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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Community Foundation’s LEAD Council Kicks Off ‘Canstruction’ Competition, Invites Schools to Join

March 16, 2023 By admin

Project Takes Aim at Food Insecurity by Helping to Restock Region’s Food Pantries, Backpack Programs

     WATERTOWN — The LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation invites local students at tri-county schools and organized student groups in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to participate in a creative and impactful project to help reduce food insecurity across the North Country.

     “Canstruction for Northern New York” is a group activity to encourage students to team up and construct a fun, themed structure made of donated canned food and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products to support a local food pantry or backpack program of their choice. 

     Joining the competition is easy through an online registration at bit.ly/CanstructionRegistration. Teams must register to participate by Monday, March 27, and select the local food pantry or backpack program that will receive team donations.

     “I’m really looking forward to seeing what our local students will do to participate in this endeavor and help meet the needs of local food pantries and backpack programs,” said Kerry Kennett, LEAD Council member and South Jefferson Central School math teacher.

     Participating students will have a chance to support essential needs for local residents while learning values of community philanthropy and building school spirit around a project that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Overall, the project aims to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our communities. The initiative will empower students to collaborate and inspire their school and community to join in the effort.

     Examples of canstruction projects may be found on the project web page at bit.ly/CanstructionNNY. Canstruction teams will compete for one of three chances to present a $500 grant to a nonprofit they care about most. A winning team will be named in the following three categories: “Top Collection Award” (most items donated/collected), “Best Design Award,” and “People’s Choice Award” (selected by an online vote).

     Each winning team will award a $500 grant to their chosen federally classified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, at max@nnycf.org for additional guidelines on nonprofit selection. 

     All canstruction projects must be submitted by Friday, April 21. Complete project rules, including a sample planning calendar with key project deadlines, is available on the project web page at bit.ly/CanstructionNNY. The Community Foundation will provide a follow-up form to each registrant explaining the process for project submissions.

Members of the Northern New York Community Foundation LEAD Council gather at the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to plan for the “Canstruction” project and organize initial pantry items. Pictured, from left, LEAD Council Chair Andrew Boulter and his son, Jack, Watertown; LEAD members Erin Simser, Watertown, Bridget Fetterly, Deferiet, and Allison Roselle, Clayton; LEAD Vice Chair Anna Platz, Carthage; and LEAD members Marc Piche, Carthage, and Jessica Piatt Walczyk, Watertown.

About the LEAD Council

     The LEAD Council was chartered in 2014 as advisory committee of the Northern New York Community Foundation empowered to identify and address strategic needs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. The Council is comprised of 18 young professionals who live and work in the tri-county area with an interest in enhancing the quality of life for all in the North Country. LEAD is an acronym that reflects four important guiding principles of the Community Foundation’s work: Leadership, Engagement, Access, and Direction.

     The Council works to gain a deeper understanding of community needs, issues, and the nonprofit sector to augment the Community Foundation’s mission and work. Since its inception, the LEAD Council has developed several creative initiatives to benefit the community and region. Strategic efforts include its “LEADing the Way” volunteer program, enhancements to child care and early childhood development

programs, hyper-local support for anti-poverty initiatives, community giving challenges, and building philanthropic values in the region’s schools through student-led projects.

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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ATTENTION CLASS OF 2025 students, parents, teachers, counselors, and class advisors: Now is the time for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County students to apply for post-secondary educational support.

Apply today at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships

Questions? Contact Mary Perrine, Community Foundation coordinator of partnerships, maryp@nnycf.org, or Tara Hess, stewardship & donor services associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2025 #Scholarships

ATTENTION CLASS OF 2025 students, parents, teachers, counselors, and class advisors: Now is the time for Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County students to apply for post-secondary educational support.

Apply today at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships

Questions? Contact Mary Perrine, Community Foundation coordinator of partnerships, maryp@nnycf.org, or Tara Hess, stewardship & donor services associate, tara@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2025 #Scholarships
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Thanks to donors like YOU, the LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation made the holiday season shine a little brighter for tri-county seniors!

Through LEAD's Holiday Giving Fund match, nearly $5,500 was raised to help make the holidays special for seniors in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Meals on Wheels at Watertown Urban Mission, the Santa for Seniors program at Lowville Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels at St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging each received $1,832 in support.

Complete details below.

We are grateful for all who support Community Foundation programs like the LEAD Council and initiatives that make a direct and meaningful impact across the regi#NNYCFN#lead##leadingthewayheWay
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LEAD Council Holiday Giving Fund Awards Nearly $5,500 to Brighten Season Across the Region

nnycf.org

LEAD Council Holiday Giving Fund Awards Nearly $5,500 to Brighten Season Across the Region December 26, 2024 By admin Young Professionals Aid Senior Programs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Coun...
4 months ago
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The Watertown-based manufacturer behind Little Trees air fresheners recently established the CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation.

Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded quarterly throughout the calendar year. Eligible nonprofit organizations may submit one application per year, with grant awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000 per application.

This year, applications must focus on educational initiatives, including but not limited to libraries, child care, and preschool programs, career training, vocational and technical education, and similar projects that enhance educational opportunities within Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

The deadline for first-quarter 2025 grant applications is Friday, January 24, 2025. Visit bit.ly/grant-portal to access the Community Foundation’s online grant portal.

Complete details below.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulGiving #Partnerships #Grantmaking
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CAR-FRESHNER Corp. Establishes Charitable Partnership With the Community Foundation

nnycf.org

CAR-FRESHNER Corp. Establishes Charitable Partnership With the Community Foundation December 23, 2024 By admin New Charitable Fund Will Support Various Community Projects and Initiatives Through Quart...
4 months ago
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Thank you, Car Freshener!

Becky Taylor

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