Daily Featured Foundation - 2/21/26

2/21/2026

Here is today’s featured foundation.

The John Ben Snow Foundation and Memorial Trust

Website: https://johnbensnow.org/

Mission & Purpose: To make grants across a range of programs responding to the needs of youth and disadvantaged populations, with a primary, historic focus on expanding equitable educational opportunities and reducing barriers to learning.

Broad Funding Guidelines: Grantmaking is primarily focused on tax-exempt organizations serving Central New York (specifically Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, and Oswego counties), while their Memorial Trust funds parts of Nevada and New Jersey.

As a private foundation, they give preference to 501(c)(3) organizations seeking "last dollars" towards a capital campaign, capacity building, or seed money for new programs. The grant application process requires an initial Letter of Inquiry by January 15.

Featured Opportunity: Their primary focus on "Education Grants" is paramount. They prioritize projects that reduce barriers to quality education, funding scholarships, fellowships, academic tutoring, and journalism programs for underrepresented, first-generation students.

Recommendation: A Syracuse-area educational institution or youth development nonprofit organization seeking matching grant funding to launch a new academic tutoring program or close out a capital campaign for a new community facility.