhoods
Herkimer County Community Development: Addressing joblessness, addiction, poverty, and economic development
Downtown Utica Partnership: Urban design framework to enhance downtown districts

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not extensively documented, the foundation:

Primarily serves organizations and residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties (with exceptions like the First Responders Grant Round)
For the Funding Opportunities Catalog: Does not support general operating requests
Requires 501(c)(3) status, fiscal sponsorship, or government entity classification
Faith-based organizations must serve diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation for certain grant rounds

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Alicia Dicks (Alicia Fernandez Dicks) - President & CEO

Provides strategic leadership as the foundation drives community development across the two-county region
Oversees $210 million in charitable community assets
Passionate about community development, racial equity, and social justice
Stated: "Many of our peer networks are very comfortable in the grantmaking space—it's a good space to be in. But to be an impact investor, we needed to be more effective and disciplined with a focus on outcomes, and that meant more than just writing a check."
During COVID-19: "In a time of crisis, it's more important than ever before to say this: We are one community. Responding as one community to a public health threat that knows no boundaries and recognizes no bureaucratic barriers is critical."

Nick Grimmer - Chief Development Officer

Jacquie Klotzbach - Chief Solutions Officer

Olivia Paul - Director of Community Engagement

Kayla Ellis - Director of Marketing & Communications

Board of Trustees Leadership

Cheryl Minor - Board Chair

Principal at Watson Williams Elementary School

RoAnn Destito - Chair-elect

Former Commissioner of NYS Office of General Services

Harrison J. Hummel IV - Treasurer

Chief Operating Officer at Hummel's Office Plus

Kathryn Zongrone - Secretary

Select Board Members

Wole Soboyejo - President at SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Mark Warfel - Chief Experience Officer at Mohawk Valley Health System
Lydia Berez - Recent board addition
Colleen Gaetano - Trustee
Stephen Gorczynski - Trustee
Kay Sinclair - Trustee
Stephen Surace - Trustee
Elias Zeina - Trustee

The trustees are described as well-respected leaders and community residents whose dedication, passion, and commitment are critical to achieving the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation's Grant Application Portal at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=foundationhoc

From this centralized portal, applicants can:

Submit applications for all grant rounds
Monitor the status of submissions
Submit required paperwork and follow-up reporting
Access past submissions

Eligibility Requirements

General Eligibility: Applicants must be:

A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, OR
An organization with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, OR
A government entity

Special Considerations:

Faith-based organizations may apply for certain grant rounds (e.g., Helpful Harvest) if projects/programs address non-religious needs and serve diverse constituencies without regard to religious affiliation
Geographic focus: Primary service to residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties (with some exceptions)

Application Calendar

The foundation operates multiple grant rounds throughout the year with fixed deadlines:

Equity Grant Round: April 30
First Responders Grant Round: June 30
Helpful Harvest Grant Round: September 30
Adirondack League Club Grant Round: Summer

Additional grant rounds (EHS, Arts, Library, Senior) are announced throughout the year. Check the grant opportunities page regularly as new rounds are posted.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by grant round and are not publicly standardized. Applicants can monitor their application status through the Grant Application Portal. For timeline questions, contact grants@foundationhoc.org.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data (percentage of applications funded) is not publicly available. However, in 2024:

EHS Grant Round: 16 organizations funded
Arts Grant Round: 43 organizations funded
Equity Grant Round: 21 organizations funded
Library Grant Round: 21 libraries funded
Senior Grant Round: 32 organizations funded
Helpful Harvest Grant Round: 44 organizations funded
First Responders Grant Round: 17 organizations funded

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations are encouraged to contact grants@foundationhoc.org for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Outcomes-Driven Approach

The foundation describes itself as a "social impact investor" rather than a traditional grantmaker. As President & CEO Alicia Dicks stated: "To be an impact investor, we needed to be more effective and disciplined with a focus on outcomes, and that meant more than just writing a check."

