The deadline for non-profit organizations to apply for grant support through the George R. Davis Fund for Lowville at the Northern New York Community Foundation is this Friday, April 20.

Mr. Davis was a longtime Lowville resident and served as Lewis County judge for more than 20 years. He established this permanent charitable fund for the community following his death in 2010.

This year, up to $10,000 is available in grant funding through this community fund to support programs, projects and initiatives benefiting the quality of life in Lowville. Last year, seven projects received grant awards between $500 and $3,500.

“This is a terrific geographic resource for non-profit organizations impacting the quality of life in Lowville to consider,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director. “Whether the agency’s mission is focused in human services, arts and culture, education, conservation and environment, or in another sector, a grant from this charitable fund can be far-reaching and broadly support residents in the Lowville area.”

To learn more about the George R. Davis Fund, or receive an application, please contact Mr. DelSignore at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org. Eligible applications must be postmarked by April 20, or be submitted electronically by the deadline date, to be considered.

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. The Community Foundation is located at the Northern New York Philanthropy Center in Watertown.

Additional $10,000 Will Establish Permanent Maintenance and Enhancement Fund

The Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded $20,000 in total support of a community park and fountain restoration project the village of Canton.

The Community Foundation’s grant is awarded in two parts. A $10,000 matching challenge grant is being offered to build community campaign support for the next phase of the restoration project. The Foundation will match all gifts made as part of the second phase, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. The second piece of funding is a $10,000 grant to establish a permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation for future upkeep, maintenance and enhancements related to the project. This charitable fund helps create a stable source of funding to maintain the refurbished park in perpetuity.

Citizens, organizations and businesses in and around the Village of Canton have demonstrated tremendous support for preserving and restoring the treasured community feature. The Community Foundation hopes to play an integral role in creating a second wave of community support by offering a matching opportunity for the remaining phases.

“Because of generous Community Foundation donors from across the region and St. Lawrence County, we are able to make grants for things that make our communities better places to live, work and grow,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director. “We are committed to helping move the next phase forward and also provide long-term support for maintaining the improvements,” he said.

Since 2016, community members from First Presbyterian Church in Canton and Village representatives have started the execution of a three-phase plan to restore the village park on Main Street in Canton. The land was donated for the park in the 1840’s, and over time, became a recognized as a historic district on the National Register in 1975. The park is owned by the church and maintained by the village. The three phases of restoration include structural improvements to the fountain, removal and planting of trees in the park footprint, and installing new stone pavers. The park is the symbolic center of the community and hosts a variety of year-round community activities and events.

Recently, the project committee successfully reached a fundraising milestone, reaching $104,000 raised through February. This will help the project’s first phase get under way this spring. They expect work to continue on the project through next year.

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.

The Northern New York Community Foundation will be a leadership supporter of the upcoming season for the Norwood Village Green Concert Series.

The Community Foundation’s board of directors awarded a $5,000 grant to enhance the variety of arts performances presented through the series. Heading into its 45th year, the Norwood Village Green Concert Series has become a staple of summer living in St. Lawrence County.

“The series has become one of those things that helps make the North County special. Their efforts to bring these experiences to the citizens of the area is something we feel is important to support. It also helps build upon our past investments in upgrades to their equipment infrastructure,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

The Norwood Village Green Concert Series is a free-to-the-public, outdoor concert series which not only brings world class musicians to entertain and bring the community together. It also impacts student learning experiences by providing performing, audience, and workshop opportunities via its programs for Norwood-Norfolk and surrounding schools. It also benefits other non-profits in the area by providing a venue for the Norwood Kiwanis to run a concession, and for the Altar and Rosary Society to run an ice cream social.

“The Northern New York Community Foundation’s grant in support of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series 45^th Anniversary season is an example of the North County’s larger community confirming the efforts of its smaller communities either in times of need, or just as importantly in times when visionary efforts are presented, [as happened] several years ago when the series envisioned an upgrade to its lighting system. Northern New York Community Foundation gave it 40 percent of the initial costs and the series supplied the other 60 percent using other means. We are lucky to have the ability here locally to have the backing of the foundation in all it does for all of us.” said Joe Liotta, president and founding director of the concert series. “This grant will assist us in sustaining our efforts. We are lucky to have the ability here locally to have the backing of the Foundation in all it does for all of us. For our part we will continue to present the very best in both touring and local performing artists in a free-to-the-public outdoor setting.”

The Community Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Norwood Village Green Concert Series in 2014 to support sustainable upgrades to its lighting instruments, which helped enhance performances.

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.

The Thousand Islands Foundation, a component fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation, has scholarships available for eligible students. Students from Alexandria, LaFargeville, Lyme, and Thousand Islands Central schools are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Applications must be received in the office of TI Central no later than 5:00 pm on May 11, 2018 to be considered.

