Grant Funding Will Strengthen Quality of Life for St. Lawrence County Residents
WATERTOWN — Twelve St. Lawrence County nonprofit organizations will share $52,900 in grant funding from the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation to strengthen the quality of life for all residents across the county.
The Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund was established through a bequest from Dr. Badenhausen, a St. Lawrence County resident and retired physician who passed away in 2018 at age 83. Dr. Badenhausen believed in the strength of community and was a passionate advocate for the people and places in the region she loved and called home. This charitable fund forever continues her legacy of caring for others while thoughtfully perpetuating her interests and passions in responsible ways with a geographic-specific focus on improving the quality of life in St. Lawrence County.
“This fund reflects Dr. Badenhausen’s commitment to helping others and the lasting value of thoughtful charitable planning,” said Kraig Everard, director of philanthropy. “It’s a powerful example of how a legacy gift can continue to support communities, adapt to evolving needs, and make a meaningful difference over time.”
Grant funding is awarded annually to qualified nonprofit organizations whose missions and efforts align with the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund objectives, which include the general health and well-being of residents, arts and culture programs, education initiatives, and conservation and wildlife preservation programs.
The Community Foundation’s board of directors recently approved the following grant awards:
- Massena Arts & Theatre Association, $10,000 to help advance restoration of the historic Schine Theater, transforming a long-vacant downtown landmark into a vibrant arts and community hub. The project is expected to drive tourism, support local businesses, and anchor Massena’s ongoing downtown revitalization.
- Community Health Center of the North Country, $8,900 to help equip pediatric exam rooms with modern diagnostic tools and calming, child-friendly features, improving care for thousands of young patients. The investment will enhance patient experience, reduce anxiety, and support better health outcomes across underserved communities.
- Massena Public Library, $7,500 for new display systems to allow the library to host more frequent and dynamic art exhibits in partnership with local and regional artists. The project will expand cultural access and create a welcoming space for community engagement through the arts.
- North Country Children’s Museum, $5,000 for a new interactive bobsled exhibit that will give children hands-on opportunities to explore engineering and physics concepts. The addition strengthens STEAM learning and enriches the museum’s role as a hub for family education.
- Frederic Remington Art Museum, $5,000 to support a three-day Remington Symposium that will bring scholars, students, and the public together to celebrate and explore the artist’s legacy. The event will deepen cultural engagement and elevate the museum’s role in regional arts education.
- St. Lawrence County Arts Council, $5,000 to launch a youth theater program that engages students in writing, performance, and design, culminating in public performances. The initiative builds creative skills while connecting young people and audiences through the arts.
- Norwood Brass Firemen, $5,000 to complete essential upgrades to the band’s newly acquired bus, ensuring safe, reliable travel for performances across the region. The investment helps sustain a beloved tradition that brings music and community pride to North Country events.
- St. Lawrence County Historical Association, $2,500 to help expand student internship participation in community events and festivals, strengthening outreach and public engagement. The project helps connect more residents and visitors with the region’s history and culture.
- Norfolk Concert Series, $1,000 to help sustain a free summer concert series and youth theater program, offering accessible arts experiences for families. The series enhances community life and draws audiences to shared cultural events.
- Bayside Cemetery Association, $1,000 to help restore a historic cemetery structure while offering a hands-on masonry workshop for community participants. The project preserves local heritage and builds
appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. - Brasher Falls Central School District, $1,000 to support the high school robotics club, enabling students to design, build, and compete in regional competitions. The program strengthens STEM learning and prepares students for future academic and career opportunities.
- Whole Learners, $1,000 to help provide educational field trips that connect students with local history, nature, and community resources. The experience will broaden learning opportunities while fostering confidence, curiosity, and civic engagement.
Since the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund began grantmaking efforts in 2020, it has awarded nearly $446,000 in grant funding to support 49 projects at more than two-dozen St. Lawrence County organizations, enhancing the general health and well-being of residents, arts and culture programs, education initiatives, and conservation and wildlife preservation programs.
Applications for 2026 funding from the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund will be made available August 1, 2026, with up to $60,000 available. Qualified organizations whose missions and efforts align with the fund’s charitable purposes may apply for support.
Contact Emily Pfeil, Community Foundation philanthropy associate, emily@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, to learn more about this opportunity. Applications for 2026 grant funding will be made available through the Community Foundation’s online grant portal at bit.ly/grant-portal.
About Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen
Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen made the North Country her home in 1975 following years of medical education and work as a researcher and physician. She quickly grew to cherish the region’s people as friends, serving all to whom she provided medical care with dignity and respect. “Dr. Susan,” as she was known to her many patients and friends, grew up on Staten Island, New York, and graduated from Connecticut College, New London, in 1957. In 1971, she earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine, after several years working as a research professional at Columbia University. Shortly after she settled in St. Lawrence County, Dr. Badenhausen established a medical practice with her partner, Joann M. Spatafora.
Dr. Badenhausen’s contributions to health care in St. Lawrence County are extensive: She was the physician director for the Potsdam Nursing Home; a physician for Sunmount Residential Center in Massena; school physician for Parishville-Hopkinton Central School; a public health officer for the towns of Brasher, Stockholm, Hopkinton, and Lawrence; served on the St. Lawrence County Board of Health; and a longtime member of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital medical staff.
She maintained a keen interest in the health and well-being of her community, advocating for access to culture and education. Dr. Badenhausen remained one of the few physicians anywhere who still made house calls, even in the middle of a North Country winter. Her black leather medical bag was always packed and ready in her Brasher Falls home.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.