Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Fund

About this program

Adirondack Community Foundation’s Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Fund provides rapid-response grants to Adirondack communities and nonprofits—and, in limited disaster circumstances, to businesses and families—to cover short-term, unanticipated, unbudgeted needs arising from crises or emergencies. Eligible uses include emergency building or mechanical repairs not covered by insurance, essential unanticipated resources (e.g., disaster-response training), and recovery needs such as replacement of materials lost to extreme weather; typical awards are $250–$2,500 (larger grants possible) and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions usually within two to three weeks. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or public agencies/municipalities serving the Adirondack region (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and parts of Herkimer, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington within Adirondack Park, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation), provide nondiscriminatory services, and note that the fund does not support individuals, ongoing capital expenses, endowments, capital campaigns, religious activities, debts, budget deficits, strategic planning/organizational development, projects due to deferred maintenance, or recent SUN recipients within the past year.