In November 2016, lifelong Watertown resident William P. “Bill” Plante passed away after a brave three-year battle with cancer. Bill’s community service accomplishments for the past three decades were numerous, as he had been deeply involved in supporting the local community in many ways.  Bill was a constant – always there, always dependable, and always dedicated to support his local church, local schools, youth lacrosse and any other community action that needed his help.  Bill willingly donated his time, his common-sense approach to solving problems and his engineering expertise.  He did it all – from the simple things, like fixing a broken fan belt for a friend, to complicated large-scale projects, such as the safe removal of asbestos insulation from a school classroom, the planning and installation of a playground, and even a complete sports field project.

The William P. Plante Memorial Fund is being established with the Northern New York Community Foundation to honor Mr. Plante and to carry on his legacy of selflessly giving back to the area. The fund will support community projects and provide an annual scholarship that will be awarded to local high school students who demonstrate a passion for contributing to the community.

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The Northern New York Community Foundation and Stage Notes are combining forces to launch a new giving challenge which will provide Jefferson County middle school students with the opportunity to compete for a total of $10,000 in community grants to area organizations by year’s end. Students who will be in grades 7 and 8 in September will be asked to participate by submitting an essay describing what the word “community” means to them. They will then recommend a local charitable organization that they feel helps support their definition of community. A committee will judge the applications and various grant amounts will be awarded, which the students will present to their chosen organizations.

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Non-profit organizations providing critical programs and services to citizens in the Clayton and Cape Vincent communities are encouraged to review and apply for grant support through two funds at the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The deadline to submit a proposal through either the Dale Kenyon Community Fund or the Lighthouse Fund at the Community Foundation is Friday.

Since being established in 2013, the Dale Kenyon Community Fund has supported a variety of non-profit projects impacting residents living in the village and town of Clayton. Last year, three grants totaling $5,000 were awarded to augment the mission and work of the Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service, Clayton Council of Churches Food Pantry, and the Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization. Past recipients also include the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund at the Clayton Opera House and the Depauville Free Library. This year, up to $5,000 in grant funding is available.

The Lighthouse Fund was created in 2014 to assist non-profit organizations helping underserved and vulnerable populations living in the Clayton and Cape Vincent communities. With a $1,000 grant, the Cape Vincent Improvement League expanded on the development of a community garden in the village. A $1,000 matching grant was also awarded to the Cape Vincent Food Pantry to build support for their agency during the holiday season. Up to $2,000 is available from the Lighthouse Fund this year.

The Community Foundation encourages non-profit organizations in the Clayton and Cape Vincent communities to consider this valuable geographic resource. Please contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, to learn more about these funding opportunities or to obtain the grant guidelines for either fund. You may reach him at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org.

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 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.

Community philanthropy has played a major role in the growth, transformation and evolution of Northern New York. Generations of individuals, families, organizations, businesses and others have demonstrated philanthropy in many forms to help create the identity for area communities in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

To share and preserve stories of community philanthropy, the Northern New York Community Foundation and WPBS-DT have launched the “Northern New York Community Podcast: Stories from the Heart of Our Community.” The media project features a series of individual interviews about personal and citizen philanthropy and its meaningful impact in the North Country.

“We feel strongly that capturing the diverse stories of those who have chosen to make a difference is important. It serves to not only preserve and celebrate the North Country’s great tradition of civic responsibility, but it also serves to be an enduring inspirational force for future generations as they contemplate the ways they will make help change our communities for the better,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

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The Northern New York Community Foundation invites non-profit organizations or government entities to apply for up to $20,000 in grant funding for any live orchestral music performances to be held in the Watertown area. The concerts must take place after September 1, 2017, but before July 31, 2018. The fund is made possible through the Community Foundation’s orchestral music endowment for Watertown area performances.

Eligible organizations for this funding opportunity must have at least 20 performers and are required to have an instrumental component. Past recipients include the Orchestra of Northern New York, Trinity Concert Series, and Northern Choral Society among others for their respective concert seasons or local performances in Watertown. The deadline to submit a grant application for consideration is no later than April 21, 2017. For more information, please contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org.

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.