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Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

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Community Foundation Launches Micro-Grant Program

August 21, 2023 By admin

Tri-County Nonprofits in Need of Support May Apply for up to $2,500 each 

     WATERTOWN — Tri-county nonprofit organizations seeking assistance may now apply for support through the Northern New York Community Foundation’s new Micro-Grant Program. 

     The grant program provides up to $2,500 in funding to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for programs and projects that align with the Foundation’s mission and demonstrate clear community benefit. 

     The Community Foundation continues to recognize the importance of responding and adapting to the rapidly evolving needs of local nonprofits. Through the generosity of thoughtful donors, the Foundation is entrusted to deploy grants that positively impact a variety of community needs in a timely fashion. The Foundation’s Micro-Grant Program is designed to assist nonprofits with effective funding for priority projects and requests outside of the Foundation’s regular quarterly competitive grantmaking schedule.

     “We hope this new program will help facilitate and streamline the rapid deployment of grant funding in a way that minimizes obstacles to getting charitable support to work in the tri-county region,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “While we will continue to maintain our quarterly grantmaking cycle for larger requests, we will now be able to respond to the more immediate needs of organizations doing important work in the communities they serve.” 

     Eligible nonprofit organizations must be located in and serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Requests must meet the same the eligibility requirements presently in place for quarterly grants, however, the review and decision-making process is shortened.

     Priority focus areas include but are not limited to: Bridge funding to support the start or completion of community projects; catalyst funding to help leverage charitable support from the community; programs or projects that support targeted populations in need; smaller capital items; and funding to secure resources for nonprofit development such as capacity building, governance, and strategic planning.

     Applying for micro-grant support does not conflict with any pending grant requests or active grant awards through other Community Foundation competitive grant programs.

     Organizations seeking micro-grant support should review eligibility guidelines before completing an application through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at nnycf.org/grants. 

     Contact either Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director at max@nnycf.org, or Kraig Everard, director of stewardship and programs at kraig@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, with questions or to learn more.

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.

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.

Voting for this years Canstruction for Northern New York “People’s Choice Award” is now open! Voting will remain open through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. 

🗳 Cast your vote at bit.ly/Canstruction-Vote-26

The LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation introduced Canstruction for Northern New York in 2023 to engage local schools and student groups in collecting donated canned food, nonperishable food items, and hygiene products to support regional food pantries or local backpack programs.

This year, the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council led the competition as a Council service project.

5️⃣ Five finalists submitted projects for “People’s Choice Award” consideration. 
✔️ Project descriptions are found with each photo, so please review all photos 📸 and videos 🎥 for each submission.
🚧 Terrific work completed by all FIVE teams that entered this year’s competition!
🥫 Each structure is made from donated items that will be given to local food pantries and backpack programs of the participants’ choice!
👋 We need YOUR VOTE for your favorite project starting TODAY! Polls will remain open for the “People’s Choice Award” until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. 🗳️ Vote for your favorite Canstruction project! 
🤝 All awards 🏆 will be announced 📣 late next week. The Youth Philanthropy Council will award funding to winning participants, who will direct monies to support local nonprofit organizations.

This year’s finalists are: 
🥫 Beaver River Central School’s 9th Grade Earth Science Class with “Pack It Up”
🥫 Carthage Middle School’s Student Government & Builders Club with “Bee”
🥫 First Presbyterian Church of Watertown’s Sunday School Class & Youth Group with “Food Steeple”
🥫 South Jefferson Central School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter with “Be the Light in Someone’s Storm”
🥫 Watertown High School’s Student Council with “Turn Hunger on Its Head”
1️⃣ One finalist — Carthage Middle School — submitted a video    🎥 of their project. 
 👀 View Carthage Middle School’s video 🎥 at youtu.be/QsdzVsfxyyU
🕵️‍♀️ See what these students have to say about their projects and cast your vote today!
🙌 Excellent community endeavor helping our region in a variety of ways!

#NNYCF #YPC #Leadership #Canstruction #FoodInsecurity #Vote #PeoplesChoiceImage attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

Voting for this year's Canstruction for Northern New York “People’s Choice Award” is now open! Voting will remain open through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.

🗳 Cast your vote at bit.ly/Canstruction-Vote-26

The LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation introduced Canstruction for Northern New York in 2023 to engage local schools and student groups in collecting donated canned food, nonperishable food items, and hygiene products to support regional food pantries or local backpack programs.

This year, the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council led the competition as a Council service project.

5️⃣ Five finalists submitted projects for “People’s Choice Award” consideration.
✔️ Project descriptions are found with each photo, so please review all photos 📸 and videos 🎥 for each submission.
🚧 Terrific work completed by all FIVE teams that entered this year’s competition!
🥫 Each structure is made from donated items that will be given to local food pantries and backpack programs of the participants’ choice!
👋 We need YOUR VOTE for your favorite project starting TODAY! Polls will remain open for the “People’s Choice Award” until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. 🗳️ Vote for your favorite Canstruction project!
🤝 All awards 🏆 will be announced 📣 late next week. The Youth Philanthropy Council will award funding to winning participants, who will direct monies to support local nonprofit organizations.

This year’s finalists are:
🥫 Beaver River Central School’s 9th Grade Earth Science Class with “Pack It Up”
🥫 Carthage Middle School’s Student Government & Builders Club with “Bee”
🥫 First Presbyterian Church of Watertown’s Sunday School Class & Youth Group with “Food Steeple”
🥫 South Jefferson Central School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter with “Be the Light in Someone’s Storm”
🥫 Watertown High School’s Student Council with “Turn Hunger on Its Head”
1️⃣ One finalist — Carthage Middle School — submitted a video 🎥 of their project.
👀 View Carthage Middle School’s video 🎥 at youtu.be/QsdzVsfxyyU
🕵️‍♀️ See what these students have to say about their projects and cast your vote today!
🙌 Excellent community endeavor helping our region in a variety of ways!

#NNYCF #YPC #Leadership #Canstruction #FoodInsecurity #Vote #PeoplesChoice
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20 hours ago
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It’s Who’s YPC!

Click through the post to learn more about one of our newest members, Valerie Akins, a Carthage High School junior who is in her first year of Council service!

Be sure to follow our page to meet more members of the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation every Monday and Wednesday. 🌱

#YPC #CommunityFoundation #NNYCF #WhosYPC #NextGeneration #LeadershipImage attachmentImage attachment

It’s Who’s YPC!

Click through the post to learn more about one of our newest members, Valerie Akins, a Carthage High School junior who is in her first year of Council service!

Be sure to follow our page to meet more members of the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation every Monday and Wednesday. 🌱

#YPC #CommunityFoundation #NNYCF #WhosYPC #NextGeneration #Leadership
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2 days ago
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Congratulations 👏. So proud of you!

Yay Val! 👏

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We are pleased to announce a $10,000 grant package to support this year’s Concert in the Park event.

Total funding includes an initial $5,000 grant and an up to $5,000 matching grant commitment to support first time contributions for this year’s concert. That means the Community Foundation will double all new gifts made in support of this year’s performance by those who have not previously participated.

Gifts may be made securely online at bit.ly/2026-Park-Concert, or by mail to: Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Complete details below.

#NNYCF #ConcertInThePark #NoonRotary #Partnerships #MatchingGrant #America250
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New Match Offered to Help Ensure Success for this Summer’s Concert in the Park

nnycf.org

New Match Offered to Help Ensure Success for this Summer’s Concert in the Park April 3, 2026 By admin Foundation Will Double All New Gifts to Support this Year’s Event, up to $5,000 WATERTOWN — ...
5 days ago
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