The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust grants within specific geographic regions of the United States across a range of programs with a focus on closing the opportunity gap for individuals who are under-resourced.

We seek to advance our mission through prioritized investment in the following grant programs:

Education

Primary and secondary education, literacy, and vocational training are essential ingredients to improving life outcomes.

Program Goal: To reduce barriers that limit equitable opportunities and expand equal access to quality education.

Program Strategy: Supporting early childhood education, academic tutoring, literacy, college access, internships, scholarships, fellowships, and journalism focused on underrepresented populations and first-generation students.

Community Initiatives

A resilient social infrastructure is essential to a healthy local community.

Program Goal: To directly enhance the lives of residents within our core geographic regions by expanding services that bridge the poverty gap.

Program Strategy: Investing in community centers, safe and affordable housing, human services delivered by shelters and food pantries, and veterans services.

Arts & Culture

Engagement in the arts creates a stronger and more vibrant community and culture.

Program Goal: To foster arts education and appreciation.

Program Strategy: Through educational curriculum, instruction, and engagement of young adults via visiting artists or performances.

Youth Initiatives

Encouraging young adults to dream and equipping them to succeed can change the trajectory of their lives.

Program Goal: To empower young adults in their personal development and to equip them in their professional aspirations.

Program Strategy: Developing sustained relationships that offer one-on-one mentoring, character education, skills training, and violence prevention.

People with Disabilities and Universal Access

A person with a physical, mental, or emotional disability should have equal access to opportunity within the community.

Program Goal: To support services for individuals with a disability as well as provide universal access to facilities for these individuals.

Program Strategy: Supporting programs for people with disabilities as well as required facility renovations to enable universal access.

Environment

Stewardship of the local environment is a fundamental responsibility.

Program Goal: To support environmental education and conservation initiatives.

Program Strategy: Through educational instruction and materials (e.g., curriculum, brochures, signs) coupled with protection of strategic parcels of land and water.

Historical Preservation

Preserving our history is important to educate the broader population on past events and inform current events.

Program Goal: To preserve historical accounts and artifacts to benefit future generations.

Program Strategy: Through educational instruction and materials (e.g., curriculum, brochures, signs) coupled with protection of sites, structures, objects, and event.

The majority of the Trust's grant funding is focused within three core geographic regions (i.e. Central New York, Northern Nevada, and New Jersey). While there is not a geographic restriction, the Trustees prefer to be directly engaged and have oversight of the grants that are made. We strongly encourage organizations located outside of these three core geographic regions who are seeking funding support to contact the assigned trustee via email prior to submitting a formal request in our grant portal.