History

John J. Gartland, Jr. and several Poughkeepsie leaders established the Poughkeepsie Area Fund in 1969 with a initial $100,000 grant from the McCann Foundation to cover its operating expenses. The original mission was to support the revitalization of the City of Poughkeepsie. Organizers led the capital campaign to build the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. The Poughkeepsie Area Fund purchased the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, the Cunneen Hackett Cultural Center and the Stanford Medical Center. In 1979, the Community Foundation expanded from Poughkeepsie to include all of Dutchess County. By 2010 the Foundation expanded to include Putnam and Ulster Counties and formed the Community Foundations of Hudson Valley.

Today, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) empowers individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to fulfill their philanthropic goals through the establishment of charitable funds that support the needs of Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster counties. With over $100 million in assets, CFHV manages nearly 600 charitable funds and has distributed millions in grants and scholarships since our founding in 1969. We lead initiatives to address urgent community needs such as food insecurity and educational challenges, offering both immediate relief and long-term support.

1969

Founded as the Poughkeepsie Area Fund

1979

Expanded to The Area Fund of Dutchess County

1995

Became The Community Foundations of Dutchess County

2010

Expanded to Putnam and Ulster Counties, as The Community Foundations of Hudson Valley

What is a Community Foundation?

In short, we’re part of something bigger. There are more than 800 community foundations across the U.S., each dedicated to serving its unique region. While we operate independently, we share a common mission:

  • To be a resource for local people who want to pay it forward.
  • To channel resources into effective charitable programs.
  • To strengthen and support the communities we call home.

A Legacy of Giving

It all began in Cleveland in 1914, when Frederick Goff established the Cleveland Foundation in Ohio. Unlike private foundations, which often manage resources for a single family, community foundations were created to support thousands of givers with a shared vision of making a lasting impact. More than a century later, we remain committed to that vision: helping generosity thrive and improving lives across the Hudson Valley.