November 2018
Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Acting Executive Director Greenway,
Acting Director National Heritage Area 
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
The Hudson River Train Tour App's Newly Launched Theme, "The Hudson Up Close"
Experience the Hudson River by train like never before with the Hudson River Train Tour app . The app introduces you to castles, lighthouses, mansions, and more while you travel by train between Albany and New York City. Part travel guide, part audio tour, the app not only identifies these waterside wonders-it helps you plan visits to the historic, natural, and cultural attractions located near Hudson Valley train stations.

With the newly added sixth theme, "The Hudson Up Close," you will be exposed to 43 sites that can be visited and provides the visitor with the opportunity to see, feel, or recreate on the Hudson. All 43 of the sites are located on the east shore of the Hudson River to encourage visitors to plan adventures to their favorite waterside destinations. Download the app and discover what the Hudson Valley has in store for you!
The Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $40,000 in Grants
At its September meeting, the  Hudson River Valley Greenway approved three matching grant awards for its Community Planning Grant Program totaling $40,000. The funded projects include:

  • $10,000 to the Village of Greenwich, Washington County, for their Showing off the Battenkill project.
  • $10,000 to the Village of Whitehall, Washington County, to develop a new Comprehensive Plan.
  • $20,000 to the Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, for a Comprehensve Plan update and FGEIS.
Community Planning Grant Program Updates
For the next application deadline, all applicants will be required to use the updated application and budget detail . All grant and MOU submissions will only be accepted when submitted to grants@hudsongreenway.ny.gov . The application deadline for the next grant round is  February 8, 2019 . Applications and guidelines are available on the Hudson River Valley Greenway's website.
Who is Brigadier General Anthony Wayne?
The Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site was featured on an episode of Jeopardy in early October. Contestants were challenged with the statement, " In 1779 this 'Mad' Revolutionary Led a Daring Midnight Raid to Take the Fort at Stony Point."  When the British captured Stony Point in May 1779, they began to construct an earthen fortress intended to disrupt Washington’s Continental Army in the Hudson Highlands and block the King’s Ferry crossing below. Two months later, on July 16, George Washington and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne launched a daring nighttime assault that surprised the garrison and allowed American forces to gain control of the fort within a half hour. Today, the site features a self-guided walking trail and a museum displaying artifacts uncovered during archaeological digs. Also on the grounds is the Stony Point Lighthouse, the Hudson River’s oldest lighthouse, which protected the southern entrance to the Hudson Highlands from 1826 to 1925. Learn more about Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site .
Take a Tour of Kingston's Stockade District
As part of a series of audio projects the Friends of Historic Kingston and Dutch Heritage World Tours created an audio tour titled, “How Dutch Is New York? – The Kingston Stockade Tour” . The tour highlights 17th century Kingston, commonly known at that time as Wiltwyck and the roots of Dutch heritage that exists there. This tour will provide more transparency to visitors and locals of the mass amount of history that exists in Kingston's Stockade District. By using the free app called izi.TRAVEL. When you walk into a GPS zone near a site, images and text will appear. You have your choice of Dutch or English language. Other audio tours made in connection to this project, highlight sites like Historic Huguenot Street, Fort Orange, and more. Explore the history of the Hudson Valley right from your mobile device!
Upcoming Events

Nature's Engineers, John Boyd Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY
November 3: Come learn about the many adaptations that allow beavers to redesign entire ecosystems and survive the winter! After an indoor presentation, we will visit a nearby beaver lodge in hopes of catching a beaver or two in action! Read more .

Pastures of Plenty?, Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, NY
November 5: This conference will be highlighting the perspectives of farm workers, the challenge to find farm workers to hire, discuss a just food system, and more. More details .

Risk Management for Collections Workshop, New Paltz, NY
November 7: This workshop is intended to guide users smoothly through the steps of the risk management process. Risk Management for Collections is a strategy developed by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, or RCE). The RCE strategy identifies, analyzes, and evaluates risks to collections.  Learn more .

