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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Grants for Good

The Northern New York Community Foundation stewards a Grants for Good program in each county to encourage nonprofit organizations to submit a funding request that directly impacts their mission and quality of life for residents in each region.

Grants for Good is for local nonprofits located in and serving Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties to carefully evaluate their needs and select a top priority or project where a grant will make a meaningful difference. This program will help nonprofits identify their most important efforts and present a strong grant application with detailed plans and supporting rationale for funding consideration.

Program Details

  • Rolling application available for each county (Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence)
  • Organizations may submit one application at a time
  • Apply to the application based on location and impact of request or project
  • Focus areas should be selected based on the request’s alignment with community need
  • The Foundation reviews applications four times each year with final approval from its Board of Directors

The Grants for Good program is made possible, in part, by generous donors to the Friends of the Foundation Community Betterment Annual Fund. Nonprofits may also garner grant support in the program through named legacy funds the Community Foundation stewards. These funds have been entrusted to the Foundation to support a variety of charitable interests that align with the needs of local nonprofits and the region.

Start your Application

The Community Foundation hosts all community grant program applications online. We encourage a conversation with Foundation staff before starting your Grants for Good application. To apply, eligible nonprofits must create an organization user account. You may set up an organization user account or log on to our grant portal here.

Nonprofits may review active Community Foundation grant opportunities here.

If you have any questions, please review these Frequently Asked Questions to provide guidance as you navigate our GLM system.

 

 

 

2026 Application Deadlines

Q1:  February 20
Q2:  April 17
Q3:  July 17
Q4:  October 23

Contact Information

Emily Pfeil, Philanthropy Associate
Northern New York Community Foundation
131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY  13601
Phone: 315-782-7110
Email: emily@nnycf.org
Fax: 315-782-0047

Kraig Everard, Director of Philanthropy
Northern New York Community Foundation
131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY  13601
Phone: 315-782-7110
Email: kraig@nnycf.org
Fax: 315-782-0047

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

4,766

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

We are excited to share the Week 4 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard!

In Jefferson County, Faith Fellowship Christian School took the lead with 100 percent student participation! Sackets Harbor Central is holding strong in second place with 50 percent participation; In Lewis County, South Lewis Central strengthened its lead, increasing to 26.76 percent student participation; and in St. Lawrence County, Colton-Pierrepont Central added to its lead with 26.92 percent student participation.

All schools have a chance to win Community Foundation grant funding by increasing student participation in the scholarship program to at least 25 percent of the senior class. 

The first round of grants will be determined in a Facebook Live event on Monday, February 23! So far, only SIX schools meet the threshold for the first round of grants. 

Seniors: Money for your future is waiting! Do you plan to continue your education in college or trade or technical school? Complete the Community Foundation’s online common application at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships today and help your school win!

Learn more about this year’s challenge at: nnycf.org/scholarship-challenge-2026

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFutureImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

We are excited to share the Week 4 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard!

In Jefferson County, Faith Fellowship Christian School took the lead with 100 percent student participation! Sackets Harbor Central is holding strong in second place with 50 percent participation; In Lewis County, South Lewis Central strengthened its lead, increasing to 26.76 percent student participation; and in St. Lawrence County, Colton-Pierrepont Central added to its lead with 26.92 percent student participation.

All schools have a chance to win Community Foundation grant funding by increasing student participation in the scholarship program to at least 25 percent of the senior class.

The first round of grants will be determined in a Facebook Live event on Monday, February 23! So far, only SIX schools meet the threshold for the first round of grants.

Seniors: Money for your future is waiting! Do you plan to continue your education in college or trade or technical school? Complete the Community Foundation’s online common application at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships today and help your school win!

Learn more about this year’s challenge at: nnycf.org/scholarship-challenge-2026

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFuture
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2 days ago
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High school seniors: Be like Vince!

A 2025 Watertown City School District High School graduate, Vince Knapp was awarded $3,000 in Northern New York Community Foundation scholarship support to help study biology at Le Moyne College.

Complete your application for scholarship support by Sunday, March 15, at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships

#NNYCF #scholarships #EducationalSupport #FundingYourFuture #classof2026
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5 days ago
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Wtg, Vince!!

I wish they could help with teacher debt

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We are excited to share the Week 3 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard!

In Jefferson County, Sackets Harbor Central took the lead with 50 percent student participation; In Lewis County, South Lewis Central held onto the lead, increasing to 25.35 percent student participation; and in St. Lawrence County, Colton-Pierrepont Central held onto the lead, still with 23.08 percent student participation.

All schools have a chance to win Community Foundation grant funding by increasing student participation in the scholarship program to at least 25 percent of the senior class. 

The first round of grants will be determined in a Facebook Live event on Monday, February 23! That means schools only have one more week to increase student participation to 25 percent or more of the senior class to be eligible for the first round of Scholarship Challenge grants. So far, only THREE schools meet the threshold for the first round of grants!

Seniors: Do you plan to continue your education in college or trade or technical school? Winter break is the perfect opportunity to complete the Community Foundation’s online common application at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships today and help your school win!

Learn more about this year’s challenge at: nnycf.org/scholarship-challenge-2026

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFutureImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

We are excited to share the Week 3 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard!

In Jefferson County, Sackets Harbor Central took the lead with 50 percent student participation; In Lewis County, South Lewis Central held onto the lead, increasing to 25.35 percent student participation; and in St. Lawrence County, Colton-Pierrepont Central held onto the lead, still with 23.08 percent student participation.

All schools have a chance to win Community Foundation grant funding by increasing student participation in the scholarship program to at least 25 percent of the senior class.

The first round of grants will be determined in a Facebook Live event on Monday, February 23! That means schools only have one more week to increase student participation to 25 percent or more of the senior class to be eligible for the first round of Scholarship Challenge grants. So far, only THREE schools meet the threshold for the first round of grants!

Seniors: Do you plan to continue your education in college or trade or technical school? Winter break is the perfect opportunity to complete the Community Foundation’s online common application at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships today and help your school win!

Learn more about this year’s challenge at: nnycf.org/scholarship-challenge-2026

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFuture
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago
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I’m

Do you plan to continue your education in college or trade or technical school? Great continuing education options; consider

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