The Hudson Valley Organizing Grants are offered by North Star Fund to support grassroots organizations in the Hudson Valley region of New York. These grants are part of North Star Fund’s commitment to advancing social justice through community organizing. The funding supports organizations that empower communities impacted by systemic injustice—particularly low-income and communities of color—by building leadership and collective power to pursue long-term systemic change.

Applications from new organizations for the 2025 grant cycle will be accepted starting February 19, 2025. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2025, at 9 PM. The grant application process is also open on a rolling basis for rapid response grants, which are available to both new and existing grantees year-round. Applicants do not need to request a specific grant amount, and grants are generally awarded in the amount of $20,000. There is also potential for multi-year funding without a separate application process.

Eligibility is based on a commitment to grassroots organizing. Funded organizations must demonstrate an understanding of the root causes of injustice and actively work toward systemic change by engaging the leadership of community members directly affected by the issues. Organizations must identify specific policy targets or systems they seek to change and show evidence of community mobilization and leadership development. Both new and established organizations are eligible, with an emphasis on those with budgets under $800,000 that are rooted in the impacted communities.

Specifically, for the Hudson Valley Organizing Grants, applicants must organize within at least one of the following New York counties: Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, or Westchester. Organizations providing direct services are not eligible unless those services are integrated into a broader organizing strategy that moves participants into leadership roles.

The application process involves reviewing grant criteria, preparing responses through North Star Fund’s online system, and submitting all required materials by the deadline. Optional workshops are available to assist first-time applicants. Applications are evaluated by local Community Funding Committees composed of volunteers with expertise in grassroots organizing. Selected applicants may be invited to a site visit approximately one month after the deadline, and funding decisions will be announced around three months after submission.

For further assistance, applicants can reach out to Gabriela Quintanilla, Hudson Valley Program Officer, at gabriela@northstarfund.org or by calling 332-240-1683 for Spanish-speaking support.