The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes aims to build community and inspire philanthropy by supporting creative, effective, and innovative programs across various sectors including human services, arts and culture, education and youth, health, environment, and civic affairs. They focus on projects that address community needs while ensuring sustainable impact, promoting diversity, and emphasizing the inclusion of underserved and economically diverse populations.
The Community Grant Program is a competitive initiative designed for nonprofit organizations operating within Chemung and Southeastern Steuben counties. Guided by a review panel consisting of community members, this program endorses a wide range of philanthropic endeavors across several critical areas: the arts, culture, education, youth, environment, animals, human services, and capacity building. The funding, distributed annually, is categorized mainly into three types of grants: Program or Direct Service Grants for program implementation costs, Capital Grants for building and equipment expenses, and Organizational Development and Capacity Building Grants aimed at enhancing strategic operations like planning, management, and marketing. Additionally, the general operating support grant provides unrestricted funding to assist nonprofits in achieving their objectives effectively.