"What If...?" Neighborhood Mini-Grants

This neighborhood initiative helps empower Rensselaer County residents to make positive changes in their communities.

What are these grants for? – “What If” grants are offered to encourage neighborhood growth and to support residents who have an idea to make their community a better place to live and work.
Who can apply? – We believe that the people who live in a community should decide what happens in their community. We are looking for projects driven by neighbors, grassroots organizations, and others who want to make Rensselaer County a better place to live and work. We believe that there are many people who have insightful ideas about our communities, and that not all may have the tax-exempt status necessary to qualify for most philanthropic grant programs.
What projects or ideas will be considered? - We are looking for requests that encourage creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It should be a project that builds community engagement, encourages comradery, and solves a problem that you and your neighbors are facing. The cost of the project cannot exceed $5,000.
How do I apply? – All applicants to the “What If . . .?” grants program must attend a Community Information Meeting before applying. To register for a Community Information Meeting, please complete our Contact Form to discuss your project idea. If the idea looks to be a good fit for a “What If” grant, then you will be registered for an upcoming Community Information Meeting.

During the community meeting, we will have a light dinner together and applicants will learn about the grant application process. For applicants who do not represent a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, information will be provided about identifying a fiscal sponsor for their project.
Who will review my application for funding? – All “What if” grant requests will be reviewed by a committee made up of community members from within Rensselaer county.

"What If...?" Neighborhood Mini-Grants FAQs

Am I eligible to apply for a What If . . .? grant?

Applicant must live in Rensselaer County, New York Project must take place in a community located within Rensselaer County, New York. Applicant/group must be an individual or a grassroots organization.
Why can't I see the "What If . . .?" process listed when I log into the grant portal?

It is important to attend a Community Information Meeting (this is an orientation meeting that gives you information about the grant application process) before applying for a “What If…” Mini Grant. At those meetings, you will receive a special access code. When you log into our grants portal you will see a place to enter the access code that will then take you to the application. If you have any questions or encounter difficulty accessing the system, please user our Contact Form or call our office at (518) 720-0004.
What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status?

A 501(c)(3) status is a federal tax status that nonprofit or charitable organizations can apply for. This special tax status changes how the government recognizes the organization and gives them special treatment related to paying taxes. Here is a great resource if you’d like to learn more: https://www.501c3.org/what-is-a-501c3/
Do I need to have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status?

No. If your group does not have a 501(c)(3) status, you can absolutely still apply for funding. You will need to find a fiscal sponsor who agrees to receive the funding on your behalf. Foundation staff can help guide you through this process.
What is a Fiscal Sponsor?

A fiscal sponsor is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that is willing to accept money from the Foundation on your behalf and provide oversight of the grant money's use. Our grants must be paid to a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (this includes most churches and other faith institutions). If you need a referral to a possible fiscal sponsor or have further questions regarding fiscal sponsors please use our Contact Form or call our office at 518-720-0004.
What’s the difference between Community Grantmaking requests and What If…? Mini Grant requests? Can I apply for both?

Community Grantmaking requests and "What If . . .?" Mini Grants are different grant programs with two different audiences. Because of this difference, organizations may not apply for both. The Foundation’s Community Grantmaking program is meant for more established organizations in our two-county service area (Albany and Rensselaer counties) and has a direct focus on supporting requests that address the Foundation’s funding priority areas. "What If?" Mini Grants are open to grassroots groups or individuals within Rensselaer County.
Help! I’ve forgotten the password to my account.

No worries! Please use our Contact Form or call our office at (518) 720-0004.
Help! I started to fill out my application and now I can’t find it in my account anymore.

No worries! Please use our Contact Form or call our office at (518) 720-0004 for help with this.
I don’t have access to a computer, can I still apply?

Absolutely! Yes, please call our office at (518) 720-0004 and we will work with you to help provide access to an application.
Can I apply more than once?

Yes, but only after you can meet the following requirements: Have you turned in all reports that were assigned to you? Is the project done and are all funds spent? Is it a new calendar year since you last got a grant? For example, if you got a grant in 2024 you would not be able to reapply until 2025.
Can I re-apply if my grant request is denied?

Yes, absolutely! We always strive to give feedback and reasons why a grant is denied. Oftentimes you will be asked to reapply after you address whatever concerns the review team may have had.
I got the grant, but things aren’t going as planned, what should I do?

Please contact the Executive Director at (518) 720-0006 if you need to talk about a new timeline, new budget, an extension on your reporting deadline, etc.