{"id":4638,"date":"2022-03-10T20:36:04","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T20:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/?p=4638"},"modified":"2022-03-10T20:36:27","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T20:36:27","slug":"vanness-family-fund-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/vanness-family-fund-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"VanNess Family Fund Supports Three Potsdam Nonprofits"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s2\"><i>Grant Awards Totaling $11,000 <\/i><\/span><i>Assist Efforts Focused on Arts, Culture, and Youth<\/i><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span class=\"s3\"><b>POTSDAM \u2014<\/b> <\/span>More than a decade after they passed, John and Dorotha VanNess continue to strengthen the Potsdam community they generously served in their lifetimes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Through a trio of new grant awards that impact the Potsdam area, John and Dorotha\u2019s commitment to the community endures. The John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently approved $11,000 in support for three nonprofits that deliver arts, culture, and youth-based programs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The family legacy fund is a permanent grantmaking fund that supports programs, activities, and initiatives that improve the quality of life in the Potsdam area. Mr. and Mrs. VanNess\u2019s daughter, Susan J. Sewall, established the fund at the Community Foundation as a lasting tribute to her parents\u2019 service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat Mrs. Sewall created to honor her parents while making a meaningful difference in a community they loved together is an inspiring example,\u201d said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director. \u201cThe VanNess Family Fund is working to ensure the Potsdam area is forever strengthened. The grants recently awarded are a great reflection of how the legacy of two caring individuals will enrich the quality of life in a community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>This year\u2019s grant recipients are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><b>North Country Children\u2019s Museum \u2014<\/b> $6,000 to support a collaboration with the St. Lawrence County Arts Council to create permanent, outdoor interactive music exhibits accessible to all ages in Potsdam\u2019s Garner Park.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><b>St. Lawrence County Arts Council \u2014<\/b> $2,500 to help build upon the success of its inaugural North Country Arts Festival, which includes the Ives Park Concert Series, an art market and a \u201cPorchfest\u201d in Potsdam, Funding will support artist fees for concert series performances and shows held in the Potsdam area on opening day.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><b>North Country Public Radio \u2014 <\/b>$2,500 will develop the \u201cUnderscore Project\u201d that features local musicians covering several genres. This digital initiative combines songs, interviews, podcasts, and stories that highlight local music from across the region at time when access to local musicians is limited. Funding will help launch a pilot performance event or series.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Mrs. Sewall created the family fund as part of her charitable legacy plans. Following her sudden passing in 2017, the VanNess Family Fund was created to recognize the family\u2019s long-standing commitment to improve the quality of life in the greater Potsdam area. Mrs. Sewall believed that strong and healthy communities help provide the backdrop from which many other aspects of community vibrancy and development can occur.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Nonprofits serving the Potsdam area are encouraged to review grant application requirements for the VanNess Family Fund of the Community Foundation. Focus areas include, but are not limited to: Health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, education, recreational programs, community revitalization and beautification, strategic planning and research, other quality-of-life projects, and opportunities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The Community Foundation will announce the next application round later this year. Contact <b>Kraig Everard<\/b>, director of stewardship and programs, <b>315-782-7110<\/b>, or <a href=\"mailto:kraig@nnycf.org\"><b>kraig@nnycf.org<\/b><\/a>, to learn more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>About the John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund<\/b><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2551\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2551\" style=\"width: 305px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2551 \" src=\"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/NNYCF_John_Dorotha_VanNess-832x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"305\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/NNYCF_John_Dorotha_VanNess-244x300.jpg 244w, https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/NNYCF_John_Dorotha_VanNess-768x945.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/NNYCF_John_Dorotha_VanNess-832x1024.jpg 832w, https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/NNYCF_John_Dorotha_VanNess.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">John S. and Dorotha (Ticknor) VanNess<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>John S. VanNess was active in Potsdam government and served as village mayor from 1955 to 1961. He also held leadership positions with the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, Potsdam Rotary Club and was<br \/>\na trustee at Paul Smith\u2019s College.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Dorotha (Ticknor) VanNess began teaching at Potsdam High School in 1939 and later joined her husband in the management of Sunshine Stores. She served as president of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Guild and was an active member of Potsdam United Methodist Church.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Their daughter, Susan J. Sewall, admired her parents\u2019 public service and commitment to improving the place they loved. Before her untimely passing in 2017, she made plans to establish this fund as a way to forever honor them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><b>About the Northern New York Community Foundation<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s5\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s5\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grant Awards Totaling $11,000 Assist Efforts Focused on Arts, Culture, and Youth \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 POTSDAM \u2014 More than a decade after they passed, John and Dorotha VanNess continue to strengthen the Potsdam community they generously served in their lifetimes. \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Through a trio of new grant awards that impact the Potsdam area, John and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["type-post","category-recent-news","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4638"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4644,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4638\/revisions\/4644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nnycf.org\/new\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}