Through deep engagement with needs in the Red Hook community, the Ascienzo Family Foundation is able to express its mission in a local sense. Alongside our group of Ambassadors, the AFF Directors have formed a number of local partnerships in Red Hook.
history of our local giving
In 2023, our local giving increased to more than $220,000.
In 2022, our local giving increased to more than $170,000.
In 2021, local giving continued to be an important part of our mission. The AFF granted over $80,000 to groups in the area. We also granted an additional $52,000 to local groups through our Director’s grants.
In 2020, we ramped up our local giving to help support organizations in the area weather very challenging times and help them respond to increased need in their communities. We launched a local partnership grant initiative, granting a total of $280,106, in addition to our general local grant making of $71,988.
In 2019, we were able to significantly grow our local giving, through new partnerships with organizations at Bard College and with the Town of Red Hook, and through a more ambitious Giving Tuesday campaign. Read more about those grants (as well as the ambassador grants of 2019) here.
In 2018, we continued our Giving Tuesday campaign, including a No Cost Farm Market in November. We also supported the Backpack Program and other local initiatives. Read more about these grants here.
In 2017, we started a Giving Tuesday partnership with the Red Hook Faculty Association (RHFA) and Bard Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), we provided grants to the Red Hook Public Library, Culture Connect, to RH Middle School students to attend a NYS Council on Leadership & Student Activities (NYCLSA), the Red Hook Community Center, and the Backpack Program. Read more about these grants here.
In 2016, AFF Directors continued working within the Red Hook community to identify persistent needs and build more relationships in the spirit of local giving. This year, the Ascienzo Family Foundation partnered with three organizations: Red Hook Harvest, the Red Hook Faculty Association, and the Red Hook Public Library. In the fall of 2016, the AFF participated in a "2 for 1" matching grant benefiting local families with food needs during the holidays. In addition, we extended our reach with the BackPack program as it expanded into the Linden Avenue Middle School and Red Hook High School. In all, over $9,400 was granted for local initiatives.
In 2015, two grants were distributed that kicked off our local grantmaking. One, to the Red Hook Faculty Association to provide foodstuffs to local families over the holiday season, and one to the Red Hook Elementary School to support the BackPack Program.
Red Hook Faculty Association
A "2 for 1" match grant ($2 donated for every dollar raised) to the Red Hook Faculty Association's fall 2015 fundraising efforts allowed the organization to reach more families in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. This grant benefited the distribution of food vouchers to support over 50 local families.
Red Hook Elementary School
In partnership with Red Hook Elementary School and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the Foundation provided $5,000 in starting funds to launch a BackPack program for thirty at-risk for hunger students. This program is currently underway and mobilizes incredible volunteers in the Red Hook area who guarantee the feasibility of the weekly backpack distribution.