Tri-County 7th and 8th Graders Could Win One of Ten $1,000 Grants to Support a Favorite Charity

     WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s 2022-2023 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge is now open to 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 sixth 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. This year, grant awards are double previous years 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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Up to $20,000 in Funding Available Through the LEAD Impact Grant Program

     WATERTOWN — Nonprofit organizations serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties are invited to apply for up to $20,000 in funding through the LEAD Impact Grant Program, an initiative of the Northern New York Community Foundation’s LEAD Council.

     The LEAD Council is an advisory committee of young professionals empowered to make key investments in the tri-county region through community grants and volunteerism. The Council wants to learn more about the current work of nonprofits and is accepting proposals for Impact Grant Program funding through Friday, September 30, 2022.

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$2,000 Awarded to Help Students Pursue Post-Secondary Educational Goals

     WATERTOWN — The North Side Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently presented four members of the Class of 2022 with scholarships totaling $2,000 to support their post-secondary educational pursuits.

     The North Side Legacy Fund was established in 2019 as a permanent fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation to forever honor and perpetuate the history and heritage of the North Side Improvement League.

     Graduating high school seniors who live in the City of Watertown as well as students from other areas who have family ties to the League were encouraged to apply. 

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Former Bridge Authority Official Creates Fund to Support Employees, Retirees and their Families

     ALEXANDRIA — Two Jefferson County students with family ties to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority were recently named the first recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Russell I. Wilcox Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Scholarship.

     “It was deeply meaningful to see the vision for this come to fruition. We feel extremely humbled and honored to have worked alongside Mr. Wilcox to create something that represents his life’s work and will forever carry forward his care and concern for the Bridge Authority employees and their families,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

     Jakob Lynch, a 2022 Alexandria High School graduate, and Dylan Rastley, a 2020 General Brown High School graduate and current SUNY Canton student, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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Approved Grant Funding to Aid Projects at Five Lowville Organizations

     LOWVILLE — The George R. Davis Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded $15,000 in grants to support four Lowville-area projects and organizations. This geographic-specific fund serves as a permanent resource for programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the village and town of Lowville.

     The Honorable George R. Davis lived almost his entire life in Lowville. Mr. Davis served for 20 years as Lewis County Judge from 1962 to 1983, previously serving as District Attorney. He was active in civic affairs throughout his life with a particular interest in local history, including the history of Lowville Academy where his father served as supervising principal for more than 35 years. Judge Davis died in 2010.

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