Foundation
How We Support
Newburgh Creates Foundation channels donor and grant funding directly into programs, people, and tools.
Newburgh Creates Foundation channels donor and grant funding directly into programs, people, and tools.
Partner-run classes add seats, materials, laptops, and scholarships — keeping participation within reach in Newburgh.
Funding for team-based engineering and problem-solving — covering seats, materials, and coaching for competitive and after-school programs.
Supporting classes, studios, and public creative projects that connect youth and families to artistic practice and expression.
Funding participation to remove cost barriers. No student is turned away. Need-based scholarships are built into every program cycle.
Backing mentors, studio time, and curriculum refinement so our instructors can deliver the highest quality programs.
Grants and donations fund laptops, hardware, software, and maker materials that power every lab session.
We partner with schools, community organizations, and local businesses to extend our reach and deepen our impact in Newburgh.
Newburgh Creates Foundation is guided by a dedicated board of educators, artists, architects, and community leaders committed to expanding access to creative and technical education in the Hudson Valley.
Jason C. Otero is a designer, publisher, and arts education leader based in Newburgh, New York. He is the co-founder of Art & Anthropology Press, a design studio and publishing imprint, and serves as Program Director for Newburgh Creates, where he develops interdisciplinary programs at the intersection of art, design, robotics, and technology. His practice is rooted in the belief that creativity is both a civic responsibility and an essential skill for the future.
David Bosworth is an architect based in Dryden, New York, whose practice is grounded in thoughtful, context-responsive design. Working across residential and institutional projects in the Finger Lakes region, he integrates technical precision with a deep sensitivity to site, material, and spatial experience — approaching design as both craft and inquiry.
Sam Spillman is an artist and educator whose sculptural practice explores the relationship between space, material, and perception. He holds an MFA in Fine Arts from SUNY Purchase and a Master of Architecture from Cornell University. As a lecturer in sculpture at SUNY Purchase, he guides students in developing rigorous, material-driven approaches to three-dimensional form.
Melvin Bukiet is an award-winning novelist, essayist, and longtime professor of creative writing whose work explores identity, memory, history, and moral complexity. Known for his sharp wit and probing examinations of contemporary life, he has mentored generations of writers in the craft of storytelling.
Denise Montgomery is a cultural strategist and arts advocate dedicated to strengthening creative communities and expanding access to the arts. With experience in program development, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement, she builds platforms that support artists and foster sustainable cultural ecosystems across civic and public contexts.
Patricia C. Phillips is a curator, writer, and educator whose work centers on public art, socially engaged practice, and the politics of place. Through her writing, curatorial projects, and academic leadership, she examines how art in public life can provoke dialogue, interrogate systems, and expand collective imagination.
"Steady support from Newburgh Creates Foundation helped us serve more learners without raising costs."
— Newburgh Creates
When funding is reliable, we can plan ahead — training instructors, stocking materials, and keeping enrollment free for the families who need it most.
The Launch Fund is a founding initiative of Newburgh Creates Foundation designed to build the financial base for long-term program sustainability. Contributions to the Launch Fund support the organization's ability to plan, staff, and grow programs without relying solely on annual fundraising cycles.
If you're interested in making a larger gift or discussing a multi-year commitment, we'd love to talk.
Get in Touch About Major Gifts →Get updates on funding opportunities, program news, and volunteer opportunities at Newburgh Creates.
We are grateful to the funders whose support makes our programs possible. Their investment in Newburgh Creates Foundation directly benefits the young people we serve.
A regional philanthropic foundation supporting nonprofits across the Hudson Valley. Their grant funding supports Newburgh Creates Foundation's work with youth in our community.
Central Hudson's support helped launch our FIRST LEGO League team — giving Newburgh students access to competitive robotics and the skills that come with it.
Generously supported by