Assessing Your Community's Economic & Climate Resiliency - A Climate Smart Communities Webinar
November 8: This Climate Smart Communities (CSC) webinar will offer insights into what is needed to plan for your community’s future. Planning for the future to ensure community vitality and solvency is at the core of resiliency planning. In this webinar, we will discuss what financial and social factors local leaders should consider in addition to environmental pressures. Read more .

Plants for Birds in Croton, Croton Free Library, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
November 8: Learn how you can add native plants to benefit birds, butterflies, other pollinators and other wildlife. Find out more .

Herb-Infused Holiday Candles, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
November 10: Just in time for the holidays! Using dried herbs, create aromatic and colorful homemade candles. More info .

Make Your Own Badge of Military Merit at Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, NY
November 10: The original Badge of Military Merit was conceived by General Washington while at the Hasbrouck House; his Headquarters in Newburgh. It was the first award to ever be given to enlisted personnel in the Continental Army. Be clever and creative with your badge - a take-home craft for you! Read more .

Furnace Fest, Copake Iron Works Historic Site, Copake Falls, NY
November 10: Friends of Taconic State Park will be hosting its annual celebration of the iconic blast furnace. A picnic lunch will be served along with music, raffles and a bonfire to take the edge of the autumn chill. This year’s celebration will feature docent-led tours of the Iron Works Museum and a scavenger hunt for young people along the Iron Works Heritage trail. Find out more .

New York State Education Building Tour, Albany, NY
November 10, 17, 24: Take a tour of the historic State Education Building in Albany! The 45-minute Education Building tour will be led by New York State Museum staff and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic Chancellors Hall, Regents Room and the Rotunda adorned with murals by Albany native Will H. Low. More details .

Veterans Day Wreath Laying and Commemoration of the Centennial of the Armistice, Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
November 11: Veteran’s Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the ending of combat in World War I. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will conduct a brief ceremony and wreath laying. This ceremony will take place outside, weather permitting by the flag poles at the Hall of Honor. Discover more .

Veterans Day Observance, Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site, Walloomsac, NY
November 11: This year the theme of our ceremony will be service through the centuries. The service of soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the 20th century will be honored. Don't miss the final day of our 2018 season. Find more .

Your Excellency's Dog Kennel at Mount Vernon is as Good a Quarter as that I am Now in at Edmonston House, Knox Headquarters State Historic Site, New Windsor, NY
November 11: M eet Saratoga victor and New Windsor Cantonment commander Major General Horatio Gates, who was not very happy to be assigned this house for the winter of 1782-83. Read more .

River-to-Ridge Fall 5k, New Paltz, NY
November 11: Be the first to run a chipped 5k on the NEWEST trail in New Paltz! This race begins along Springtown Road near the Wallkill River and is a trail run up towards the Shawangunks. There are amazing views of Mohonk’s Skytop Tower and Millbrook Mountain throughout this new trail.  More details .

Animal Armor, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY
November 12: Many animals of the Pine Bush Preserve have their own ways of protecting themselves from predators. Join us for a brief indoor presentation and craft followed by a short hike to look for evidence these animals may leave behind. We plan to hike approximately one-half mile.  Learn more .

Waterfowl Identification, Croton Point Nature Center, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
November 16: Come on out to this multimedia workshop on identifying waterfowl and then come out with us the next morning to Edith Read Sanctuary in Rye to try out your new ID skills. Read more .

Family Day at Dorsky Museum, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY
November 18: Exhibition-inspired activities for children and their families in conjunction with "Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: The Trans List". More details .

Sing Sing Swing: An "Up-the-River" Cruise from Yonkers to Sing Sing, Yonkers, NY
November 18: From Yonkers City Pier to Ossining and return enjoy a 4-hour cruise with live big band music by Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of dancing, an open bar and delicious foods inspired by the Hudson Valley harvest. All proceeds from the event benefit the Sing Sing Prison Museum that is currently under development.   Find out more .

