The Northern New York Community Foundation recently approved a $5,000 grant to support the playground revitalization project in the village of Deferiet.

The Community Foundation’s support comes as the village prepares a community build for the playground and the official opening later this month. The project will update the multi-purpose site with new playground equipment, a small picnic area and refreshed tennis and basketball courts. The playground will serve as a recreational and family-friendly venue for residents in the village and neighboring communities.

“The Community Foundation is pleased to be able to invest in a community that we have a history of supporting, and for whom this project means so much. It is always especially meaningful to be able to support a grassroots effort, led by the citizens, to make good things happen in smaller communities,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director.

“Having the generous support of the Northern New York Community Foundation toward the end will provide the much-needed funding and motivation to make this effort a complete success,” said Nancy Dutton, village trustee and project coordinator. “Without this funding, we would not be able to fully complete our playground to make it an aesthetically pleasing gathering space for our village residents and those in surrounding areas. We are profoundly appreciative.”

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the playground community build, which is scheduled to begin Thursday, July 19. Interested volunteers may call Ms. Dutton at (315) 493-4709 or contact the Village of Deferiet at (315) 493-2707. A village picnic and ribbon cutting ceremony for the playground will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 27. 

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.

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Local organizations in the southern Jefferson County towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman, and Worth are encouraged to apply for a grant through the Six Town Community Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The Six Town Community Fund supports projects, programs, and activities that enhance the quality of life in the targeted communities.  Up to $5,000 in grant support is available through the community fund this year. Applications will be due November 15, 2018.

Organizations with a 501(c)3 non-profit classification are eligible to apply. Other agencies, community groups, or individuals seeking a fiscal sponsor for a community project are encouraged to partner with an eligible non-profit or the nearest municipality. Eligible organizations are encouraged to begin identifying potential projects for 2019, developing project budgets, and additional funding sources for their request. Grant recipients will be determined in December.

Over the last three years, the Six Town Community Fund has awarded $15,000 in grant funding to twenty two community projects benefiting residents in the southern Jefferson County area. The community fund was established in 2013 through the generosity of several donors to serve as a permanent, charitable resource impacting the region forever.

Interested organizations are encouraged to contact the Northern New York Community Foundation at (315) 782-7110 to discuss potential projects.  Inquiries can also be made to Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, via email at max@nnycf.org.

For those with a desire to support the Six Town Community Fund and its charitable purpose, please make a gift to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Please note the “Six Town Community Fund” with your gift. A contribution may also be made 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.

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A dozen local organizations serving the communities of Boonville, Constableville and Westernville are first-time recipients of grant awards from the Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The community fund will award grants totaling $30,000 to support programs and projects that broadly impact the quality of life for residents from the three communities. More than 20 organizations submitted grant requests for consideration in the inaugural year. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer established a community fund through the Community Foundation to provide a permanent philanthropic resource that would enhance the communities they cared about most in perpetuity.

“This community fund established through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer is one of the most meaningful and far-reaching ways to impact the communities they loved,” said Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, Northern New York Community Foundation. “These first grants are a testament to the value of this lasting charitable fund on these communities and to the non-profit organizations providing critical services and enrichment experiences to residents across the area.”

The following organizations received grant funding from the Sawyer Community Fund:

• Boonville Cemetery Association – $6,000 to assist with the digitization of official records for public use and historical research.
  
• Constableville Volunteer Fire Company – $4,400 for the purchase of two new sets of firefighter gear for volunteer members.
• Erwin Library and Institute – $3,025 to support six community events providing artistic, educational and entertainment experiences to the community.
  
• Constableville Library Association – $3,000 to create a “Literacy Station” that will enhance the organization’s summer reading program and help promote and encourage young readers.
• Boonville Youth Athletic Association – $2,500 to support the development of a children’s playground near community baseball and softball fields.
  
• Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce – $2,500 for the purchase of three cameras for the village’s community bandstand to stream live events and enhance security on site.
• Constableville for Tomorrow – $2,000 to assist in building a year-round, barn curtain system to protect the village pavilion.
  
• Boonville Black River Canal Museum – $1,925 to expand upon the organization’s youth volunteer program.
• Constable Hall Association – $1,600 to help upgrade the organization’s computer system and technological infrastructure to enhance efficiency.
  
• Boonville Search and Rescue, Inc. – $1,050 for the purchase of three GPS mapping guides to be utilized for searches and trail tours.
• North Country Proudly Honors, Inc. – $1,000 to assist with the organization’s efforts to recognize local military veterans, active military personnel, and historical wartime figures.
• Adirondack Community Chorus – $1,000 to help purchase music for three community concerts during the organization’s 2018-19 concert season.
  

Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were passionate about the quality of life in their community. Mr. Sawyer was a Boonville native, served in the United States Army, and enjoyed a gratifying career at Layng Furniture Company and as a supervisor at Erwin Park in Boonville. Most notably, he was a talented musician. He played tenor saxophone in high school band and clarinet with the Boonville Village Band. He frequently played with three separate drum and bugle corps in Boonville and Rome. Mr. Sawyer passed away in 2008.

Mrs. Sawyer completed a successful career of over 45 years at Rome Savings Bank. She also served on the finance committee of the Boonville United Methodist Church. She also assisted organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center, the Erwin Library, and the Boonville Cemetery. Mrs. Sawyer passed away in 2015.

The Sawyer Community Fund at the Community Foundation will award grants each year in perpetuity. The application for the next grant cycle will be available in February 2019.

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.

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The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded more than $16,000 in grants to nine area non-profit organizations in support of specific community programs and projects. Each year, the YPC reviews funding requests from agencies in the tri-county area with projects or initiatives that positively impact the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties. In addition to researching and recommending grants, the YPC also discusses a variety of topics, including nonprofit sustainability, donor stewardship, community investment and leadership.

The youth council received and reviewed 20 grant requests during the program year and shared their recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation. The Foundation has coordinated the program for seven years with councils awarding just over 80 grants to charitable organizations totaling $125,740 in the tri-county area. Youth Philanthropy Council is made possible through the generosity of Watertown Savings Bank, Renzi Foodservice Charitable Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, and annual donors to the Friends of the Community Foundation Community Betterment Fund.

“This is one of the most important programs Community Foundation donors make possible each year. In addition to the good work the grants accomplish, this program has such potential for long-term impact on our young adults and our region. We hope this program inspires future generations to remain engaged, involved and supportive of the communities where they live. The program has been in existence long enough now, that we are already seeing alumni coming back and serving our community,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director.

The following Youth Philanthropy Council grants were approved:

Jefferson County SPCA – $5,000:  This funding will help replace outdated surgical equipment that will enhance surgical operations for animals at the shelter.

Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service – $2,040:  This grant will provide support for the organization’s Junior EMS program through 2019. The program gives high school students experiential learning opportunities in the EMS field.

Guitars for Vets – $2,000: This grant will be used to purchase new guitars for graduates of this organization’s Watertown-based chapter. The 10-week program is designed to share the healing power of music with veterans struggling with physical injuries, PTSD and other emotional distress.

Massena Meals on Wheels – $1,800:  This grant will be used to upgrade and update kitchen equipment and the entrance to its facility. These updates will improve efficiency for an organization serving approximately 100 home-bound clients each day.

Resolution Center of Jefferson and Lewis Counties, Inc. – $1,600:  Funding from this grant will be to purchase new furniture, decor, and supplies to enhance the organization’s conflict resolution rooms.

Move Along, Inc. – $1,500: Grant support will assist with the pilot launch of an adaptive cycling program and other recreational opportunities in Watertown for area residents with disabilities.

The Community Lunch Program for Kids, Norwood – $1,000:  This lunch program provides meals to children in need residing in the Norwood, Norfolk and Raymondville communities. The grant will be allocated to support distributions to help feed children during the summer months and outside of regular school days.

Frederic Remington Art Museum – $1,000:  This funding will be used to purchase easels and art supplies to expand their hands-on art studio that will allow people of all ages to experience the joy of creating art.

Community Action Planning Council – $1,000:  The organization is starting a pilot program to assist parents in need with initial childcare costs. Up-front expenses would be provided for up to fifty families through this program. Grant funding will be directed toward the launch of this program.

This year’s council consists of students from Watertown High School, Immaculate Heart Central School (IHC), and Sackets Harbor Central School. Council representatives are:

• Grayden Brunet, Sackets Harbor
• Alicia Cloe, Sackets Harbor
• Dominic Duah, IHC
• Kehinde Fasehun, Watertown
• Madeline Gist, Watertown
• Caroline McPherson, IHC
• Marialena Mouaikel, IHC
• Rozanna Pasowicz, Watertown
• Hannah Pitcher, Sackets Harbor
• Lauryn Quinn, IHC
• Ryder Simser, Watertown

The YPC will convene again beginning at the start of the new school year. Additional members from the three schools will join the Council. The following year, a new school in the area will be added.

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.

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The deadline for non-profit organizations to apply for grant support through the George R. Davis Fund for Lowville at the Northern New York Community Foundation is this Friday, April 20.

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. Last year, seven projects received grant awards between $500 and $3,500.

“This is a terrific geographic resource for non-profit organizations impacting the quality of life in Lowville to consider,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director. “Whether the agency’s mission is focused in human services, arts and culture, education, conservation and environment, or in another sector, a grant from this charitable fund can be far-reaching and broadly support residents in the Lowville area.”

To learn more about the George R. Davis Fund, or receive an application, please contact Mr. DelSignore at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org. Eligible applications must be postmarked by April 20, or be submitted electronically by the deadline date, to be considered.

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.