Tri-County Seventh and Eighth Graders Could Win One of Ten $1,000 Grants to Support a Favorite Local Charity

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s 2023-2024 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge is now open to tri-county students. The challenge seeks to engage seventh and eighth 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.

     This is the seventh year of the program, which is made possible by donors to the Community Foundation’s Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, corporate support from Community Bank and a major gift from an individual donor. Last year, grant awards were doubled to $1,000 with 10 winners selected, which means entries will be competitively judged and should be well-written and articulate a compelling case for support.

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Students Welcome New and Returning Council Members from Four High Schools for Yearlong Leadership Program

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation recently named its 2023-2024 Youth Philanthropy Council class, welcoming 11 new and eight returning students to the leadership program.

     The Youth Philanthropy Council is an advisory committee of the Northern New York Community Foundation. Chartered in 2010, the program promotes positive youth development and engages young people in meaningful activities that build their skills while deepening their understanding of community needs and educating them about community philanthropy and its impact on Northern New York. Council members grow to become informed critical thinkers and philanthropic leaders as they engage in lessons
that may never be taught in a traditional classroom.

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Deadline to Submit Proposals for Funding Consideration is Friday, Nov. 3

     WATERTOWN — The Safe Schools Endeavor, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, is pleased to announce that applications for 2023-2024 funding are now available. All schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties are eligible and encouraged to seek grant funding for projects, programs, and initiatives that seek to improve student and campus culture and strengthen school safety.

     School officials and representatives should complete applications no later than Friday, Nov. 3. All applications must be completed through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at bit.ly/grant-portal. Grant awards will be determined in December and applicants will be notified with a funding decision no later than early January.

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Up to $1,000 in Funding Available through the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity of the Community Foundation

     WATERTOWN — School districts pursuing grant funding to support character education, social media safety programs, and bullying prevention are encouraged to apply to the Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity of the Northern New York Community Foundation. Up to $1,000 in support is available this year.

     The charitable fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2015 to provide resources for key educational programs that raise awareness of bullying in local schools and communities. The fund also supports professional development initiatives to train and educate teachers, faculty, staff, and school administrators about bullying and ways to prevent and identify it. Projects and initiatives that promote leadership development, student responsibility, respect, and trust for the community are key focus areas as well. 

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Up to $7,500 Available for Nonprofits Serving Southern Jefferson County Residents

     ADAMS — The Six Town Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation will award up to $7,500 in grant funding this year to nonprofit organizations serving residents of the southern Jefferson County area.

     This geographic fund provides support for local programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Six Town area. All organizations applying for funding must do so by Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, through the Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at bit.ly/grant-portal. Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) classification are eligible and invited to apply. Funding decisions will be determined in December and announced shortly thereafter.

     Eligible organizations must actively serve residents in the towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman, and Worth. Requests may focus on assisting with local needs related to health and wellness, families and youth, arts and culture, history, education and more.

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