Key Success Factors:

Demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes aligned with the foundation's focus areas
Show how your program creates long-lasting positive impact
Align with the foundation's strategic initiatives (equity, health, education, economic development, arts/culture)

Strategic Alignment

The foundation views grants as "community investments" aimed at creating transformative impact. Applications should demonstrate alignment with:

One or more of the four core focus areas (economic development, education, health, arts/culture)
Strategic initiatives like racial equity, lead-free homes, neighborhood revitalization, or workforce development
Geographic service to Herkimer and Oneida county residents

Recent Grant Recipients (Examples from 2024)

Clinton Central School District Foundation: Summer programs (EHS Grant)
Masonic Medical Research Institute: Summer fellowship program (EHS Grant)
Poland District Public Library: Educational and cultural summer programs (EHS Grant)
Project Fibonacci Foundation: 2024 Project Fibonacci Youth STEAM Leadership Program (EHS Grant)
Rescue Mission of Utica: Products and services at drop-in center for homeless individuals (EHS Grant)
Thea Bowman House: Reading Rockets Summer Reading Program (EHS Grant)

Foundation Philosophy

Alicia Dicks on community approach: "Generations of donors dedicated to their community put their trust in our organization, and we are now, more than ever before, putting their good will to work."

On the Lead-Free MV initiative: "The Foundation's goal goes beyond just mitigating lead poisoning in our communities—we want to identify and eradicate the root cause of the issue."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Emphasize outcomes over activities: This foundation seeks measurable, long-lasting community impact. Focus your application on outcomes and results rather than just program activities.
Align with strategic initiatives: Applications that connect to the foundation's major initiatives (racial equity, lead-free homes, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization) may have stronger consideration.
Geographic focus is critical: Your organization must primarily serve residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties (with rare exceptions like the First Responders Grant Round).
Use the Grant Application Portal: Familiarize yourself with the online portal system—it's the central hub for all submissions, status monitoring, and reporting.
Multiple funding opportunities: With various grant rounds throughout the year plus the Funding Opportunities Catalog and donor-advised funds, there may be multiple pathways to funding. Consider which best fits your need.
Think partnerships and collaboration: The foundation emphasizes bringing community partners together for collaborative impact. Applications demonstrating partnerships may be viewed favorably.
Contact grants@foundationhoc.org with questions: The foundation encourages direct communication about eligibility, application guidance, and specific grant round details.

References

Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties official website: https://foundationhoc.org (accessed January 2026)
Community Foundation Grant Opportunities page: https://foundationhoc.org/community-investments/grant-opportunities/ (accessed January 2026)
Community Foundation About page and Staff/Trustees: https://foundationhoc.org/about/staff-and-trustees/ (accessed January 2026)
Community Foundation Initiatives page: https://foundationhoc.org/community-impact/initiatives/ (accessed January 2026)
"2024 Record-Breaking Year for Community Foundation Grantmaking," Community Foundation news release: https://foundationhoc.org/news/2024-record-breaking-year-for-community-foundation-grantmaking (accessed January 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Inc (EIN 15-6016932): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/156016932 (accessed January 2026)
"Q&A with sgLEADERS: Alicia Dicks, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties," Blackbaud blog: https://blog.blackbaud.com/social-good-leaders-alicia-dicks-the-community-foundation-of-herkimer-and-oneida-counties/ (accessed January 2026)
"Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties awarded record amount last year," Central New York Business Journal: https://www.cnybj.com/community-foundation-of-herkimer-and-oneida-counties-awarded-record-amount-last-year/ (accessed January 2026)
"$2 Million in Grants So Far—Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Announce Awards," WKTV: https://www.wktv.com/news/education/2-million-in-grants-so-far-community-foundation-of-herkimer-and-oneida-counties-announce-awards/ (accessed January 2026)
"Community Foundation awards over $4.8M in third quarter; opens 8 new funds," Rome Sentinel: https://www.romesentinel.com/news/community-foundation-awards-over-4-8m-in-third-quarter-opens-8-new-funds/ (accessed January 2026)