named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
250 Acts of Positive Change
A community-led project producing 250 micro-documentary videos highlighting local acts of service, creativity, healing, justice, and connection in the Hudson Valley.
HUDSY Filmmaker Apprenticeship Program
A paid hands-on training program offering local creatives opportunities to gain experience and industry connections in filmmaking and media production.
The HUDSY Community Awards
An annual awards ceremony and fundraiser that honors artists, educators, and community builders in the Hudson Valley; winners receive a $15,000-value documentary film celebrating their impact.
The Mashup
A recurring creative networking event that brings together filmmakers, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs for collaboration, tabling, and community connection across the Hudson Valley.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Annual creative networking events and community gatheringsHosts an annual in-person creative networking event, known as 'The Mashup,' that brings together hundreds of attendees—up to 300 or more—from the Hudson Valley and beyond, including filmmakers, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and community members. The event includes live entertainment, food, beverages, and an after-party, and is co-promoted with up to 20 arts and nonprofit partners to expand regional reach.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Community nomination and awards program celebrating local impactOrganizes an annual Oscar-style awards ceremony and fundraiser that recognizes artists, educators, and community connectors in the Hudson Valley through a public nomination and voting process, which has drawn over 100 nominations and nearly 950 votes. Award winners receive celebratory short documentary films valued at approximately $15,000 each.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Film production and visual storytelling for community engagementProduces original documentary films and short-form non-fiction content that highlight underrepresented voices, social and environmental issues, and community stories in the Hudson Valley, with distribution via YouTube and a dedicated streaming platform featuring over 650 films. Annually produces dozens of films, including micro-documentaries and corporate or promotional videos, to foster connection and understanding.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Paid Filmmaker Apprentice Program for local creativesOperates a paid, part-time apprenticeship program that trains 6–8 early-career Hudson Valley filmmakers annually in video production, documentary filmmaking, and industry skills, with mentorship and professional networking opportunities. The program has graduated 28 filmmakers to date and supports the creation of short-form documentaries and original apprentice-produced films.
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Professional Audio/Video Production Services 1 activity
- Video production studio space accessProvides access to a fully equipped video production studio in Kingston, New York, supporting photography, music videos, green screen projects, cyc wall use, and flexible creative productions for local filmmakers and artists.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$215K
Contributions & grants$76K36%
Program service revenue$131K61%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$928K
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$682K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.51M
Cash$323K
Investments$0
Liabilities$76K
Net assets$1.43M
Liquid reserves4.2 mo
2 years on record · 2024–2025 · YoY revenue -92.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA KANDEL | EXECUTIVE DI | 43 | $130K |
| ANGEL FONSECA | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $121K |
board members · 5
- AJA SCHMELTZ — BOARD CHAIR
- CYNTHIA KANE — RESIGNED 1/2
- DANIELA VELEZ — DEVELOPMENT
- JOHN EARLE — SECRETARY
- KATHRYN KIEWEL — ACTING TREAS
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- 101.5 WPDH Partner — Shared information about HUDSY's apprenticeship program for Hudson Valley filmmakers.
- Broadway in Beacon Partner — Nominated as a finalist in the CREATE category, reflecting a partnership through recognition of artistic contribution to the Hudson Valley community.
- Career InTouch Partner — Nominated as a finalist in the EDUCATE category, reflecting a collaborative relationship through recognition of educational mentorship in the Hudson Valley.
- Community Matters 2, Inc. Partner — Finalist in the EDUCATE category of the HUDSY Community Awards, indicating a partnership through shared commitment to youth development and education.
- ConnectHV Partner — Nominated as a finalist in the CONNECT category, reflecting a partnership through recognition of efforts to build connections among Hudson Valley creatives and professionals.
- Daily Freeman Partner — Covered the return of HUDSY's 'The Mashup' creative networking event.
- HUDSY Network — Refers to itself as a nonprofit film production company creating original films and offering production services.
- HUDSY Partner — Co-organizes and hosts the Spring Mashup event as a collaborative initiative.
- HV1 Partner — Featured HUDSY's role in making local filmmaking dreams possible in Kingston.
- Inside + Out Upstate Partner — Featured HUDSY's 'A Moveable Feast: Wild Cooking with MasterChef Protégé Che Spiotta' event.
- Poughkeepsie Journal Partner — Reported on a film company creating a documentary of positive moments in the mid-Hudson region in collaboration with HUDSY.
- RMV Cellars Partner — Hosts joint events with HUDSY, including the upcoming 'The Mashup' creative fair and networking event.
- Radio Kingston Partner — Collaborated with HUDSY for media coverage featuring Laura Kandel discussing 250 Acts of Positive Change.
- River Reporter Partner — Covered HUDSY's Handcrafting the HUDSY Awards event.
- The Mashup Partner — Collaborative creative networking event co-hosted and amplified with regional arts and nonprofit organizations.
- The Oracle Partner — Reported on HUDSY providing opportunities for aspiring filmmakers across the Hudson Valley.
- The Sanctuary for Independent Media Partner — Recognized as a finalist for the Golden HUDSY award, reflecting a collaborative relationship through the HUDSY Community Awards.
- These Amazing Organizations Partner — Collaborates with multiple organizations to co-host and support The Mashup event.
- Times Union Partner — Covered a story involving a 23-year-old resident in connection with HUDSY's programs.
- Unshattered Partner — Finalist in the CREATE category of the HUDSY Community Awards, indicating a recognized partnership through community impact and creative storytelling.
- WNYT NewsChannel 13 Partner — Aired a PSA created by HUDSY encouraging families to prepare for ICE emergencies.
- Woodstock Film Festival Partner — Nominated as a finalist for the Golden HUDSY award, indicating a partnership through recognition and shared mission in community storytelling.
- YouTube Partner — Platform partner for distributing films and community stories globally.
- Youth FX Partner — Selected as a finalist for the Golden HUDSY award, demonstrating a collaborative relationship centered on youth media empowerment and community impact.
- volunteer mentors with decades of experience in the film industry Partner — Provides mentorship and guidance to apprentices in the filmmaking program.
strategies · 5
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.
- Creative Networking and Convening to Foster Collaborationmethodology: creative_conveningBy bringing together artists, filmmakers, musicians, and innovators through creative fairs and convenings, we foster regional collaboration and reduce competition, because shared spaces for connection stimulate idea exchange and collective action in the creative community.
- Earned Income Model to Sustain Mission-Driven Programmingmethodology: earned_income_modelBy operating revenue-generating film production services, we financially sustain nonprofit programs and community initiatives, because integrating earned income with mission work creates long-term organizational resilience without reliance on donations alone.
- Film-Based Advocacy for Social and Environmental Awarenessmethodology: film_based_advocacyBy producing documentary films on social and environmental challenges, we educate communities and drive awareness, because narrative-driven media makes complex issues relatable and motivates public understanding and action.
- Mentorship and Hands-On Training for Creative Workforce Developmentmethodology: mentorship_and_practical_trainingBy providing paid apprenticeships, mentorship, and practical training in documentary production, we build local creative capacity and increase career opportunities, because experiential learning combined with professional networking enables emerging filmmakers to develop skills, voice, and industry access.
- Visual Storytelling for Community Connection and Amplificationmethodology: visual_storytellingBy using documentary filmmaking and visual storytelling, we strengthen community bonds and amplify underrepresented voices, because sharing authentic local stories fosters empathy, preserves community impact, and increases engagement around social issues.