Compass Arts Receives Community Foundations and Stewart’s Grants for Head Start Classes

March 25, 2026: Compass Arts Creativity Project is pleased to announce that we are the recipient of an Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund grant from Community Foundations, as well as a Stewarts Holiday Match grant, for our work at Astor Head Start in Beacon. These grants of $2975 and $750, respectively, will fund almost three months of free art and music classes for preschool children served by Head Start.

Since October 2022, Compass Arts has been bringing weekly art and music classes to Astor Head Start, a federally funded program that offers early childhood education, health, nutrition and social services to children from low-income families and children with disabilities. These classes serve around 80 children between the ages of 2 and 5, including two classrooms for students with disabilities, one integrated classroom, two toddler classrooms, and one Head Start preschool classroom. Compass Arts’ classes were created in partnership with the dedicated staff and administration at Astor Head Start. Studies have consistently shown that students who participate in the arts at a young age experience profound social, emotional, and academic benefits.

The Head Start program is part of Compass Arts’ mission to bring accessible, community-building creative programming to the lower Hudson Valley. Other initiatives include free after-school arts clubs in the Beacon City School District; the Beacon Rising Choir; and classes and workshops offered for a range of age groups (with a sliding scale assistance option that allows students to name their own price).

The Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund grant from Community Foundations supports organizations serving Dutchess County involved in arts, culture and education. Applicants are reviewed on criteria including the quality and impact of the program, and the capacity and stability of the organization.

The Stewart’s Holiday Match program funds nonprofit organizations that benefit children under 18 years old. Money donated by Stewart’s customers between Thanksgiving and Christmas is matched dollar-for-dollar by the company and distributed to charitable organizations within the 32 counties where Stewart’s Shops are located. This year, Stewart’s awarded $1.8 million in holiday match funds.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Compass Arts deeply values the support of Community Foundations and Stewart’s as we continue our work of creating a more just world through the arts.