The Northern New York Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has approved a $10,000 matching grant to build community support for a stage lighting project with the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund (TIPAF) at the Clayton Opera House. The Community Foundation will match each contributing gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 to assist with the local arts organization’s improvement project.
“The Community Foundation has a long-standing history of support for TIPAF and the Clayton Opera House. It is important for us to continue to enhance the investments we’ve made there over the years and to help sustain and enhance this tremendous regional asset,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.
TIPAF at the Clayton Opera House is pursuing the project to implement new LED fixtures and lights to enhance performances on its stage. TIPAF introduced the community campaign and Foundation match at Friday’s endowment fundraiser at the Opera House. The Community Foundation administers an endowment fund for TIPAF as a charitable giving vehicle for annual or planned gifts to support the organization in perpetuity.
“The matching grant from the Community Foundation is greatly appreciated and helps to cover about one third of this very important project,” said Julie Garnsey, executive director of the Clayton Opera House. “Our partnership with the Foundation and the Town of Clayton is a significant reason for the success of our organization and helps us to continue our mission of bringing quality performing arts to the Thousand Islands region for generations.”
The Community Foundation’s partnership with TIPAF is also extended by the Sidney T. Cox Memorial Concert Fund at the Foundation. Established in 2006, this charitable fund is dedicated to support a TIPAF concert series each year, and honors the legacy of Mr. Cox.
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.