A unique funding opportunity designed to augment economic development opportunities is now available through a grant application to the Jefferson Economic Development Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The charitable purpose of the Jefferson Economic Development Fund is to support programs, projects and efforts which promote economic development and general welfare within Jefferson County. The fund was established in 1958 as the Jefferson County Chambers of Commerce. A group of regional business leaders created the non-profit entity to help encourage economic development and growth. The Community Foundation administers the charitable fund.

Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)3 classification are eligible to apply. If other organizations or agencies do not have this classification, they are required to partner with an eligible non-profit, municipality, or local agency to serve as a fiscal sponsor.

This year, up to $8,500 is available to be awarded from the Jefferson Economic Development Fund. Potential grant requests may focus on economic development areas such as workforce development, job creation, community investment, and more. The deadline to submit a grant proposal for consideration is October 31, 2018.

Please contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, to obtain the grant application or learn more about this funding opportunity. He may be reached at (315) 782-7110 or 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 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.

# # #

Slack Chemical Company, Inc. recently made a generous $20,000 gift to the charitable fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation supporting the Thompson Park splash pad project in Watertown. The project is being led by the Friends of Thompson Park, which is a local committee of community leaders interested in the park’s past and future. The Friends of Thompson Park have been conducting a community campaign to provide support for the splash pad project. The spray park is scheduled to be completed and open next month.

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 approved a $20,000 matching grant to help establish and build an endowment fund for the Alexandria Bay Chapter of the Foundation for Community Betterment.

The Community Foundation has officially partnered with the Foundation for Community Betterment in Alexandria Bay to support the organization’s future with the creation of a permanent endowment fund. The Community Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, any money raised by the Foundation for Community Betterment up to $20,000. An endowment at the Community Foundation will allow the Foundation for Community Betterment to provide greater options for their supporters to ensure that their important work and mission will go on for generations and stay local. The Foundation for Community Betterment joins over 50 other organizations in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties that have partnered with the Community Foundation in this way.

“Our organization and events have been going on for almost 20 years. We have three generations of volunteers that make up our local chapter. This partnership with the Community Foundation represents the next step in our evolution and guarantees that we will have presence in our community, forever.” said Trevor Garlock, board member of the Foundation for Community Betterment, Alexandria Bay chapter.

The Foundation for Community Betterment in Alexandria Bay has been raising money and hosting fundraising events in the Thousand Islands region since 2000. These funds are generally used to help individuals or local organizations in need. Recipients of these funds must be recommended by someone in the Foundation’s network of supporters, possess philanthropic spirit, and the funds must make an immediate and specific difference to that individual or organization.

“This partnership is a natural linking of organizations of similar purpose, with a special geographic-specific emphasis. We think that as important as their work is now, it will be just as important in the future. This fund will help ensure that goal can be achieved and sustained on a local level,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director.

Upcoming events for the Foundation for Community Betterment of Alexandria Bay are Alex Bay’s annual Paddle, golf, tennis, and bike on July 27th & 28th, and Chippewa Bay’s Paddle for a Purpose on August 18th. Details can be found on their website: www.communitybetterment.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.

# # #

Watertown Savings Bank recently made a generous $15,000 gift to the charitable fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation supporting the Thompson Park splash pad project in Watertown. The project is being led by the Friends of Thompson Park, which is a local committee of community leaders interested in the park’s past and future. The Friends of Thompson Park have been conducting a community campaign to provide support for the splash pad project. The spray park is scheduled to be completed and open next month. 

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 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.

# # #