irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $59KScholarship Awards
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Grantmaking Program
Distributes grants to local nonprofits serving youth in areas such as education, health, emotional well-being, and special needs
Long-Range Weather Calendars
Sells annual calendars featuring long-range weather forecasts and local photography, with proceeds supporting youth programs and charities
Scholarship Awards
Provides scholarships to local high school students in the Hudson Valley to support higher education and academic achievement
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Back-to-School Supply Distribution 1 activity
- Distributes school supplies to studentsProvides backpacks filled with school supplies to incoming high school students, including 280 freshmen at Peekskill High School.
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Charitable Grantmaking to Specific Causes 1 activity
- Funds local charitable organizations supporting youthAwards grants to more than 35 local charitable organizations annually, focusing on programs that serve children and youth in the Hudson Valley. Distributed $230,000 in grants in 2025 and has awarded over $7.1 million since inception.
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Funds specific youth programs through targeted grantsProvides targeted grants to support youth initiatives such as the Backpack and School Supply Program, ACE Program, child life specialist services, autism service dogs, equestrian therapy, after-school programs, and educational technology, among others.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Hosts fundraising eventsOrganizes and hosts fundraising events such as the Hudson River Sunset Cruise to celebrate organizational milestones and generate support for youth programs.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Provides scholarships to high school studentsProvides scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors in the Hudson Valley, with $62,000 awarded in 2025 to 12 new recipients and returning students. Scholarships are awarded at an annual ceremony.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Produces and sells annual Hudson Valley weather calendarsProduces and distributes the Jim Witt Long Range Weather Calendar for the Hudson Valley, featuring 14 monthly images and a curated cover, sold through retail stores and by mail to raise funds for youth programs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$325K
Contributions & grants$151K47%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$23K7%
Other revenue$151K
expenses
Total expenses$319K
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$249K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$981K
Cash$94K
Investments$866K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$981K
Liquid reserves36.1 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +31.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 17
- BARBARA KERASIOTES — Director
- BRUCE LINDENBAUM — President
- CATHY MONTALDO — Director
- CHAPMAN MANZER — Director
- CLARE ROSEN — Vice President
- FRANK LUCENTE — Director
- JAMES F WITT — CEO
- JERRY LAYEFSKY — Vice President
- JOEL GREENSTEIN — Treasurer
- JOHN BURKE — Vice President
- JOHN McCANN — Director
- JOHN WEEKS — Director
- KELLY MALONEY — Secretary
- MICKIE O'CONNOR — Director
- MIKE DARDANO — Director
- ROB SCHNEIDERMAN — Director
- RONALD WORTH — Director
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- BluePath Service Dogs Partner — Supported expansion of autism service dog placements for children.
- CAREERS Support Solutions Partner — Funded High School Transition program for students with disabilities.
- CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates Partner — Funded CASA program for abused and neglected children in Westchester County.
- Croton Caring Committee Partner — Receives grant funding from HOPE for Youth Foundation to support youth programs including the Backpack and School Supply Program and the ACE Program.
- Daisy Jopling Music Foundation Partner — Funded a cultural concert experience for underprivileged children.
- Emerald Princess Partner — Provided vessel for the Hudson River Sunset Cruise fundraising event.
- Fleetweather Inc. Partner — Co-founded by Jim Witt, who leverages meteorological expertise in foundation activities including calendar production.
- Friends of Karen Partner — One of the first organizations funded by HFYF, receiving support from its initial fundraising efforts.
- Friends of Karen Partner — Provided grant funding for child life specialist services for siblings of ill children.
- Hendrick Hudson Free Library Partner — Hosted the 2025 Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony.
- Hendrick Hudson Free Library Partner — Hosted the HOPE for Youth Foundation Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 20, 2025.
- JCCA’S Equestrian Therapy Program Partner — Supported therapeutic services for abused and traumatized youth.
- Jim Witt Partner — Collaborates on the production and distribution of the 2026 Long Range Weather Calendar.
- Joe Deutsch Partner — Award-winning Hudson Valley photographer who donated color photographs for use in the calendar.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley Partner — Recognized for supporting wish fulfillment for children with critical illnesses.
- Putnam Valley Central Schools Partner — Supported Homework Booster Lab program through funding.
- SPARC Partner — Supported after-school programs in multiple school districts.
- Saint Dominic's School Partner — Funded purchase of Chromebooks for children with disabilities.
- Supplies for Success Partner — Partnered with HFYF to procure backpacks and school supplies at low cost for distribution to students.
- Teatown Lake Reservation Partner — Funded the No Child Left Inside environmental education program for low-income students.
strategies · 6
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equestrian Therapy for Trauma Recoverymethodology: equestrian_therapy_for_trauma_recoveryBy using equestrian therapy, we provide healing for abused and traumatized youth because interactions with horses build trust, self-esteem, and emotional regulation in ways traditional settings may not reach.
- Intermediary Fundraising for Youth Wellbeingmethodology: intermediary_fundraisingBy raising funds through calendar sales, events, and public-interest products, then granting to local organizations, we improve children's physical, emotional, educational, and enrichment outcomes because targeted support to frontline nonprofits amplifies impact beyond what a single organization could deliver directly.
- Needs-Based Targeting of Schoolsmethodology: needs_based_targetingBy selecting schools based on Title 1 status and socio-economic composition, we direct resources to communities with the greatest need because systemic inequity concentrates barriers to opportunity, and targeting maximizes equity impact.
- Peer Mentorship Through Scholarship Continuitymethodology: peer_mentorship_modelBy having past scholarship recipients share college experiences with incoming scholars, we sustain engagement and improve educational outcomes because peer mentorship builds relatable guidance networks and reinforces long-term success pathways.
- School-to-Work Transition Trainingmethodology: school_to_work_transitionBy providing job and soft skills training, we enable students with disabilities to transition successfully from school to community employment because targeted skill development bridges the gap between education and workforce integration.
- Youth Resilience and Merit-Based Scholarship Modelmethodology: resilience_and_merit_based_selectionBy awarding scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, resilience in overcoming adversity, or service to community, we promote educational attainment and role modeling because these criteria identify youth most likely to succeed and contribute when given support.