Grants for Individuals

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding foundations and giving to individuals. Resources you can refer to include books, web sites and online databases.

Do foundations give money to individuals?

Foundations rarely give grants directly to individuals. Private foundations usually give to nonprofit organizations that help individuals with services and programs.

Use the Foundation Grants to Individuals On Line (FGTIOL) database for free in the Reference Room at the Adriance Memorial Library to search for the few grants that foundations do give to individuals. A Librarian can log you on with a password. The book entitled Foundation Grants to Individuals is available in print format at Adriance and other Mid- Hudson Library System libraries.

Most of the grants to individuals in the Foundation Grants to Individuals On Line (FGTIOL) database and the Foundation Grants to Individuals book are for education, for artists and writers, or for emergency aid. For more information about grants for education or for persons in the arts, please see the "I would like to go to graduate school. How can I pay for it?" section of this page.

Can I get money from the government?

Use the GovBenefits.gov web site to fill out a confidential questionnaire to find out if you are eligible to receive federal and state benefits. There is also a state counterpart in New York: MyBenefits

Can I borrow money from the government?

Use the GovLoans.gov web site to browse available federal loans, or to fill out a questionnaire to find out if you are eligible for loans. Loan programs are available in the following areas: agriculture, business, disaster relief, education, housing and veterans.

I'm a senior citizen. Who can help me?

The Dutchess County Office for the Aging offers many services to seniors. Contact this organization at (845) 486-2555.

The National Council on Aging has a questionnaire to fill out to find out which public and private benefits you or an elderly relative qualify for.

For more information for senior citizens, including health insurance and a Senior Citizen Resource Guide or to find services in other New York counties, use the New York State Office for the Aging web site

I cannot pay for my medications. Can I get them for free or at a lower cost?

The following web sites help people obtain prescription drugs that they cannot afford to pay for:

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance links to several hundred assistance and drug company programs.

RX Outreach is a program with more than 150 generic medications for people who qualify.

How can I get health insurance for myself or for my small business employees?

The Healthy New York program allows uninsured sole proprietors and workers whose employers do not provide health insurance to buy comprehensive coverage. This program also assists small business owners in providing their employees and their employees' families with health insurance.

Where can I find health insurance for my child/ren and my family?

New York State has a health insurance plan for children under the age of 19. See Child Health Plus or call (800) 698-4KIDS for information.

Family Health Plus is a health insurance plan for adults ages 19 to 64 who do not qualify for Medicaid. There is no charge for the health insurance, but applicants must meet income level requirements. In Dutchess County, contact Family Health Plus at Dutchess Community Action Agency at (845) 452-5104 or the Dutchess County Department of Social Services at (845) 486-3340.

I don't have enough money to heat my home in the winter. Who can help me?

For information and an application for the HEAP Program (NYS Home Energy Assistance Program) to get help in paying for fuel or for furnace repair, contact the HEAP hotline at (800) 342-3009.

For emergency assistance, contact the Dutchess County Department of Social Services at 60 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, (845) 486-3000. Contact Community Action at (845) 437-0050 after business hours.

Where can I find emergency help for food, medication, housing, clothing, furniture, etc.?

Contact Dutchess Outreach at 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, (845) 454-3792. This organization serves noon meals 6 days a week at the Lunch Box and has a food pantry, children's clothing, meals to homebound people with HIV/AIDS, one-time emergency financial assistance, advocacy and referral services, and a furniture exchange program.

I am disabled. Where can I go for funding and assistance?

VESID (New York State Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities) funds job training and education for people with disabilities.

New York Independent Living Centers offer peer counseling, independent living skills, information and referral services, and individual and systems advocacy. Find the Independent Living Center location closest to you on VESID's web site

Use the Disability Resources Monthly web site to find foundation and government links for disability-related organizations and individuals.

I would like to go to graduate school. How can I pay for it?

This guide may be used at the Adriance Memorial Library to find out how you can pay for graduate school, when studying in the Social Sciences:

Money for Graduate Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The College Blue Book Which includes grants and scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Use the online database Foundation Grants to Individuals On Line (FGTIOL) for free at the Adriance Memorial Library to search for grants that foundations give to individuals for education and artistic or scholarly endeavors. Ask a Reference Librarian how to access this database.

Printable Version

You will need Adobe Acrobat in order to download the printable version of this subject guide.

Update Information

Prepared by Joy Matusiewicz, Foundation Center Librarian, 11/06. Links last checked 5/6/10.