The Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County aims to support community welfare through funding programs, projects, and capital expenditures in health, education, recreation, human and social services, aging, and the arts. It focuses on both established needs and seed funding for innovative initiatives, with a responsiveness to emergency situations.
The grant program prioritizes a broad array of causes including health, education, recreation, human and social services, aging, and the arts. It is particularly open to new or innovative projects or programs, offering "seed" money to help these initiatives get started. Organizations may apply during specified granting cycles and are typically eligible for funding once per year, though exceptions are made for emergencies. Grants usually range up to $5,000, with a possibility for higher amounts in rare circumstances, necessitating prior discussion for requests over $10,000.