It is the policy of the O'Connor Foundation to restrict our geographic area of program to proposals that have direct impact on the quality of life in Delaware and contiguously surrounding counties in rural upstate New York.
The Foundation will not consider proposals that request funding for salaries, repayment of debt or completed projects.
The grantee must be a municipality, a religious organization and/or have a current 501(c)(3) status recognized by the IRS.
This Committee meets once a year to discuss proposals that benefit the children and youth of Delaware County. The deadline for these proposals is always the first Friday in February. The grantees will be notified of the Committee’s decision by April 1.
Dollars for Scholars Committee
This Committee meets once a year to discuss proposals by Delaware County chapters recognized by the National Dollars for Scholars Association. The deadline for these proposals in always the first Friday in February. The grantees will be notified of the Committee’s decision by April 1.
Scholarship Committee
This Committee meets once a year to discuss proposals from Colleges that will provide Scholarships with first preference to students from Delaware County, New York, and any balance to be used for students from the contiguously surrounding counties (Otsego, Broome, Sullivan, Schoharie, Chenango, Greene, and Ulster). The deadline for these proposals is always March 31. The grantees will be notified of the Committee’s decision by May 1.
Under $5,000 Grants Committee
This Committee meets each month to discuss proposals from organizations requesting $5,000 or less that must meet the following conditions: the organization must be located in Delaware County, or directly benefit Delaware County; recipient of a grant cannot reapply for a period of three years for the same project, and there is a required $1.00 for $1.00 match on all proposals. The deadline is always the first of each month. The grantees will be notified of the Committee’s decision by the end of that month.
Full Board Committee
This Committee meets twice a year to discuss proposals from organizations requesting over $5,000 that must meet the following conditions: the organization must be located in Delaware County, or directly benefit Delaware County. The deadline for receiving grant requests in amounts over $5,000 is always April 1 and September 1. The grantees will be notified of the Committee’s decision by July 1 or November 1.