The Adirondack Folk School received a Generous Acts grant from Adirondack Foundation to offer low- and no-cost programs that increase access for the local community. (Provided photo)

LAKE PLACID — As local nonprofits face uncertainty, Adirondack Foundation has partnered with donors and community leaders to strengthen the region’s response — boosting grantmaking, building capacity and fostering collaboration.

More than $1 million was awarded through the Generous Acts program to address urgent needs, along with a new $100,000 initiative to promote civic engagement in rural areas. The foundation also co-hosted a six-week webinar series with Cloudsplitter Foundation and United Way of the Adirondack Region, engaging 250 nonprofit staff and board members from 50 organizations in conversations about strengthening boards and building resilience.

“This is a difficult time for many nonprofits,” Adirondack Foundation CFO Stephanie Pianka said. “Policy shifts and funding cuts are straining services. While philanthropy can’t replace federal funding, we and our partners are taking steps to help.”

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Generous Acts

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Through an open-call process, Generous Acts annually supports nonprofits, schools and municipalities focused on basic needs, educational pathways and economic vitality. Fueled by thousands of individual donors, the program serves the Adirondack Park, Clinton and Franklin counties, and Akwesasne Mohawk Territory.

In 2025, 129 organizations received $1.04 million, with more grants expected from co-funders — donors who have a charitable fund with Adirondack Foundation and award grants in conjunction with Generous Acts. Key funding partners include Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s Upstream Fund, the Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family Foundation and the WaterWheel Foundation Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.

Nearly half of all Generous Acts funding supported essential services such as food pantries and homelessness prevention. A full list of 2025 recipients can be seen at bit.ly/2025GAF

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Civic Entrepreneur Grants

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Adirondack Foundation, in partnership with the Trust for Civic Life, is supporting 10 local projects with $10,000 each through the Civic Entrepreneur Grant program. These efforts aim to bring people together around community visioning, problem-solving, and leadership.

“We are excited to partner again with the Trust for Civic Life, ” said Jennifer Russell, Adirondack Foundation’s vice president of grants and program. “Last year, the trust helped us fund the Kindling Awards for social events during the winter months. This program builds on that energy by fostering meaningful community conversations.”

Grant recipients include the Common Ground Alliance, the Adirondack Explorer and the Adirondack Climate Outreach and Resilience Network.

“With this support, we are able to expand our work to stimulate shared climate resilience initiatives across the North Country, which helps to make our region a safer, healthier and yet more neighborly place in which to live, work and thrive,” ACORN Project Coordinator Sunita Halasz said.

Launched in 2024, The Trust for Civic Life is a national grantmaker bringing together 16 funders to strengthen civic culture in rural communities. Through its small grants program and Civic Hub initiative, the Trust aims to invest $50 million into 500 communities by 2028, supporting local projects that foster trust, belonging and civic participation. Learn more at trustforciviclife.org.

To learn more about Generous Acts at Adirondack Foundation, or to make a gift in support of future grants, visit adirondackfoundation.org or contact Jennifer Russell at jennifer.russell@adkfoundation.org.