Council of nonprofits accepting grant applications

The New York Council of Nonprofits will accept applications for grants from the Otsego County Mini-Grant program starting Jan. 1 and continuing through March 1.

The program is "intended to measurably improve the governance and management operations of qualifying 501(c)3 charitable nonprofits located in or providing a majority of services to Otsego County," according to a media release.

Launched in 2004, this program has been made possible with support from the Scriven Foundation.

The program offers $40,000 in grant funds, with individual awards ranging from $500 for scholarships to $2,000 for merger, consolidation or crisis management services.

Grants will be awarded competitively to qualifying nonprofits with approved project activities.

Grant criteria are available at www.tinyurl.com/MiniGrantCriteria2011.

It is recommended that any applicant review the 2011 criteria before applying.

To fill out a grant application, visit http://tinyurl.com/OtsegoMinigrantApp. Grant award announcements will be made by April 15, 2011.

To learn more about NYCON, visit www.nycon.org.