Our vision
A community foundation that is designed to be for Ulster County and by Ulster County.

Our goal
To grow philanthropy in Ulster County for the benefit of Ulster County residents.

Our intent
To provide our legal structure, experience and expertise to an advisory board that will represent all areas of Ulster County.  This board will raise money and make grants for the benefit of Ulster County.

An advisory board is currently being recruited and will be comprised of business, nonprofit and public service leaders representing communities throughout Ulster County.  Their task will be to grow philanthropy in Ulster County, raise money, establish new endowed funds and make grants to make the quality of life in Ulster County even better.

In order to reduce overhead costs and economically create this new resource, the Ulster County Community Foundation will share administrative staff and back office functions with the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, which will receive and administer the Dyson Foundation grant on behalf of the Ulster County Community Foundation over a five-year start up period running from July, 2007 through June, 2012.

“The idea is to nurture and develop the Ulster County Community Foundation over the next few years and focus on building its endowment from local sources and giving to local causes,” said Andrea Reynolds, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County. Reynolds will also serve as president and CEO of the Ulster County Community Foundation.

For information about the Foundation and how you can help make this vision a reality, or to make a contribution, start a donor fund, or discuss planned giving options, please contact Andrea Reynolds, President and CEO, or David Ringwood, Vice President, Development at 845-338-2535.  To make a contribution now, please click here.

What is a Community Foundation?

Community foundations make up one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. They build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to create permanent, named component funds to meet critical needs. Community foundations, through philanthropy that is visionary, diverse and inclusive, have become catalysts for improvement within urban centers and in rural settings.

Community foundations offer donors many services and benefits. They routinely work with families, individuals, attorneys and estate and financial planners to design gift plans that fit every economic situation, ensuring that donors receive the most benefit from their charitable contributions and that their philanthropic dollars are used to the fullest extent.

Community foundations accept gifts of various sizes and types from private citizens, corporations, government agencies and other foundations. Nearly every type of gift—including real estate, closely held stock and artwork—can be contributed to a community foundation. Gifts are made from bequests and by living donors through various types of funds and deferred giving vehicles.

Community foundations range in size from the largest community foundation, the Tulsa Community Foundation, with assets totaling more than $2.3 billion, to some with assets of $100,000 or less. The funds are invested in diverse portfolios and sound investment management is a major aspect of community foundations’ work.

All community foundations share the common goal of serving donors, nonprofit organizations and the community as a whole. In addition, one of a community foundation’s special functions is to evaluate and help coordinate the needs and services in its communities, so that charitable gifts are used effectively to fulfill a community’s most critical needs.