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Jefferson County SPCA – $5,000:  This funding will help replace outdated surgical equipment that will enhance surgical operations for animals at the shelter.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

Additional $10,000 Will Establish Permanent Maintenance and Enhancement Fund

The Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded $20,000 in total support of a community park and fountain restoration project the village of Canton.

The Community Foundation’s grant is awarded in two parts. A $10,000 matching challenge grant is being offered to build community campaign support for the next phase of the restoration project. The Foundation will match all gifts made as part of the second phase, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. The second piece of funding is a $10,000 grant to establish a permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation for future upkeep, maintenance and enhancements related to the project. This charitable fund helps create a stable source of funding to maintain the refurbished park in perpetuity.

Citizens, organizations and businesses in and around the Village of Canton have demonstrated tremendous support for preserving and restoring the treasured community feature. The Community Foundation hopes to play an integral role in creating a second wave of community support by offering a matching opportunity for the remaining phases.

“Because of generous Community Foundation donors from across the region and St. Lawrence County, we are able to make grants for things that make our communities better places to live, work and grow,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director. “We are committed to helping move the next phase forward and also provide long-term support for maintaining the improvements,” he said.

Since 2016, community members from First Presbyterian Church in Canton and Village representatives have started the execution of a three-phase plan to restore the village park on Main Street in Canton. The land was donated for the park in the 1840’s, and over time, became a recognized as a historic district on the National Register in 1975. The park is owned by the church and maintained by the village. The three phases of restoration include structural improvements to the fountain, removal and planting of trees in the park footprint, and installing new stone pavers. The park is the symbolic center of the community and hosts a variety of year-round community activities and events.

Recently, the project committee successfully reached a fundraising milestone, reaching $104,000 raised through February. This will help the project’s first phase get under way this spring. They expect work to continue on the project through next year.

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 will be a leadership supporter of the upcoming season for the Norwood Village Green Concert Series.

The Community Foundation’s board of directors awarded a $5,000 grant to enhance the variety of arts performances presented through the series. Heading into its 45th year, the Norwood Village Green Concert Series has become a staple of summer living in St. Lawrence County.

“The series has become one of those things that helps make the North County special. Their efforts to bring these experiences to the citizens of the area is something we feel is important to support. It also helps build upon our past investments in upgrades to their equipment infrastructure,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

The Norwood Village Green Concert Series is a free-to-the-public, outdoor concert series which not only brings world class musicians to entertain and bring the community together. It also impacts student learning experiences by providing performing, audience, and workshop opportunities via its programs for Norwood-Norfolk and surrounding schools. It also benefits other non-profits in the area by providing a venue for the Norwood Kiwanis to run a concession, and for the Altar and Rosary Society to run an ice cream social.

“The Northern New York Community Foundation’s grant in support of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series 45^th Anniversary season is an example of the North County’s larger community confirming the efforts of its smaller communities either in times of need, or just as importantly in times when visionary efforts are presented, [as happened] several years ago when the series envisioned an upgrade to its lighting system. Northern New York Community Foundation gave it 40 percent of the initial costs and the series supplied the other 60 percent using other means. We are lucky to have the ability here locally to have the backing of the foundation in all it does for all of us.” said Joe Liotta, president and founding director of the concert series. “This grant will assist us in sustaining our efforts. We are lucky to have the ability here locally to have the backing of the Foundation in all it does for all of us. For our part we will continue to present the very best in both touring and local performing artists in a free-to-the-public outdoor setting.”

The Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Norwood Village Green Concert Series in 2014 to support sustainable upgrades to its lighting instruments, which helped enhance performances.

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 Thousand Islands Foundation, a component fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation, has scholarships available for eligible students. Students from Alexandria, LaFargeville, Lyme, and Thousand Islands Central schools are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Applications must be received in the office of TI Central no later than 5:00 pm on May 11, 2018 to be considered.

The Thousand Islands Foundation was established in 2002 to provide college and trade school scholarships for qualified individuals. In 2014, the Foundation became a component fund of The Northern New York Community Foundation. The Thousand Islands Foundation exists to raise and distribute resources to create, enrich, and expand scholarship opportunities to maximize success for Thousand Islands area students and graduates. The Foundation is led by a volunteer advisory board representing the communities of the Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands Foundation has awarded over $252,000 in scholarships since its inception.

“We are grateful for the ability to continue to work with the donors and TI Foundation advisory board to assist more students and also work with donors to grow the number of scholarships awarded. We want to continue to build upon the vision and generosity of the Lechler family and all those who have helped make the TI Foundation what it is today and protect that legacy for generations to come,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director. In recent years, donors have established new scholarships to add to the TI Foundation family of funds.

Applications may be obtained from the school counselor’s office of Alexandria Bay, LaFargeville, Lyme, and Thousand Islands Centrals schools, or on the web at www.thousandislandsfoundation.org or https://www.nnycf.org/scholarships/scholarships-available/.

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.