June 17, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Erika Rosenberg, Center for Governmental Research, 585-327-7066
March Gallagher, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, 845-452-3077
Elizabeth Rowley, Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, 845-769-9393
Andrea Reynolds, Dyson Foundation, 845-677-0644
Jeannie Montano, United Way of the Dutchess Orange Region, 845-471-1900
Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles Website Re-Launched
Site Provides Insights into Trends, Needs in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
POUGHKEEPSIE—Center for Governmental Research (CGR) Principal Erika Rosenberg unveiled the recently enhanced and expanded Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles site, a source of in depth, comparative information about Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster counties that provides nonprofits, government agencies, and related institutions throughout the region with an important tool for assessing and understanding the populations they serve. The website, located at www.mhvcommunityprofiles.org, is available to the public and will be consistently updated with new data.
During a relaunch event held at Locust Grove on May 30th, Ms. Rosenberg demonstrated how to navigate the site, including the new dashboard and map functions, discussed how it will prove useful to various types of organizations, and pointed out some interesting trends found within the comparative data. Steve Densmore and Briana Maloney of Choice Words, a Hudson Valley-based resource for grantwriting and public relations services, discussed how they use the site, and the importance of including reliable data in both small-and large-scale grant applications, including the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). A video recording of Ms. Rosenberg’s presentation is available on the homepage of the Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles site.
“Good information doesn’t save lives or revitalize communities—but without it, public policy and private philanthropy can’t be effective,” said Ms. Rosenberg. “We’re pleased to have the continued partnership and support of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the Dyson Foundation, and United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region in the expansion of this information resource. We hope that community nonprofits and the public sector will find that this website stimulates dialogue about needs, and cooperation around goals, policies, and programs.”
More than 90 nonprofit and government leaders from throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region attended the relaunch event, including representatives from the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council, Dispute Resolution Center, Dutchess County Government, Family Services, Friends of Seniors, Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Library System, Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County, Scenic Hudson, United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, Vassar College, and Wild Earth, among many others.
In 2010, when the website was initially launched, the three original funding partner organizations (Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, the Dyson Foundation, and the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region), with input from local health and human service providers, selected 50 indicators within the following fields to be represented on the site: children and youth, community engagement, demographics, economy, education, financial stability, health, housing, and public safety. This year, four new indicators were incorporated including, drug-related deaths, living wage, share of foreign-born residents, and income by poverty level.
“We are very excited to relaunch the expanded and enhanced website, which makes a great deal of regional data and analysis easily available to the public, and now for four additional counties in the region,” said Andrea L. Reynolds, President and CEO of the Dyson Foundation. “We believe that access to this easy-to-use, comparative indicator data, will continue to be useful to the region’s nonprofits, educational institutions, businesses, government agencies, and individuals.”
“The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley is pleased to continue to fund the website in partnership with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, the Dyson Foundation and the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. Through our support of the Mid-Hudson Valley Community Profiles, we will continue to provide organizations the ability to track community conditions, develop programs, and effect change that will contribute to the well-being of citizens in the Hudson Valley,” said March Gallagher, President and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.
“The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan is proud to be a new partner of the refreshed Mid-Hudson Community Profiles website, and to ensure community indicator data is now available to the Sullivan County community,” said Elizabeth Rowley, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.
“We are delighted to continue our funding partnership to ensure this information remains available to our community, nonprofit partners, and residents,” said Jeanne Montano, President and CEO of the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “Knowing more about our area will help us make use of our strengths and address areas for growth which will improve lives.”
The website includes the following features:
- A regional profile that includes dashboard, map, dynamic charts, data tables, and analysis of the seven–county region (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster) based on a consistent set of 59 indicators.
- Key trends analysis for the nine main fields.
- A summary report compiling key trends for the region.
- Demographic indicators, including total population, age of population, population by race and ethnicity, and household type.
- Regular updating of indicator data, charts, and analysis, as well as regional summaries.
- The ability for users to export data into a CSV format such as Excel.
Many cities and regions around the country have similar community indicator projects and CGR has developed and maintains such projects for other states and communities such as Arkansas, Essex County (MA), Rochester (NY), Knoxville (TN), Berks County, (PA), and Delaware.
The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) (www.cgr.org) was founded in 1915 by George Eastman as a bureau of municipal research in Rochester NY to serve as an “independent, non-partisan agency for keeping citizens informed.” Today as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Rochester, CGR’s activities focus on issues that affect the quality of life in communities both inside and outside of New York State.
Background
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley— Since 1969 the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley has been a driving force in philanthropy in the region, distributing funds from thousands of donors to connect people who care with causes that matter. Administering more than $80 million in assets, we work with donors to provide grants and scholarships, establish endowment funds for nonprofits and other charitable causes, and collaborate with government, private foundations and local leaders to address current and emerging needs. Learn more at www.CommunityFoundationsHV.org.
Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan—Established in 2000, the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan’s mission is to enable charitable individuals and organizations to become meaningful donors by providing trusted support and expertise for their contributions to make a difference in our community, now and forever. For more information about the Community Foundation call 845-769-9393 or visit https://cfosny.org/.
The Dyson Foundation—The Dyson Foundation is a private, family-directed, grant-making foundation. Established in 1957, it is led by Robert R. Dyson, who has served as its Chairman since 2000. The Dyson Foundation awards grants throughout New York’s Dutchess County and Mid-Hudson Valley, as well outside the Hudson Valley. The Dyson Foundation’s mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life in the region for all of its residents, especially those most vulnerable or economically disadvantaged. For more information visit www.dysonfoundation.org
United Way of the Dutchess Orange Region—United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region brings together people and resources to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. For individuals and organizations that want to help improve the health of their community – United Way is the platform that enables individuals, groups and companies to make a difference – individually and collectively – in whatever way they wish to contribute their time, talent, and treasure. For more information visit http://www.uwdor.org/.