• The Community Economic Development Program has made $30,000 available to the 2025 Community Connections Fund. 
• Non-profits, municipalities, or schools with creative proposals will receive a forgivable loan funding project costs ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. There is no match requirement. 
• Funding will be provided up front as a forgivable loan with 0% interest for 12 months. The Project must be completed within 12 months to be forgiven. Project is deemed complete by submitting a final report with receipts that demonstrate total project cost and photos. 
• Projects that have already been completed or started are not eligible for funding.  
• Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, or until 2025 funding is dispersed (see timeline for quarterly deadlines to submit) 

Non-profit Organizations, Municipalities, or Schools in Lewis County, NY must demonstrate a need for building organizational capacity or executing plans to provide a clear community benefit and have the potential to increase community impact. Eligible project categories include: 

• Capacity Building Initiatives: Projects that enhance organizational capacity and increase community impact, such as: 
  • Strategic planning 
  • Leadership training 
  • Board development 
  • Innovative volunteer programs 
• Execution of Existing Plans: Organizations must submit a strategic or project plan, developed with external expert guidance, to demonstrate their readiness to execute the proposed project. 

An independent Community Economic Development Programs Committee reviews Community Connections Fund applications and makes recommendations to the Lewis County Development Corporation Board for approval based on the following criteria:  

• Applicant must be a Non-profit Organization(501c3 or other), Municipality, or school located in Lewis County, NY. 
• Project request clearly identifies project costs with third party estimates for justification.   
• Project must demonstrate innovative ideas that are unique or creative in addressing the needs of the organization and the community. 
• Project must demonstrate a clear community benefit and the potential to increase community impact. 
• Project demonstrates a plan to bolster economic growth and development. 
• Project demonstrates a commitment to community engagement. 
• Project identifies community partners (businesses or organizations). 
• Project demonstrates feasibility and sustainability.  
• Project must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding.