The Northern New York Community Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 matching grant to help build an endowment fund for the Friends of Potsdam Public Museum.
An endowment fund for the museum was established at the Community Foundation 2014. The Foundation administers the endowment for the museum to help diversify the organization’s charitable giving platforms and support the agency’s sustainability. Each gift to the museum’s endowment at the Foundation will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.
“The Potsdam Public Museum was one of our first St. Lawrence County partners to recognize and embrace the importance of providing for ways to sustain their work and mission for the long term. We are pleased to be able to help continue what they’ve started by providing this grant,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.
The Potsdam Public Museum is a non-profit educational institution that collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts relating to the history of Potsdam and the surrounding area. The museum was established by the village in 1940.
“The $10,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation to the Potsdam Public Museum’s endowment fund creates an excitement and momentum for Potsdam,” said Mimi VanDeusen, Potsdam Public Museum director. “The endowment, started by the Friends of the Potsdam Museum, provides hope for a sustainable future for the museum, to benefit Potsdam and the surrounding communities.”
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.