Flag Changing Ceremony, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Site, Highland, NY
November 18: The American Legion Post 739 and VFW Post 6534 Highland organize and present monthly Flag Changing Ceremonies on the Walkway to honor our region’s veterans and their service to our country. These events, organized and presented by these local veterans’ organizations, are open to all who wish to attend. Read more .

Fall Birding, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, NY
November 18: Join Sheldrake and Doug Bloom as we look for late fall migrating birds, as well as our locally wintering birds.  More details .

Storytime at the Museum, St. Pauls National Historic Site, Mt. Vernon, NY
November 21: Preschoolers ages 1 to 5 can hear stories, sing songs and enjoy hands-on museum activities in the county’s oldest standing building! Presented in partnership with the Yonkers Public. More info .

Thematic Tours: John Jay and Benjamin Franklin, John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah, NY
November 22: On November 17, 1783 Sarah Jay and Benjamin Franklin witnessed the first launch of a hot air balloon by the Montgolfier brothers while in Paris, France. Celebrate this monumental event with a tour of Bedford House focused on the Jays and their relationship with Benjamin Franklin. Find out more .

Miniature Theater: The Pumpernickel Puppets Present Peter Rabbit, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
November 23: Family and friends of theater and storytelling will love Pumpernickel Puppets from Worcester, MA as they perform 2 shows of Peter Rabbit. More info .

Thanksgiving Weekend at WEC, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
November 23: Visit with our live animals and find out what they had for Thanksgiving Dinner. “Meet the Animals” presentations at 1pm and 2:30pm. More details .

Santa on the Walkway, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Site, Highland, NY
November 23 : Visitors are welcome to have their picture taken with Santa at the Walkway’s West Side Entrance, at the Ulster Welcome Center. Walkway’s Volunteer Ambassadors will be serving hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes –free of charge while supplies last. Find out more .

Lyndhurst Holiday Opening Weekend, Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY
November 23-25: The mansion is famed for its lavish and elaborate Holiday décor and was listed as one of USA Today’s Top Holiday House Tours, and this is the only weekend that the mansion is open for general admission during the season! Read more .

Knitting 101: Start a Scarf, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
November 24: Learn the basics of knitting with fiber artist and teacher Erin von Holdt-Gilbert, will teach the class the basic knitting patterns and then get students started on creating their own scarf just in time for the winter season – either to give as a gift or to adore themselves! More details .

10th Annual Waddle Walk, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY
November 24: Our “waddle walk” is a fun way to get outside for some fresh air and vigorous exercise. We will hike 2.6 miles over rolling terrain through the Karner Barrens East region of the Albany Pine Bush. More info .

Thanksgiving with Tom the Turkey, NYS Museum, Albany, NY
November 24: C elebrate Thanksgiving with Tom the Turkey and his friends! Enjoy fun crafts, games, storytelling, and much more with your favorite animals found in New York State. Find out more .

Wild Turkey Trek, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
November 25: Hike the McKeon Loop trail and learn all about this fascinating bird that is so prevalent this time of year. Find out about the turkey’s natural history and amazing adaptations. Read more .

Finding Funds for your Historic Preservation Project (WEBINAR)
November 27: The Preservation League of New York State (PLNYS) invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. Presented by PLNYS, this webinar will provide a brief overview of available funding opportunities from state, federal, and foundation funding sources. More details .

Hike to Verkeerder Falls, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor, NY
November 28: Join Interpretive Ranger Davis, for a hike to Verkeerderkill Falls. Falling 187 feet over a dramatic rocky ledge, Verkeerderkill Falls is the highest waterfall in the Shawangunk Mountains. We’ll walk through the dwarf pitch pines and enjoy views of the Hudson Valley below. While this five-and-a-half-mile hike does not have significant elevation gain, it does include some steep, rocky terrain and a stream crossing. More info .

Influence of the Dutch on the American Kitchen, Philipse Manor Hall, Yonkers, NY
November 29: The Friends of Philipse Manor Hall are pleased to welcome back renowned Dutch culinary historian, Peter Rose, to the Manor! Her talk, The Influence of the Dutch on the American Kitchen, explores the food ways brought to America by the Dutch more than three centuries ago and the way these foods were adapted to the new circumstances. Read more .

