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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Funding for 67 Tri-County Food Pantries Includes Grants to School-Based Pantries

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation has provided $152,175 in support through 2025 to 67 local food pantries, soup kitchens, and school-based backpack programs across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

     The total support includes $55,000 to 55 organizations across the region that the Foundation’s Board of Directors approved as year-end aid during its December meeting. The grants will help strengthen programs and stock shelves at community food pantries and soup kitchens in the three counties the Community Foundation serves.

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Boldt Descendants Continue Educational Support of Jefferson County High School Graduates Pursuing Post-Secondary Studies

     HEART ISLAND — Three Jefferson County high school members of the Class of 2025 are recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Sr. Scholarship.

     Indian River High School graduate Benjamin R. Berry, Thousand Islands High School graduate James A. DiValentino, and Watertown High School graduate Anastaja Smith were each awarded a two-year, $10,000 scholarship during a summer reception at Boldt Castle with George C. Boldt’s great-great-grandson, Charles Boldt “Charlie” Goodridge, and family.

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Recognition, Appreciation Dinner in Canton Honors Students, Founding Donors

     WATERTOWN — Ten St. Lawrence County members of the Class of 2026 were recently named as recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Evergreen STEM Scholarship.

     Students are awarded the scholarship due to their interest and intent to study in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field while in college and apply during their junior year of high school for selection in the summer. Recipients will receive a one-year $3,000 scholarship toward their freshman year of college next fall.

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