First upcoming deadline is April 1

The Northern New York Community Foundation is currently accepting application from students residing in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties for a variety of scholarships. Since 1980, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $14.5 million in scholarship awards to students living in the tri-county region.

“Providing support for students from the North Country continues to be a core part of the Community Foundation’s annual investment in the tri-county region. Many new donors have stepped forward in the last year to provide more assistance than ever before and we hope for a large pool of applicants again this year,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

Scholarship application packets can be downloaded and printed from the Community Foundation’s website: www.nnycf.org. Completed application packets must be returned to the Foundation, or postmarked, by the date specified in the application. The first upcoming application deadline is April 1. The packets are required to include a student’s application, essay, appraisal forms, references and transcript(s).

High school seniors from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties who will be enrolled as full-time undergraduates in the fall of 2018 may apply for a one-year, freshman scholarship through the Community Foundation. The Foundation also administers the Evergreen STEM Scholarship Fund, in which ten $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to St. Lawrence County high school juniors who plan to pursue studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. The Foundation administers more than 400 restricted scholarship funds established by individual donors.

A non-traditional scholarship program is also offered through the Community Foundation. Applicants must reside in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties. Eligible applicants may be enrolled in college or a technical school and can be attending either part- or full-time. Completed packets for this program are to be completed by June 1, 2018.

The Community Foundation, in partnership with Jefferson Community College, also administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program. The Jefferson-Can Scholarship is a merit-based award to high school seniors, at the top of their class, who plan to attend JCC. The Foundation also administers the Herring College Memorial Scholarship awarded to students in engineering, sciences, mathematics and related fields, as well as the Visiting Nurses Association Scholarship for students pursuing continued education in nursing or health-related fields.

Residents in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties who have been awarded a Purple Heart – either directly or to a dependent (spouse or child) – may apply for the Rotary Purple Heart Scholarship through the Community Foundation. Applicants may be enrolled in any year of full-time undergraduate study. This scholarship application packet is accepted throughout the year until all funding for the academic year is awarded.

The Fort Drum Chapter of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Inc. established the 10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship at the Community Foundation for current or former 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) members or the family member of one (spouse or child). The applicant or their military sponsor must also be a member of the 10th Mountain Division Association. Membership information is available from the Association. Scholarship applicants may reside anywhere and be in any year of full-time undergraduate study.

For more information about Community Foundation scholarships, or to download applications, please visit our website at www.nnycf.org, or contact our office at (315) 782-7110.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.

The Northern New York Community Foundation has made a grant of $25,000 to assist the Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity with the start-up costs for a new permanent home for the organization and to open a ReStore at that location. Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity has helped provide decent, affordable housing to families in Jefferson and Lewis counties for almost 25 years. Habitat affiliates across the country have opened ReStores that accept donations of new and gently used home improvement materials, appliances, furniture, and other items and resell them to the public at discount prices. Revenue from these sales is used to assist in the various operations, programs, and most importantly, building project costs. Thousand Island Area Habitat for Humanity expects its ReStore to open this spring.

Additionally, a $10,000 matching grant was awarded to establish a permanent endowment fund for the organization at the Community Foundation. The endowment fund will provide an extra source of sustainable income for the agency in perpetuity.

“Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity is honored to receive this funding from Northern New York Community Foundation. It is critical to our starting up a new program, which will be an asset to serve more families in Jefferson and Lewis counties. The primary goal is to raise a funding source to make homeownership opportunity affordable for low income families. The ReStore will also re-purpose items for the community, reduce landfill waste and be an opportunity to employ new personnel,” said Brian Drappo, Executive Director of Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity.

“We are pleased to be able to be on the early stages of helping Habitat for Humanity advance the work they do to make our community a better place and make home ownership a more affordable reality for our friends and neighbors. With both ReStore and the new endowment fund, I believe they will be better positioned to continue their good work for a long time to come.” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation Executive Director.

Those wishing to contribute to the endowment fund and have their gift doubled, may make a gift to: Northern New York Community Foundation and write “TI Area Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund” in the memo line. Contributions may be mailed to the Foundation at 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, or online at www.nnycf.org.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.

Non-profit organizations serving residents in the village and town of Lowville are encouraged to apply through the George R. Davis Fund for Lowville at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

Mr. Davis was a longtime Lowville resident and served as Lewis County judge for more than 20 years. He established this permanent charitable fund for the community following his death in 2010. This year, up to $10,000 is available in grant funding through this community fund to support programs, projects and initiatives benefiting the quality of life in Lowville.

