Montgomery, NY – Five nonprofit organizations serving communities in Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties have been selected to receive more than $20,000 through the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland’s 2026 Make A Difference Grant program. The grants are focused on infrastructure and operational expenses, with preference given to organizations and projects serving women, children and seniors. The Community Foundation said 58 qualified organizations applied for funding and five were selected.
Two of the funded projects have direct connections to Rockland County. Wonder Girls received funding to purchase supplies for leadership, wellness and career-readiness programs offered to girls in Rockland County schools. The nonprofit operates programs focused on areas including confidence, leadership, community service, business skills and wellness. According to Wonder Girls, its programs have reached more than 3,000 girls in 25 schools in New York, New Jersey and the Bronx over the past five years. The organization also reports awarding more than $75,000 in college scholarships and developing a mentoring network of more than 150 professional women.
Christ Church of Ramapo was also selected for funding after multiple appliances used in its soup kitchen and food pantry failed. The grant will be used to replace an electric oven, refrigerator and air conditioner. According to the Community Foundation, the replacements will allow the church to continue providing food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. The announcement does not specify the dollar amount awarded to Christ Church of Ramapo.
Three additional nonprofit organizations were selected for projects elsewhere in the region. Braeside Camp will use its funding to replace the kitchen floor at its residential camp. The project is intended to support the camp’s residential programming and allow the organization to host fundraising events at the property throughout the year. The camp provides affordable and, in some cases, no-cost summer camp opportunities for children from lower-income families.
Girls on the Run Hudson Valley received funding for improvements to a new office space that the organization plans to use as a training and collaboration center. The space is intended to serve staff members, volunteer coaches, board members and community partners.
The PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program was selected to receive funding for equipment and technology upgrades for its mobile dental clinic. The clinic is certified by the New York State Department of Health and provides dental services to children in Sullivan County. The planned upgrades are intended to improve the efficiency and reliability of the mobile program’s dental services.
The Make A Difference Fund provides grants for community needs and emerging opportunities in the Hudson Valley, with funding priorities changing from year to year. For 2026, the program concentrated on nonprofit infrastructure and operational expenses. According to the Community Foundation, these expenses can be difficult for nonprofit organizations to fund through grants even though they are necessary for maintaining programs and services.
The Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland is based in Montgomery and traces its establishment to 1999. The organization currently administers 630 active charitable funds representing approximately $74.5 million in assets. It reports distributing more than $46 million in grants and scholarships since its establishment. Its charitable funds support areas including education, health and human services, arts and culture, environmental programs, recreation, animal welfare and youth programs.