The Community Foundation stewards several charitable funds that annually award grants to support nonprofit organization programs, projects, and initiatives that positively impact the quality of life across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Funding opportunities below are open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in 2023. Available grant funding for each opportunity varies and will be announced on this page as they are determined. Most grant applications are managed through our online Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal. You may access the GLM portal and create a single user account for your organization here.
The Jefferson Economic Development Fund
Communities served: Jefferson County
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations with programs, projects and initiatives that enhance and promote economic development in Jefferson County. Nonprofits are encouraged to think creatively and broadly when examining programs and services and identify a correlation between their work and economic development in the community.
Funding available: Up to $10,000
Application available: Now; applications accepted on a rolling basis
Grants determined: After Committee and Community Foundation review / approval
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Nonprofit COVID Recovery Program for Jefferson County
Communities served: Jefferson County
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations with programs and projects that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and underway between March 2021 and present day are eligible for funding consideration. Funding will not be awarded for general operating expenses.
Click here for eligibility guidelines.
Funding available: Up to $1,000,000
Application available: Quarterly
Grants determined: After Committee and Community Foundation review / approval
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org, or Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Rock Charitable Fund
Communities served: St. Lawrence County
Purpose: Support for the maintenance and preservation of churches and cemeteries and places of legitimate historical significance in the county; to help benefit or assist Veterans of the United States Military living in St. Lawrence County for medical or recreational needs.
Funding available: Approximately $100,000
Application available: Monday, May 1, 2023
Application deadline: Friday, September 8, 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund
Communities served: St. Lawrence County
Purpose: General health and well-being of residents, arts and culture programs, education programs, conservation, and wildlife preservation programs.
Funding available: Up to $50,000
Application available: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Application deadline: Friday, October 20, 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
LEAD Impact Grant Program
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support nonprofit programs, projects and initiatives that will make a positive and tangible impact on the organization and the people it serves. Requests that are able to clearly demonstrate innovative approaches to service, enhancement of mission and community, and a meaningful impact on the quality of life across the North Country will be strongly considered.
Funding available: Up to $20,000
Application available: Monday, August 21, 2023
Application deadline: Friday, September 29, 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Six Town Community Fund
Communities served: Towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman and Worth
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations and eligible public organizations that impact the quality of life for residents of the Six Town region, as noted above.
Funding available: Up to $7,500
Application available: Monday, August 14, 2023
Application deadline: Friday, October 20, 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Safe Schools Endeavor
Communities served: Jefferson and Lewis counties
Purpose: Support for programs and projects that empower students, parents, and faculty to nurture the safest campus environment for children and adults in public and private K-12 schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties. Proposals that are student-led or involve close collaboration with students may receive additional weight as funding is considered.
Application available: September 2023
Application deadline: November 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Erika Flint, steering committee chairwoman (eflint@fdrhpo.org)
Learn more: Click here to view and download a Safe Schools Endeavor program brochure
Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support for bullying prevention and character education programs, as well as professional development for administrators, teachers, staff, and employees of school districts across the region.
Funding available: Up to $1,000
Application available: September 6, 2023
Application deadline: Friday, October 20, 2023
Grants determined: December 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Wilcox Community Fund for Theresa
Communities served: Village and/or Town of Theresa and/or related Indian River Lakes Region of Jefferson County
Purpose: Support essential needs, cultural activities, historic preservation and related activities, community development/special events, recreational/environmental needs/activities, youth development activities, quality of life activities/projects, and education programs.
Funding available: Up to $3,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: March 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund
Communities served: Boonville, Constableville and Westernville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages.
Funding available: Up to $60,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Orchestral Fund
Communities served: Watertown
Purpose: Support for live orchestral performances in the Watertown area. Eligible nonprofit organizations are required to have at least 20 performers in the group with an instrumental component.
Funding available: Up to $25,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
George R. Davis Fund for Lowville
Communities served: Village and Town of Lowville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that impact the quality of life for residents of the Village and Town of Lowville.
Funding available: Up to $15,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Carolyn Whitney Fund
Communities served: Watertown
Purpose: Support for tree-planting projects in the city of Watertown.
Funding available: Up to $4,500
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
The Lighthouse Fund
Communities served: Clayton, Cape Vincent, and surrounding St. Lawrence River-area communities
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations providing services to vulnerable populations living in the region noted above.
Funding available: Up to $2,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Through access to grants for education, training, and entrepreneurship, the fund supports the advancement, development, and betterment of women who are beginning or growing a business in Northern New York. In doing so, women may be better positioned and equipped to realize their full potential for themselves, their families, and their community.
Funding available: To be determined
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Youth Philanthropy Council
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations serving all residents through programs and projects that enhance the quality of life in communities across the region — not limited to youth programs.
Application: Closed
Grants determined: June 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Clifton-Fine Community Fund
Communities served: Clifton, Cranberry Lake, Fine, Newton Falls, Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Wanakena
Purpose: Support for nonprofit and eligible public organizations for programs, projects and initiatives strengthening the quality of life in the region noted above.
Funding available: Up to $6,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: September 2023
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund
Communities served: Greater Potsdam area
Purpose: Support for nonprofit and eligible public organizations that impact the quality of life for residents of the greater Potsdam area, with a priority given to the village and town of Potsdam. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, community revitalization, and more.
Funding available: Up to $25,000
Application deadline: Closed
Grants determined: September 2023
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org