Adirondack Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: 654 grants in 2024 (over $1 million through Generous Acts program)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies by program (includes $1,000 Kindling Awards)
• Geographic Focus: Eight counties in New York's Adirondack region

Contact Details

Main Office: Adirondack Community Foundation PO Box 288 Lake Placid, NY 12946

Phone: (518) 523-9904

Social Media:

• Facebook: ADKCommunityFdn
• Instagram: @adkcommunityfdn
• LinkedIn: adkcommunityfdn

Overview

The Adirondack Community Foundation (formerly Adirondack Foundation) is a $117.8 million community foundation established in 1997 that serves the entire Adirondack region of New York. The foundation manages over 200 unique funds and distributed 654 grants in 2024, connecting people, ideas, and resources to improve lives and expand opportunities throughout the region. Recently renamed to emphasize its deep commitment to community service, the foundation received a prestigious Trust for Civic Life grant to strengthen rural communities and has been accredited by the Council on Foundations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Generous Acts Program: Focus on wellbeing, educational opportunity, and economic vitality
• Special and Urgent Needs Fund: Emergency preparedness and nonprofit funding gaps
• Small Grants for Small Food Pantries: Supporting local food security
• Small Grants for Small Children: Early childhood initiatives
• Kindling Awards: $1,000 grants for community gatherings and connection
• Multiple scholarship programs for local students

Priority Areas

The foundation operates under a "Strong Community Framework" focusing on five whole community areas:

• Quality child care
• Good jobs
• Affordable housing
• Strong safety net
• Thriving schools

Specific program priorities include:

• Wellbeing: Basic needs support, age-friendly services
• Educational Opportunity: Literacy programs, school-readiness initiatives
• Economic Vitality: Workforce development, child care infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

• Large capital campaigns (typically)
• Direct tuition assistance
• Re-granting programs

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• Cali Brooks - President & CEO
• Matt Donahue - VP Philanthropy
• Lori Bellingham - VP Community Impact
• Brandy Hobson - Interim CFO

Board Leadership:

• Joseph Steiniger - Chair
• David Sand - Secretary
• Craig Weatherup - Trustee

The foundation emphasizes collaborative, place-based philanthropy to strengthen local communities throughout the Adirondack region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation utilizes an Online Grants Manager system for applications. Organizations seeking funding should align their requests with the foundation's priority program areas. Applications are accepted for operations support or specific programs/projects.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for information about review cycles.

Geographic Coverage

The foundation serves eight counties in the Adirondack region: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, and Warren.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's priorities and approach:

• Align proposals with the Strong Community Framework priorities
• Demonstrate impact on one or more of the five whole community areas
• Show collaborative approach and community engagement
• Focus on sustainable, long-term community benefit
• Emphasize innovative approaches to regional challenges
• Consider partnerships with other local organizations

The foundation particularly values projects that strengthen the social fabric of Adirondack communities and create lasting positive change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation has significant assets ($117.8 million) and makes hundreds of grants annually
• Strong focus on place-based philanthropy specific to the Adirondack region
• Prioritizes collaborative projects that address multiple community needs
• Established Birth to Three Alliance shows commitment to early childhood development
• Recent Trust for Civic Life grant indicates national recognition for community building work
• Applications through Online Grants Manager - contact foundation for access
• Consider how your project fits within their five whole community areas framework

References

• Adirondack Community Foundation official website: https://adkcommunityfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Adirondack Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/161535724 (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - Adirondack Foundation: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/16-1535724 (accessed January 2026)
• Foundation News Page: https://adkcommunityfoundation.org/news/ (accessed January 2026)