In 2017, seven projects were awarded grant funding totaling $10,000. The recipients were:

• Lowville Food Pantry – $3,400 to assist with a feasibility study and explore a capital project as a potential future location for the pantry.
  
• Lewis County Search & Rescue – $1,545 for the purchase of new radio equipment to enhance communication during daily calls.
  
• Mountain View Prevention Services, Inc. – $1,250 to assist with the promotion of a community event centered on raising awareness and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths and addiction.
  
• Boys Scouts of America, Inc. (Lowville Troop #162) – $1,250 to increase access and opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in troop activities during the 2018 summer camp experience.
  
• U.S. Bowling Congress, Inc. (Lowville Youth Bowling League – $1,055 to provide more opportunities for youth and individuals with disabilities to participate in local bowling events and tournaments.
• Future Farmers of America (Lowville chapter) – $1,000 in support of a community “Meals for Hope” initiative to assist area families in need.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County – $500 to support gardening workshops for youth.

To learn more about the George R. Davis Fund, or receive an application, please contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org. The deadline to submit a proposal for consideration is April 20, 2018.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions. The Community Foundation is located at the Northern New York Philanthropy Center in Watertown.

The Lighthouse Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation has up to $2,000 available in grant funding to support non-profit organizations serving citizens in the Clayton and Cape Vincent communities.

This charitable fund was established in 2014 as a resource to area non-profits providing critical programs and services to underserved and vulnerable populations in the two St. Lawrence River communities. Last year, a $2,000 matching grant was awarded to the Cape Vincent Food Pantry to help bolster its community support for the organization and increase available resources to purchase additional food items for consumers.

Non-profit organizations that are conducting programs, projects or initiatives that are assisting residents in need are encouraged to apply through the Lighthouse Fund grant opportunity at the Community Foundation. The deadline to submit a proposal for consideration is April 20, 2018.

Please contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, to learn more about the Lighthouse Fund and obtain the grant guidelines. You may reach him at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions. The Community Foundation is located at the Northern New York Philanthropy Center in Watertown.

The Six Town Community Fund will support nine community projects with up to $5,000 in grant funding for programs and projects benefiting residents in southern Jefferson County.

The Six Town Community Fund was created in 2013 to be a permanent philanthropic resource for the southern Jefferson County region. Many individuals, businesses and organizations helped establish the fund, combined with a matching grant from the Community Foundation. The community fund is focused on enhancing the quality of life in the towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman, and Worth by supporting a variety of programs, projects, and initiatives in the area. The community fund is a component fund administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation.

“It is fulfilling to see the gifts made by people who love the Six Town area being put to work to make a difference in a grassroots, hyperlocal way. This has proven to be a nice vehicle for donors to focus their giving in a flexible, yet enduring way, for the places that have great meaning for them,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director.

This year’s recipients are:

South Jefferson Rescue Squad, Inc. was awarded $1,000 that will help the organization purchase an APX radio to help the rescue squad transition to a new form of county-wide communication system. The county’s new radio system goes into effect this summer.

Henderson Harbor Performing Arts Association, Inc. received $800 to bring the Red House Arts Group from Syracuse to perform a Shakespeare play performance in July.

South Jefferson Central School received $750 which will be utilized to support the school’s technology club, which recently created project-based activities centered on STEAM initiatives. Students in grades 3-5 at Mannsville and Wilson Elementary schools are participating in learning activities such as programming robots, writing code, developing apps, and more. The grant will assist the club in purchasing appropriate materials for these activities.

The Historical Association of South Jefferson was awarded $500 to begin its campaign to restore seven stained glass windows at the Six Town House.

Adams Village Baptist Church received $500 to promote and raise awareness for a series of hyperlocal community workshops and guidance from a professional substance abuse counselor for people in need of education and family support. The church and its leadership is proposing three community workshops focusing on substance abuse disorder and support groups.

The Adams Revitalization Committee received $500 that will be utilized to assist with the costs of musicians and promoting the 2018 Adams Community Concert Series. The summer concert series are free, open to the public, cover a variety of musical genres, and generally attracts an average of 250 people per show. The 2018 concert series will mark its fourth year.

The Union Academy of Belleville was awarded $500 in support of the renovation to the historic Union Academy bell tower, a well-known landmark in the Six Town area.

The Mannsville Free Library received $250 to advance the “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” program which encourages teamwork, kindness, and awareness of diversity. The program was held last year at Mannsville Free Library with approximately 40 adults and children in attendance. The grant funding will be used to purchase materials that are part of the program experience.

The Henderson Historical Society received $200 toward the purchase of maple trees that will beautify the society’s walking trail. The trees will be planted this spring.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.