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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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First Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge
 Grants to 19 Charities Totaling $10,000 Announced

March 29, 2018 By admin

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.

Filed Under: Recent News

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

The Challenge is now on! 

We are excited to kick off the seventh annual $10,000 Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

Students attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County can now compete for a chance to award one of ten $1,000 grants to a tri-county nonprofit that helps strengthen quality of life in their community. 

Apply online or download an application and entry rules at nnycf.org/givingchallenge and enter by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Giving Challenge is made possible through the generosity of all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a major gift from an individual donor, and corporate support from Community Bank, N.A. 

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-giving-challenge
 
#NNYCF #GivingChallenge #CommunitySpirit

The Challenge is now on!

We are excited to kick off the seventh annual $10,000 Northern New York Community Foundation Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

Students attending 7th and 8th grades in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence County can now compete for a chance to award one of ten $1,000 grants to a tri-county nonprofit that helps strengthen quality of life in their community.

Apply online or download an application and entry rules at nnycf.org/givingchallenge and enter by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

The Giving Challenge is made possible through the generosity of all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund, a major gift from an individual donor, and corporate support from Community Bank, N.A.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-giving-challenge

#NNYCF #GivingChallenge #communityspirit
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2 days ago
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This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do.

This week the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation visited the SoZo Teen Center of Watertown to learn more about the important work they do. ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
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Thank you for the conversation, questions, and feedback! We're excited to see the work these youth do for the community!

Melissa Shova!

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We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools. 

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #LeadershipImage attachment

We are proud to introduce the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation Class of 2024! This year’s class welcomes eight new and eight returning student delegates and includes juniors and seniors from General Brown, Lyme, South Jefferson, and Watertown High Schools.

During the last meeting of the school year in June, students elected members to the Council’s 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Watertown High senior Olivia Urf will serve as the Council Chair; General Brown senior Olivia Wisner will serve as Vice Chair; and Watertown High senior Maya Voss will serve as Secretary. South Jefferson High School senior Jack Mangan is Immediate Past Chair.

The Council also named committee chairs for the new year. Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior, will chair the Communications Committee; McKenna Lee, General Brown senior, will chair the Service Committee; and Ella Smith, Watertown High junior, will chair the Grants Committee.

The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, and the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.

Top photo: Front row, from left, Anastaja Smith, Watertown High junior; Mia Kelly, Watertown High junior; Colden Marks, General Brown Junior/Senior High junior; Rosamond Hunt, Lyme Central School junior; and Finley Swartz, Watertown High junior. Second row, from left, Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Hannah Eldridge, Watertown High junior; and McKenna Lee, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Third row, from left, Ella Smith, Watertown High junior; Jack Mangan, South Jefferson High senior; Sienna Virga, Watertown High junior; Harper Lane, Watertown High junior; and Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior. Back row, from left, Jack Adams, Watertown High junior; Justin Draught, Watertown High junior; Bennett Pistner, Watertown High junior; Vincent Knapp, Watertown High junior; and Elyse King, Watertown High junior.

Bottom photo: From left, Secretary Maya Voss, Watertown High senior; Chair Olivia Urf, Watertown High senior; and Vice Chair Olivia Wisner, General Brown Junior/Senior High senior.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/2023-24-ypc-class

#YPC #NNYCF #Leadership
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1 week ago
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What a great group!

Congratulations to all

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