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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.

Congratulations to all tri-county schools! Student applications for Community Foundation scholarship support reached a near all-time high this year with 584 student applications submitted by Sunday’s deadline!

Of the 37 school districts across our service area, 20 had 25 percent or greater student participation.

We are grateful for all who helped motivate and inspire the Class of 2026 to apply for Foundation scholarships this year. Teachers, parents, counselors, administrators, and students: Thank you!

In Jefferson County, a record eleven schools met or exceeded 25 percent student participation to set a new record of 361 student applications for 32 percent overall student participation! Faith Fellowship Christian School held its lead with 100 percent participation. Sackets Harbor Central handedly secured second place with 71 percent participation and LaFargeville Central ended in third with 53 percent student participation.

Lewis County also posted a new record of 96 student applications for 34 percent overall student participation. Lewis County’s leader is Copenhagen Central, with 54 percent participation. South Lewis Central secured second place with 39 percent participation, and Lowville Academy climbed 10 points in the final 36 hours again this year to take third place with 33 percent student participation.

St. Lawrence County’s leader is Little River Community School with 50 percent student participation! Parishville-Hopkinton Central led an impressive rally to take second place with 41 percent participation and Colton-Pierrepont Central held its ground for third place with 27 percent student participation.

Join us at 1 p.m. tomorrow for a special Facebook Live event to see who wins the grand prize of a $2,000 Community Foundation grant. The winner will be randomly selected from the top three overall schools in each county.

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

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

Congratulations to all tri-county schools! Student applications for Community Foundation scholarship support reached a near all-time high this year with 584 student applications submitted by Sunday’s deadline!

Of the 37 school districts across our service area, 20 had 25 percent or greater student participation.

We are grateful for all who helped motivate and inspire the Class of 2026 to apply for Foundation scholarships this year. Teachers, parents, counselors, administrators, and students: Thank you!

In Jefferson County, a record eleven schools met or exceeded 25 percent student participation to set a new record of 361 student applications for 32 percent overall student participation! Faith Fellowship Christian School held its lead with 100 percent participation. Sackets Harbor Central handedly secured second place with 71 percent participation and LaFargeville Central ended in third with 53 percent student participation.

Lewis County also posted a new record of 96 student applications for 34 percent overall student participation. Lewis County’s leader is Copenhagen Central, with 54 percent participation. South Lewis Central secured second place with 39 percent participation, and Lowville Academy climbed 10 points in the final 36 hours again this year to take third place with 33 percent student participation.

St. Lawrence County’s leader is Little River Community School with 50 percent student participation! Parishville-Hopkinton Central led an impressive rally to take second place with 41 percent participation and Colton-Pierrepont Central held its ground for third place with 27 percent student participation.

Join us at 1 p.m. tomorrow for a special Facebook Live event to see who wins the grand prize of a $2,000 Community Foundation grant. The winner will be randomly selected from the top three overall schools in each county.

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

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFuture
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We are excited to share the Week 7 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard! Only TWO DAYS left before this year’s application closes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

In Jefferson County, Faith Fellowship Christian School held its lead with 100 percent student participation! Sackets Harbor Central remains a strong second, increasing student participation to 67.86 percent. Eight additional schools have each passed 25 percent student participation.

In Lewis County, Copenhagen Central increased its lead to 45.95 percent student participation. South Lewis Central remains a string second, increasing its student participation to 36.62. 

In St. Lawrence County, Little River Community School took the lead with 50 percent student participation and Parishville-Hopkinton Central moved into a strong second with 33.33 percent participation while Colton-Pierrepont Central held onto third place with 26.92 percent student participation.

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

We will post a final leaderboard on Tuesday. A special Facebook live event to select the Scholarship Challenge grand prize winner will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 18.

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 7 Scholarship Challenge Leaderboard! Only TWO DAYS left before this year’s application closes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

In Jefferson County, Faith Fellowship Christian School held its lead with 100 percent student participation! Sackets Harbor Central remains a strong second, increasing student participation to 67.86 percent. Eight additional schools have each passed 25 percent student participation.

In Lewis County, Copenhagen Central increased its lead to 45.95 percent student participation. South Lewis Central remains a string second, increasing its student participation to 36.62.

In St. Lawrence County, Little River Community School took the lead with 50 percent student participation and Parishville-Hopkinton Central moved into a strong second with 33.33 percent participation while Colton-Pierrepont Central held onto third place with 26.92 percent student participation.

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

We will post a final leaderboard on Tuesday. A special Facebook live event to select the Scholarship Challenge grand prize winner will take place at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 18.

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

#NNYCF #ScholarshipChallenge #ClassOf2026 #FundingForYourFuture
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You looked sharp Tara.

THANKYOU!!!

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