CJR: What exactly is Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, and what do they do?
KQ: We are a local, independent, philanthropic, non-profit organization working in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties building permanent collections of endowed funds (meaning the base or “corpus” of the fund remains intact and its investment profit is delivered back) contributed by many donors that payout over time to local non-profits. If you think of us as a three-legged stool, we establish funds, provide grants and address needs. We currently hold over $50 million dollars in assets in more than 530 funds and have to date delivered back over $29 million in grants and scholarships since our inception in 1969. Last year alone over $3 million was awarded, providing 828 grants and scholarships to our three county region.
The grants are provided to any non-profit and cover the gamut of services including education, human services, arts and culture, community improvement, scholarships, health and mental health, religion, even animal rights and concerns.
CJR: Why is it such an important service?
KQ: Begun by a lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914, the singular idea was to assure donors that their gifts were properly managed and delivered back as originally intended, in perpetuity. The “business” of community foundations, and there are over 750 across the country, has always been to ensure donor intent over time. We are managed by a board of trustees that reflects the diversity and geography of our three counties and each county also has their own board of advisors.
CJR: What do you enjoy about your role there?
KQ: Let’s see … meet very interesting people with passions and dreams and then provide the necessary framework to fulfill those dreams and provide grants, scholarships and gifts back to our community to improve lives and make a difference both now and in the future. What’s not to enjoy about that?
CJR: What did you do before you worked at Community Foundations?
KQ: For over 30 years I owned and operated Smith Printing in Kingston, a full-service print and mail fulfillment house. I also did a short stint with the UCDC educating businesses in Ulster about the services available to start-ups and programs for established businesses too.
CJR: What were some of the best and worst aspects of owning your own business?
KQ: Simply put, I fully enjoy performing my current duties without having to deal with managing every aspect. It was a great education but it is nice to be able to focus on my areas of expertise.
CJR: Tell me some other community-related involvements of yours.
KQ: I love this area and have been involved in social service and health care organizations, arts and culture, history and youth development among others which includes Benedictine Hospital, Kiwanis Club, Gateway Industries, Boys and Girls Club, Mendelssohn Club, Friends of Historic Kingston, United Way, Ulster Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kingston Uptown Business Association, Ulster Arts Council and others.
CJR: Hidden gems in Kingston?
KQ: This depends upon the reader. Have you visited the many beautiful parks in Kingston, or the very elegant grande dame of local parks: Montrepose Cemetery? Read the tombstones in the Old Dutch Churchyard, or visited the myriad historic sites in the old stockade area? Walked up West Chestnut Street in the spring or fall? Sat along the waterfront on a summer evening and watched the world go by? Seen the view from the top of City Hall or Benedictine Hospital? Taken a sleigh ride at Twaalfskill? Growing up here I knew every rock and tree in a neighborhood that has been developed and modified in many ways. Some of those hidden gems are no longer here. For anyone who has never been inside, I suggest the BSP space on Wall Street. Once there imagine it as the interior space of a large and ornate theatre, which is what it once was. Also old postcards of Kingston show a very different, leafy, prosperous city. I am very excited by all that has happened here to put Kingston back on the map, but it is not the first time that has happened. We are a very old, historic river town with a great past and I think an equally great future.
CJR: Favorite haunts in Kingston?
KQ: Love the restaurants which we are so very well supplied with. In Kingston alone I am a regular at Stella’s and Savona’s and enjoy Le Canard, Hoffman House, Boitson’s and others. I tend to entertain quite a lot so I guess my favorite haunt is my home.
CJR: Tell me a juicy secret about you that no one really knows. I won’t tell anyone! I swear!
KQ: Are you kidding? Growing up with 12 brothers and sisters, how many secrets could you have?
