County/City Community Agencies Funding Review

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 County/City community agencies funding review process, which the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County (HSC) facilitates in support of Tompkins County. The deadline for applications is Thursday, May 8, 2025.

HSC supports the Tompkins County Legislature by reviewing applications and recommending funding for Community Agencies as part of the County’s annual budget process.

The sources of this funding for community agencies are Tompkins County property and City of Ithaca sales taxes. The total amount of available funding is determined during the development of the County budget. In 2025, community agencies received $1,642,645 in target funding and $232,860 in one-time funding.

While HSC makes recommendations to Tompkins County, final approval of all funding is made by the Tompkins County Legislature.

Application Deadline

Thursday, May 8, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

For an early review for completeness, readability, and clarity, you may submit a draft by Thursday, May 1. More information is below and in the application materials.

Application Form

The application form and instructions are available by clicking here.

For your convenience, the application is provided as a Word document. There are no additional application forms, but there are required attachments to include when you apply. These documents are listed in a checklist on the last page of the application form.

Introductory Meetings

The Human Services Coalition strives to ensure that all applicants understand the funding review process, application, and timeline. We also want to make sure to answer any questions you might have before you begin the application.

Therefore, all new applicants must contact HSC prior to applying for a brief introductory conversation. To schedule this conversation, you may:

Conversations will be brief and confidential. No information provided by potential applicants during these discussions will be shared with HSC’s application review committee as part of the evaluation of applications.

Funding Review Process Timeline and Overview

  • April-May 2025:  Applications for 2026 funding are open
  • May-June 2025:  HSC Review Committee reviews applications and follows up with applicants
  • June-July 2025:  HSC Board of Directors makes funding recommendations to Tompkins County
  • August-September 2025:  County Administrator issues budget recommendations to the Legislature 
  • September-November 2025:  Tompkins County Legislature holds budget process and approves 2026 budget
  • December 2025-January 2026:  Tompkins County contracts directly with funded agencies

Information for Applicants

Eligibility

Not-for-profit agencies serving the health and human services needs of the community are eligible to apply.

Funding made available through this process supports not-for-profit agencies that provide services and/or programming in alignment with Tompkins County’s interests in addressing community needs. Agencies may apply for general operating support and/or time-limited program funding.

Community Agencies funding is limited and at the final determination of the Tompkins County Legislature. Previous funding levels are not a guarantee of recommended or approved 2026 funding.

Applicants must demonstrate an alignment with County goals in their application by referencing one or more of the strategic priorities and/or accompanying objectives in the Tompkins County Strategic Operations Plan. Applicants may also identify other relevant County plans, stated interests, or focus areas as part of their application. These include, but are not limited to, the Local Services Plan and the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plans. Applicants are encouraged to review resolutions and meeting highlights of the Tompkins County Legislature, department pages on the Tompkins County website, and the Human Services Coalition website for plans and initiatives.

For your reference, here are some examples of Tompkins County-wide plans. This is not a complete list, but provided to represent some of the available documents:

Evaluation

Your application will be reviewed and evaluated by HSC’s Review Committee, including by the following:

  • Need – Addresses a well-documented need in the county; proposes to serve an appropriate number of people.
  • Alignment with County Needs and Goals – Program aligns with Tompkins County Strategic Operations Plan and potentially other goals or focus areas; the impact of the program is significant; program can reasonably be expected to result in cost savings for the County.
  • Agency Capacity – The capacity and expertise to carry out the program; works collaboratively with other agencies serving similar populations.
  • Strength of Application – Timely, succinct, and complete responses; all questions answered; all requested financials included and accurate.
  • Fiscal Health – Sufficient revenue to carry out the proposed program(s); reasonable expenses; any major changes in revenue/expenses included and explained; diversified funding.
  • Oversight – Board size is adequate for the organization; there is evidence of sufficient board oversight.
  • Staffing – Adequate staffing and compensation levels; all staff are paid a living wage or evidence of working to get all staff to a living wage.
  • Access – Effort to assure equitable access is clear; the program shows that it serves residents throughout Tompkins County, as appropriate.
  • Strength of Program – Participation is in line with the program costs; staffing is appropriate; program impact is demonstrated; programs are evaluated regularly and information gained is used to strengthen the program.

Review Committee members for 2026 process:

  • Steph Bailey
  • Christine Barksdale
  • Diane Cohen
  • Katie Compton
  • Tierra Labrada
  • Linda Madeo
  • Emma Recckio
  • Katie Sims

Deadlines and How to Submit

We have a two-tiered submission deadline. All completed applications are due by email no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025. If you would like your application reviewed early for completeness and readability,please submit it by Thursday, May 1, 2025.

When you are ready to submit, please email all of your application materials to applications@hsctc.org. You must submit the application form as a Word document. Please do not convert it to a PDF. The required attachments can be attached as separate files, including as a PDF.

If you need assistance at any point, from initial consideration to after you submit, please do not hesitate to contact the Human Services Coalition. A major part of HSC’s role is to provide the help you need! Please reach out to HSC’s Executive Director, Cindy Wilcox, or Deputy Director, John Mazzello, anytime you have a question. You can reach us at applications@hsctc.org or by calling 607-273-8686.