Developed by the Sandy Hook Promise, System Provides Additional Layer of School Safety

     WATERTOWN — School districts within the Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES region are strengthening their commitment to student safety through a partnership with the Safe Schools Endeavor, a Northern New York Community Foundation affiliate, to implement the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) in local schools. Twelve component school districts are now participating, including BOCES itself.

     The Say Something ARS, developed by Sandy Hook Promise, is an anonymous reporting system that provides an additional layer of school safety. The program empowers students in grades four through 12 to recognize warning signs and confidentially report concerns about threats, bullying, self-harm, or other safety issues—allowing adults to intervene before a crisis occurs.

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$174,950 Awarded in Sixth Competitive Round to Strengthen Quality of Life

     WATERTOWN — Seventeen nonprofit organizations serving St. Lawrence County residents will share $174,950 in grant funding from the Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation to preserve local history, maintain churches and cemeteries, and support U.S. military veterans in the region.

     The legacy fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2019 through a bequest from St. Lawrence County resident and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Marjorie J. Rock, who passed away in February 2017 at age 96. Thanks to her thoughtful generosity and foresight, Ms. Rock’s desire to support St. Lawrence County will be perpetuated for generations to come.

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Applications for 2026 Grant Funding Now Open to Tri-County Women

     WATERTOWN — Professional women across the Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties are invited to apply by Friday May 1 for 2026 grant support from the Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

     The Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund aims to perpetuate the life and legacy of Maxine by supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in the tri-county region to succeed in their pursuits and realize their full potential. Maxine’s sister-in-law, Kimberley Horrill, established the fund at the Community Foundation in July 2021 with a goal to increase local mentorship, volunteerism, community and civic engagement, and investment.

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Foundation matching grant now doubling all new gifts in support of the project

     MASSENA — Community Foundation grant funding totaling $62,000 will help the Massena Arts and Theater Association move its vision for a new heart of downtown closer to reality and “Unlock the Schine.”

     In December, the Association was awarded a pair of $25,000 Community Foundation matching grants and a $10,000 grant from the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund at the Foundation to support the $3.2 million Schine Theater restoration. An additional $2,000 grant from the Ray E. Richardson Fund of the Community Foundation was also recently awarded.

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Applications for Funding Support are Due by Friday, April 24

     WATERTOWN — A new Community Fund Grant Program at the Northern New York Community Foundation is now accepting applications from local nonprofits that make an impact in specific communities.

     A variety of donors have helped establish charitable funds at the Community Foundation to benefit local villages, towns, and communities. The Foundation is the responsible steward of these community funds. This year, the Foundation is pooling these place-based funds into one grant application to magnify their impact across Northern New York.

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