Ulster County Emergency Wireless Access Program

This project is being supported in whole or in part, by federal award number 21.027 awarded to the County of Ulster by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In collaboration with Ulster County funding will focus on proposals that effectively address one or more of the following:

  • Increase wireless access to the internet during emergencies;
  • Utilize locations well known to the public and with access either exterior to the building and/or interior if open during emergencies;
  • Leverage existing resources where possible and expand existing emergency wireless access;
  • Provide equipment or space to increase capacity or extend the reach of wireless services; and
  • Seek to ensure sustainability of organizations chosen and address critical geographic areas where wireless access is limited.

Eligibility: Municipalities, public schools, libraries, or tax-exempt organizations (including faith-based organizations) located in or providing services to Ulster County that have operated as a nonprofit organization for at least one year with 501(c)(3) status or an established fiscal sponsorship arrangement with a 501(c)3 nonprofit

Please note that grants are not given to support:

  • Political or partisan purposes
  • Annual fund or campaign appeals
  • Loan reimbursements for capital projects already underway or completed
  • Endowments
  • Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes
  • Private operating foundations
  • For-profit organizations


Funding is provided through ARPA-SLFRF funds. We must screen applicants for duplication of funding for specific projects. Applicants may not receive funding for the same project if already funded through ARPA-SLFRF funds.

Total Funding Available: $120,000

Application: An online application is required and must be submitted via the link below.

Awards: Grants made through this program will range from $1,000 – $10,000

Deadline: Monday September 16, 2024 11:59pm

Award Notifications and payment: Fall 2024

Questions:
Contact Cristin McPeake, VP Programs at (845) 452-3077 or cmcpeake@communityfoundationshv.org

Review Criteria:

  • Quality of Program/Project: Does the program/project meet the criteria of the grant guidelines? Does the organization adequately describe the program/project and what it wants to accomplish? Does the organization present a clear and realistic plan for implementation, complete with specific activities and a timeline?
  • Capacity and Stability of the Organization: Does the organization appear to have the capacity to carry out the proposed work? Do they have previous experience with this type of program/project? Is there appropriate expertise and partnerships?
    Does the organization appear to be functionally and financially stable, based on review of the organization’s operating budget and financial statements?
  • Budget and Additional Support: Is the program/project budget clear and realistic? If applicable, is there evidence of support from other funders, or in-kind support to ensure the project can be realized?
  • Impact/ Results: How will this program/project make a difference to the target population and/or to the broader community? How significant is the program/project? Will the outcome be finite or of broad impact to the community?

Review Process: All applications will be rated on these criteria and reviewed by a Grants Committee of the Community Foundations. All recommendations are reviewed and approved or declined by the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundations.

Apply Online