irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $4KPROVIDES FOR VISTORS TO TOUR THE LIGHTHOUSE
- #2 $78KOPERATION OF LIGHTHOUSE PROGRAM
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Holiday Lights
Winter seasonal display featuring over 6,000 LED lights on the lighthouse, visible from both shores of the Hudson River, supported by community foundation funding.
Magic on the River
Annual fundraising event in partnership with The Stewart House, featuring music, food, cocktails, and auctions to support lighthouse preservation.
School Tours Program
Guided educational tours for second-grade students from the Hudson and Coxsackie-Athens school districts to learn about lighthouse history and river navigation.
Summer Lighthouse Tours
Guided boat tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse from departure points in Hudson and Athens, NY, featuring volunteer-led educational visits to the historic structure.
Waterfront Wednesdays
Free community boat trips to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse offered on select Wednesdays, providing self-guided access and educational opportunities.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 3 activities
- Community engagement and special eventsHosts annual events such as Magic on the River, cinematic tributes, and participates in local festivals like the Athens Victorian Stroll and Winter Walk to educate the public and promote engagement with the lighthouse and its history.
- Guided and public tours of the Hudson-Athens LighthouseOffers guided boat tours and self-guided access to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse for schools, community groups, and the general public, led by volunteer docents. Tours run seasonally starting in May and include educational programming about the lighthouse's history and significance.
- Restoration and preservation of the Hudson-Athens LighthouseConducts ongoing structural restoration, maintenance, and conservation of the 1874 lighthouse, including underwater foundation work, roof replacement, and water intrusion abatement, funded by private donations, public grants, and state support.
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Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 1 activity
- Interpretive exhibits and historical programmingOperates interpretive exhibits on the lighthouse’s second floor showcasing Hudson River history, river life, local industries, historic vessels, and lighthouses. Recreates 1930s domestic life with authentic artifacts, including the original fog bell and Brunner family donations.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Newsletter and public communicationsProduces and distributes a periodic newsletter, 'Letters from the Lighthouse,' to update supporters and the community on preservation efforts, events, and organizational updates.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and supportRecruits and utilizes volunteers for preservation work, public tours, and educational programming, enabling community involvement in the stewardship and operation of the lighthouse.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advocacy for lighthouse foundation fundingOrganized volunteer efforts to collect over 6,000 petition signatures urging federal legislators to secure funding for the restoration and protection of the lighthouse foundation.
- Winter LED illumination displayIlluminates the lighthouse with over 6,000 LED lights during winter months to create a public art display visible from both sides of the Hudson River, enhancing community visibility and engagement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$542K
Contributions & grants$223K41%
Program service revenue$299K55%
Investment income$14K3%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$322K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$612K
Cash$612K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$612K
Liquid reserves22.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +113.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- BETSY FELDSTEIN — DIRECTOR
- CAROL GANS — DIRECTOR
- JOE KENNEALLY — DIRECTOR
- JOSHUA LIPSMAN MD — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN TAN — DIRECTOR
- REBECCA MARTIN — DIRECTOR
- VAN CALHOUN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Athens Cultural Center Partner — Sponsors the Athens Victorian Stroll, in which HALPS participates to promote lighthouse awareness.
- BANK OF GREENE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Funder — Provided a generous grant to support the Holiday Lights project that illuminates the lighthouse with over 6,000 LED lights during winter months.
- Catskill Charters Partner — Transportation partner that operates boats for guided lighthouse tours.
- Catskill Charters Partner — Transportation partner that operates boats for guided tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.
- Charles Schumer Government — Senator Charles Schumer advocated for the lighthouse’s inclusion in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Protection Program and preservation funding.
- Columbia Community Foundation Partner — Hosted the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Committee in its early years before the group incorporated independently.
- Hudson River Maritime Museum Partner — Created the film “Seven Sentinels” featuring the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, which HALPS screens as part of a public event.
- Marilyn Rositzke Partner — Point of contact for donations of stock and planned giving.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation Network — Hudson-Athens Lighthouse designated one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Funder — Provided two $500,000 grants through the Environmental Protection Fund for water intrusion abatement and design of the sheet pile barrier.
- The Stewart House Partner — Co-hosts the annual Magic on the River fundraiser event with HALPS.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Government — Hudson-Athens Lighthouse selected for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Protection Program, enabling access to preservation funding.
- U.S. Coast Guard Government — Leased the lighthouse property to HALPS in 1984 and transferred full ownership in 2000; retains responsibility for the lighted beacon.
- U.S. Coast Guard Government — Leased the lighthouse property to HALPS in 1984 and transferred full title in 2000; retains responsibility for maintaining the active beacon.
- U.S. Coast Guard Government — Retains responsibility for maintaining the lighted beacon of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.
- legislative staffer Government — Engages with legislative staff for advocacy and grant-related coordination.
- river communities Partner — Collaborates with local river communities to share the lighthouse and support preservation efforts.
strategies · 2
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.
- Preservation through Public Access and Educationmethodology: preservation-through-public-accessBy enabling public access to the lighthouse via volunteer-led tours and educational programming, the organization fosters community stewardship and ensures ongoing engagement in preservation, because direct experience strengthens public commitment to historic conservation.
- Volunteer-Driven Stewardship Modelmethodology: stewardship_modelBy organizing all aspects of governance, restoration, education, and operations around volunteer leadership, the organization builds durable community ownership and financial self-sufficiency, because personal investment in labor fosters long-term responsibility and pride in preservation outcomes.