Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Receives National Recognition

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Susie Nelson, board chair of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity, and accountability as it carries out its mission.”

The Community Foundations National Standards® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking, and administration. With over 500 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is critically important to our donors,” said Serena Marrero, Vice President of Philanthropy. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage investments wisely and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation reflects that Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley holds the highest of standards in accountability to our donors and to the community at large.

Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley works to meet critical community needs and support of local causes, including but not limited to, Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Nonprofit Capacity Building, Education, Food Security and Health Services. Community Foundations offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates CFHV’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

Community Foundations National Standards® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States

About Community Foundations National Standards

The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council of Foundations and is responsible for the quality, value, and integrity of compliance with National Standards. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit its website at www.

About The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley

Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley delivers community leadership and strategic philanthropy to inspire and celebrate local charitable giving in the Mid-Hudson Valley region. Partnering with its generous donors, the CFHV addresses current and emerging community needs through effective grantmaking to improve the quality of life for all, and by offering technical assistance to help nonprofits operate more effectively. Since its origin as the Area Fund in 1969, the CFHV has expanded to include Dutchess, Ulster, and Putnam counties. The CFHV currently manages over $100 million in assets and administers nearly 600 charitable funds for individuals and organizations. In 2023, it distributed more than $11 million in grants and scholarships. The CFHV is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to the CFHV are tax-deductible within the limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code.

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