2025 Upsteam Fund Awardees Announced

Hudson Headwaters Continues Commitment to Direct Investments in Community Health

The Upstream Fund, a program of the John Rugge Center for Community Impact at Hudson Headwaters (CCI), has awarded its annual grants for community-based projects that promote individual and community health. In partnership with the Adirondack Community Foundation’s Generous Acts program, CCI considers applications for funding that address its priority areas of housing, transportation, child care and rural health.

“The Network created CCI and the Upstream Fund in recognition that good health is not just something that happens in an exam room,” explains VP, Chief Impact Officer Jessica Rubin. “In fact, research shows that about 80% of an individual’s health outcomes relate to social drivers of health like access to healthy food and even high-quality social activities. That’s why these grants are targeted at ‘upstream’ solutions with the ultimate goal to improve ‘downstream’ health outcomes.”

Since Hudson Headwaters launched the Upstream Fund in 2020, the Network has invested in 43 projects led by community nonprofit partners.

The 2025 Upstream Fund recipients are:

• Adirondack Roots, Elizabethtown, NY, provides a range of housing programs to low-income residents of Hamilton, Clinton and Essex counties.
  Grant purpose: To support the Urgent Needs Fund and provide assistance for community members who are housing insecure.
• Champlain Area Trails, Westport, NY, is an accredited land trust that creates and maintains trails, protects land, connects people with nature and promotes economic vitality in the Champlain Valley.
  Grant purpose: To strengthen community connections via trails, nature preserves and outdoor programming for all ages.
• Community Connections of Franklin County, Malone, NY, is committed to improving the quality of life of individuals and families.
  Grant purpose: To supply needed items at the Warming Center in Franklin County and support people with temporary or inadequate housing situations.
• Community Lunchbox, Saranac Lake, NY, serves free hot lunches every Monday and Thursday throughout the year, providing opportunities for food and fellowship in the Saranac Lake area and surrounding communities.
  Grant purpose: To provide operational support and help ensure consistent and convenient access for community members.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County, Malone, NY, connects communities with Cornell University research to enrich and empower residents, local businesses, towns and cities.
  Grant purpose: To enhance community connections and outreach between local school and community gardens.
• Malone Recreational Park, Malone, NY, is a nonprofit, village and town-owned park that provides free, year-round recreation to the rural, underserved community.
  Grant purpose: To underwrite free swim lessons and help ensure every child gains life-saving water safety skills, regardless of income.
• Northern Area Health Education Center, Canton, NY, is committed to improving access to quality health care by enhancing the supply, training, development and distribution of health professionals in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties.
  Grant purpose: To provide funds for CampMed, a month-long program where high school students explore health care careers and pathways through hands-on experiences.
• Rotary Club of Chestertown, Chestertown, NY, is committed to supporting several annual service projects in the community.
  Grant Purpose: To support the Chestertown Community Share Shop (CCSS) by providing basic need items for local families.
• Rural Preservation Company of Clinton County, Saranac, NY, provides various funding options to ensure safe housing conditions for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
  Grant Purpose: To support the Emergency Home Repair Fund and provide funds to low-income homeowners for one-time home emergency repairs.
• Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Association, Saranac Lake, NY, is a New York State Licensed Home Care Service Agency that provides various no-cost health-related services.
  Grant Purpose: To support emergency and routine basic dental services that improve health and comfort for individuals with limited financial resources.

To learn more about the Upstream Fund and the John Rugge Center for Community Impact, visit HHHN.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pam Fisher
Director of External Affairs
Hudson Headwaters Health Network
518-338-7905