Double your gift to the LEAD Holiday Giving Fund through a $5,000 matching challenge 

    WATERTOWN —  The LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation is working to help bring warmth to vulnerable children and families in need this holiday season.

     The advisory committee of young professionals is launching its year-end LEAD Philanthropy Challenge to support the tri-county region. To begin, the Council is restarting its LEAD Holiday Giving Fund at the Foundation and providing a $5,000 matching challenge. Each gift to the LEAD Holiday Giving Fund at the Community Foundation will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.

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Retired Bridge Authority executive director creates opportunity for organization he served

    WATERTOWN — A longtime leader of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority has established a new, permanent scholarship at the Northern New York Community Foundation to help Authority employees and their families as they endeavor to pursue their educational dreams.

    Russell I. Wilcox had a successful career of 41 years with the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, retiring as its executive director in 2003 after 25 years at the helm. During his tenure, the international public authority that connects the United States and Canada acquired Boldt Castle and launched one of the most extensive restorations of a historic landmark ever attempted in the region. 

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Nonprofit Organizations Serving Southern Jefferson County Communities Invited to Apply   

    ADAMS — The Six Town Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation will award up to $7,500 in grant funding this year to nonprofit organizations serving the southern Jefferson County region.

    This geographic fund provides support to local programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Six Town area. All organizations applying for funding must do so by Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at nnycf.org/grants. Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) classification are eligible and invited to apply.

    Eligible organizations must actively serve the towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman and Worth. Requests may focus on assisting with local needs related to health and wellness, families and youth, arts and culture, history, education and more.

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Initiative open to all 7th and 8th graders in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County Schools

    WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s 2021-2022 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge is now open to students. The challenge seeks to engage seventh and eighth graders in learning about their communities while they compete for an opportunity to award a $500 grant to a local nonprofit organization of their choice.

    This is the fifth year of the program, which is made possible by donors to the Community Foundation’s Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, corporate support from Community Bank and a major gift from an individual donor.

    Students presently attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties are eligible to compete for a share of $10,000 in total grant awards. Twenty students will be selected to each present a $500 grant to a charitable organization of their choice. The initiative aims to have students explore their view of “community” and select a charitable organization for a grant award that makes their community a great place to live. To enter the competition, students must complete an essay-based application in writing.

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Applications for up to $6,000 in available funding due Friday, October 22

    FINE — Nonprofit organizations serving St. Lawrence County’s Clifton-Fine region are invited to apply by Friday, October 22, 2021, for grant funding from the Clifton-Fine Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

    The fund supports projects, activities, and initiatives that enhance quality of life for residents of Cranberry Lake, Fine, Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Newton Falls and Wanakena. Successful projects or programs should advance community initiatives that will have yearlong, meaningful impact across the Clifton-Fine region.

    Applications should be completed through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at nnycf.org/grants. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible and invited to apply.

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