Call for Local Support – May 2023 Pledge Drive!

You are Invited to Support Rosendale Heart & Soul in our Mission To help shape the future of Rosendale by actively seeking the collective wisdom of all.

Our Goals

Strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our town and protect our natural resources.
Engage and reconnect residents, build trust by finding common ground.
Reenergize businesses and institutions, rekindle a sense of community worth.
Encourage new volunteers and leaders and improve local decision-making.

Why This, Why Now?

Rosendale Heart & Soul was created in the spring of 2022 by the Rosendale Economic Development Committee.
Our model comes from the national non-profit Community Heart & Soul, an Orton Family Foundation (Vermont Country Store) community development initiative that successfully implemented in over 90 small towns in 22 states.
Rosendale has been hit hard economically and socially by the Covid pandemic: eg. surging housing prices, struggling small and family-run businesses, declining industry investments, and floundering communications.
Within the Heart & Soul framework of four phases, diverse community members share our concerns and visions. We collaborate practically and playfully; we grow trust, build bridges and cultivate resilience.
Over 100 Rosendale volunteers have laid the foundation of the project, preparing for the 2023 public launch, with open meetings twice monthly, in person and via Zoom.
We are endorsed by the Rosendale Town Board and are under the fiscal sponsorship of the Good Work Institute.

What’s Coming Up?

Next steps include gathering stories from residents throughout Rosendale’s village and hamlets to create a Community Action Plan to be implemented by a combination of local government, businesses and civic groups.
The estimated two-year budget is ~$90k. Organizers currently have commitments totaling ~$16k, with pending applications to foundations with aligned priorities.

How Do I Learn More & Stay In The Loop?

Tour our website www.rosendaleheartsoul.org
Join our mailing list: www.rosendaleheartsoul.org/subscribe
Follow Us:
- Facebook @rosendaleheartandsoul
- Instagram @rosendaleheartandsoul
- Youtube @rosendaleheartandsoul

How Can We Support This Process Now?

Pledges for tax-deductible donations of $250+ by May 31, 2023 will best help us match our $10k Community Heart & Soul grant and allow us to move into Phase 2: Connection – gathering stories from diverse perspectives. You will be recognized with a Rosendale Heart & Soul Supporter placard for display at your business/organization, a digital graphic for your website, with your business/organization named in our e-newsletter, social media, and on our website, where you can submit your tax-deductible donation digitally.
We also welcome matching donation agreements with employers; please contact us to set this up.
In-kind contributions like meeting space, food, drink, office supplies, and professional services are gratefully accepted, and volunteer hours are valued at $25 per hour to match new foundation grants.
ALL levels of contributions from groups or individuals will support our collective momentum and activate the power of Rosendale to create a better future for all who work, live, and play here. Our online donation process has the options of one-time or monthly auto-pay.
Share this information with others: [RH&S Supporters PDF]

The communities of Rosendale include:

Binnewater – A hamlet north of Rosendale village.
Bloomington – A hamlet in the northeastern part of the town, southeast of Whiteport.
Bruceville – A hamlet in the southwestern section of the town, southwest of Rosendale village.
Cottekill – A hamlet northwest of Rosendale village.
Creeklocks – A hamlet at the eastern town line, south of Bloomington and on the west bank of Rondout Creek.
Hickory Bush – A hamlet in the northeastern section of the town, south of Whiteport and located on the west bank of Rondout Creek.
High Falls – A hamlet and census-designated place at the town line by the southwestern part of the town.
Kallops Corners – A hamlet north of Rosendale village.
Lawrenceville – A hamlet west of Rosendale village on Route 213.
Lefevere Falls – A hamlet adjacent to the Thruway and northeast of Rosendale village.
Maple Hill – A hamlet north of Lefever Falls and Rosendale village.
Rosendale (also known as Rosendale Village or Rosendale Hamlet) – A hamlet and census-designated place in the eastern half of the town, by Rondout Creek. It was a village until 1977.
Tillson – A hamlet and census-designated place south of Rosendale village
Whiteport – A hamlet in the northeastern corner of the town, adjacent to the Thruway.