The Northern New York Community Foundation and WPBS-DT are partnering on a media project to feature individual stories about philanthropy and its meaningful presence in the North Country. The two organizations will soon launch the “Northern New York Community Podcast: Stories from the Heart of Our Community. The podcast will capture, present and archive audio interviews highlighting personal stories of community service and philanthropy in Northern New York. Community philanthropy has played a vital role in the growth, development and enrichment of villages, towns and cities in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The podcast will be a platform to share the stories of people who have devoted their lives to giving back to their community.

“There is no better time than now to capture the essence of why people choose to go above and beyond for their communities. We think that it is our responsibility to make sure these stories are never forgotten and can be retold in their own voices to current and future generations,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We will strive not only to highlight what various individuals and families have done, but why they did it, how it affected the lives of others and their lives as well,” he said. [Read more…]

For more than 60 years, the William I. Graf Award has recognized the top graduating male and female athletes at Watertown High School. On Wednesday, Kira Kolb was selected as the school’s top female recipient, and Daesean Williams was chosen for the top male honor for this year’s Graf awards.

The William I. Graf Award was created in 1954 by the Italian American Civic Association to honor Mr. Graf’s leadership and civic engagement in the community. Mr. Graf was a multi-sport coach and athletic director at Watertown High School. Graf award honorees are expected to have participated in at least two or more varsity sports in their senior year and showcase exemplary individual characteristics in sportsmanship, discipline, fair play, training, ability and academics.

Kolb was a five-year varsity player on the soccer and lacrosse teams at Watertown. She helped guide the Cyclones to a Section 3 girls lacrosse championship and a New York State Final Four appearance in 2015. She was also chosen as a Frontier League All-Star in lacrosse and soccer. Kolb also participated on the varsity girls basketball team for two years. She will study visual communications and graphics at Mercyhurst College (Pa.), where she also earned a scholarship to play lacrosse.

Williams was an accomplished five-year varsity wrestler for the Cyclones. He notched first-place honors in Section 3 in his weight class and qualified for state competition earlier this year. He participated on the varsity track team for three years and played two years of varsity football. As a senior, Williams was an All-North and All-State performer as a running back for the football team. He plans to major in business at Hartwick College in Oneonta and play football for the Division III program. [Read more…]

Non-profit organizations providing critical services to vulnerable populations in the Cape Vincent and Clayton communities are encouraged to apply for funding support through The Lighthouse Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The Lighthouse Fund is a geographic-specific fund that awards grants annually in perpetuity for projects, program and initiatives that meet vital community needs in the Cape Vincent and Clayton areas. The component fund was established in 2014 at the Community Foundation and distributed its first grants last year. The Cape Vincent and Clayton Council of Churches food pantries each received a $1,000 matching grant to build year-end support for their agencies. A $1,000 grant was also awarded to the Cape Vincent Improvement League to construct a community garden to grow fruits and vegetables to benefit the local food pantry. [Read more…]

The Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 matching grant to establish an endowment fund for the American Maple Museum in Croghan. The museum is the seventh Lewis County non-profit organization or school district to create a permanent charitable fund through the Community Foundation to support their mission and purpose in the community. The Foundation will administer the fund for the museum.

“We are grateful to the Museum and welcome the opportunity to be a partner with them in providing additional options for their donors who take the long-term view of sustainability. This challenge grant should help give an added incentive for their most loyal supporters to help provide a mechanism for increased organizational strength,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

The American Maple Museum was founded in 1977 to preserve the history and evolution of the North American maple industry. Several exhibits showcased at the museum feature a variety of maple syrup and sugar making techniques, as well local historical pieces. The museum also houses the International Maple Hall of Fame, which will hold its induction ceremony on May 14. The agency also offers programming for all ages.

The endowment will serve as a complementary charitable giving vehicle for donors interested in supporting the museum’s future. The Community Foundation will match a gift of any size, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 for the museum’s fund. [Read more…]

Watertown Community Fund to be Started by Bequest from Watertown Mayor DeWitt Middleton

The Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded two grants totaling $55,000 to establish two funds to support current and future community enhancement projects. A $5,000 matching grant is being provided to help launch a drive to replicate the ornamental fencing that once surrounded the historic fountain in the center of Watertown’s Public Square. “I am honored to help lead this effort to enhance the civic pride in our historical downtown,” said Dr. Jason F. White, who is coordinating the endeavor. “We are excited to help partner in launching this grassroots citizen-led fundraising effort to continue to improve upon Downtown Watertown,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director.

A $50,000 matching grant was awarded to establish a permanent geographic-specific Watertown Community Fund endowment to support future enhancement projects within the City as they arise. “It is hoped that, over time, this fund will grow with additional contributions from people, businesses and organizations who have a special place in their heart for Watertown,” Mr. Richardson. “This is something that can help support a broad range of projects that would not likely be funded by other means and will add to the quality of life here. It also provides a meaningful way to leave a legacy that will forever support Watertown,” he said. [Read more…]