Upstream Fund (Adirondack Community Foundation's Generous Acts)

Upstream Fund

Program Type: Community-based grant program administered through Adirondack Community Foundation's Generous Acts

Geographic Scope: Adirondack Region and North Country of New York (Hamilton, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Warren, Saratoga, and Jefferson counties)

Mission: A special donor-restricted fund supporting community-based projects that improve health and wellbeing by addressing food, housing, transportation and other socioeconomic issues. The fund reflects Hudson Headwaters' emphasis on understanding and improving patients' and communities' full health landscape by going "upstream" to fund projects that address issues like food and housing insecurity before they lead to negative health consequences.

Focus Areas:

• Food security and nutrition
• Housing assistance and homelessness prevention
• Transportation
• Childcare and early childhood education
• Workforce development
• Mental health and suicide prevention
• Emergency assistance for vulnerable populations (ALICE households - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)
• Legal services for financial stability
• Recreation and community connections
• Health education programs

Eligibility:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Must serve communities in the Adirondack Region and North Country
• Organizations addressing socioeconomic determinants of health

Application Process:

• Applications submitted through Adirondack Community Foundation's Generous Acts program
• Annual competitive grant program

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: hhhn.org
• Contribution form available at hhhn.org

Examples of Supported Projects (2025):

• Adirondack Roots: Housing assistance programs
• Champlain Area Trails: Community connections via trails and outdoor programming
• Community Connections of Franklin County: Warming center support
• Community Lunchbox: Free meal programs
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Community and school garden connections
• Malone Recreational Park: Free swim lessons and water safety
• Northern Area Health Education Center: CampMed health careers program
• Rotary Club of Chestertown: Community share shop basic needs items
• Rural Preservation Company: Emergency home repairs
• Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Association: Emergency and routine dental services

Examples of Supported Projects (2024):

• AdkAction: Long-term rental conversion toolkit and incentive program
• Joint Council for Economic Opportunity: Emergency aid for ALICE households
• Little Peaks Preschool: Operational support for early childcare
• Rural Law Center: Family stabilization and legal services program
• The Salvation Army: Basic needs assistance for utilities

Examples of Supported Projects (2023):

• AdkAction: Food security and nutrition programs
• Cooperative Development Institute: Cooperative housing and land conservation planning
• Joint Council for Economic Opportunity: Fuel assistance
• Schroon Lake Food Pantry: Generator purchase for food preservation

Examples of Supported Projects (2022):

• Adirondack Community Outreach Center: Farmers market voucher program
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County: Positive parenting program
• Housing Assistance Program of Essex County: Emergency housing assistance
• Keene Valley Neighborhood Services: Vehicle wheelchair lift
• Mental Health Association in Essex County: Suicide prevention campaign
• Ready4Real: Workforce readiness training for at-risk youth

Application Process

Deadline: February 4 (annual)

Application Platform: Adirondack Community Foundation's Generous Acts program

Steps:
1. Review Generous Acts program guidelines and focus areas
2. Prepare organization documentation (501(c)(3) status, mission alignment)
3. Submit application through Adirondack Community Foundation
4. Application is competitive and reviewed by selection committee

For More Information: