CFHV Field Trip Grants

The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley offers Field Trip Grants to support educational experiences for students in Dutchess County and Ulster County, New York. This program is designed to assist educators in public schools from kindergarten through grade 12 in providing meaningful learning opportunities outside the classroom. The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the region by connecting philanthropic resources to community needs, with a long-standing history of supporting educational enrichment and equity in the Hudson Valley. The purpose of the Field Trip Grants is to help offset the costs associated with educational trips that align with academic curricula. Funding may be used to cover transportation, admission fees, or to assist students who cannot afford to contribute toward the cost of the trip. The goal is to ensure equitable access to field trips that reinforce classroom instruction and provide cultural, scientific, and historical enrichment. The foundation prioritizes applications from high-needs schools or districts, recognizing the particular importance of educational access for underserved students. Eligibility for this funding is limited to teachers employed in public schools or school districts located in Dutchess County or Ulster County. Applications must be submitted by the lead teacher, who will be the designated contact in the grant portal. Teachers are encouraged to coordinate with school leadership to prioritize applications, as each school may typically receive no more than two field trip grants per year, with a maximum total of $4,000. Clubs, summer programs, and after-school programs are not eligible. Field trips must take place during the academic year, typically during school hours, and must be deemed reasonable and appropriate for the student body. Trips that include an entire grade level are also eligible. Applications are accepted online through the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley’s grant portal, available at www.communityfoundationshv.org. Teachers are responsible for maintaining their own portal accounts, although they may collaborate with colleagues or grant writers as needed. Successful applicants will receive an agreement to review and sign before funds are disbursed. Following the completion of the trip, grantees must submit a brief report detailing the outcomes. Deadlines for submission are tied to the school calendar. The fall/winter deadline is September 15 for trips anticipated between October 15 and January 30, with notifications issued in mid-October. The winter/spring deadline is December 31 for trips anticipated between February 1 and June 30, with notifications issued in late January. The grant program operates on a recurring annual cycle. Applications are not rolling and must adhere to the set deadlines. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley at 845-452-3077 or via email at grants@communityfoundationshv.org. The organization’s main office is located at 25 Van Wagner Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The foundation requires final reports after trips are completed to ensure accountability and to support continued program funding. Overall, the Field Trip Grants provide a structured opportunity for educators to enhance student learning and expand access to off-campus educational experiences across Dutchess and Ulster Counties.