Robert Dyson, whose family”™s philanthropic Dyson Foundation has given millions to support projects throughout the Hudson Valley, praised the private sector for keeping the Hudson Valley”™s economy and nonprofit sector alive.
The Dyson Foundation provided the funding for a feasibility study to see if saving the old Poughkeepsie train bridge and converting into a recreational walkway was possible. Dyson said the private-public partnership that turned “a monolithic industrial age liability into a productive public asset is an example of regional cooperation.”
Saying nearly 75,000 visitors have visited Walkway Over the Hudson since its opening Oct. 3, Dyson said businesses and residential homeowners on both sides of the pedestrian bridge are investing in beautifying their properties and that area restaurants are benefiting from an influx of visitors from outside the region.
Dyson made his comments in a keynote address at Pattern for Progress”™ annual awards dinner Nov. 5.
Calling Walkway over the Hudson an “an unparalled investment in the economic future of the Hudson Valley,” Dyson thanked Central Hudson for its donation of land and legal talent to making it a reality, as well as 14 Home Depot stores in the region that donated materials, time and workmanship to finish and beautify the two entrances on both sides of the river.
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The foundation is exploring ways to get regions to work together, not just supporting nonprofit consolidation but extending that concept to municipal and government entities. “Wish us luck,” said Dyson with a rueful smile, saying consolidation was not a new idea but has become a necessity the new economic landscape requires.
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Based on a recent study it commissioned, Dyson reported 1,700 nonprofit organizations exist in the region, with 89,000 jobs and creating an aggregate economic impact of $6.5 billion annually. “These are significant numbers that demonstrate the magnitude of the role nonprofits play in our economic future.”
If companies and private individuals have cut back financially in support to nonprofits, Dyson encouraged volunteerism and in-kind services to keep them going, saying they are “essential in the fabric of the community.”
Dyson told listeners the U.S. is alone when it comes to charitable giving.
“We practice philanthropy like no other country on the face of the earth ”“ from our earliest settlers and those who followed, we helped one another in the beginning to survive and prosper ”“ and it”™s still true in every village and town in America today. Like all of us in this room, we must rededicate our time and resources to continue to survive and prosper.”
A free workshop for nonprofit leaders to explore restructuring and consolidation will be held Nov. 18 at the Poughkeepsie Grandview from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Featuring representatives from area nonprofits that have successfully undertaken strategic restructuring initiatives within the last five years, David LaPiano, who will conduct the workshop, will be available one-to-one with attendees following the presentation.
For more information, contact Dawn Carolei at the Dyson Foundation at (845) 790-6314 or e-mail to dcarolei@dyson.org.
