The Lyons Falls Free Library received $10,000 in total grant funding from the Northern New York Community Foundation to support capital improvements to the library’s building.
The Foundation approved a $5,000 outright grant to support the capital project, but also agreed to help leverage additional community support by awarding a $5,000 matching grant. The Foundation will match community donations to the library’s project, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. Lyons Falls Library is located in the old carriage house of the historic Gould family mansion and is undergoing exterior renovations. The library functions as the village’s community center and is used by a multi-generational population. “Community Foundation donors represent all areas of Northern New York, and it is always especially meaningful when we can help support projects that have great meaning to specific communities,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director.
“The Lyons Falls Library board and the village board are very appreciative of the grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation for our library restoration project,” said Donna Dolhof, Lyons Falls Library board president. “Our library provides numerous important services to our community. Our children’s programming contributes to early childhood literacy and helps instill a love for reading and learning. Computers are in high demand at the library from children and adults. Our adult programs are also popular. All these services would be in jeopardy if we weren’t able to complete our restoration project.”
Other grants recently approved by the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation are:
- The Orchestra of Northern New York (ONNY) – $15,000 to support the organization’s 2018-19 concert series.
- Trinity Concert Series – $5,000 to support their 2018-19 season and assist in expanding the addition of educational components, such as workshops for students, to the program.
- Clayton Jazz Festival – $5,000 to support the expansion of the “Jazz in the Classroom” project to other area schools. The project brings the musicians from “Brighton Beat” into the classrooms, providing assemblies and holding master classes for the kids. This year, the program will expand to more communities, including Carthage, General Brown and Alexandria Central. This grant was made possible, in part, by the Grace L. Reinman Fund, and the River Fund at the Community Foundation.
- Carthage Area Hospital – $3,500 will help provide funding for seven adult and child manikins and the feedback systems to assist with a variety of hospital and community trainings.
- City of Watertown – $3,000 to complete a fall tree planting project in the city. This grant was made possible, in part, by the Carolyn Whitney Fund.
- Northern Choral Society – $1,000 to support the organization’s annual Christmas performance in Watertown.
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.
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