19th Century Wreath Making, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
November 29: Learn the art of creating seasonal evergreen wreaths in these hands-on workshops. Please bring a pair of pruning shears. All other supplies and refreshments will be provided. Find out more .

Session II: Update of Case Law and SEQRA Case Law, Haverstraw Town Hall, Haverstraw, NY
November 29: This course is free and will help fulfill the certification requirement for municipal, planning and zoning board members, as well as provide training hours for each member towards their four-hour State training requirement. More details .
Heritage Spotlight: Union Church of Pocantico Hills
What appears from the outside to be a simple stone country church contains fine examples of modern stained-glass art commissioned as memorials by members of the Rockefeller family. Henri Matisse’s rose window, in shades of vivid yellow, light green, and blue, was the artist’s last work. He finished its design—including the selection of its colors and the exact type of glass—just two days before his death in 1954. It was fabricated under the supervision of his daughter and is dedicated to Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, a patron of modern art and a founder of the Museum of Modern Art, in 1956. Nine years later, Marc Chagall’s huge “The Good Samaritan,” saturated with a deep blue, was installed in the church’s nave as a memorial to John D. Rockefeller Jr. Chagall went on to design eight smaller windows, seven on Old Testament themes and one inspired by the New Testament, within the sanctuary. The church still houses an active congregation. More details .
Project Spotlight: Town of Germantown Comprehensive Plan
The Town of Germantown was awarded a Community Planning Grant to update their Comprehensive Plan. The Town of Germantown's last update to its Comprehensive Plan wa s adopted in 2011. The original Comprehensive Plan was based on enhancing four criteria, which included maintaining the rural character of Germantown, preserving natural resources, encouraging controlled business and residential development, and promoting an efficient/responsive local government. Since its last Comprehensive Plan the Town of Germantown has seen an increase in commercial development and a growing popularity of its cultural assets. By expanding upon their original goals the Town of Germantown is updating its Comprehensive Plan to more accurately satisfy the changes in the communities needs to guide future development.
Green Tip of the Month: Get Better Fuel Efficiency
Avoid drive-through windows, unless you drive a hybrid, idling next to a pick-up window for more than 30 seconds actually wastes more gas than turning off, then restarting your car. Learn more .
Grant and Funding Opportunities

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: February 8, 2019 . More info .

National Heritage Area Sponsorship's Available
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) will partner with various organizations to sponsor programs and events that reinforce the Heritage Area’s mission. While complementing the mission of the Heritage Area, cultural, heritage and recreational events deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to communities, and encourage local and regional partnerships. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.

Teaching the Hudson Valley Explore Awards
These matching grants are intended to create opportunities for students to explore the history, environment, and culture of the Hudson River Valley, connecting their studies to signifi cant places. They encourage students’ appreciation for and stewardship of their communities and cultures, and connect teachers with site educators and place-based learning. Eligible expenses include transportation and admission fees to eligible Hudson Valley locations for school groups. Read more .

Every Day Capacity Building Grants
Every Day Capacity Building Grants provide Friends Groups with grant funds of up to $5,000 to help build their organizational capacity to serve public lands.With stretched budgets and limited staff, land managers at federal, state, and local public lands need all the help they can get. That help often comes from Friends Groups, nonprofit organizations whose missions focus on serving our nation's public land sites, and the improvement and responsible use of those sites. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), with generous support from Toyota, seeks to strengthen these organizations and unleash their potential to serve their public lands. NEEF's Every Day Capacity Building Grants contribute to the conservation and stewardship of our public lands by funding projects that build the organizational capacity of Friends Groups. Deadline: November 5, 2018 . Find out more .

The New York State Discretionary Grant Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials
This grant provides $500,000 each year for preserving materials in the collections of libraries, archives, historical societies and similar agencies. The grant awards for 2019-2020 will be limited to a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $40,000.   Click here  to learn more about the program.  Applications are due November 9, 2018.  For questions about the program, contact Barbara Lilley at  Barbara.lilley@nysed.gov .

