Up to $100,000 in grant funding available this calendar year

     WATERTOWN — The Community Foundation’s CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund welcomes applications for second-quarter grant support. The deadline to apply for second-quarter consideration is Friday, May 29.

     The CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund is designed to support community programs, projects and initiatives that broadly strengthen communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Up to $100,000 in funding is available for 2026. Organizations receiving funding in 2025 are not eligible to reapply this year.

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Nearly 80 Seventh-, Eighth-, and Ningh-Grade Students Across Three Counties Participate in Ninth Annual Challenge

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce $20,000 in Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge grants to 20 nonprofit organizations that serve Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

     Now in its ninth year, the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge was open to all tri-county seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade students. This year’s program committee reviewed 79 entries from seventh and eighth graders in 20 different school districts who recommended grants to nearly 70 different organizations that serve residents across the three counties.

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More than 3,300 Food and Hygiene Items Collected to Reduce Food Insecurity

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council is pleased to announce the winners of the fourth “Canstruction for Northern New York” competition to help reduce food insecurity across the region.

     Five participating teams combined to collect more than 3,300 canned goods and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products that will help restock school-based backpack programs and community food pantries in Jefferson and Lewis counties. Additionally, the winning teams will share $1,500 in grant awards to present to two different school-based backpack programs that participants selected.

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Program slated for July 27 to 31 at the Community Foundation and Watertown-based nonprofits

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new summer Youth Philanthropy Experience, which is set to take off in July with up to 17 rising freshmen who attend school or reside in Jefferson County.

     The new weeklong summer program is a chance for students who are entering ninth grade this fall to learn about philanthropy and their community. Ideal students are committed to the full experience and able to attend all sessions.

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Foundation Will Double All New Gifts to Support this Year’s Event, up to $5,000

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce a $10,000 grant package to support this year’s Concert in the Park event.

     Total funding includes an initial $5,000 grant and an up to $5,000 matching grant commitment to support first time contributions for this year’s concert. That means the Community Foundation will double all new gifts made in support of this year’s performance by those who have not previously participated.

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