Project Aims to Restock Food Pantries, Backpack Programs, Combat Food Insecurity

     WATERTOWN — The Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation invites local students at tri-county schools and colleges and organized student groups in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to participate in a creative and impactful project to help reduce food insecurity across the North Country.

     The “Canstruction for Northern New York” initiative is back for a fourth year under the leadership of the Youth Philanthropy Council, which accepted the challenge from the Foundation’s LEAD Council to continue the competition.

     This team activity aims to encourage local students to team up and construct a fun, themed structure made of donated canned food and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products. Collected items are donated to a local food pantry or backpack program of their choice at the end of the competition.

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Applications for funding due February 20 for first-quarter review

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Grants for Good program for Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

     The Community Foundation is introducing the Grants for Good program in each county to encourage nonprofit organizations to submit a funding request that directly impacts their mission and quality of life for residents in each region. The program application and format mirrors the Foundation’s previous “General Grant Program.”

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Up to $2,000 Available to Help Antwerp Children Reach their Full Potential

     ANTWERP — Nonprofit organizations serving children who live in the Town or Village of Antwerp may apply for up to $2,000 in funding from the newly established Antwerp Children’s Services Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     Antwerp native Terry Hull recently partnered with the Community Foundation to create a charitable resource that benefits children who live in his hometown by strengthening opportunities for positive child and youth development.

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Schools That Increase Student Participation in Scholarship Program Eligible to Win a Share of $5,000 in Foundation Grant Support

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce its second Scholarship Challenge to inspire greater participation in its scholarship program from the Class of 2026 and give schools a chance to win a share of up to $5,000 in grant support.

     The Community Foundation’s scholarship program supports graduating seniors pursuing further education — whether at an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school.

     The Scholarship Challenge is open to all schools in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

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Eight Projects Receive Funding to Strengthen Student Culture, Building Security

     WATERTOWN — The Safe Schools Endeavor, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, has awarded $11,232 in grant support to fund eight projects in eight Jefferson and Lewis County school districts for the 2025-2026 school year.

     The Safe Schools Endeavor Steering Committee reviewed 10 applications for funding to support programs that empower students, parents, and faculty to maintain the safest schools possible in Jefferson and Lewis counties. This is the seventh year the fund has awarded grant support. Since its inception, the Safe Schools Endeavor has awarded $140,348 to support 79 school projects in Jefferson and Lewis counties.

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