“What If…” Mini Grants
Empowering Syracuse residents of all ages to improve the wellbeing of their communities.
What’s New
2025 “What If…” Mini Grant orientation registration is officially open! For new applicants, or those who have not attended an orientation session in the past 12 months, please register below for an upcoming session in order to receive the latest information about the program as well as the code to access the official application.
2024: “What If…” Impacts
2024 was another record-breaking grants cycle, and in partnership with our amazing grantees we were able to fund incredible projects that positively impacted the CNY community.
Grant Dollars Awarded (2024)
Applications Submitted (2024)
Applications Approved (2024)
What is a “What If…” Mini Grant?
The “What If…” Mini Grant program is designed to help City of Syracuse residents foster growth in neighborhoods, strengthen their capacity, and improve the safety and wellbeing of their community.
Successful grants will make positive changes in their neighborhood while increasing community participation, awareness, and partnerships.
We believe that the people who live in a community should decide what happens in their community. Therefore, we look for projects that are driven by neighbors, grassroots organizations, or others who are actively involved in making our city a better place. We are deeply committed to lifting up the ideas, voices, and initiatives of our Syracuse neighbors who have not been heard. Learn More
Who Can Apply?
- City of Syracuse residents ages 12 and older.
- Applicants under 18 must partner with an approved advisor and have written permission from a parent or guardian. The Gifford Foundation will help with this process.
- If the applicant is under 18, we expect that they will actively participate in designing, implementing, and evaluating the project.
- If you are interested in serving as an adviser for a youth applicant, please click here to learn more and register.
Please note that for-profit businesses are not eligible for “What If…” funding.
How to Apply
Attend an orientation session.
You will also receive the access code needed to access the application within our grants system, so it is extremely important to attend. This is a one-hour program.
Upcoming Orientation Dates:
- January 13, 2025
- May 5, 2025
Make an account.
Create an account on Foundant – our grants management system. You can log back in anytime to start an application or edit an application in progress.
Submit your application.
Gather the information you need to show how your plan will work. Then, use the access code you received at orientation to begin the process within our grants portal – Foundant.
Deadlines: February 3, 2025 and June 2, 2025 (SEE BELOW)
If you need additional help accessing your account or have any additional questions about the “What If…” Mini Grant process, please contact Sheria Walker at sheria@giffordfoundation.org.
Planning Your “What If…” Mini Grant
More About “What If…” Mini Grants
Since launching in 2011, The Gifford Foundation’s “What If…” Mini Grant program has grown its reputation as an accessible way for Syracuse City residents of all ages and backgrounds to access funding and support for projects that make our community a better place to live.
The Gifford Foundation recognizes that many individuals, neighborhood associations, and other informal groups may have insightful ideas into the specific needs of our community. However, these same groups or individuals may not have the 501c3 nonprofit status or capacity necessary to qualify for most philanthropic grant programs. Therefore, the “What If…” program provides an accessible pathway to acquire the funding and guidance necessary to make those ideas a reality.
Previous “What If…” projects have included an after-school youth mentorship program, a community-wide dinner for parents and students at the Ed Smith Elementary School, and a voter registration/education drive. More than 200 different projects have been funded since the program’s inception in 2011, amounting to more than $600,000 in total grant dollars.
We invite you to approach us with your ideas about how to build community support, show comradery, and solve the problems that you and your neighbors are facing. Explore the stories below to read about past “What If…” Mini Grant projects.
Layla’s Got You
A group of young women, ages 16 to 24, have been making waves in the arenas of mental and sexual health. Working as ambassadors for the Layla’s Got You program, they have spearheaded a variety of initiatives and events including having raised more than $20,000 to support an overnight educational retreat.
Once Upon a Star
At only 25 years old, Sultani Campbell launched his own youth mentorship program called Once Upon a Star. By teaching life skills and connecting participants with employment opportunities, Campbell supports young people as they seek their own path and identity.
Raising Up Voices and Votes
A disturbing lack of civic participation inspired The League to partner with The Dunbar Association, TNT, and the NAACP to form the Onondaga Votes! initiative in 2018. Their goal was simple: to increase voter turnout across the City of Syracuse.
FAQs
Consider reviewing our Application Guide to help you prepare as you plan your project.
Am I eligible to apply?
- Applicant must live in the City of Syracuse
- Project must take place in the City of Syracuse
- Applicant/group must be an individual or a grassroots organization. This funding is not meant for large, established nonprofits.
- The applicant must be at least 12 years old.
- Applicants under 18 must partner with an approved advisor and have written permission from a parent or guardian. The Gifford Foundation will help with this process.
- If the applicant is under 18, we expect that they will actively participate in designing, implementing, and evaluating the project.
- If you are interested in serving as an adviser for a youth applicant, please click here to learn more and register.
Why can't I see the "What If..." process listed when I log into Foundant?
It is important to attend orientation 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 – Foundant – you will see a place to enter the access code which will then take you to the application.
If you have any questions or encounter difficulty accessing the system, please contact Sheria Walker at sheria@giffordfoundation.org
What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status?
Basically a 501c3 status is a federal tax status that nonprofit or charitable organizations can file for. It changes the way they are recognized by the government allows them to have special permissions in things like paying sales tax. Here is a great resource if you’d like to learn more:
Do I need to have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status?
Nope! If your group does not have a 501c3 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. The Foundation 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 us on your behalf. Our grants must be paid to a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit (including churches) or to a public entity, such as a town, public school, or state agency. If you need one or have further questions regarding fiscal sponsors contact Sheria.
What’s the difference between Community Grants and What If Mini Grants? Can I apply for both?
Community Grants and What If… mini grants are two very different grants with two very different audiences. As such, organizations may not apply for both. Community grantmaking is meant for more established organizations in our tri-county service area (Onondaga, Madison and Oswego counties) and has a direct focus on supporting requests that address organizational capacity building. What If… mini grants are specific to grassroots groups or individuals within the City of Syracuse.
Help! I’ve forgotten the password to my account.
No worries! Contact Sheria Walker.
Help! I started to fill out my application and now I can’t find it in my account anymore.
Contact Sheria Walker for help with this.
I don’t have access to a computer, can I still apply?
Absolutely! Yes, reach out to Sheria Walker 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 is a new calendar year since you last got a grant? For example, if you got a grant in 2021 you would not be able to reapply until 2022.
Can I re-apply if my grant 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 we may have had.
I got the grant, but things aren’t going as planned, what should I do?
Call Sheria if you need to talk about a new timeline, new budget, an extension on your reporting deadline, etc.
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