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UpMobility Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$6.3M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

UpMobility Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 47-1689125
  • Annual Giving: $6.3 million (2024 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $21.2 million
  • Decision Time: 4-8 weeks after deadline
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000+ (low five figures to mid six figures)
  • Number of Awards: 43 grants in 2024, 45 grants in 2023
  • Geographic Focus: Mohawk Valley NY (priority), United States, and international
  • Founded: 2015

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 690 E Main Street, Little Falls, NY 13365

Website: www.upmobility.org

Online Contact: Contact form available at www.upmobility.org/contact/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/upmobilityfoundation

Application Portal: Applications submitted through online grants portal on website

Pre-Application Contact: Foundation strongly encourages organizations outside the Mohawk Valley area to contact staff before submission

Overview

Founded in 2015 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Martin Babinec, UpMobility Foundation is a New York-based private foundation with over $21 million in assets and approximately $6.3 million in annual charitable disbursements. The foundation's mission is to "activate networks and cultivate partnerships to spark innovation, scale solutions, and uplift lives." Since inception, UpMobility has invested over $17.6 million in supporting 140+ organizations and partners, with 42% of grants focused on community building and advancing education. The foundation operates under a strategic partnership with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to strengthen organizational capacity and expand impact. In 2020, UpMobility Foundation and founder Martin Babinec received the Foundation of Hope Award from On Point for College, recognizing their philanthropic leadership.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

One-Year Grants: $25,000 - $50,000

  • Standard grant applications for one-year projects
  • Application submitted through online grants portal
  • Multiple grant rounds throughout the year

Multi-Year Grants: $50,000+

  • Available for projects that substantively address Priority Funding Areas
  • Limited number of multi-year grants awarded
  • Applicants strongly encouraged to contact foundation staff before applying
  • Past grants have ranged from low five figures to mid six figures

Special Initiative - Mohawk Valley Gives

  • Annual day of giving campaign co-led with Community Foundation
  • Held in September
  • UpMobility provides matching funds to selected nonprofits
  • 2024 campaign raised over $6.5 million for 300+ nonprofits

Priority Areas

Open Application Areas (Public grant rounds):

  • Advancing Education: Innovation in education, cutting-edge technologies, experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches that inspire curiosity and critical thinking
  • Building Strong Families: Programs supporting family stability and well-being
  • Community Building: Initiatives that foster community cohesion and mutual support
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB): Creating environments that celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity
  • Healthcare & Helping Those with Special Needs: Improving healthcare access and supporting individuals with special needs

Invitation-Only Areas:

  • Entrepreneurship: Supporting innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives
  • Strengthening Democracy/Freedom & Government Reform: Promoting democratic governance and civic engagement
  • Humanitarian Aid & International Development: Global development efforts

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

  • Primarily funds 501(c)(3) public charities
  • May support faith-based organizations only for projects addressing non-religious needs or issues
  • Requires projects to begin no earlier than January 1 of the grant year
  • Only funds expenses incurred after January 1 of the grant year for existing programs

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Martin Babinec - Founder, Board Chairperson, Director/President/Treasurer; originally from Little Falls, NY; successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur who relocated his family back to his hometown in 1999
  • Kevin Crosley - Vice Chairperson & Board Member
  • Peggy O'Shea - Board Member (formerly Interim Executive Director)
  • Randall VanWagoner - Board Member

Executive Leadership:

  • Amy Lindner - Executive Director & Board Secretary (appointed April 2025); formerly Vice President for Advancement and Chief Grants Officer at Utica University where she led a $30 million capital campaign
  • Andrea Babinec - Grants Manager
  • Michael Sciotti - CFO & Treasurer

Martin Babinec on the Foundation's Philosophy: "Through the UpMobility Foundation, Martin continues to lead initiatives that empower individuals and communities, embodying a steadfast commitment to making a positive and enduring impact." The foundation emphasizes values of self-reliance, education, family values, and transparent governance.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity
  • Organizations with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors considered
  • Faith-based organizations eligible for non-religious programs
  • Occasionally makes grants to international organizations with equivalent charitable status
  • Supports organizations in Mohawk Valley, across the United States, and internationally

Application Method:

  • All applications submitted through the foundation's online grants portal
  • Portal only accessible when a grant round is active or by invitation
  • Applications only available during announced grant periods

Pre-Application Engagement:

  • Organizations outside the Mohawk Valley area are strongly encouraged to reach out to Foundation staff prior to submission
  • Organizations seeking multi-year funding should contact staff before applying
  • Foundation welcomes preliminary conversations

Required Application Components:

