The Community Foundation exists to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in the Greater Hudson Valley, now and for generations to come.  

Created by community leaders as the Area Fund, the Community Foundation is a public nonprofit charitable organization established as a permanent resource to make our region a better place for all of us to live and grow…today, tomorrow and always.  

We work with anyone who wishes to ensure and improve the quality of life in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties.  We support a broad and diverse range of issue areas including the arts, education, community development, conservation, health, and human services.  Our grantmaking is local, Hudson Valley-wide and national in scope.

The Community Foundation provides superior donor services, awards grants and scholarships that positively impact our communities, ensures sustainability of the nonprofit and philanthropic community, and serves as a leader, catalyst, and resource for charitable and philanthropic causes.

We are both a grantmaker and a vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic dreams.

Mission Statement

As a driving philanthropic force in our region, our mission is to strengthen our communities by offering donors the means to establish charitable legacies, by making grants, and by providing leadership to address community needs in a manner that is responsible, responsive and lasting.

To accomplish this we:  

• Help donors in their charitable giving
• Assist financial advisors and attorneys to explore giving options to benefit their clients
• Establish endowment funds for nonprofits and other charitable causes
• Provide grants and resources to community organizations, and
• Work with government, private foundations, and local leaders to address current and emerging needs.  

Our legal name is the Area Fund (EIN 23-7026859) and we do business as the Community Foundation of Dutchess County (link), the Ulster County Community Foundation (link), and the Community Foundation of Putnam County.

"The Community Foundation is recognized for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations by the Council on Foundations."