Fall Jeanette F. Schlobach Grant Program

The Jeannette F. Schlobach Grant Program is administered by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, a regional philanthropic organization committed to improving lives across Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster counties in New York. The foundation plays a pivotal role in connecting donors with nonprofit organizations to address urgent community needs and build long-term resilience. Its programming spans a wide range of grantmaking initiatives, including support for education, health, community development, and economic equity. Through the Schlobach Grant Program, the foundation focuses on alleviating the impact of poverty on residents of Dutchess County. The Jeannette F. Schlobach Grant Program is designed to support nonprofit organizations providing direct services to individuals, families, and their pets who are experiencing poverty. Applicants must operate within Dutchess County, New York. The program places an emphasis on helping underserved populations access resources and opportunities that enhance economic stability, health, and education. Areas of eligible programming include comprehensive case management, homelessness prevention, job readiness and training, access to critical health services, and affordable care for family pets. Organizations demonstrating both proven effectiveness and rising demand for their services are encouraged to apply. Funding from this grant may be used for general operating support, infrastructure and equipment needs that bolster service delivery capacity, and for piloting new programs, provided sustainability can be demonstrated. Applicants are expected to structure their requests in a way that shows how a one-time grant can strengthen, expand, or improve services. The program is not intended to serve as an annual funding source. Additionally, proposed projects should align with broader funding efforts and ideally leverage other financial or community resources. Eligibility for this grant is limited to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, provided their activities are non-religious in nature and benefit the general public. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted if there is an established relationship with a 501(c)(3) organization. Grants are not awarded to individuals, for-profit entities, political or lobbying efforts, retroactive expenses, endowments, or religious programs. Schools may apply only for community service efforts that extend benefits beyond the school environment. The application cycle runs once annually, opening on January 1 and closing on February 15. All applications must be submitted during this window. No pre-application steps such as letters of intent are required. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the guidelines thoroughly and may direct questions to the foundation's program office via [email protected] or contact Cristin McPeake, Vice President of Programs, at 845-452-3077 or [email protected]. Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Dutchess Advisory Board, which is composed of local community representatives. Evaluations are based on criteria such as organizational viability, community impact, innovation, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Final award decisions are made by the Board of Trustees. Funding notifications follow the review process, although no fixed date is provided for award announcements. Although this grant program is offered annually, future funding should not be expected as guaranteed. The foundation emphasizes that each cycle is independently evaluated and awarded based on available funds and applicant fit. As of 2026, the total pool of funding available is approximately $150,000, with individual grants not exceeding $20,000.

Demonstrate sustainable impact and program improvement; clarify how one-time funding will yield long-term outcomes.