Grant Investment Guidelines
The mission of The Staten Island Foundation is to improve the quality of life on Staten Island, particularly for the least advantaged, with a focus on strengthening the community, and improving education, health, and the arts.
Strategies to accomplish the mission include financial support through grants; providing leadership for the community; convening and collaborating with grantee partners, funders, and other entities in order to share best practices; and building the capacity of local organizations to better fulfill their missions.
All organizations and the individuals working with them learn continually from the results of their activities and services. Applying that learning in order to improve is of particular interest to the foundation. In our grant making, we look to fund opportunities that educate Staten Island organizations and individuals in a way that leads to their learning; we define learning as a positive change in behavior. Our grants are an investment in these changes. Our definition of a successful investment includes strong results for program participants, and strong learnings for the organizations we invest in.
Mindful of the wisest use of foundation dollars and looking for the highest return on our investments, The Staten Island Foundation reviews each proposal with respect to available dollars and responses to three questions:
- 1. What will be the result from this proposed grant and how will we know it has been achieved? Results are the positive changes in behavior or condition for community members as a result of the grant project.
- 2. How likely is it that the results can be achieved? Our focus is on such factors as past success of the partner and its programs, validity of the proposed program approach, organizational capability and key personnel leading the project.
- 3. Is this the best possible use of The Staten Island Foundation funds given the results we seek to achieve? We consider the cost relative to the gain – not just for our funds, but all monies going into a project or program
In determining where to invest, The Staten Island Foundation looks for projects with the following characteristics:
- Projects that clearly and directly benefit the Staten Island community
- Projects that demonstrate their commitment to the inclusion of vulnerable or under-served populations
- Projects designed to produce measurable, long-term results
- Projects that can be effectively implemented and ultimately continued without our funding
- Projects that are replicable and can be shared with other organizations looking to produce similar results
We focus our resources with organizations working in the following priority focus areas:
- Education
- Health
- Arts & Culture
- Strengthening Community Capacity
The Staten Island Foundation makes 3 types of investments in each of its priority focus areas. You will find the applications below. After creating or opening your online account, complete the appropriate application and submit with the budget template, supplemental financial form as well as requested attachments. To return to an application in progress click here.
Direct Service
Investments in grantee partner programs and projects that are focused on improving the lives of those being served. These one year grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. This is the link for our Direct Service Application.
Capacity Building
Investments in the sustainability of grantee partner organizations so they can achieve and maintain stronger results for those they serve. These one year grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. Capacity Building investments are available to assist your organization in becoming more efficient and effective in achieving and sustaining stronger results for the Staten Island community. This is the link for our Capacity Building Application.
Capital Improvement
Investments in grantee partner physical assets in order to achieve and sustain stronger results for the Staten Island community. These grants do not exceed $150,000 over a three year period and are very limited at this time. This is the link for our Capital Improvement Application.
Please review the results we seek and examples of the investments we make in each of our priority focus areas below to determine if your project aligns with Staten Island Foundation's guidelines.
Education
The Staten Island Foundation supports local education leadership in their goal to provide all students with a high quality education that prepares them for life and to become productive members of our community. The ability to read and write fluently is essential. The Foundation invests in organizations, programs, and projects inside and outside of public and private schools for all age groups.
Results we seek in this priority focus area are:
- Increases in the number of K-12 students that are reading and writing at or above grade level
- Increases in the number of pre K children meeting their developmental milestones
- Increases in the number of parents that are actively involved in supporting their child’s educational success
- Increases in the number of English language learners or students with special needs that progress at the same academic rate as their peers without those barriers
- Increases in the number of youth that obtain a high school diploma, GED or vocational credential
- Increase the number of least-advantaged students that enter and succeed in college.
- Increases in the number of adult English language learners becoming proficient in English at a level that meets their educational or career needs.
We make the following types of investments in this priority focus area:
Direct Service:
- The Staten Island Foundation invests in programs and projects that are focused on improving the lives of those being served. Examples of direct service investments in this area include but are not limited to - literacy development, parent engagement projects, after school and youth development projects, family literacy projects, ESL programs that meet basic proficiency, educational, and career needs, tutoring and mentoring programs, and childhood development programs.
Capacity Building:
- At times we believe that making an investment to support the organizations we fund so they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those they serve, is the best investment we can make. Examples of Capacity building investments in this area include but are not limited to - training and professional development in best practices or technical assistance that helps staff deliver services more efficiently and effectively, projects focused on strategy, fundraising or other plans, technology integration, school collaborations to leverage assets and resources, developing new programmatic models that increase results
Capital Improvements:
- At times we believe that investing in capital improvement is the best investment we can make to increase the efficiency or effectiveness in your organization. Examples of Capital Improvement investments in this area include but are not limited to - expanded or improved learning spaces, rehabilitation or improvement of recreational space, greening of existing space and facilities, and projects that enhance academic achievement in schools including technology and new equipment.
Health
The Staten Island Foundation seeks to address the health needs of our community. Staten Island has the highest median income among the New York City boroughs with health statistics that are usually associated with poorer communities by public health experts. Obesity, heart disease, and diabetes rates are high. In the low income communities of the North Shore, statistics show trends that mimic New York City’s most critically health-challenged neighborhoods, with inadequate services. Good physical and mental health and health care is essential to the quality of life of our community
Results we seek in this priority focus area are:
- Increases of those at risk for health problems that connect to needed health services
- Increases in the number of residents that increase their level of daily physical activity and improve their diet with nutritious foods
- Increases in the number of youth that abstain from substance abuse
- Increases in available health services for the least advantaged, including mental health services
- Improvements in organizational effectiveness and efficiency leading to enhanced delivery of community health services
We make the following types of investments in this priority focus area:
Direct Service:
- The Staten Island Foundation invests in programs and projects that are focused on improving the lives of those being served. Examples of direct service investments in this area include but are not limited to - Health education, health screenings, disease management workshops, nutritional projects, exercise and recreational programs, smoking cessation, school wellness programs, substance abuse prevention programs, health resource and referral programs, mental health services.
