Northeast Dutchess Fund

The Northeast Dutchess Fund, established in 2002 by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, serves as a charitable endowment designed to enhance community well-being across several towns in northeast Dutchess County, New York. This includes Amenia, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Millbrook, Millerton, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Washington, Wassaic, and Wingdale. The fund is managed with input from a local advisory committee and aims to uplift residents—especially low-income and underserved individuals—by funding impactful community programs and initiatives. Grants are available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, organizations with fiscal sponsorships, municipalities, and community organizations that serve the designated towns. Teachers, students, parents, and community members can also apply for education-related projects not covered by other enrichment funds or needing supplemental funding. Public agencies may request funds for initiatives that improve residents' quality of life, provided the grants are not used to substitute public tax revenues. Funding is available for general operations, project-based work (both new and existing), and capital improvements. First-time applicants seeking general operating support are encouraged to consult with the Community Engagement Officer prior to submission. Capital grants necessitate a 1:1 match in cash or in-kind resources unless otherwise modified by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Organizations may apply more than once per cycle with prior approval, and multi-year funding requests are considered case-by-case. Applicants must submit outcome assessments for any prior grants received from this fund before becoming eligible for future funding. Interim reports may be necessary for multi-year awards. Applications are reviewed by a local committee, with final decisions subject to approval by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s board of directors. Evaluation criteria include community impact, feasibility, quality of the proposal, and inclusivity. Projects promoting diversity and equity and those supporting marginalized or underserved populations are particularly encouraged. Awards typically range between $2,500 and $10,000. The next application deadline is February 15, 2026. Interested applicants should use the foundation’s online portal to submit proposals. For first-time applicants or those with multiple proposal ideas, contacting the Community Engagement Officer at grants@berkshiretaconic.org is advised.

Organizations are encouraged to submit one proposal per cycle unless otherwise approved; first-time applicants should consult program staff.