DHPSNY's Planning and Assessment Services
Applications are currently open for Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services' (DHPSNY) free Planning & Assessment Services , and the next deadline for review is quickly approaching on November 16th, 2018 . If you have been thinking about applying, now is time to start! Applications are currently being accepted for all four themes of services including archival needs assessments, preservation surveys, strategic planning services, and condition surveys. If you're unsure which service to apply for or whether your institution is ready, DHPSNY encourages you to reach out! DHPSNY staff are available to answer your questions at info@dhpsny.org or 215-545-0613.

Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator (ENLA)
ENLA is designed to provide professional development, career coaching and a robust leadership pipeline throughout the nonprofit sector in the broader Capital Region. Emerging leaders, program coordinators, and new managers will have the opportunity to receive early career advisement and training from industry experts, preparing themselves for future leadership roles.Candidates for ENLA 2019 must commit to completion of the full six month training that begins January 11, 2019 and runs for full days the second Friday of each month. The final full day of training will conclude with a graduation event on June 14, 2019. Application deadline is November 19, 2018 . Read more .

Park and Trail Partnership Grants
Administered by PTNY, in partnership with the New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and with support from Governor Cuomo. The Park and Trail Partnership Program is a $500,000 capacity-building matching grants program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program is designed to:
  • Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
  • Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites and public lands.
  • Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways and public lands.

Deadline: November 30, 2018 . More details .

Folk Art Grant
The Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation grants are to be used to further writing and publications. They are not intended for general exhibition support. Proposals are welcomed that feature folk and outsider artists in broader projects where they are part of a spectrum of artists, historical or contemporary.

Each cycle several grants in the range of $5,000-$10,000 are funded. The jury will decide solely upon the merits of individual proposals and may choose to fund fewer or more in a given grant cycle. Winners will be required to submit a progress report and final report on the funded project. Deadline: December 1, 2018 . Find out more .

Save America's Treasures Grants
SAT grants provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, which can be cash or documented in-kind. Grants will be administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Deadline: December 3, 2018 . More details .

Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program
Capital District Transportation Committee's (CDTC) Linkage Program provides integrated land use and transportation planning assistance to communities within the four counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga. The Program implements the planning principles in CDTC’s New Visions 2040 regional transportation plan which states that the region’s quality of life, mobility and economic vitality are dependent upon improved local land use planning and on better integration of land use and transportation decisions.

CDTC typically funds no more than three Linkage Program projects per federal fiscal year. Funding support is provided for consultant led initiatives as well as CDTC staff technical assistance. The maximum total study cost including a required 25% cash match is $95,000 (75% federal funds/25% local cash). CDTC may waive the local match requirement for small-scale CDTC staff (not consultant) assistance or in special circumstances. Deadline: December 14, 2018 . Read more .

Request for Proposals: River Scenery Guidance and Training
The natural scenery of the Hudson River Valley has long been recognized as an important aspect of the region’s sense of place and has attracted artists and visitors from around the world. $135,000 is now available to help river shoreline landowners and historic sites manage their lands to conserve natural scenery and river vistas while protecting natural resources and wildlife habitat. Preserving scenic vistas for future generations to enjoy benefits communities along the Hudson River and the state’s growing recreation economy. The deadline for proposals is December 14, 2018 , at 12 p.m. The RFP and application is available on NEIWPCC’s website. General information about the RFP can be found on the DEC website .

Wal-Mart Foundation Community Grant Program
Community Grants range from a minimum of $250 to the maximum grant of $5,000. Organizations applying must be a Section 501(c)(3) or (19) non profit, government entity, a school, or a faith based organization. There are 8 areas of funding for which an organization can apply. These include hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human service, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and Inclusion, public safety, and environmental sustainability. Deadline: December 31, 2018 . Learn more .

Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship
The Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship program is a student research program conducted through the Hudson River Foundation in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Named in honor of the late Dr. Tibor T. Polgar, a major contributor to the early development of the Foundation, this program provides a summertime grant ($5,000 for each fellowship) and research funds (up to $1,000) for eight college students to conduct research on the Hudson River. The objectives of the program are to gather important information on all aspects of the River and to train students in conducting scientific studies and public policy research. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or accepted into a graduate program for the following fall. Both undergraduate and early career graduate students may apply. Projects must be designed to be completed during one summer season. Deadline: February 11, 2018 . More details .

Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs Program  
The Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs program offers free native trees and shrubs for planting along the tributary streams in the Hudson River estuary watershed. Our staff can help you with a planting plan and work with your volunteers. Fall planting projects are now taking place. If you own or manage property near a stream in the Hudson estuary watershed, you can apply for assistance from Trees for Tribs. Landowners or managers must complete an application (PDF) .  and if the project is selected, recruit volunteers for planting, and maintain the site after the planting is complete. Deadline: March 1, 2019 for a planting in spring, and August 1, 2019 for planting in the fall. More info .

Mark B. Bain Graduate Fellowship
In 2019, the Foundation will award up to six full-time research fellowships to advanced graduate students conducting research on the Hudson River system. A fellowship awarded to a doctoral student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, in an amount of up to $19,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. A fellowship awarded to a master’s level student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, of up to $15,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. Deadline: March 11. 2018 . Read more .

Emergency/Intervention Funding
Intervention funding from the National Trust is awarded in emergency situations when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure, such as when a fire or other natural disaster strikes. Funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Emergency grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, but unlike the majority of our grant funding, a cash match is not required for intervention projects. Read more about the process for intervention grants . Then contact  Nation Trust   if you believe your project qualifies for this type of funding. Please note: our emergency funding is very limited. 

Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program
The Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program (Connect Kids) is a field trip refund grant program connecting New York schoolchildren with nature and New York State history. Connect Kids will refund up to $1,000 of the field trip costs for visits to a New York State Park, Nature Center, or Historic Site, or a Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Education Center, fish hatchery, or selected DEC sites. Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Find out more .

Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund
Only Organizational Level Forum members or Main Street America members of the National Trust are eligible to apply for funding from the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund grant program. The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund helps to build the capacity of existing preservation organizations and encourages collaboration among these organizations by providing grants for mentoring and other peer-to-peer and direct organizational development and learning opportunities. The purpose of these grants is to support the leadership and effectiveness of staff and board members of preservation organizations to fulfill their mission and to create a stronger, more effective preservation movement. By linking organizations with specific skills/programs to those seeking to develop similar abilities, the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund promotes individualized mentoring and the sharing of expertise. Read more .

Humanities New York Grants
Quick Grants  of $500 are now available for in-person public humanities program​s​. These matching grants are ​intended for small and volunteer-run organizations. Proposals ​will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds last.

Vision Grants : Seed funding for project development of up to $1,500 in support of brainstorming, researching, and professional development for organizations working collaboratively to develop new ideas and program strategies. Proposals ​will be accepted on a rolling basis while funds last . These grants aim to:
  • Support emerging and established partnerships between different groups on a shared project that may develop into public-facing activities.
  • Infuse program design with humanities themes and methodologies from the start.
  • Encourage experimentation in program design.
  • Build community input into program design.

Learn more about Humanities New York's Grant Programs.

5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest
Fifth grade students are encouraged to design and submit an original poster depicting the current year's theme: Habitats for Bats! Poster competition begins at the local elementary school level. Each school's winning entry is then entered into a regional judging event. Nine regional champions are chosen and from these a final, statewide winner is selected. The state winner will be invited to celebrate at the State Capital in Albany and have a tree planted in their name at their school. Various other prizes are awarded to the state winning student and his/her school. The New York State winner also receives the honor of having his/her artwork replicated as the NYS 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster, which is distributed to schools and libraries all over the state. Approximately 2,000 students from around the state participate each year. Submit entry by designated deadline of  December 21, 2018  to your NYS Regional DEC Office. Learn more .

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More info .
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