The Private Grant Funding Landscape in New York

New York State is home to one of the most dynamic nonprofit sectors in the country, supported by billions in private grant funding each year. 

Our team has reviewed public IRS 990 forms from 2021 through part of 2023 to provide a detailed analysis of private funding trends across the state.

In this report, we’ll cover:

• Total private grant funding trends
• Top funders giving grants in New York
• Median grant sizes at the state and county levels
• Which counties are experiencing the most and least grant activity

We’ll also explore strategies that nonprofits can adopt to adapt to these trends and secure funding more effectively. 

If you’re looking to align your fundraising strategy with emerging opportunities, this report will equip you with the insights you need to stay competitive.

Likewise, if you want the full report, not just the top highlights, download the source data below:

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Below, you’ll see New York’s private grant funding trends over the past three years. We’ve included the median grant size and the state's most active funders.

What Is the Median Grant Size in New York?

The total grant funding in New York over the last three years was:

• 2021: $38 billion in total funding
• 2022: $36.35 billion in total funding
• 2023: $15 billion* 

*Important Note: The 2023 data is incomplete; the IRS has only released about two-thirds of 990 forms for 2023.
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Key Insight: While annual funding consistently surpasses $30 billion, understanding the median grant size is crucial for setting realistic expectations and funding goals. 

Here’s how the median grant size has changed in New York over the past 2-2.5 years:

• 2021: $8,500
• 2022: $10,000
• 2023: $9,000

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What does this mean for you?

New York’s total funding and median grant size suggest that while some large grants still exist, most nonprofits can expect to receive more modest awards. Keeping these numbers in mind can help you and your team tailor your grant-seeking strategy to what is realistic.

Which Funders in New York Give Out the Most Funding?

Total funding figures can be impressive—but don’t let those big numbers distract you from other important data points, like top individual grant funders. 

The below chart shows which funders in New York awarded the most funding from 2022-2023. 
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While distributing hundreds of millions of dollars in grants is amazing, remember that it’s also important to look at how many grants these funders are awarding. 

If it’s only to a select few recipients, they may not be the most strategic target compared to funders who award lots of smaller grants.

Pro Tip: Target funders who give out many grant awards. This will focus your valuable time and energy on funders with a track record of supporting a broader range of organizations.

With Instrumentl, you can quickly look into advanced funder insights to see how many awards a funder has historically given and how much you can ask for in a grant. 

Instrumentl’s Funder Profiles include a snapshot of a funder’s past giving over multiple years. You’ll be able to see minimum, median, average, and maximum grant amounts, as well as the number of grants awarded and most common award sizes!
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Take a look at your county to see whether grant funding is trending up or down.

The two charts below will give you a good idea of the grant funding landscape in your county.
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If grant funding is decreasing in your county, don’t panic! Here are a few strategies you can use if you find yourself in this situation:

• Diversify your funding sources: Expand your search to include regional and national funders or new types of funding, such as corporate partnerships and individual donors.
• Strengthen grant applications: Focus on building stronger, more competitive proposals that highlight your unique impact.
• Collaborate with other nonprofits: Partnerships can help pool resources and share costs, making your organization more attractive to funders.‍
• Invest in capacity building: Use existing resources to improve your internal processes, showing funders your commitment to sustainable growth.

The Office Of The New York State Comptroller specifies 10 economic regions across New York. The funding disparities are clear.
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Again, we can see that the further south you go, the more concentrated the funding gets. The region of New York City had by far the most grant funding at $21 billion. Mohawk Valley had the lowest at $114.7 million.

Below is a table of the total funding in 2022.

Diane Leonard, owner of DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services, describes many rural counties as “funding deserts.”

“Living in a rural community myself, I see this firsthand not only in the work my team and I do but in what the organizations in my community and region struggle to secure the necessary resources. There is a very real funding desert in many rural communities.”

Is your county getting as much funding as others? Obviously, a high population usually corresponds to more grant funding. 

