Thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors, and donors like you, since 2012, $156,000 in grants have been awarded to 35 libraries for innovative programs that enhance lives, for internet access that informs and educates, and for safety, security, and efficiency upgrades that meet the needs of public institutions.

Foundation Awards $19,181 in 2025 Grants to Local Libraries

• Alfred Box of Books Library    $760   1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
• Arkport Library    $1,000   Library of Things
• Belmont Free Library    $1,000  STEM/STEAM for Kids:  Games and learning kits
• Bolivar Free Library    $1,600    Color Our World/Reading Difference Ways Summer Reading program
• Cohocton Public Library    $1,200  Enhancing Community Spaces at the Library:  Furniture for renovated conference room and teen space
• Corning – Southeast Steuben County Library    $1,578  Decreasing Language Barriers: translator devices, translation services and printing
• Cuba Circulation Library    $900  Day Adventure Pass Program:  NYS parks, Genesee County Museum, Niagara Fall Underground Railroad Heritage Center; and more
• Dundee Library    $700  Meet me in the Park:  8 concert series
• Genesee Library    $1,200  Loanable Resource Kits with hands-on activities covering a variety of subjects 
• Fred and Harriet Taylor Memorial Library (Hammondsport)    $750   Continuing Yoga and Meditation
• Montour Falls Library    $1,500  Sunset in the Stacks: Friday Nights for Teens:  Materials for after hours teen programming
• Odessa, Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library    $1750  Saturday Night Pride for Youth: After-hour programs for LBGTQ+ teens
• Pulteney Free Library    $1,200  Summer Adventure Crafts and Security System Upgrade: crafts supplies; replace obsolete security system control box
• Scio Memorial Library     $1,000   Literacy for Everyone: enhance book collection
• Watkins Glen Public Library    $800  Library of things
• Wayland Free Library    $1,250  Fashion & Fiber: Recycle, Reuse, Repair, Make New
• Whitesville Public Library   $1,000  Summer preformers: Magic, foam party, animals from Tanglewood and REPCO 

$17,487 in grants awarded Spring 2024

• Bath. Dormann Library  $775   Red Cross babysitting course for 25
• Bolivar Free Library  $1,105   Supplies and fees for programs on five themes
• Cohocton Public Library  $1,022   Gaming and accessories to enhance community engagement
• Corning. Southeast Steuben County Library  $810   4 public performance movie licenses
• Cuba Circulating Library $1,183 Supplies and day passes to museums, day parks, other
• Friendship Free Library  $1,675   Maker space building materials, furniture and supplies
• Genesee Library  $900   8 classes each introducing a skill or culture
• Hammondsport. Fred & Harriet Taylor Memorial Library  $900  Yoga and Meditation classes
• Hornell Public Library  $1,065   Gaming and VR equipment for T(w)een Tech and Gaming clubs
• Montour Falls Library  $1,700  Upgrades to Tech equipment for Patron Use
• Odessa. Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library $1,308   Replacement of public access computer
• Prattsburg Free Library  $1,250    Expand the Lego collection
• Pulteney Free Library  $700   Outdoor games and crafts for Adventures at the library
• Richburg. Colonial Library ..$1,209   IT upgrades for community access equipment and events
• Rushford Free Library $800 Crafting programs for adults
• Scio Memorial Library.  $1,085   Furniture and changing table for library lounge area

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In 2013, its first grant year, the Foundation awarded $2,500:

• Alfred Box of Books Library      $500 – Heating unit
• Wide Awake Club Library, Fillmore      $500 – New circulation desk
• Penn Yan Public Library      $250 – Lister and walk library program
• Pulteney Free Library      $250 – Mobile computer classes
• Watkins Glen Public Library       $500 – New entrance walkways
• Wayland Free Library      $500 – Photo document scanner

General Grant Guidelines

Applications will be filed online. A link to the 2026 form will be send to libraries in January. There is no restriction on types of projects for funding except that granted funds may not be used for normal library operations. Grant applications for project funding up to $1,500 each are being solicited. Grants with collaborative libraries or other institutions or agencies are highly encouraged. Checks for the 2026 projects will be distributed at the Annual Spring Meeting of the Foundation for Southern Tier Libraries.

Questions about the grant program or process may be emailed to: info@foundationforsoutherntierlibraries.org