Upstream Fund (Adirondack Community Foundation's Generous Acts)

Upstream Fund

Funder: Hudson Headwaters Health Foundation Inc (NY, US)

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