Up to $20,000 Available to Support Tri-County Nonprofit Organizations
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council welcomes grant requests from nonprofit organizations of all types for programs, projects, or initiatives that strengthen the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. The council will evaluate each proposal for a share of up to $20,000 in available grant funding.
For consideration, completed grant applications must be submitted no later than Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Council members will notify finalists selected to present proposals. The Council will recommend grants for funding to the Community Foundation’s board of directors. This past round, the Youth Philanthropy Council awarded seven grants totaling $20,000 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve tri-county residents.
“This is one of the most impactful things our donors make possible. So many life lessons are instilled in these young leaders, and these are experiences that will follow them for a lifetime,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “The students benefit most fully when the community actively participates, especially through the submission of grant applications that provide the framework for thoughtful discussion among council members. We hope this year we have the most varied requests yet.”
The Youth Philanthropy Council grant application may be completed online through the Foundation’s Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal at bit.ly/grant-portal. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. Organizations should register as a user in GLM before applying. Nonprofits already registered with a GLM account should use existing login information to access and start the application. Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, kraig@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, with questions or to learn more.
A virtual grant information session will be held Monday, December 11, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. To register, please RSVP to kraig@nnycf.org, no later than Friday, Dec. 8.
“I urge any nonprofit to take advantage of this unique opportunity. As a Council, we love learning about local nonprofits and how we can better our community, Council Chair Olivia Urf said. “A diverse pool of applicants helps us determine where we can make the most meaningful impact.”
The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program is made possible by annual gifts to the Friends of the Foundation Community Betterment Fund and underwriting from Watertown Savings Bank, the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation of the Northern New York Community Foundation, the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation, and RBC Wealth Management.
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This year’s Youth Philanthropy Council includes 18 student delegates, representing Lyme Central School, General Brown, South Jefferson, and Watertown high schools. Representatives from each school district are: Lyme Central School: Rosamond Hunt, junior. General Brown High School: McKenna Lee, senior; Colden Marks, junior; and Olivia Wisner, senior. South Jefferson High School: Jack Mangan, senior; and Watertown High: Jack Adams, junior; Justin Draught, junior; Hannah Eldridge, junior; Harper Lane, junior; Mia Kelly, junior; Vincent Knapp, junior; Bennett Pistner, junior; Anastaja Smith, junior; Ella Smith, junior; Finley Swartz, junior; Olivia Urf, senior; Sienna Virga, junior; and Maya Voss, senior.
The Youth Philanthropy Council was chartered in 2010 to promote positive youth development and engage young people in meaningful activities that build their skills while educating them about community philanthropy and its impact on Northern New York. Council members grow to become critical thinkers as they engage in lessons that may never be taught in a classroom.
Since its inception 13 years ago, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded 134 grants totaling $230,070 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve tri-county residents, and nearly 150 students from eight different North Country high schools have served as Council members.
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.