Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Northeast Dutchess Fund Reaches $250K Endowment Challenge

July 12, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—The Northeast Dutchess Fund today announced that it has met the challenge issued by the Dyson Foundation in 2006 to raise $250,000 for its endowment. A fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the Northeast Dutchess Fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving Amenia, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Millbrook, Millerton, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Washington, Wassaic and Wingdale, NY.

The Dyson Foundation awarded this challenge grant as part of their 50th anniversary celebrating its founders, Charles and Margaret Dyson. “This kind of grant is out of the usual course for the Dyson Foundation, but we wanted to provide a special opportunity to foster a lasting legacy to the values of our founders by supporting grassroots philanthropy in northeast Dutchess County,” said Diana M. Gurieva, Executive Vice President of the Dyson Foundation.

The Northeast Dutchess Fund was founded at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in 2002 and is one of 11 permanently endowed area funds which serve a specific geographic area and further the foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for all residents of northeast Dutchess County and Columbia County, NY; northwest Litchfield County, CT; and, Berkshire County, MA.. The Northeast Dutchess Fund supports nonprofits, community organizations or public agencies serving residents of northeast Dutchess County. The fund has supported over 80 organizations with grants ranging from $350 to $7,500 for a broad range of projects in the arts, civic interests, health and human services, education, the environment and youth.

Berkshire Taconic president Jennifer Dowley said, “From a Shakespeare workshop series at Millbrook High School to fresh food like vegetables, dairy products and meat for the St. Thomas Church Food of Life Pantry, to new shoes for low-income families—The Northeast Dutchess Fund grants serve in diverse ways to improve the quality of life in our community, and they wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors.”

Thanks to the Dyson Foundation, and the response of local donors, the Northeast Dutchess Fund now has an endowment of almost $900,000. Nancy Stahl, Chair of the Northeast Dutchess Fund advisory committee said, “It’s extraordinary to think that nine years ago this was just an idea. Thanks to this challenge and the hundreds of donors who participated, there is now a strong and permanent resource dedicated to the northeast corner of Dutchess County that has already granted out over $800,000 to local nonprofits.”

“But there is more work to be done,” continued Stahl. “The fund remains committed to building its endowment for future grantmaking. Our communities and neighbors need this vital resource.” To make a donation to the fund, please contact Berkshire Taconic by e-mail at info@berkshiretaconic.org or donate online.

Grant applications and guidelines are available online at online or by calling Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation at 413.229.0370. The next deadline is May 7, 2012.

The Dyson Foundation is a private, family-directed grantmaking foundation established in 1957. The Foundation is led by Robert R. Dyson who has served as the Foundation’s President since 2000. Headquartered in Millbrook, New York, the Foundation awards grants through a diverse regional funding program in the Dyson family’s home community of the Mid-Hudson Valley. The Dyson Foundation also makes grants outside the Hudson Valley to pre-selected organizations. The Foundation’s assets presently stand at approximately $300,000,000 and in 2010 it awarded grants in excess of $17,000,000.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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