A better lens to look through is the median grant size in each county compared to the state’s overall median. How does your local funding landscape compare? This insight can help you and your fundraising team set realistic expectations and fine-tune your grant requests.
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Here are a few questions to consider as you look at median grant amounts in your county:

• How does your county’s median grant size compare to the state median? If your county’s median is higher, this could signal more robust local funding. If it’s lower, it may suggest adjusting your funding strategy.
• Is the county’s median consistent with your nonprofit’s experiences? Comparing your grant history with local trends can validate your current strategies or indicate a need to change. 
• How does this inform what you ask for? If your county’s median is below the state median, consider aligning your proposals with smaller, more attainable grant amounts. Conversely, if your county’s median is higher, you may have room to pursue larger grants with more ambitious projects.

Understanding these figures will help your nonprofit develop strategies that align with realistic funding expectations and make more informed decisions when applying for grants.

Exploring which counties in New York receive the most and fewest grant awards can provide valuable context for your nonprofit’s strategy. Knowing where your county stands can help adjust expectations, refine your grant-seeking efforts, and inspire new approaches based on local funding realities.

The below charts show the top and bottom five counties by the number of grants awarded.
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Here are a few key things to consider:

1. Top Counties: If your county is among the top recipients, it’s a sign that funders are active and opportunities are more abundant.
2. Bottom Counties: If your county is in the bottom five, you have limited grant activity. Shift your grant-seeking efforts toward broader funding sources in nearby, better-funded areas.
3. Surprises or Outliers: Are there counties that stand out for receiving more or fewer grants than expected? Noting these can help uncover trends or unique local factors that might be influencing grant distribution.

The per capita grant funding across New York counties reveals some intriguing trends. While you might expect urban areas with higher populations and well-established nonprofits to top the list, that isn’t always the case. Let’s dive in.
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‍Counties With the Highest Per Capita Grant Funding:

• Tompkins County: Surprisingly, this central New York county boasts the highest per capita grant funding at $13.2K. Positioned north of Pennsylvania, Tompkins has managed to secure significant funding relative to its population, indicating strong local nonprofit networks, such as the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, which has awarded over $32 million in more than 7,200 grants addressing various community needs. Tompkins County is also home to the Tompkins County Funders Group, a gathering of local philanthropic professionals who meet to coordinate joint activities, learn about community needs, and maximize philanthropic efforts across the county. 
• New York County: Home to New York City, it follows with $11.5K per capita. Although it’s substantial, it’s interesting that a major urban center ranks below a more rural area like Tompkins County, which suggests unique funding patterns or priorities.

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Counties With the Lowest Per Capita Grant Funding:

• Wyoming County: The lowest per capita funding at just $17 highlights limited grant activity in this county
• Wayne County: Close behind with $39 per capita, showcasing a similar trend of low grant availability.
• Orleans County: At $65 per capita, it further underlines how rural counties in New York face significant challenges in attracting grant funding.

Key Takeaway: This disparity underscores that while major cities naturally draw substantial funding, certain rural counties remain underrepresented, potentially due to: 

• Fewer grant-seeking nonprofits 
• Smaller populations 
• Less attention from funders. 

Understanding where your county stands can help you and your team consider strategies to boost your access to grant funds, such as forming regional collaborations or advocating for more equitable funding distribution.

These insights can inform nonprofits about how their location may impact funding opportunities and encourage strategic adjustments in their grant-seeking approach.

The distribution of grant funding across New York varies greatly, with disparities that can significantly impact rural and mid-sized nonprofits. We asked several experts within New York what changes they’ve seen and how they’re adapting.

Strengthen Partnerships In Rural Communities

Pamela Ayers, a well-known grant consultant, provides valuable perspective in her article on grantmaking disparities in the state. Her article echoes this report: that rural and mid-sized nonprofits are at a disadvantage. To combat this, Pamela has three recommendations:

• Partner with nearby organizations to pool resources and strengthen grant applications, showing funders a united front.
• Invest where you can in training and development to enhance grant-writing skills and improve overall administrative capabilities.
• Within your proposals, emphasize the specific challenges and opportunities within rural areas, making a solid case for funding. 

