Friends of Five Rivers Receives Grant to Hire Advancement Officer

FRIENDS OF FIVE RIVERS RECEIVES GRANT TO HIRE AN ADVANCEMENT OFFICER TO CULTIVATE DONOR RELATIONS FOR LONG-TERM ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

DELMAR, NY – Friends of Five Rivers was awarded a $140,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Grants program to support the hiring of an Advancement Officer. This position will cultivate strong donor relationships and leverage customer relationship management systems to ensure the long-term sustainability and expanded impact of vital environmental education programs, professionalize fundraising efforts, diversify revenue streams, and strengthen the organization’s financial health to meet growing community demand. Friends of Five Rivers will have to raise an additional $34,300 in matching funds, for a total of $174,300.

The grant is one of 27 awards totaling $2.25 million for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York’s state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities. Friends’ groups – non-profit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers – are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is administered by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “New Yorkers statewide are experiencing the benefits of restored trails, enhanced visitor centers, and engaging programs that foster a deeper connection with the outdoors. For the past decade, Park and Trail Partnership Grants have been instrumental in making these experiences possible by supporting the dedicated local organizations that steward our public lands. This year's record-breaking awards will ensure that these vital sites continue to educate, inspire, and warmly welcome all who visit.”

Paulette Doudoukjian, Executive Director of Friends of Five Rivers, expressed both gratitude and excitement for the partnership grant, noting that it will be a game changer for the organization. “This new role will strengthen and stabilize our financial position, allowing leadership to focus on strategic oversight and program quality for decades to come.”

Funded through a two-year grant period, the position is designed to become self-sustaining through increased revenue generation, resulting in stronger organizational resilience, expanded educational impact, and a fundraising culture aligned with Friends of Five Rivers’ mission and growing community demand.

Friends of Five Rivers is the non-profit support organization of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s owned and operated Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Friends of Five Rivers’ mission is to support environmental education and land preservation at Five Rivers, as well as to enhance the experiences of visitors. The vision of the organization is to cultivate and inspire lifelong environmental stewards who appreciate the interconnectedness of nature in their lives and the world around them.

The Friends’ organization was established in 1972, the same year Five Rivers was established by DEC. Friends is membership-driven and run by a Board of Directors. The organization also relies on generous tax-deductible donations, sponsorships, and grants to operate. To learn more about the organization, please visit: www.friendsoffiverivers.org.

To view a list of all Round 11 awardees, please visit: https://www.ptny.org/ptpg-round-11- awardees/

More information on Park and Trail Partnership Grants can be found at www.ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583 x3.