Capacity Building:
- At times we believe that making an investment to support the organizations we fund so they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those they serve, is the best investment we can make. Examples of Capacity building investments in this area include but are not limited to - training and professional development in best practices or technical assistance that helps staff deliver services more efficiently and effectively, projects focused on strategy, fundraising or other plans, and projects that enhance the organizational capacity and infrastructure of health care organizations.
Capital Improvements:
- At times we believe that investing in capital improvement is the best investment we can make to increase the efficiency or effectiveness in your organization. Examples of Capital Improvement investments in this area include but are not limited to – facility expansion or improvement, mobile service units, technology and new equipment.
Arts & Culture
The Staten Island Foundation is focused on supporting arts and culture programs to enhance the quality of life for all residents in Staten Island. We believe that through arts education both youth and adults have an opportunity for self development and a better understanding of human cultures and our shared human experience. Helping arts organization to expand their audiences especially the number of young Staten Islanders participating in arts and cultural activities increases these opportunities.
Results we seek in this priority focus area are:
- Increases in the number of residents and non-residents participating in Staten Island art and culture offerings
- Increases in the number of schools and community organizations that offer strong arts education
- Increases in the number of youth that participate in the arts in or out of school through multiple experiences
- Increases in meaningful and lasting participation by emerging ethnic groups and historically underserved populations in our area’s existing arts and culture offerings.
- Improvements in effectiveness and efficiency of arts organizations that leads to their enhanced sustainability.
We make the following types of investments in this priority focus area:
Direct Service:
- The Staten Island Foundation invests in programs and projects that are focused on improving the lives of those being served. Examples of direct service investments in this area include but are not limited to - arts education programs, new performance series, new exhibits, projects that expose students to a variety of art forms, projects that build the artistic skills of residents, projects that build the teaching skills of artists, projects that enhance cultural or historical understanding.
Capacity Building:
- At times we believe that making an investment to support the organizations we fund so they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those they serve, is the best investment we can make. Examples of Capacity building investments in this area include but are not limited to - training and professional development in best practices or technical assistance that helps staff deliver services more effectively, projects focused on strategy, fundraising or other plans, especially earned income efforts, collaborative marketing opportunities, planning, professional development for educators, development of arts curriculum that meets NYC school “blueprint” standards, development of new cultural offerings.
Capital Improvements:
- At times we believe that investing in capital improvement is the best investment we can make to increase the efficiency or effectiveness in your organization. Examples of Capital Improvement investments in this area include but are not limited to –theatre restoration, historical preservation projects, new performance or exhibit space, and projects that enhance the capacity and infrastructure of cultural organizations including technology and new equipment that help track audience development and feedback.
Strengthening Community Capacity
The Staten Island Foundation is focused on creating a vibrant, diverse community of tolerant, civically engaged neighbors where all residents, especially the least advantaged, have the resources necessary for a productive life. We seek a community that offers strong supports and opportunities for all to make a positive contribution.
Results we seek in this priority focus area are:
- Improvements in human services or community-based service organizations’ effectiveness and efficiency that lead to improved results for those they serve.
- Increases in the availability and use of social services to stabilize the lives of at-risk individuals and families
- Increases in the number of individuals and families experiencing poverty that get their basic needs met (food, clothing, shelter) and connect to other needed resources
- Increases in the number of residents that volunteer their time and experience to better the community.
- Increases in the number of residents, particularly youth, that demonstrate their leadership skills in the community, at home, school, or in the workplace.
We make the following types of investments in this priority focus area:
Direct Service:
- The Staten Island Foundation invests in programs and projects that are focused on improving the lives of those being served. Examples of direct service investments in this area include but are not limited to - community service projects, foreclosure prevention programs, food distribution programs, food pantries, housing and shelter programs, legal services, immigration services, community development projects, senior services, volunteer programs of all types, projects that bring greater civility, tolerance, and multicultural understanding, leadership development programs, and expansion of existing social service programs.
Capacity Building:
- At times we believe that making an investment to support the organizations we fund so they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those they serve, is the best investment we can make. Examples of Capacity building investments in this area include but are not limited to - training and professional development in best practices or technical assistance technical assistance that helps staff deliver services more efficiently and effectively, projects focused on strategy, fundraising or other plans, especially earned income efforts, development of new programming to address local needs, community planning efforts, and civic engagement projects.
Capital Improvements:
- At times we believe that investing in capital improvement is the best investment we can make to increase the efficiency or effectiveness in your organization. Examples of Capital Improvement investments in this area include but are not limited to rehabilitation and expansion of new or existing community based service program space or community assets, technology expansion; and greening of existing space and assets.
Limitations
Contributions will not be made:
- For renovations/repairs to places of worship
- In response to solicitors on behalf of an organization (response to organizational leaders only)
- For fundraising event sponsorships, journal ads, or yearbook ads
- To private foundations or individuals
- To political causes, candidates or lobbying efforts
- For medical research
- To cemetery associations
- To animal welfare groups
- To fraternal and veterans organizations
- To business, professional and civic associations or clubs
- For memorial fundraising
- For tickets to events