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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Grant Funding Opportunity Supports Local School-Based Character Education Programs

November 7, 2024 By admin

Up to $2,500 in Available for Tri-County Schools through the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity

     WATERTOWN — Tri-county school districts seeking support for character education programs, social me-dia safety initiatives, and bullying prevention are encouraged to apply to the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     Applications for grant funding that focus on character education and efforts to create positive student environments on school campuses will receive priority consideration. Up to $2,500 is currently available with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

     The charitable fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2015 to provide support for character education programs and thoughtful initiatives that create positive student learning environments in local school districts.

     The fund may also support professional development opportunities for school district administrators, teachers, staff, and employees that relate to character education, bullying prevention, and social media safety programs. Program examples meeting these criteria may focus on, but are not limited to: Leadership, student responsibility, respect, and trust for community.

     “We are excited to be able to increase the available grant funding for The Daniel Briggs Fund for Integrity so more schools may benefit from Daniel’s legacy of positive change and kindness,” Daniel’s mother, Amy Briggs said.

     Since 2018, eight grants totaling nearly $5,000 have been awarded to school-based programs designed to increase student experiences in music, build student confidence and engagement, and create campus-wide awareness campaigns.

    “As schools seek funding to create positive learning experiences, Daniel’s charitable fund is an important resource,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director. “Presentations, assemblies, workshops and more may be appropriate fits for his fund. Daniel’s legacy through his fund will continue to be a catalyst for lasting change.”

     All funding applications must be completed through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at bit.ly/grant-portal. Grant award decisions will be made quarterly based on funding availability.

     Contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, 315-782-7110, or max@nnycf.org, to 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 by supporting positive student experiences and promoting safe campus environments.

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.

Together with the Italian-American Civic Association, we are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the William I. Graf Award. 

Watertown High School seniors Marra Dickinson was selected as the women’s recipient, and Maddox J. Corey was named as the men’s honoree this year.

We are honored to help the Graf family and the Italian-American Civic Association steward this highly cherished and storied legacy award. We look forward to seeing these three talented student athletes continue their journeys on and off the athletic field as they advance to undergraduate studies this fall.

Complete details: nnycf.org/2026-graf-award

Top photo, from left: Watertown High School seniors and 2026 William I. Graf Award recipients Marra Dickinson and Maddox J. Corey. 

Bottom left photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Marra Dickinson; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace. 

Bottom right photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Maddox J. Corey; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace. 

#NNYCF #ClassOf2026 #GrafAward #WHS #IACA #ThoughtfulLegacyImage attachmentImage attachment

Together with the Italian-American Civic Association, we are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the William I. Graf Award.

Watertown High School seniors Marra Dickinson was selected as the women’s recipient, and Maddox J. Corey was named as the men’s honoree this year.

We are honored to help the Graf family and the Italian-American Civic Association steward this highly cherished and storied legacy award. We look forward to seeing these three talented student athletes continue their journeys on and off the athletic field as they advance to undergraduate studies this fall.

Complete details: nnycf.org/2026-graf-award

Top photo, from left: Watertown High School seniors and 2026 William I. Graf Award recipients Marra Dickinson and Maddox J. Corey.

Bottom left photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Marra Dickinson; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

Bottom right photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Maddox J. Corey; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2026 #GrafAward #WHS #IACA #ThoughtfulLegacy
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6 days ago
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Congrats to the both of them. Keep killing it Marra and Maddox

Congratulations 👏🎉

Congratulations to you both!

Do they honor IHC?

Congrats to Marra and Maddox! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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Thank you to Stewarts Shops for the generous gift. Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott recently invited us to her store for a grant presentation.

The gift is from the Stewart’s Holiday Match program, an annual initiative from Thanksgiving to Christmas when Stewart’s Shops matches customer donations, dollar-for-dollar, to support local children and youth nonprofit initiatives.

The program raised more than $1.8 million in 2025 to help fund nonprofit organizations, schools, and churches in their service areas. We are grateful to be a recipient of a Holiday Match grant. 

Pictured, from left: Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil; Youth Philanthropy Council member and Watertown High School junior Hudson Guldenpfennig; and Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott.

#NNYCF #StewartsShops #HolidayMatch #FriendsOfTheFoundation

Thank you to Stewart's Shops for the generous gift. Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott recently invited us to her store for a grant presentation.

The gift is from the Stewart’s Holiday Match program, an annual initiative from Thanksgiving to Christmas when Stewart’s Shops matches customer donations, dollar-for-dollar, to support local children and youth nonprofit initiatives.

The program raised more than $1.8 million in 2025 to help fund nonprofit organizations, schools, and churches in their service areas. We are grateful to be a recipient of a Holiday Match grant.

Pictured, from left: Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil; Youth Philanthropy Council member and Watertown High School junior Hudson Guldenpfennig; and Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott.

#NNYCF #StewartsShops #HolidayMatch #FriendsOfTheFoundation
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1 week ago
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St. Lawrence County organizations seeking funding support from the Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation: There is still time to RSVP for a grant workshop.
 
Four workshops in different St. Lawrence County communities are scheduled throughout the month of June. Those interested in attending any workshop should RSVP online at bit.ly/Rock-Workshops

The Rock Charitable Fund is accepting grant applications through Friday, September 4, 2026. Up to $150,000 in funding is available this year. Complete details, including how to apply: nnycf.org/rock-workshops-26

#NNYCF #StLawrenceCounty #ThoughtfulLegacies

St. Lawrence County organizations seeking funding support from the Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation: There is still time to RSVP for a grant workshop.

Four workshops in different St. Lawrence County communities are scheduled throughout the month of June. Those interested in attending any workshop should RSVP online at bit.ly/Rock-Workshops

The Rock Charitable Fund is accepting grant applications through Friday, September 4, 2026. Up to $150,000 in funding is available this year. Complete details, including how to apply: nnycf.org/rock-workshops-26

#NNYCF #StLawrenceCounty #thoughtfullegacies
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3 weeks ago
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