Mid-Hudson Valley General Operating Support Grants

The Dyson Foundation offers flexible, unrestricted grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley, focusing on those addressing basic human needs. Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong governance, stable leadership, and a history of receiving prior Dyson grants. Special emphasis is placed on supporting economically disadvantaged communities. Applications should be submitted at least six months before the fiscal year begins, and organizations with budgets over $20 million are generally excluded.

NOTE: Unrestricted grants are aligned with the grantee’s fiscal year; submit an initial letter of inquiry no later than six months prior to the start of the fiscal year.
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.
General operating support, or “unrestricted” grants, are flexible funds that can be used by organizations at their discretion. These grants are available to organizations working on priority funding issues if they:

• Meet our principles of best practice for nonprofit governance, finance, public disclosure, and programming
• have at least three years of stable executive leadership
• have received a designated Dyson Foundation grant within the last three years.

Unrestricted grants are aligned with the grantee’s fiscal year; submit an initial letter of inquiry no later than six months prior to the start of the fiscal year. Organizations with annual budgets in excess of $20 million are generally not eligible for unrestricted grants.

Eligibility

These grants are available to organizations working on priority funding issues if they:meet our principles of best practice for nonprofit governance, finance, public disclosure, and programming
have at least three years of stable executive leadership
have received a designated Dyson Foundation grant within the last three years.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 counties

Ineligibility

The Dyson Foundation does not fund: the arts, historic preservation, the environment, capital campaigns, or endowments.Organizations with annual budgets in excess of $20 million are generally not eligible for unrestricted grants.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 will not consider general operating support to hospitals and colleges. 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.