Designated Grants: Out-of-School Time Programming for Children and Youth

The Dyson Foundation provides grants for out-of-school time programs in the Mid-Hudson Valley, focusing on after-school, summer, and year-round activities. The foundation prioritizes organizations that enable economically disadvantaged children's participation and conduct outreach to low-income families. Grants support youth development initiatives, with a preference for programs offering assistance such as transportation and meals. Applications from tax-exempt public charities are welcomed, enhancing community services and addressing essential human needs.

NOTE: For after school programs or year-round programs, there is currently no set due date for inquiries, but we encourage you to submit your letter of inquiry at least six months in advance of your program start date.
Mid-Hudson Valley Grantmaking Program
The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) that are addressing basic human needs including housing, family stability, youth development, health care access including behavioral health, food access, and other human services, with a special focus on organizations working with those who are economically disadvantaged or otherwise marginalized.
After-School and Summer Programming for Children and Youth
The Dyson Foundation considers grants for out-of-school time programs including after-school, summer, and year-round activities. Applications for programs located in the Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster will be considered, with a focus on enabling the participation of economically disadvantaged children. Funding priority will be given to programs operated by organizations whose mission and expertise is focused on youth development, and that conduct targeted outreach to low-income families and children, offer program schedules that support working families, and those that give consideration to and make efforts toward providing transportation assistance and meals.

Eligibility

Applications for programs located in the Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster will be considered, with a focus on enabling the participation of economically disadvantaged children. The Dyson Foundation makes grants to tax-exempt public charities described under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.Faith-Based Organizations:the Foundation will consider grants for community-based service programs that meet the following criteria:

• services must be available to all regardless of their religion or beliefs and must not be rooted in a particular religious doctrine or belief system
• there is a formal structure for provision of services (e.g., mission, staff, program policies and procedures)

services go beyond religious charitable work to include activities that make a real impact on the lives of people living in their communitiesThe Foundation will consider funding to Dutchess County public schools for the following:Programs involving parents in actively supporting the education of their children (i.e. parent literacy, parenting classes);
Professional development for teachers and administrators. This applies to conferences and workshops for teachers and administrators offered by outside organizations and does not include scheduled in-service workshops done in the individual school districts.
The Foundation will not award funds directly to public schools. Applicant schools must have an established relationship with a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization that will serve as a fiscal sponsor (such as an affiliated foundation or community foundation).

Ineligibility

fiscal agents
organizations serving the whole of New York State, unless the Mid-Hudson Valley is a substantial focus area for the organization’s programs or services
government units such as fire districts or municipalitiesnonprofit fire and rescue squads
Rotary clubs and similar service clubsWe do not make grants for:galas, fundraising events, tickets, or sponsorships
general endowments
debt or deficit reductionThe Dyson Foundation's policy on non-discrimination prevents us from awarding grant support to organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws, or practices, discriminate against a person or group because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religious belief. Grantees, however, may target services to a particular population when the targeted groups require specialized programs to meet specific needs not shared by the general population.