SPRING 2026 “WHAT IF…” MINI GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Photo Credit: Beverly Hickman, 2025 Recipient

The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the Spring 2026 “What if…” grants.  The “What if…” mini grant program was created in 2023 to support projects and programs that make Rensselaer County communities and neighborhoods a better place to live and work. 

Grant proposals were evaluated by the Neighborhood Investment Committee, a group of volunteers composed of residents of Rensselaer County. Criteria for applicants are that they must be small nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Rensselaer County, or individuals who obtain the fiscal sponsorship of a qualified charitable entity. The maximum grant is $5,000.

Since inception, the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation’s “What if…” grant program has awarded 58 grants totaling more than $122,000.

The Committee has selected 9 projects to fund, totaling $25,000. The recipients of the Spring 2026 “What if…” grants awards were made to the following projects/programs:

Lansingburgh School Supply Distribution – Joy of Troy Seventh-day Adventist Church was awarded a grant to support the purchase and distribution of classroom supplies for children in Lansingburgh.

Growing and Sharing Garden Project – Mary Jo Charron (under the fiscal sponsorship of Unity House) received funding to support the establishment of community container vegetable gardens throughout Hoosick Falls.

All Night Soul – Mount Ida Preservation Association received a grant to support the production of All Night Soul, a free 12-hour jazz festival at Mount Ida that took place May 16, 2026.

Street Soldiers – Lynne Catelotti (under the fiscal sponsorship of the East Greenbush Kiwanis Foundation) received funding to distribute food and hygiene items for community members in need in the City of Rensselaer.

Hiking for Patches: Discover Hudson Taconic Lands – Hudson Taconic Lands has been awarded funding to create a patch reward program to incentivize families and individuals to explore Hudson Taconic Lands’ preserves and community forests.

Buskirk’s New Beginnings Fishing Tournament – The New Beginnings Seventh-day Adventist Church was awarded a grant to support a community-wide fishing tournament on June 28, 2026 in the Hoosic River in Buskirk.

Compass Onward – Grant Recipient Agnes Zink (under the fiscal sponsorship of Troy Area United Ministries) was awarded funding to facilitate the acquisition of proof of identification documents for community members who lack access to acquire a drivers’ licenses, social security cards and birth certificates. In addition, the grant will assist with transportation and fees associated with applying for and receiving the documents.

Friends of Mount Ida Cemeteries: Equipment and Insurance – Friends of Mount Ida Cemeteries received funding to support the purchase of equipment and insurance to fund the restoration, preservation, and maintenance of monuments and green space in the Old Mount Ida Cemetery and the New Mount Ida Cemetery in Troy.

Rensco BCG Site Improvement – Diane DiGiorgio (under the fiscal sponsorship of the Southern Rensselaer County Boys & Girls Club) was awarded a grant to upgrade the outdoor space at the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club with onsite gardens, greenspace, seating areas, and shade.

About the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, Inc. 

The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation is the community legacy of the former Troy Savings Bank. Although The Troy Savings Bank was acquired by another financial institution in 2004, the Foundation continues the Bank's proud charitable giving tradition. 

Today, the Foundation invests in community solutions in Albany and Rensselaer Counties of upstate New York. The Foundation works in partnership with nonprofit organizations, other private funders, and government entities. Together with these partners, the Foundation works to find solutions for challenging problems within its funding priority areas. To date, the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation has distributed more than $19M in grants to support our region’s nonprofits.