Economic
VitalityDiscover how ACF invests in housing, workforce development, small businesses, and civic health to strengthen communities.
Our Approach
Regional prosperity ensures thriving communities
Our region is as defined by its close-knit rural communities as it is by its rugged mountains and meandering rivers. These attributes shape our way of life, fuel our economy, and contribute to overall vitality.
Fewer young people, declining school enrollment, and a growing number of retirees and seniors are among the challenging demographic trends we face. On any given day, there are more job openings than workers to fill them and the prospects for finding solutions are complex.
On the plus side, there are deeply inspiring examples of people working together to enhance livelihoods and foster a strong sense of community in many towns. There is also great potential to replicate and scale local successes for broader impact.
Community Leadership
Strategies for Supporting Economic Vitality
Accelerate Workforce Housing
We collaborate with regional partners to increase the availability of quality, affordable rental and owner-occupied housing. By ensuring year-round residents have stable places to live, we strengthen the local workforce and drive economic prosperity across the Adirondack region.
Adirondack Innovation Initiative
A2i is building a tech innovation ecosystem in the Adirondack region. We see tech and tech-adjacent jobs as a pathway to help more people live in the region full-time, with a good job that supports a sustainable lifestyle.
Place-based Mission Investing
Place-based Mission Investing, also called Local Impact Investment, is the practice of making investments in our communities to generate positive social, economic, or environmental impact alongside financial return. We invest up to 3% of our investable assets in the local community: small business development, workforce housing, and lower cost transportation.
Civic Health
As a nationally recognized Civic Hub, we support opportunities to engage and empower local residents, inspire community pride and increase volunteerism. Through our Kindling and Bonfire Awards, we celebrate the neighbors who are building the warmth of community across the Adirondacks.
Related Stories and Investing
How Communities Across the Adirondacks are Supporting Economic Vitality
Adirondack Community Foundation awards more than $1 million to local nonprofits
Governor Kathy Hochul announces new initiative to accelerate workforce housing in the North Country
The New Adirondack Workforce
Support This Work
Ways to Support Your Community
Your gift to the following funds helps support programs, partnerships, and resources that meet critical needs across our region. Learn more by clicking a fund below.
Economic Vitality Fund
This fund’s purpose is to drive regional prosperity and bring about economically thriving communities. Help us to increase availability of workforce housing, build capital and technical assistance for small businesses, and grow programs that support upward mobility for lower-income residents.
Accelerate Workforce Housing Fund
To ensure vibrant communities across our Adirondack region we need quality, affordable housing. We collaborate with regional partners to collectively address the housing crisis ensuring the availability of quality workforce housing for those that live and work in our communities.
