[photo provided by the Hyde Collection]
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – June 23, 2025 — The Dake Foundation for Children has announced five nonprofit organizations that have been selected as recipients of the most recent funding round of their Community Grant program. Founded by Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops, the Foundation has provided grants to local children with disabilities since 2009 with a focus on inclusion, independence, and fun. In addition to the individual support the organization provides, the Community Grant program provides assistance to local 501c3 nonprofit organizations seeking to make their spaces or programming more accessible and inclusive.
“Since the launch of this program two years ago, we have provided nearly $85,000 of support to 17 local nonprofits,” said Executive Director Sarah Burns of the program. “It has been so rewarding to watch this program grow, and to see the impact we can have on a large scale. We feel grateful to partner with so many incredible organizations who are committed to accessibility and inclusion.”
The Dake Foundation for Children’s Community Grants Program recipients are:
- Camp Abilities, Saratoga Springs, NY – Funding will support activities at their Skidmore summer camp program for youth who are blind or visually impaired
- The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY – Funding will support the organization’s Hyde and Seek inclusive art programming
- Northeast Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA), Albany, NY – Funding will support their Goalball program, a Paralympic sport
- Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Saratoga Springs, NY – Funding will provide a sensory room and materials as part of their All-Access Nights inclusive programming
- Shredders MTB, Saratoga Springs, NY – Funding will provide training for mountain biking coaches to better support youth with special needs
The Dake Foundation for Children held their recent “Boots & Bourbon” event on May 28th, 2025 on the grounds of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Over 400 attendees gathered to raise nearly $240,000 to help fund future Dake Foundation grants that benefit local children and young adults with disabilities. The Foundation will hold their annual golf tournament on Friday, October 3rd at Van Patten Golf Club.
For more information on their events, grant programs, or to learn more about the Dake Foundation for Children, please visit their website at http://www.dakefoundation.org.
The Dake Foundation for Children was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to help children with disabilities access opportunities unavailable through medical insurance and family budgets. Their goal is to provide children with disabilities access to equipment and services that will give them more opportunities for participation within their families, communities, and with their peers.
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