The John Ben Snow Foundation Incorporated
The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust is a private foundation based in Manlius, NY that makes grants primarily to tax-exempt organizations serving Central New York. The site describes grant programs, posts annual reports and hosts an online grant application system and applicant resources. Contact details and board/staff listings are published on the site.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-mid sized tax-exempt nonprofit based in Central New York (Onondaga or surrounding counties) seeking project-level funding for youth, arts, community services, food security, or mental health programs.
Good Fit
- • Organization operates in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, or Oswego county.
- • Request is project- or program-focused and fits youth, arts, food security, mental health, or community services.
- • Requested amount aligns with the foundation's common award sizes ($5k–$20k).
- • Applicant can submit a Letter of Inquiry during the published LOI window and use the online portal.
- • Evidence of local impact or partnership with other Central NY service providers.
Geography
Grantmaking is highly localized to New York with roughly 98% of dollars in-state and the foundation explicitly defines Central New York as its focus area; only two states appear in recent filings.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded many independent organizations each year (36 distinct recipients in 2024 and 47 in 2022) and funds a broad mix of program types rather than a single institutional circle.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is strong: an explicit LOI/application cycle and online portal are published, and recent years show substantial turnover with about 17 new grantees in 2024, though the foundation remains regionally focused and has stated applicant restrictions.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
