Northern New York Nonprofits Get Business Accelerator

Nonprofit leaders in AEDC's 14-county region can now access business planning, revenue diversification and one-on-one advising.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Philanthropy

Northern New York Nonprofits Get Business Accelerator

Live Poll

Should nonprofits in your area get more business-planning help to stay sustainable?

The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation launched a Nonprofit Business Accelerator on November 7, 2026, aimed at strengthening business planning, financial sustainability and long-term growth for nonprofits across its 14-county service region in northern New York.

Why it matters

Many nonprofits are run by small teams stretched thin across every function, so dedicated business-planning support can determine whether an organization can plan revenue and sustain operations. For operators in the region's mission-driven sector, the program offers structured tools rather than only ad hoc fundraising help.

The accelerator covers AEDC's 14-county service region in northern New York, and the source does not report participant counts, funding amounts or program size.

The players

Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

A regional economic development organization serving 14 counties in northern New York that runs business support programs for local employers and nonprofits.

Erin DeSantis

The accelerator lead who spent more than 20 years in strategic communications and public affairs and has served on several nonprofit boards.

Hope Kitchen

A Keeseville nonprofit that provides a community dinner to more than 100 people each week and worked with the accelerator.

The details

The accelerator pairs nonprofit leaders with business advising, resources and access to capital, delivered through one-on-one advising and a library of planning tools and frameworks. Erin DeSantis, who was hired to lead the program, works with nonprofit leaders on business model development and revenue diversification. Her background includes more than 20 years in strategic communications and public affairs and service on several nonprofit boards.

November 7, 2026: AEDC launches the Nonprofit Business Accelerator.
Over the last few months: Hope Kitchen in Keeseville worked with the accelerator before publication.

Market Landscape

The accelerator extends AEDC's regional economic development mandate from for-profit employers into the nonprofit sector. It applies business-planning methods to organizations that often lack dedicated finance or strategy staff.

Nonprofit leaders in AEDC's 14-county region can contact the accelerator about business planning, revenue diversification and one-on-one advising. Operators should weigh whether a structured planning program fits their organization's current capacity needs.

The takeaway

Nonprofits in the 14-county service area can inquire about the accelerator now, since it is accepting inquiries from organizations based in the region. Leaders should track whether the program's planning tools translate into measurable revenue diversification over the coming year.