Grant Opportunities

The Dutchess After-School Grant program will offer modest 2-year, general operating support grants to non-profit organizations across Dutchess County who are providing established after-school programming to youth in our community.  These programs should focus on academic support, including tutoring/mentoring in core subjects such as math, science, and reading, as well as cultural and skills enrichment activities like arts, sports, life skills, and technology.

Objectives:

1. Enhance Academic Achievement: Provide academic support to help students improve their performance in key subjects.
2. Increase Accessibility: Ensure programs are accessible (within walking distance for students or have transportation needs met) and basic student needs are addressed so they can participate and thrive in their programs.
3. Promote Safe and Supportive Environments: Create safe spaces where students can engage in positive activities and receive mentorship.
4. Foster Community Engagement: Encourage local organizations and stakeholders to collaborate and invest in the success of our youth.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

1. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or an established fiscal sponsorship arrangement with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing services in Dutchess County

Please note that grants are not given to support:

• Individuals
• Political or partisan purposes
• Lobbying activities
• Loan reimbursements for capital projects already underway or completed
• Retroactive expenses that were incurred prior to the grant award
• Endowments
• Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes; however, grants may be made to support non-religious community programs provided through these institutions.
• Private foundations
• For-profit organizations
• Schools and school districts
• Organizations that plan to sub-grant or regrant the funds
• Intermediaries that do not directly provide afterschool or summer programming
• Local governments
• Start-up programs

Funding Available & Awards:
It is anticipated that $100,000 will be available to grant this year. 10 grants of $10,000 (to be disbursed in 2 payments of $5,000 annually) will be awarded.

Funding will be distributed in rural and urban communities across Dutchess County

Deadline: 
The Community Foundations will be accepting applications from July 1 through October 1st.

Questions:
Applicants are encouraged to review the grant guidelines carefully and may contact Community Foundations if they have any questions at grants@communityfoundationshv.org or (845) 452-3077

Review Criteria:
While this list is not exhaustive, the Foundations considers applications with the following criteria in mind:

• Organization/Program Feasibility: Clearly demonstrates an ability to accomplish their mission, is viable in the long term, and secures other sources of financial and in-kind support
• Community Need/Opportunity: Fosters trust and collaborative civic participation in addressing a vital community need and collectively improves community conditions
• Impact: Demonstrates how funds will support, grow and improve programming/services for the afterschool program and youth participating
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Develops and maintains community connections for the underserved & economically diverse; Incorporates diverse cultures, philosophies & experiences across their organization/programming

Review Process:
All applications will be rated on these criteria and reviewed by a grants committee of Community Foundations.  All recommendations made by the Committee are then reviewed, approved or declined by the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundations.