• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Contact
    • Employment
    • Philanthropy Center
    • Milestones
    • News & Media
      • Recent News
      • News Archive
      • Publications
      • Northern New York Community Podcast
  • Donors
    • Give Online
    • Gift Information “At A Glance”
    • Investment Performance
    • Making A Gift
      • Top 10 Things You Can Do To Leave A Legacy
      • NNYCF vs. A Private Foundation
    • Thoughtful Legacies
  • Students
    • Scholarship Overview
    • Applications
    • Scholarships Available
    • Next Step Education Program
  • Nonprofits
    • Apply for a Grant
    • Grants for Good
    • Nonprofit Partners
    • Partner & Grantee Resources
    • Recent Grant Recipients
    • Glenwood Cemetery Revitalization Campaign
    • CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund
  • Programs
    • Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge
    • Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience
    • Youth Philanthropy Council
      • Canstruction for Northern New York 2026
    • LEAD Giving Circle

Retired Lowville Central Schools Superintendent is New Community Foundation Board Chair

July 3, 2024 By admin

Lewis County Attorney Also Appointed to Foundation Board of Directors

     WATERTOWN — Lewis County resident Cheryl R. Steckly was recently named Chair of the Northern New York Community Foundation Board of Directors.

     Mrs. Steckly retired in 2019 as superintendent of Lowville Academy & Central Schools after more than 35 years working in public education.

     She was first appointed to the Community Foundation Board of Directors in 2017 and is now serving in her second five-year term on the Board. She lives in Croghan with her husband, Edward F.

     Victoria “Torie” Hasseler Collins, Esq., also of Lewis County, was recently appointed to the Northern New York Community Foundation Board of Directors.

     Mrs. Collins is a practicing attorney and partner in the Carthage firm Collins, Hasseler & Simser Law.

     She previously served on the Community Foundation’s Cultural, Historical and Recreational Committee and is a past member of the Foundation’s LEAD Council. She lives in Croghan with her husband, Adam, two young daughters.

     “One of our strengths has always been to have voices and perspectives representing the people and places of the areas we serve,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Cheryl and Torie join a long list of strong leaders from Lewis County, and we are grateful for their long-standing commitment to the betterment of the region.”

     Established in 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation’s board has 16 members, with representation throughout Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

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

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Northern New York Community Foundation

Northern New York Community Foundation

4,876

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
... See MoreSee Less

19 hours ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 17
  • Shares: 14
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

View more comments

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
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations 👏. So proud of you!

Yay Val! 👏

View more comments

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
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

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
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 14
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

View more comments

Load more

Copyright © 2026 · Northern NY Community Foundation · Site Design: Riverside Media, LLC.