Hudson Valley Organizing Grants

Hudson Valley Organizing Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Star Fund
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: October 08, 2025

Summary

The Hudson Valley Organizing Grants provide essential support for grassroots organizations in New York's Hudson Valley, promoting systemic change through community-driven efforts. With a focus on low-income communities and communities of color, these grants empower organizations to mobilize and advocate for justice. Award amounts are typically around $20,000 and are determined by the Hudson Valley Community Funding Committee based on alignment with funding priorities. Applications are open to both new and established groups, ensuring a diverse range of voices in the movement.

Overview

NOTE: We accept Rapid Response grant applications from new and current grantees on an ongoing basis (rolling deadline—apply any time). New applicants can apply for grants starting on February 19, 2025, until the deadline: March 31, 2025 at 9pm. Hudson Valley Grantmaking As of June 30, 2024, we’ve awarded over 410 grants totaling over $5.5 million to organizations in the Hudson Valley. We have made grants in the region via several funds: in addition to our Hudson Valley Grants program, we’ve awarded grants via the Let Us Breathe Fund ($470,000), Rapid Response fund, Special Initiatives and the Future of Organizing Fund. Our Hudson Valley funding area includes a mix of rural, suburban and urban settings that provide unique opportunities to support grassroots organizing based in communities of color. In the COVID-19 pandemic, many grassroots organizations had to abruptly change their work to include direct assistance and mutual aid organizing that required nimble and creative leadership. These Hudson Valley grantees have shown they are up to the challenge of caring for their communities even as they demand big changes from our state, local and federal government. Hudson Valley Organizing Grants These grants provide long-term support to grassroots groups in the Hudson Valley of New York. Our grantees are engaged in the strategy of grassroots organizing, the process of building power by galvanizing the collective leadership of those directly impacted by injustice, particularly low-income communities and communities of color. In the face of systemic oppression caused by racism and capitalism, these organizations are developing and pursuing a long-term vision of systemic change. Grant Amounts $20,000 The Hudson Valley Community Funding Committee determines how much to award based on the organization’s fit within our funding criteria and priorities. There is no need to apply for a specific amount when you submit your application. Applicants may be considered for a multi-year grant. No additional application materials are required for multi-year grants.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We Fund OrganizingNorth Star Fund provides grants to organizations in NYC and Hudson Valley whose missions are to advance grassroots organizing—the process of building collective power so that communities impacted by injustice can make systemic change. Grantees can articulate the root causes of the injustices, pointing to systems and policies affecting their community. These organizations see community members impacted by this injustice as essential stakeholders, from whom they recruit leaders and seek stories, ideas, campaign strategy, and organizational direction. These organizations have a vision for systemic change that is connected to campaigns to undo or replace specific laws and systems that create inequity. These organizations can identify policymakers, decision-makers, or institutional targets in their campaigns. Community members take collective action to influence these targets to advance their demands.We Fund Both New and Established GroupsThese grants are intended for both new and emerging organizations as well as established movement builders with a track record of success.New and emerging organizations are not expected to meet all of the community organizing criteria, but some priorities include:Mass mobilizations efforts and other activities that shift public opinion and change political conditions.Founders and key leaders come from the impacted community.New members can join and take part in leading the organization’s efforts.Founders and leaders can identify and articulate the root causes of injustice that they seek to address.We Fund Small OrganizationsNorth Star Fund grants support small organizations which typically lack access to support from national foundations. Organizational budgets range from $0 to a maximum of $800,000.In addition to the criteria listed above, North Star Fund will consider Hudson Valley Organizing applications from organizations that meet all of the following requirements:A Hudson Valley organizing budget under $800,000Can demonstrate some elements of community organizing (more information found here)Organizing community members within at least one of the following counties: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Rensselaer, Albany, or Schoharie.

Ineligibility

North Star Fund does not support organizations whose mission is to provide “direct services”—broadly defined as meeting individuals or communities’ immediate needs—unless individuals or program participants are moved into an organizing strategy and leadership pipeline to advance systemic change.Although we value the work, we do not consider:Direct service organizations, i.e. food pantries, soup kitchensGrants to individuals, i.e. fellowshipsPrivate or public schools, colleges, and universitiesHospitals and clinicsInternational organizationsActivities to elect specific candidates for public officeOrganizations that do not comply with federal, state, or local equal opportunity statutes