Community Foundation Will Match Gifts to the CVAC Endowment Fund up to $30,000
CAPE VINCENT — For more than 25 years, the Cape Vincent Arts Council (CVAC) has been providing opportunities for Cape Vincent residents and visitors to enjoy and participate in the arts. With the establishment of two new funds, the CVAC will be able to continue benefiting the community in that way well into the future.
The Dr. William James Grant Fund and the Cape Vincent Arts Council Endowment Fund were established at the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF) in December 2024. Both funds enable the Cape Vincent Arts Council to support its annual arts programs and to plan for its future.
“The funds ensure that we can continue providing exciting art and music programs for the community with the confidence that our future is financially secure,” said Liz Brennan, president of the CVAC. “We are extremely grateful to the donors who made the funds possible and hope their confidence in the Arts Council and its mission will inspire others to invest in our future.”
The Dr. William James Grant Fund was established by the Dr. William James Grant Trust in the amount of $57,000. The restricted fund supports the long-term viability of the Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People. The Piano Competition, founded by Dr. Grant in 2004 in partnership with the CVAC, brings talented young pianists from around the world to Cape Vincent.
The three-round competition requires the pianists to perform works by Chopin, J.S. Bach, and other Classical era composers. The event, which is free to the public, is held in a naturally beautiful outdoor setting graced by the St. Lawrence River. This year’s 22nd competition will take place September 5 to 7 at Maple Grove Estate, 596 W. Broadway St., Cape Vincent. Donations to this fund ensure long-term financial stability and sustainability for the competition.
Dr. William Grant (1924-2009) played piano and loved Chopin. He established the Piano Competition to encourage young pianists and to bring the joy of classical music to the Thousand Islands region. Dr. Grant funded the competition solely from 2004 to 2008. Thanks to his vision, generosity, and passion for music, it continues to be a successful annual event and the signature program of the Cape Vincent Arts Council.
The Cape Vincent Arts Council Endowment Fund was established with a grant from The Lily Fund in the amount of $25,000. The Community Foundation and The Lily Fund, in partnership with the CVAC, each made an additional $15,000 commitment to present as a matching challenge to the community to build the endowment fund. Donors may make a charitable gift to the CVAC’s endowment at the Foundation and have it matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $30,000.
The CVAC’s decision to establish an endowment fund provides the organization with several benefits. In addition to long-term financial stability, the fund provides the CVAC with the ability to manage unforeseen economic challenges and address the challenges of emerging needs. Donations to this fund ensure a steady and predictable source of income for the CVAC to support its mission in perpetuity.
“The Cape Vincent Arts Council is also grateful for the generous support of the Northern New York Community Foundation,” said Liz Brennan. “It boosts our organization’s reputation, attracting new donors and partners. Its support is an endorsement that the CVAC is secure in its mission for generations to come. As donors contribute to these funds, we can grow our arts programs, positively impacting the health of our community and the vibrancy of local businesses.”
Giving to the funds
- Gifts to the Dr. William James Grant Fund may be made via check payable and mailed to: Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601 or online at capevincentartscouncil.org under the “Support the Arts” tab.
- Gifts to the Cape Vincent Arts Council Endowment Fund may be made via check payable and mailed to: Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. You may also give online at capevincentartscouncil.org under the “Support the Arts” tab. Gifts to the endowment fund will be matched.
Donations to both funds are 100 percent tax deductible. Contact the Northern New York Community Foundation at 315-782-7110 or visit nnycf.org to learn more.
About the Cape Vincent Arts Council
The Cape Vincent Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consisting entirely of volunteers. It is dedicated to providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and participate in cultural activities in and around Cape Vincent. Among the events it sponsors are the Concerts on the Green series, the Stroll on Broadway, the Riverside Music & Arts Festival, the Thousand Islands International Piano Competition, summer art classes, and a variety of literary and visual arts programs.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.