GOUVERNEUR — A $25,000 gift to St. James School will help support its continued operation in Gouverneur thanks to a generous donor.
The funding was provided through the St. James School Foundation Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
“It is an honor for us to work with donors to direct their giving in ways that have deep meaning for them,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “This incredibly generous gift represents a great desire to see St. James School continue to be a strong and sustainable educational community resource.
St. James School opened its doors to Gouverneur-area students of all faiths in September 1960 under the direction of Father Robert McCarthy and has operated continuously for 60 years. Today, the school educates children from preschool through sixth grade.
In 2019, St. James School established a partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation and created the St. James School Foundation Fund to help support all aspects of its educational operation both now and in the future, with additional long-term stewardship. Donors continue to help build this enduring resource.
Through school educational foundations stewarded at the Community Foundation, alumni, parents, teachers, retirees and others for whom their school holds special meaning can leave a legacy to their school. Donors may also designate a specific use for their gift. An educational foundation, like the St. James School Foundation Fund, enables donors to support the school in either a broader or more specific way. The Community Foundation presently partners with 12 other school districts across 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.