NEDCorps, an initiative of the Northeast Dutchess Fund, is dedicated to poverty reduction through enhanced educational attainment and increased financial self-sufficiency for individuals and families in northeast Dutchess County. The program offers competitive grants to nonprofits, municipalities, community organizations, and civic entities. These grants are specifically designed to support the development of new programs or the expansion of existing services that cater to the immigrant community residing in these areas. This aligns with the fund's broader mission of strengthening the nonprofit infrastructure serving immigrants by incubating new initiatives and encouraging the growth of established ones.
The primary target beneficiaries of the NEDCorps grant program are immigrant residents within specific towns of northeast Dutchess County, including Amenia, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Millbrook, Millerton, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Washington, Wassaic, and Wingdale. The program's core impact goal is to foster short- and long-term financial self-sufficiency and improve educational opportunities among these immigrant communities. By focusing on these areas, the fund aims to address the root causes of poverty and empower individuals and families to achieve greater stability and success.
The grant program places a significant emphasis on supporting collaborative projects and encouraging existing programs to expand their reach into northeast Dutchess County. This strategic focus is underpinned by the belief that a collaborative approach and the expansion of proven services will initiate a process of strengthening the overall nonprofit infrastructure serving immigrants. The grants are flexible and can be utilized for various purposes that directly benefit the immigrant community, indicating a broad scope for impactful initiatives.
Eligibility for the grants extends to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or community organizations that either currently provide or intend to provide services to the immigrant residents in the specified towns. Applications are considered for both new program development and the expansion of existing programs. A total of $35,000 is available, with individual grant awards ranging up to $10,000. The expected outcomes include a more robust support system for immigrants, increased access to educational resources, and improved financial independence, all contributing to the overarching goal of poverty reduction within the region.
