Mid-Hudson Valley Designated Grants

The Mid-Hudson Valley Designated Grants program, funded by the Dyson Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties. It focuses on addressing essential human needs like housing and healthcare for marginalized communities. Grants are available for specific purposes, including youth programs and economic development efforts, ensuring a direct impact on local communities and promoting equitable access to resources.

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.
Designated Grants are grants made for a specific purpose or program. These grants are available towards:
Activities that align with our priority funding areas but operate within an organization with a broader missionYouth after-school and summer programs (see our specific guidelines)Economic development with a clear charitable purpose, public benefit, and a direct link with our priority funding areas
On a very limited basis, arts councils and/or arts organizations that have demonstrated significant job creation and local economic impact

Eligibility

The Dyson Foundation makes grants to tax-exempt public charities described under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
The Dyson Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster countiesFaith-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).The Dyson Foundation will consider designated funding to hospitals and colleges.

Ineligibility

Generally, we do not consider funding for capital projects to organizations that are not current or prior grantees, except for affordable housing projects. The Dyson Foundation does not fund: the arts, historic preservation, the environment, capital campaigns, or endowments.We do not accept applications from:individuals
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 municipalities, except for projects exploring consolidation or merger
nonprofit 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 will not fund faith-based organizations or institutions for activities and/or programs of religious teaching or training such as religious services or bible study. In addition, the Foundation will generally not consider management assistance mini-grant applications or general operating support requests from faith-based organizations.The 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.