The Community Foundation of Dutchess County, United Way of Dutchess County and the Dyson Foundation Partner to Provide $210,000 for Senior Initiative
Collaborative Effort Will Provide Quality of Life Services to Isolated Dutchess County Seniors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2003
CONTACT
Shirley Johnson
United Way of Dutchess County
845-471-1900 x18
Karen VanHouten
Community Foundation of Dutchess County
845.452.3077
Cecilia Stancell
The Dyson Foundation
845.677.0644
Poughkeepsie, NY – In an unprecedented collaborative effort, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County (CFDC), the United Way of Dutchess County (UWDC), and the Dyson Foundation announced that they would each provide $70,000, for a total of $210,000, to dramatically expand the quality of life services to isolated seniors in Dutchess County.
The goal of the collaboration is to identify local agencies that can provide life enrichment, education, medical, transportation, and visitation programs to senior citizens throughout Dutchess County who may or may not already be involved in a program that provides these services. Agencies identified to receive a grant will be required to provide evidence of strong outreach/education to senior citizens in Dutchess County throughout all socio-economic tiers.
“This initiative is the first of its kind where three prominent funders felt it was imperative to focus their efforts toward a single, real issue. We believe that only through a joint effort can we make a difference and have a greater impact on the lives of our seniors,” said Jim Williamson, President and CEO of UWDC.
The first step of the partnership is to create a joint community initiative task force, who will appoint appropriate and equal volunteer representation from CFDC, UWDC and the Dyson Foundation. Subsequently, the responsibilities of the Task Force are to create and release the required community-wide Request for Proposal (RFP); set the criteria for proposal consideration and funding; and set the timetable for release, receipt, review and decision making necessary to consider responses to the RFP.
Seniors comprise 18% of the population in Dutchess County. A large portion of this audience includes isolated seniors needing many services. Independent research conducted separately by UWDC and the Dyson Foundation indicates a necessity to educate senior citizens about services that are available to them, particularly transportation. When each organization became aware there was a common interest in addressing this need, a joint grant initiative was born to address this need.
"The Dyson Foundation is pleased to join with the Community Foundation of Dutchess County and the United Way of Dutchess County in this collaboration. During these times of economic stress and uncertainty, it just makes sense for funders to work together in order to leverage their resources," said Diana M. Gurieva, Executive Vice President of the Dyson Foundation.
“There is an increasing need to educate seniors in regard to options that are available to them for remaining in their own homes, and/or information about assisted living facilities,” said Patricia Wright, President of CFDC. “Seniors also need access to health related information which affects them. This initiative will foster the development of new, or the expansion of existing, high-need services for Dutchess County’s most elderly and isolated senior citizens.”
Organizations that are eligible to submit a RFP are entities that have legitimate 501(c)(3) such as the lead agency, partnerships with the corporate sector, recreation and social organizations, government agencies, neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, schools, etc.
Applications for grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services to senior citizens, or enhance the quality of life of senior citizens may be found online at www.communityfoundationdc.org, www.unitedwaydutchess.org or www.dysonfoundation.org. The deadline to submit the applications is July 22, 2003 and should be sent to United Way of Dutchess County, P.O. Box 832, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602. Awards will be announced in September by a joint review team of CFDC, UWDC, and DF representatives.
This is a one-year grant with an additional six-month period allowed for start up. Multi-year funding may be considered, renewable for up to three years contingent upon review.
If you have additional questions, please contact either the following people:
Karen VanHouten, Community Foundation of Dutchess County
(T) (845) 452-3077
(F) (845) 452-3083
Shirley Johnson, United Way of Dutchess County
(845) 471-1900, ext. 18 (phone)
(845) 471-1933 (fax)
Cecilia Stancell, Dyson Foundation
Communications Associate
(845) 677-0644
(845) 677-0650 (fax)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2003
CONTACT
Shirley Johnson
United Way of Dutchess County
845-471-1900 x18
Karen VanHouten
Community Foundation of Dutchess County
845.452.3077
Cecilia Stancell
The Dyson Foundation
845.677.0644
Poughkeepsie, NY – In an unprecedented collaborative effort, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County (CFDC), the United Way of Dutchess County (UWDC), and the Dyson Foundation announced that they would each provide $70,000, for a total of $210,000, to dramatically expand the quality of life services to isolated seniors in Dutchess County.
The goal of the collaboration is to identify local agencies that can provide life enrichment, education, medical, transportation, and visitation programs to senior citizens throughout Dutchess County who may or may not already be involved in a program that provides these services. Agencies identified to receive a grant will be required to provide evidence of strong outreach/education to senior citizens in Dutchess County throughout all socio-economic tiers.
“This initiative is the first of its kind where three prominent funders felt it was imperative to focus their efforts toward a single, real issue. We believe that only through a joint effort can we make a difference and have a greater impact on the lives of our seniors,” said Jim Williamson, President and CEO of UWDC.
The first step of the partnership is to create a joint community initiative task force, who will appoint appropriate and equal volunteer representation from CFDC, UWDC and the Dyson Foundation. Subsequently, the responsibilities of the Task Force are to create and release the required community-wide Request for Proposal (RFP); set the criteria for proposal consideration and funding; and set the timetable for release, receipt, review and decision making necessary to consider responses to the RFP.
Seniors comprise 18% of the population in Dutchess County. A large portion of this audience includes isolated seniors needing many services. Independent research conducted separately by UWDC and the Dyson Foundation indicates a necessity to educate senior citizens about services that are available to them, particularly transportation. When each organization became aware there was a common interest in addressing this need, a joint grant initiative was born to address this need.
"The Dyson Foundation is pleased to join with the Community Foundation of Dutchess County and the United Way of Dutchess County in this collaboration. During these times of economic stress and uncertainty, it just makes sense for funders to work together in order to leverage their resources," said Diana M. Gurieva, Executive Vice President of the Dyson Foundation.
“There is an increasing need to educate seniors in regard to options that are available to them for remaining in their own homes, and/or information about assisted living facilities,” said Patricia Wright, President of CFDC. “Seniors also need access to health related information which affects them. This initiative will foster the development of new, or the expansion of existing, high-need services for Dutchess County’s most elderly and isolated senior citizens.”
Organizations that are eligible to submit a RFP are entities that have legitimate 501(c)(3) such as the lead agency, partnerships with the corporate sector, recreation and social organizations, government agencies, neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, schools, etc.
Applications for grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services to senior citizens, or enhance the quality of life of senior citizens may be found online at www.communityfoundationdc.org, www.unitedwaydutchess.org or www.dysonfoundation.org. The deadline to submit the applications is July 22, 2003 and should be sent to United Way of Dutchess County, P.O. Box 832, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602. Awards will be announced in September by a joint review team of CFDC, UWDC, and DF representatives.
This is a one-year grant with an additional six-month period allowed for start up. Multi-year funding may be considered, renewable for up to three years contingent upon review.
If you have additional questions, please contact either the following people:
Karen VanHouten, Community Foundation of Dutchess County
(T) (845) 452-3077
(F) (845) 452-3083
Shirley Johnson, United Way of Dutchess County
(845) 471-1900, ext. 18 (phone)
(845) 471-1933 (fax)
Cecilia Stancell, Dyson Foundation
Communications Associate
(845) 677-0644
(845) 677-0650 (fax)
