The Suffolk Foundation will be pumping between $50,000 and $100,000 into community projects during its inaugural grant cycle.

The foundation, which started one year ago, will be accepting applications from nonprofit organizations with projects that would enhance the quality of life for Suffolk residents through Oct. 31.

“We are excited about being able to make our first grants,” said local attorney Whitney Saunders, president of the foundation’s board of directors. He said the foundation would be giving back approximately 5 percent of its cash assets, which now totals about $2.5 million (both assets in hand and pledges).

“We’ve already received 10 to 15 requests for applications.”

Billy Hill, executive director of the foundation, said the foundation will consider all sorts of projects from organizations that have their tax-exempt status. Projects may be related to education, the arts/humanities, environmental and animal welfare or for programs that benefit youth or the elderly.

“We are not looking strategically at any one area,” said Saunders. “We are looking at any worthy projects that we can support.

“We want to make sure the foundation is a supporter of every part of the city. If we are going to truly serve the needs of the citizens of Suffolk, we have got to be comprehensive in that effort.

“Our purpose is to serve the entire population. That is why we were founded.”

Grant applications can be obtained by e-mailing or calling Hill (bhill@suffolkfoundation.org or 923-9090 respectively) or by stopping by the foundation’s office, at 1426 Holland Road, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications have to be completed and returned by 4 p.m. Oct. 31.