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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Deadline Extended for School-Based Character Education Grant Proposals

October 28, 2022 By admin

Up to $1,000 in Funding Available through the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity of the Community Foundation

     WATERTOWN — School districts pursuing grant funding to support character education, bullying prevention, and social media safety programs are encouraged to apply by Friday, Dec. 2, to the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity of the Northern New York Community Foundation. Up to $1,000 in funding is available this year.

     The charitable fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2015 to provide resources for key educational programs that raise awareness of bullying in local schools and communities. The fund also supports professional development initiatives to educate school administrators, teachers, faculty, and staff about bullying and ways to identify and prevent it. Projects and initiatives that promote leadership development, student responsibility, respect, and trust for the community are key focus areas as well. 

     Since 2018, five grants totaling nearly $3,000 have been awarded to school-based programs designed to increase student experiences in music, create campus-wide awareness campaigns, and build student confidence and engagement.

Daniel J. Briggs

     “Daniel’s fund is available to support character programs and focused curriculum to raise awareness and build respect among students,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director. “Funding may also serve as a catalyst for a first-time project or program that will make a difference on campus and in the community.”

     All funding applications must be completed through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at nnycf.org/grants. Grant awards will be determined in December and, in most cases, announced in early January.

     The deadline to apply for funding consideration is Friday, Dec. 2. Contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, 315-782-7110, or max@nnycf.org, to share questions and learn more about this opportunity.

     Daniel J. Briggs was a student at Thousand Islands High School when he passed away unexpectedly in March 2014 just two months before his 17th birthday. Since Daniel’s passing, his family has worked to foster change in local schools and help combat bullying among youths. 

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.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

Attention parents, teachers, and youth leaders: Do you know a Jefferson County student who will be a high school freshman this fall?

The Community Foundation is hosting its first summer Youth Philanthropy Experience the week of July 27 and there’s still room for students to secure a seat!

This unique weeklong summer experience is exclusively for students who live in Jefferson County and are entering ninth grade this fall. Participants will learn about giving back to their community through volunteerism, leadership, grantmaking, and other ways they can help nonprofit organizations working to strengthen our communities.

Hear all the details in a Tunes Ninetytwofive interview with Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil at on.soundcloud.com/KIihmt5qgNe0Q2PNpO

Interested students should visit nnycf.org/summer-ype to obtain an application and apply today.

#NNYCF #Leadership #YouthDevelopment #SummerExperience #YPE #YPC
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Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience

nnycf.org

Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience Advisor Leslie Renzi, far right, leads Youth Philanthropy Council students in a team-building activity in 2023. (Kara Dry Photography) New Summer ‘Youth Philanth...
2 days ago
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Congratulations to Sackets Harbor senior Tanner J. Antonson, the 2026 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award.

Ranked seventh in his class, Tanner was awarded a $1,000 Community Foundation scholarship during the districts High School Academic Recognition night this month. He plans to attend the University of New Haven, Connecticut, this fall to study forensic science.

Tanner also completed the criminal justice program at Jeff-Lewis BOCES and was active in the student-led program Skills USA. He aspires to work in the criminal justice field as a forensic investigator. Tanner is the son of Michelle Lunderman, Sackets Harbor.

Given by Gabriel Renzi and Dr. Eugene and Joyce Renzi and family, the Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award was established at the Community Foundation in 2022 in Laurie’s memory to honor her life and perpetuate her legacy of kindness and positivity. A school guidance counselor, Laurie passed away in August 2021 at the age of 57.

Pictured, from left: Laurie’s mother, Joyce Renzi; award recipient Tanner Antonson; Laurie’s sister, Jennifer Renzi Kelly, and Jennifer’s husband, Bo Kelly.

We are grateful to the Renzi family for choosing us as the permanent home of Laurie’s legacy and this meaningful award that embodies her character.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacies #SacketsPatriots #CLassOf2026

Congratulations to Sackets Harbor senior Tanner J. Antonson, the 2026 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award.

Ranked seventh in his class, Tanner was awarded a $1,000 Community Foundation scholarship during the district's High School Academic Recognition night this month. He plans to attend the University of New Haven, Connecticut, this fall to study forensic science.

Tanner also completed the criminal justice program at Jeff-Lewis BOCES and was active in the student-led program Skills USA. He aspires to work in the criminal justice field as a forensic investigator. Tanner is the son of Michelle Lunderman, Sackets Harbor.

Given by Gabriel Renzi and Dr. Eugene and Joyce Renzi and family, the Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award was established at the Community Foundation in 2022 in Laurie’s memory to honor her life and perpetuate her legacy of kindness and positivity. A school guidance counselor, Laurie passed away in August 2021 at the age of 57.

Pictured, from left: Laurie’s mother, Joyce Renzi; award recipient Tanner Antonson; Laurie’s sister, Jennifer Renzi Kelly, and Jennifer’s husband, Bo Kelly.

We are grateful to the Renzi family for choosing us as the permanent home of Laurie’s legacy and this meaningful award that embodies her character.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacies #SacketsPatriots #CLassOf2026
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Congratulations, Tanner!!

Congratulations 👏

Congratulations

Congratulations! 🎉

Congratulations Tanner!

Congratulations Tanner!

Congratulations Tanner.

Congratulations Tanner!! 🎉

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The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that a group of donors have come together to make possible the free use of Watertown's two outdoor city pools for the season.

The Foundation, together Watertown Savings Bank Bank, local developer Jake Johnson, the Jane Deline Foundation, and dozens of individual donors, have generously provided support that will ensure free swimming throughout the summer.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/city-pools-f#NNYCFN#ThoughtfulGivingi#collaborationa#grassrootsgivingiving
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Community Foundation collaborates with donors to ensure free swimming at city pools

www.nnycf.org

Community Foundation collaborates with donors to ensure free swimming at city pools June 18, 2026 By admin Grassroots effort matched by major gifts will allow city to cancel planned fee WATERTOWN — ...
1 week ago
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This is why we love this community! Thank you!!

Amazing 👏

Love this💕💕💕

This is awesome! So thankful for the community donors. My kids are forever grateful for your generosity.

Now this, is awesome!

The kids should always be grateful for people like that too

Thank you so much, to all the donors! 😊❤️

Thank You to a generous and supportive community!❤️🌟

Very nice !!! Thank you.

Fantastic. Kudos to all who donated. Thank you from all the families who need this free recreation this summer!!!

Wonderful news.

That is so amazing! What a beautiful community we have.

Amazing job

This is amazing news! Thank you to all who donated!

AWESOME!!!👏🏼

What a wonderful gesture! ❤️

Amazing!!!! Thank you to all the Donors!!!

AMAZING!

So happy to hear this news! Watertown is so fortunate to have the NNYCF 🙂

That is wonderful!

Such a thoughtful and caring gift to the community.

City is a bunch of crooks

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