Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) has awarded over $350,000 in community grants to nonprofits, students and organizations. The organization gave these funds during its inaugural Community Changemaker gatherings in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam Counties, uniting fund holders and nonprofit grant recipients to celebrate collaboration and community impact. The funds, raised from individual donors, fund holders and donations from CFHV’s annual Garden Party, were distributed to more than 30 nonprofit organizations based in the region. Of the over $350,000, $179,500 was awarded to Dutchess County organizations, $126,000 to Ulster County, and $50,000 to Putnam County.
The missions of this year’s CFHV grant recipients address critical needs in education, food security, health, justice, climate action, arts, culture and animal welfare. CFHV President and CEO Laura Washington said of the grant recipients, “You all are the leaders, innovators and advocates — the changemakers — who inspire us to make our community a better place.”
CFHV Board Chair Bob Cotter encouraged attendees to help expand CFHV’s reach. He said, “By connecting us with new nonprofits, we can continue to address critical needs and broaden our impact.”
Established in 1969 as the Area Fund, CFHV has grown to manage over $100 million in assets and administers nearly 600 charitable funds, distributing over $11.3 million in grants and scholarships in 2023 alone. As a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), contributions to CFHV are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines.