Invest In Capacity-Building

Carolyne Hevesi of First Light Grant Solutions has noted that smaller organizations often struggle with the reporting requirements tied to these grants. 

“Many organizations, particularly smaller nonprofits, find themselves navigating complex requirements and reporting systems.”

Hevesi advises nonprofits to begin with capacity-building initiatives to lay the groundwork for navigating these more complex funding streams.

“I've found that starting with capacity-building initiatives helps organizations create the foundation they need to succeed with these funding streams.”

Persistent Urban-Rural Funding Disparities

Both Carolyne Hevesi and Diane Leonard from DH Leonard Consulting observe that the urban-rural funding divide remains a pressing issue. As Carolyne mentions,

“Rural nonprofits stretch every dollar to meet overwhelming demand but face limited funding compared to urban counterparts,” Hevesi remarks. 

To adapt to “funding deserts,” Leonard recommends relationship-building as a strategy for rural organizations to increase visibility with grantmakers. 

“Nonprofits in rural counties should strengthen their focus on relationship building with grantmakers, whether foundations, state agencies, or federal agencies. People grant to people. Make the impact of your work in your rural communities, counties, and broader region known to your grantmakers.”

Increased Focus on Diversity and Equity

Laureen Fredella observes that funders have raised the bar regarding diversity and equity, seeking meaningful actions rather than simple statements. 

“Funding trends have really shifted to equity issues— meaningful change and not lip service. This is great for organizations whose missions fit naturally with that focus, but more challenging for organizations that aren’t focused on social change.”

Fredella encourages nonprofits to go beyond serving diverse populations and prioritize diverse representation within their leadership as well, to remain competitive.

“​​I’ve had to push organizations to be more diverse, which means more than just serving diverse populations. It means the staff and board have to be diverse in many ways. I have had proposals declined because they couldn’t demonstrate a commitment to diversity, even though their programs are good.”

New York’s grant landscape is full of opportunities, but understanding the nuances is key to positioning your nonprofit for success. 

Here’s what we learned:

• While the state’s total funding surpasses $30 billion, the median grant size shows that most awards are modest in size.
• Targeting funders who give out more grants—and not just the highest amounts—can make all the difference in securing funding.
• Some counties, like Tompkins, surprise us by outperforming major urban centers in per capita funding, while others face significant challenges. 
• If your county’s funding is lower, consider strategies like diversifying your funding sources and collaborating regionally.

Future Outlook: The path ahead is about staying informed and adaptable. With competition rising, nonprofits must be strategic in identifying where opportunities lie.

And always remember—you can make this easier by using Instrumentl to find and secure the right grants for your organization.

To access the full data set from this report, you can download it here:

Our analysis of the private grant funding landscape in New York from 2021 through part of 2023 was conducted using data sourced from Instrumentl’s grant database. Our database collects information from nonprofit 990 forms submitted to the IRS.

Data Collection: The core of our dataset comprised IRS 990 filings by nonprofits operating in New York. These forms detail financial and grant-specific data, including total funding received, the number of grants awarded, and detailed grant amounts.

Time Frame: The analysis covered submissions from January 2021 to November 2023. While full data for 2023 is pending, the partial data available was deemed sufficient for trend analysis and preliminary conclusions.

Geographic Focus: We examined all counties in New York and the top grantors/grantees within New York.

Key Metrics: Our insights draw from various metrics, including total number of grants awarded and their amounts, the number of grants received, and funding proportions in relation to county population sizes. We also looked at median and average grant sizes.

Limitations: The 2023 data set is incomplete due to the timing of IRS releases. While estimates have been included based on historical trends, complete insights for this year will only be finalized once all submissions are available