Up to $25,000 Available for Nonprofit Organizations Serving Greater Potsdam Area Residents

     POTSDAM — Nonprofit organizations that serve the greater Potsdam area may now apply for 2023 grant funding from the John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     The John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund is a permanent grantmaking fund stewarded by the Northern New York Community Foundation that will forever support programs, activities, and initiatives to advance the quality of life in the Potsdam community. This year, up to $25,000 in grant funding is available to eligible nonprofits.

     Successful projects, programs or initiatives should articulate an explanation of meaningful impact and a clear plan for implementation. Areas of focus should include, but are not limited to: Health and wellness, arts and culture, economic  development, recreational programs, community revitalization and beautification, and more. To date, $26,500 in grant funding has been awarded to support nine different projects that benefit Potsdam residents.

[Read more…]

Applications Now Available; Four Community Projects Supported Last Year

     FINE — Nonprofit organizations serving residents of the Clifton-Fine region may now apply for 2023 grant support through the Clifton-Fine Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     The Clifton-Fine Community Fund is a permanent grantmaking resource that supports projects, activities, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the communities of Cranberry Lake, Fine, Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Newton Falls, and Wanakena. The most successful projects and programs that garner support demonstrate clear and meaningful impact across the region.

     This year, the geographic-specific fund will award up to $6,000 in grants. Interested organizations are required to apply online through the Northern New York Community Foundation’s grant portal at bit.ly/grant-portal. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 21.

[Read more…]

Approximately $100,000 in Funding Available for St. Lawrence County Churches, Cemeteries, Places of Historical Significance, and Military Veterans Programs

     WATERTOWN — The Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation is now accepting applications for 2023 grant support from qualified charitable organizations, houses of worship, cemeteries, or governmental entities that serve St. Lawrence County residents.

     Grant funding is available to organizations whose missions and efforts align with the fund’s charitable purposes, which are: for the maintenance and preservation of churches, houses of worship, and cemeteries in St. Lawrence County; for the preservation and maintenance of places of legitimate historical significance in the county; and to benefit or assist veterans of the United States military with their medical or recreational needs who live in St. Lawrence County.

     While projects that focus on each charitable purpose will be evaluated for funding, those that aid St. Lawrence County U.S. military veterans will receive priority consideration this year.

[Read more…]

Nearly 1,700 Food and Hygiene Items Collected to Help Restock Food Pantries and Reduce Food Insecurity

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s LEAD Council is pleased to announce the winners of its first “Canstruction for Northern New York” contest to help reduce food insecurity across the North Country.

     The three top teams combined to collect 1,665 canned food and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products that will help restock two school-based backpack programs and a community food pantry. Additionally, the winning teams will share $1,750 in grant awards to present to three different local nonprofit organizations that participants selected.

[Read more…]

Foundation Partners with Italian American Civic Association, Immaculate Heart Central School to Honor Longtime IHC Coach, Athletic Director

     WATERTOWN — A recent Community Foundation challenge grant will help build charitable support for the Clarence “Boots” Gaffney Award, a legacy scholarship that annually honors the top graduating male and female athletes from Immaculate Heart Central School.

     The Community Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 in gifts to the fund, which it stewards on behalf of the Italian American Civic Association and IHC. The Foundation is collaborating with the Association and IHC to provide a $1,000 scholarship to each Gaffney Award recipient.

[Read more…]