  • Project description with clear articulation of innovation or importance
  • Comprehensive budget
  • Implementation plan with timeline
  • Evaluation methodology demonstrating measurable outcomes
  • List of collaborating organizations and nature of partnerships
  • Sustainability plan explaining how program will continue after grant concludes
  • Supporting documents

Review Process:

  1. Initial screening for eligibility and alignment
  2. Comprehensive evaluation by foundation staff and grants manager
  3. Possible site visits or interviews with selected applicants
  4. Review by grants committee
  5. Final funding decisions by Board of Directors (quarterly board reviews)

Decision Timeline

  • Notification: Within 4-8 weeks after application deadline
  • Method: Email notification of funding decision
  • Board Reviews: Quarterly

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation:

  • Made 43 grants totaling $2.2 million in 2024
  • Made 45 grants totaling $4.4 million in 2023
  • Made 48 grants in 2022
  • Made 31 grants in 2021

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a reapplication policy. Organizations are encouraged to contact foundation staff for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

What UpMobility Values

1. Innovation and Importance "UpMobility Foundation is deeply committed to funding grants for innovation in advancing education, investing in projects that push the boundaries of traditional learning, supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary approaches that inspire curiosity and critical thinking." Applications must clearly explain why the project is innovative or important.

2. Collaboration The foundation "firmly believes that collective action and community collaboration are catalysts for significant and transformative change." Evaluation prioritizes proposals that include significant collaboration with other organizations. Applications must list all collaborating organizations and explain the nature of partnerships.

3. Sustainability "UpMobility is interested in supporting projects that will not be solely dependent on Foundation funding." Applications must discuss how program activities will continue after the conclusion of the grant, demonstrating financial sustainability and long-term viability.

4. Scalability and Replication Evaluation prioritizes proposals that demonstrate potential for replication in other communities or contexts. The foundation seeks to invest in models that can be scaled to create broader impact.

5. Social Innovation and Enterprise Models Preference given to proposals that utilize social innovation and expand or create social enterprise models that address societal challenges in creative ways.

6. Measurable Impact Strong evaluation methodologies are required. Applications must demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes and explain how success will be assessed.

Recent Grant Examples

YWCA Mohawk Valley - $30,000 (2023)

  • Funded AMEND Together, a violence prevention and youth education program
  • Primary prevention initiative engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls
  • 26-week curriculum serving 60 young men

The Leatherstocking Council, Boy Scouts of America - Fall 2022

  • Served eight Upstate New York counties
  • Technology needs for the organization
  • Described as a "game-changer" for the organization

Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts

  • Ongoing partner organization
  • Raised "third largest amount" in inaugural Mohawk Valley Gives campaign

On Point for College

  • Longtime relationship with founder Martin Babinec
  • Supported through Mohawk Valley Gives matching funds

Additional Funded Organizations

The foundation's website lists numerous partner organizations across focus areas including Catholic Charities Herkimer County, YMCA, Bassett Healthcare, Catholic Relief Services, Water Mission, Focus on the Family, and Civic Unplugged, among 140+ total organizations funded since 2015.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Pre-Application Contact is Critical: The foundation explicitly encourages organizations outside the Mohawk Valley to contact staff before applying. Use this opportunity to discuss project fit and receive guidance. Multi-year grant seekers should definitely reach out first.

  2. Innovation, Collaboration, Sustainability are Non-Negotiables: Every application must clearly articulate all three elements. Don't just mention partnerships—explain how collaboration amplifies impact. Show how the program continues beyond the grant period.

  3. Demonstrate Scalability: Even if seeking funding for a local program, show how the model could be replicated elsewhere. The foundation wants to invest in solutions that can grow beyond the initial grant.

  4. Mohawk Valley Focus Offers Advantage: While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, there's clear priority for organizations serving the Mohawk Valley region of New York. Local organizations should emphasize regional impact.

  5. Align with Priority Areas: For best chance of success, apply during open grant rounds focused on Advancing Education, Building Strong Families, Community Building, DEIB, or Healthcare. Other areas are invitation-only.

  6. Strong Evaluation Plans Matter: Be specific about how you'll measure success. Vague outcome statements will not be competitive. Include both quantitative and qualitative metrics.

  7. Leverage the Community Foundation Partnership: The foundation operates in partnership with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. Organizations with existing relationships or involvement in Mohawk Valley Gives may have stronger connections.

  8. Grant Amounts Are Flexible: While one-year grants suggest $25,000-$50,000, the foundation has made grants from "low five figures to mid six figures." Don't automatically limit your ask if you can justify a larger need aligned with multi-year priorities.

References

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