Mini-Grant Funding Announced Through Tobacco Free Zone of Cortland, Tompkins, & Chenango Counties, Cortland Health Department Says

The Cortland County Health Department has announced a mini-grant funding opportunity through the Tobacco Free Zone program of Cortland, Tompkins, and Chenango Counties. Funding will be up to $35,000. The mini-grant funding is to address tobacco use and exposure in multi-unit housing, tobacco product waste in the environment, tobacco marketing and sales, and/or tobacco use and exposure in outdoor settings within the three counties.

The Health Department says organizations that serve local communities and individuals most impacted by the negative effects of commercial tobacco products are invited to apply for the grant funding. The Tobacco Free Zone program works on the elimination of tobacco related health disparities and inequities. The health department says all activities must occur between February 1st and April 30th, 2026. Funding may be possible after the dates.

“Mini-grant recipients are expected to lead and facilitate community engagement work related to one or more of the following: promoting smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing, educating the community about the problem of tobacco product waste and/or tobacco sales and marketing, and create a demand where policy change to address these issues is possible, and/or advocating for tobacco-free outdoor policies at worksites and other outdoor spaces. Activities must occur within the catchment area of Cortland, Tompkins and/or Chenango Counties.” The Health Department says.

Tobacco Free Zone is one of 21 state contractors funded through an Advancing Tobacco Free Communities grant from the State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control.

According to the Health Department, upon award notification, Tobacco Free Zone staff will provide technical assistance, including a review of expectations, implementation techniques, reporting, and budgeting responsibilities, to recipients. Mini-grant recipients will enter into a formal agreement with Cortland County. Funding is contingent upon the availability of funds from the New York State Department of Health and such funds being awarded to Cortland County.

Applications are online at CortlandCountyNY.gov and clicking the bids/request for proposals button. Additional information may be found at TFreeZone.net. The deadline for submissions is December 18th at 11:30am.