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Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley presents 'Voices' report, launches LIFT loan pilot for nonprofits
Summary
The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley presented findings from its Voices of the Hudson Valley report to the Ulster County Legislature, highlighted needs including housing affordability and food insecurity, and announced LIFT, a pilot low‑interest (2%) bridge‑loan program for nonprofits.
Laura Washington, president and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, and Kristen McPeek, senior vice president for programs and strategic partnerships, presented highlights from the foundation's Voices of the Hudson Valley report and described ongoing partnerships with Ulster County.
Washington said the foundation manages more than 600 funds and distributed $17 million in grants and scholarships regionally last year, with 75% of that aid going to Ulster County. She said the report's community conversations identified housing affordability as the top concern, cited a median home price in Ulster County above $400,000, and said more than 23,000 county residents (including about 4,500 children) are food insecure.
McPeek detailed partnership programs with the county, including ARPA‑funded projects to expand digital access (more than $108,000 deployed) and food‑system support (close to $300,000 guided by the county’s food security network). The foundation's Ulster County advisory committee awarded $180,000 in grants to 31 local nonprofits last year.
Washington also announced LIFT (Local Impact Fund for Tomorrow), a new pilot offering low‑interest (2%) bridge loans to nonprofits that have grants pending and need short‑term capital to continue programming.
Why it matters: The foundation's data provide a countywide snapshot that legislators can use to target funding and policy responses; the LIFT pilot could affect how local nonprofits manage near‑term cash flow and program continuity.
Next steps: Foundation representatives left contact information for legislators and said they look forward to continuing collaboration with county staff and committees.
