De French Foundation Incorporated
D. E. French Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation based in Auburn, New York; its history page notes incorporation in 1955 and states the foundation conducts strategic grantmaking to benefit Cayuga County. The foundation is presented on the Stanley W. Metcalf Foundation website and lists an Auburn NY address and phone number.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small to mid-sized nonprofit or community organization serving Cayuga County, NY, with a track record in scholarships, food security, youth services, facility/capital work, or other local community services.
Good Fit
- • Primary service area is Cayuga County or demonstrable benefit to Cayuga County residents.
- • Asks in the foundation’s typical range (roughly $5K–$30K) for program support or capital/improvement projects.
- • Clear local impact metrics and evidence of organizational stability.
- • Established nonprofit status and prior experience delivering similar local projects.
- • Capacity to accept multi-year or repeat funding relationships.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in New York and focused on Cayuga County; about 97% of dollars went to in-state recipients in the latest year despite recipients appearing in three states.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 35 distinct recipients in the latest year with a broad mix of purposes (scholarships, food programs, facility repairs, arts, youth programs) and sustained multi-year support to many independent local organizations.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of new entrants appears each year (9 new recipients in 2024 and higher new-recipient counts in prior years), and the foundation posts application guidance with a rolling/no-form process and a named contact, supporting realistic access for unfamiliar applicants.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
