The Charles R. Wood Foundation is accepting grant applications from IRS-approved 501(c)3 organizations whose projects or programs assist children, healthcare or the arts in the Lake George Region and surrounding areas. Eligible applicants are invited to submit online applications by March 1, 2026, for consideration at the spring meeting of Trustees or by September 1, 2026, for consideration at the fall meeting.
Over the past five years, the Foundation has awarded $9 million dollars to charitable organizations in the Capital Region, North Country, and western Vermont. “We are so pleased to be able to support so many worthwhile projects. From small community soup kitchens to the larger capital projects, we are committed to investing in children, healthcare and the arts in our geographical focus area,” said Charlene Wood, Chair and Trustee. The foundation’s Special Healthcare initiative aims to improve the overall health of the population in the region and will continue to accept collaborative applications from organizations serving Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Warren, and Washington counties.
Charles R. Wood established the Foundation that bears his name in 1978 to provide assistance in areas of special need in the Lake George Region and surrounding areas. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on programs for children, healthcare and the arts. Mr. Wood, founder of Storytown, USA, the present-day Great Escape Theme Park, and co-founder with the actor Paul Newman of the Double H Hole in the Woods Camp for critically ill children, along with numerous other endeavors and businesses in the area, died in September 2004 and left the majority of his estate to the Charles R. Wood Foundation.
The following grants to area non-profit organizations totaling over $1.6 million were awarded in 2025:
- $300,000 to Adirondack Experience, the Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, for the Dennis J. Phillips Forests Gallery;
- $150,000 to The Hyde Collection Trust for The Hyde Center for Arts Education – Hoopes House;
- $115,000 to the Dollywood Foundation – Imagination Library Program in the New York counties of Essex, Clinton, Franklin and Hamilton;
- $100,000 to the Seagle Music Colony Inc for the Seagle Festival Campus Core Revitalization;
- $100,000 to the Albany Med Health System for Renovating the Saratoga Community Health Center for a Growing Primary Care Residency Program;
- $100,000 to the Glens Falls Area Youth Center Inc. to the Capital Campaign and Health and Wellness Program Expansion;
- $100,000 to the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area for the Capital Project: Building A Better Future for the Glens Falls Area;
- $100,000 Double H – Hole in the Woods Ranch Inc to the Capital Campaign-Ray-Max Camp-a-Theater;
- $50,000 to the Elizabethtown Community Hospital for the Expansion of Rehabilitation Services;
- $50,000 to the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center Inc for the SPAC’s 60th Anniversary – Renovation of Spa Little Theater and Year-Round Programming;
- $32,500 to the Foundation of Fulton-Montgomery Community College Inc. for Enhancing Healthcare Education and Training at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery;
- $25,000 to Catholic Charities of Saratoga Warren and Washington Counties for Upgrades and Infrastructure Improvements to CCSWW’s Saratoga Springs Facility serving individuals at risk;
- $25,000 to Hospice of Fulton County INC for the MatrixCare Installation;
- $25,000 to the Warren Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition Inc for Bedroom Furnishings for Homeless Youth Shelter;
- $25,000 to Tupper Arts for the Adirondack State Theater Encore II Campaign: Phase One;
- $24,000 to the Empire State University Foundation for Nurses Up North – Charles R. Wood MSN Nurse Educator Pathway Program;
- $20,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks Inc for Small Group Mentoring: 3 Groups for 1 year;
- $18,600 to Peaceful Acres Horses Inc for the Repair the Charles R. Wood Yurt #1 at Peaceful Acres Horses;
- $15,000 to Rebuilding Together-Saratoga County for Repairs for Low-Income Families with Children in Warren County;
- $15,000 to Saratoga Arts Inc for Achieving Accessibility – Building Revitalization project- Entry Door Push Button Repair/Installation;
- $14,000 to Hudson River Music Hall Productions for Production Upgrades for The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls-projection screen purchase;
- $10,000 to Wildwood Foundation Inc for Pull Up a Seat: A Supportive Seating Library for Wildwood School;
- $10,000 to We Are Instrumental Inc for Bringing The Sound Back;
- $10,000 to The Depot Theatre Inc. for The Next Act: Accessibility & Use Planning at The Depot Theatre;
- $10,000 to the Empire State Youth Orchestra for the CHIME: Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Empowerment;
- $10,000 to the Caroga Arts Collective Inc for the Historic Looff Carousel Roof Replacement;
- $10,000 to the Silver Bay Association for the Ticonderoga Community Early Learning Center;
- $10,000 to the Town of Elizabeth for Adventure Trips for Elizabethtown Social Center’s Teen Rec Program;
- $10,000 to the Northern Rivers Family Services Inc. for the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program;
- $10,000 to the Tannery Pond Center for Arts Education and Community Gathering for Lavalier (Cordless) Microphones;
- $8,054 to NYSARC Inc, Saratoga County Chapter for Replacement Shower Chair for an ARC Ruggles Road residence;
- $8,000 to the Historic Salem Courthouse Preservation Association Ince for the Safety and Workforce Preparation – Installation of Safety Fence;
- $7,500 to the Special Olympics New York Inc. for Inclusive Sports Programs for Children with Intellectual Disabilities in the Lake George Region-New School programming;
- $6,500 to the South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company Inc for the South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company Inc First Response Program;
- $6,390 to the Upper Jay Art Center for a Lighting System Upgrade;
- $5,070 to the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Capital District for the Washington County Camp Scholarship for 3 Campers;
- $5,000 to the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks – The Wild Center for the TROLLS: Save the Humans, an outdoor installation by Thomas Dambo;
- $5,000 to Lake George Region Women For Win Inc for Hygiene Kits for Kids;
- $5,000 to the Champlain Area Trails Inc for the Project/Program Title CATS for Kids Expansion: Free Outdoor Programming for Youth;
- $5,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region Inc. for Igniting Potential through Mentoring;
- $5,000 to the Adirondack Community Outreach Center Inc for ADK Community Outreach for Students in Johnsburg;
- $5,000 to the Mercy Care For the Adirondacks Inc for Age-friendly Communities Initiative in the Adirondacks Tri-Lakes Region-Capital Renovations;
- $5,000 to The Hyde Collection Trust for the Raise the Paddle pledge – Hoopes House renovation;
- $5,000 to Camp Abilities Saratoga Inc for Support for camp attendees from the foundation’s giving region;
- $5,000 to the Reece School for The Charles R. Wood Foundation Trail: A Pathway to Independence, Resilience, and Adventure;
- $5,000 to the Lake George Association Inc for the Floating Classroom;
- $5,000 to the Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region for Girls Inc. Summer Fun Camp;
- $5,000 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermont for Volunteer Mentor Recruitment;
- $5,000 to the Lake George Opera Festival Association Inc. for the Opera Saratoga Summer Festival 2025;
- $5,000 to the Lake George Arts Project Inc for the Jazz at the Lake (41st Anniversary);
- $5,000 to the Town of Lake Luzerne for the Lake Luzerne Destination Playground;
In addition, over $52,000 was granted in smaller denominations to benefit various other regional not-for-profit organizations. Furthermore, in recognition of the continuing challenges of food insecurity, especially in the North Country, the Foundation directed funding of over $123,000 to pantries and school backpack programs in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Fulton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties of New York and Bennington, Rutland and Windsor counties of Vermont.