The Thousand Islands Foundation was established in 2002 to provide college and trade school scholarships for qualified individuals. In 2014, the Foundation became a component fund of The Northern New York Community Foundation. The Thousand Islands Foundation exists to raise and distribute resources to create, enrich, and expand scholarship opportunities to maximize success for Thousand Islands area students and graduates. The Foundation is led by a volunteer advisory board representing the communities of the Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands Foundation has awarded over $252,000 in scholarships since its inception.

“We are grateful for the ability to continue to work with the donors and TI Foundation advisory board to assist more students and also work with donors to grow the number of scholarships awarded. We want to continue to build upon the vision and generosity of the Lechler family and all those who have helped make the TI Foundation what it is today and protect that legacy for generations to come,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director. In recent years, donors have established new scholarships to add to the TI Foundation family of funds.

Applications may be obtained from the school counselor’s office of Alexandria Bay, LaFargeville, Lyme, and Thousand Islands Centrals schools, or on the web at www.thousandislandsfoundation.org or https://www.nnycf.org/scholarships/scholarships-available/.

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.

The Northern New York Community Foundation, in collaboration with Stage Notes, recently launched the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge. The initiative was created to engage middle school students in exploring the meaning of community and empowered them to recommend grants that would support their concepts of helping support and improve the quality of life in the region. Each student had to write an essay that expressed what the word “community” meant to them and explain what they love about their community and what they felt makes it a great place to live. They were then asked to identify a charitable organization that they believe makes their community a better place. Students attending schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties were eligible to participate. 62 students from 9 districts participated in the pilot program. Consistent themes of “community” that appeared most often in the applications were: neighbors, safe, love, beauty, happiness, betterment, togetherness, kindness, helping, caring, belonging, sharing, and respect.

“This program is a wonderful complement to our Youth Philanthropy and LEAD Programs. The earlier concepts of civic engagement and philanthropy can be introduced to our next generation the better chance we have of perpetuating good things in our communities,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Stage Notes is proud to partner with the Community Foundation to empower the next generation of philanthropists to improve their communities. These students’ proposals best represented Stage Notes’ and the Foundation’s shared vision of community engagement and giving,” said Kyle Aumell, Stage Notes vice-president.

The Community Foundation and Stage Notes each provided $5,000 in funding, for a total of $10,000 in grants available. The Community Foundation portions was made possible by donors to its annual fund and Stage Notes allocated a portion of their proceeds from last year’s performances towards the endeavor. A committee judged and scored the applications and the results are as follows:

$1,000 Meals on Wheels of Greater Watertown, Adelyne Jareo, Sackets Harbor

$500 Croghan Free Library, Mya Zehr, Beaver River

$500 Lewis County Humane Society, Morgan Moser, Beaver River

$500 Credo Community Center, Shantel Massia, Case Middle School, Watertown

$500 (one grant) Jefferson County SPCA, Nathan McNulty, Case Middle School, Watertown

Yairis Matos, Case Middle School, Watertown

Isabelle McDonough, Thousand Islands

$500 Carthage YMCA, Reagan Alexander, Indian River

$500 Orchestra of Northern New York, Jasmine Berasategui, Indian River

$500 Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service (TIERS), Aubrey Stewart, Indian River

$500 (one grant) PIVOT, Wyatt Parliament, LaFargeville

Alison Swenson, Thousand Islands

$500 (one grant) Children’s Home of Jefferson County, Jenna Freeman, Lowville

Trinity Westerman, Thousand Islands

$500 Children’s Miracle Network, Anna Exford, Lowville

$500 Croghan Volunteer Fire Department, Keerie Lyndaker, Lowville

$500 Historical Association of South Jefferson, Emma MacIlvennie, South Jefferson

$500 Cape Vincent Community Library, Mary Connerton, Thousand Islands

$500 Clayton Figure Skating Club, Dallas Osier, Thousand Islands

$500 Clayton Youth Commission, Katelyn Solar, Thousand Islands

$500 Hawn Memorial Library, Allie Victorino, Thousand Islands

$500 Relay for Life of Jefferson County, Mackenzie Wagoner, Thousand Islands

$500 Thousands Islands Area Habitat for Humanity, Charritty Grant, Thousand Islands

Adelyne Jareo, who was awarded the largest grant said in her application, “To me, community means living through both good and bad times with people who love and support you. Community is about connection and brightening someone’s day and making it better even in the smallest way possible. Lending a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen, or even a friendly warm smile can make the world a better place. That is what community is all about.”

The Community Foundation and Stage Notes will work with the winning students to coordinate visits to their respective charitable organizations to present their grants and also learn more about the organization they are supporting. Planning will begin soon on next year’s Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.