CASHING IN ON COMMUNITY: HVCU CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AWARDS $550,000 IN GRANTS
July 23, 2026
Hudson Valley Credit Union
Hudson Valley Credit Union has been empowering our community's financial success for more than six decades.
Enhancing its impact on the regions it serves and the people who live within them, Hudson Valley Credit Union (HVCU) announced that the HVCU Charitable Foundation recently awarded $550,000 in grants to 80 nonprofit organizations across its 13-county footprint, spanning from New York’s Lower Hudson Valley to the Albany Capital Region. The selected recipients will expand access to essential resources in four key categories of need – education, food, health and housing – positively improving the lives of an estimated 757,296 individuals.
The Foundation’s Grant Review Committee saw a 30% increase in grant applications year-over-year and used a data-informed approach to review the 241 applications received for 2026. This detailed analysis ensured that grantees would address significant community needs and deliver measurable outcomes in terms of community connection, funding allocation, measurable impact and program reach. Funds were distributed across the Foundation’s areas of focus as follows:
· Food: $286,500 to organizations expanding access to nutritious meals and addressing food insecurity.
· Education: $112,700 to nonprofits providing learning opportunities, academic support and skill development for youth and underserved populations.
· Housing: $88,000 to increase housing stability, support homelessness prevention and improve pathways to safe, affordable housing.
· Health: $62,800 to those addressing physical and mental health disparities.
“Each one of this year’s grantees is making a meaningful impact on the population it serves,” said Desiree Wolfe, president and board chair of the Foundation and executive vice president, chief experience officer at HVCU. “The funding we are providing will support these programs as they address immediate challenges and create pathways for long-term stability within the state.”
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the HVCU Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits that help to enhance the quality of life and foster financial freedom across HVCU’s service areas. Since its inception in 2024, the Foundation has built a $10 million endowment, ensuring it can sustainably support organizations addressing the state's most pressing needs. To date, it has invested more than $1.1 million into communities, reaching more than a million individuals and families.
“We established the Foundation because we recognize that financial health is influenced by more than access to financial products and services,” said Jonathan Roberts, Foundation board member and president and CEO of HVCU. “When people struggle to meet basic needs, achieving financial stability becomes increasingly difficult. Through the Foundation, we can support organizations working to remove those barriers and play a role in building a stronger foundation for communities.”
To learn more about the Foundation, visit hvcu.org/Foundation.
About Hudson Valley Credit Union:
A trusted, community-based financial cooperative, Hudson Valley Credit Union (HVCU) has continuously supported its members, friends, families and the regions it serves in building successful financial futures since 1963. Committed to fostering financial freedom, HVCU serves more than 400,000 members across 40 branches in 13 counties. From personal banking to business services, the credit union offers an array of financial services and innovative digital solutions, including internship and scholarship programs, financial literacy workshops and program grants. For more information, visit hvcu.org or follow HVCU on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About HVCU Charitable Foundation:
A 501(c)(3) certified organization, the HVCU Charitable Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Hudson Valley Credit Union (HVCU). Established in 2024, the HVCU Charitable Foundation was formed to build stronger communities by funding nonprofit programs across 13 counties that target pressing issues: education, food, health and housing. By addressing these basic needs, the HVCU Charitable Foundation helps create pathways and access to resources that enable people to attain financial wellness. To learn more about HVCU’s Charitable Foundation, visit hvcu.org/Foundation.
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