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Eligibility Assessment

Eligibility Assessment

This page is intended to help you decide whether to invest the time to submit a grant application. If the answer to any of the following questions is "no," we discourage you from submitting an application. If you are able to positively respond to all questions, fully complete the application form on the main page and send by the deadline indicated. Positive response to all questions does not indicate the likelihood of funding, merely that the request meets minimum requirements for consideration.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Only non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) I.R.S. tax status may be funded. Programs specifically excluded from funding are:

  • any organization that is not a 501(c)(3)
  • religious organizations
  • fundraising/sponsorships
  • propaganda
  • scholarships
  • individuals
  • endowments and capital campaigns
  • political campaigns/public office

The Foundation only considers one request per organization per year. (i.e., if your organization submitted a request on January 1, 2019, another request will not be considered eligible for review if submitted prior to January 2, 2020).

Where is the program located?

Grantmaking is only done in communities in which Seneca Foods has a business presence. See our list of locations here.

Is the program's primary focus supporting our youth?

The Foundation is most concerned with children and youth development.

Does the program provide services which directly increase the chances of young people developing into self-sufficient adults?

Typically funded: Education, employment, work readiness, school readiness and programs which help youth stay in school.
Typically not funded: Arts, recreation, and medical care programs.

Does the program have demonstrated performance outcomes which lead to self-sufficiency?

Examples of acceptable measures would be:

  • Rate of job placement for youth completing work readiness program. Work retention at six and twelve months after placement.
  • Improved performance on standardized tests for participants in tutoring programs.
  • Percent of homeless youth achieving self-sufficiency, jobs, adequate housing, etc.
  • Graduation rates for at-risk students in advocacy program versus the graduation rates of other similar students not in the program.

Examples of insufficient measures would be:

  • Number of program participants.
  • Number of participants completing the program.