$250,000 Endowment Matching Challenge, New Capacity Building Grant Opportunity Offered

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is excited to announce a pair of strategic initiatives to support the longevity and capacity of local nonprofits.

     First, the Community Foundation is launching a $250,000 matching commitment to build existing nonprofit endowment funds the Foundation stewards. The Foundation will award ten individual matching grants of $25,000 for each participating organization. Eligible nonprofits must already have an endowment fund at the Community Foundation to participate.

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Up to $3,500 Available for Nonprofit Organizations Serving Greater Theresa Area

     THERESA — Nonprofit organizations serving residents of the greater Theresa area are encouraged to apply for a share of up to $3,500 in funding from the Wilcox Community Fund for Theresa of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     Successful projects, programs or initiatives should have yearlong, meaningful impact and support the quality of life and vibrancy of the greater Theresa area and Indian River Lakes Region of Jefferson County. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, recreational programs, community revitalization and beautification, essential needs, historic preservation, environmental programs, youth development, quality of life activities and projects, and more.

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Tri-County 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders Should Apply by Friday, February 13

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation has extended the deadline for seventh, eighth, and ninth graders to enter the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge. Completed applications must be received or postmarked by Friday, February 13.

     The challenge seeks to engage seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in learning about their communities while they compete for an opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local nonprofit organization of their choice.

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Project Aims to Restock Food Pantries, Backpack Programs, Combat Food Insecurity

     WATERTOWN — The Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation invites local students at tri-county schools and colleges 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.

     The “Canstruction for Northern New York” initiative is back for a fourth year under the leadership of the Youth Philanthropy Council, which accepted the challenge from the Foundation’s LEAD Council to continue the competition.

     This team activity aims to encourage local students to team up and construct a fun, themed structure made of donated canned food and other nonperishable food items or hygiene products. Collected items are donated to a local food pantry or backpack program of their choice at the end of the competition.

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Applications for funding due February 20 for first-quarter review

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Grants for Good program for Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

     The Community Foundation is introducing the Grants for Good program in each county to encourage nonprofit organizations to submit a funding request that directly impacts their mission and quality of life for residents in each region. The program application and format mirrors the Foundation’s previous “General Grant Program.”

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