• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

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

Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience

Advisor Leslie Renzi, far right, leads Youth Philanthropy Council students in a team-building activity in 2023. (Kara Dry Photography)

New Summer ‘Youth Philanthropy Experience’ Opens to Jefferson County Rising Ninth-Grade Students

     The Community Foundation’s new summer Youth Philanthropy Experience is set to take off in July with a class of rising freshmen who attend school or reside in Jefferson County. The new weeklong summer program is a chance for students who are entering ninth grade this fall to learn about philanthropy and their community. Ideal students are committed to the full experience and able to attend all sessions.

     During this unique summer experience, students will:

  • Receive a broad introduction to community philanthropy, grantmaking, and hands-on learning about the vital work and missions of local nonprofits.
  • Attend daily three-hour morning sessions at the Community Foundation and participating Watertown-based nonprofits beginning Monday, July 27, and concluding Friday, July 31.
  • Be empowered to make a difference in their community through grantmaking and volunteer opportunities.
  • Meet local leaders, develop debate and critical thinking skills, and collaborate with peers from other Jefferson County schools.
  • Be entrusted with grant decisions that will allow them to directly impact the quality of life of the area. Grant awards students will make are not limited to youth programs or youth-related initiatives.
  • Be mentored by community leaders, Foundation staff, and current and past Youth Philanthropy Council members.

     Since 2010, the Community Foundation has grown its programs that provide youth leadership opportunities across the region, including the Youth Philanthropy Council and Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge.

     Applications are now OPEN, and students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. The application should be completed solely by the student who is applying. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted individually.

Grab a flyer

     Click below to download a Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience flyer.

Apply today

     Click below to download an application to participate in the Summer Youth Philanthropy Experience.

Questions?

     Contact Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil, emily@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, with questions or to learn more.

 

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

4,988

Working with donors to benefit the community through grants and scholarships since 1929.

Congratulations to Sackets Harbor senior Tanner J. Antonson, the 2026 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award.

Ranked seventh in his class, Tanner was awarded a $1,000 Community Foundation scholarship during the districts High School Academic Recognition night this month. He plans to attend the University of New Haven, Connecticut, this fall to study forensic science.

Tanner also completed the criminal justice program at Jeff-Lewis BOCES and was active in the student-led program Skills USA. He aspires to work in the criminal justice field as a forensic investigator. Tanner is the son of Michelle Lunderman, Sackets Harbor.

Given by Gabriel Renzi and Dr. Eugene and Joyce Renzi and family, the Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award was established at the Community Foundation in 2022 in Laurie’s memory to honor her life and perpetuate her legacy of kindness and positivity. A school guidance counselor, Laurie passed away in August 2021 at the age of 57.

Pictured, from left: Laurie’s mother, Joyce Renzi; award recipient Tanner Antonson; Laurie’s sister, Jennifer Renzi Kelly, and Jennifer’s husband, Bo Kelly.

We are grateful to the Renzi family for choosing us as the permanent home of Laurie’s legacy and this meaningful award that embodies her character.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacies #SacketsPatriots #CLassOf2026

Congratulations to Sackets Harbor senior Tanner J. Antonson, the 2026 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award.

Ranked seventh in his class, Tanner was awarded a $1,000 Community Foundation scholarship during the district's High School Academic Recognition night this month. He plans to attend the University of New Haven, Connecticut, this fall to study forensic science.

Tanner also completed the criminal justice program at Jeff-Lewis BOCES and was active in the student-led program Skills USA. He aspires to work in the criminal justice field as a forensic investigator. Tanner is the son of Michelle Lunderman, Sackets Harbor.

Given by Gabriel Renzi and Dr. Eugene and Joyce Renzi and family, the Laurie Renzi Gadsden Award was established at the Community Foundation in 2022 in Laurie’s memory to honor her life and perpetuate her legacy of kindness and positivity. A school guidance counselor, Laurie passed away in August 2021 at the age of 57.

Pictured, from left: Laurie’s mother, Joyce Renzi; award recipient Tanner Antonson; Laurie’s sister, Jennifer Renzi Kelly, and Jennifer’s husband, Bo Kelly.

We are grateful to the Renzi family for choosing us as the permanent home of Laurie’s legacy and this meaningful award that embodies her character.

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacies #SacketsPatriots #CLassOf2026
... See MoreSee Less

4 hours ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 32
  • Shares: 5
  • Comments: 4

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations Tanner!

Congratulations Tanner.

Congratulations! 🎉

Congratulations Tanner!

View more comments

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce that a group of donors have come together to make possible the free use of Watertown's two outdoor city pools for the season.

The Foundation, together Watertown Savings Bank Bank, local developer Jake Johnson, the Jane Deline Foundation, and dozens of individual donors, have generously provided support that will ensure free swimming throughout the summer.

Complete details: www.nnycf.org/city-pools-f#NNYCFN#ThoughtfulGivingi#collaborationa#grassrootsgivingiving
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Community Foundation collaborates with donors to ensure free swimming at city pools

www.nnycf.org

Community Foundation collaborates with donors to ensure free swimming at city pools June 18, 2026 By admin Grassroots effort matched by major gifts will allow city to cancel planned fee WATERTOWN — ...
4 days ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 108
  • Shares: 76
  • Comments: 22

Comment on Facebook

This is why we love this community! Thank you!!

Amazing 👏

Love this💕💕💕

This is awesome! So thankful for the community donors. My kids are forever grateful for your generosity.

Now this, is awesome!

The kids should always be grateful for people like that too

Thank you so much, to all the donors! 😊❤️

Thank You to a generous and supportive community!❤️🌟

Very nice !!! Thank you.

Fantastic. Kudos to all who donated. Thank you from all the families who need this free recreation this summer!!!

Wonderful news.

That is so amazing! What a beautiful community we have.

Amazing job

This is amazing news! Thank you to all who donated!

AWESOME!!!👏🏼

What a wonderful gesture! ❤️

Amazing!!!! Thank you to all the Donors!!!

AMAZING!

So happy to hear this news! Watertown is so fortunate to have the NNYCF 🙂

That is wonderful!

Such a thoughtful and caring gift to the community.

City is a bunch of crooks

View more comments

Together with the Italian-American Civic Association, we are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the William I. Graf Award. 

Watertown High School seniors Marra Dickinson was selected as the women’s recipient, and Maddox J. Corey was named as the men’s honoree this year.

We are honored to help the Graf family and the Italian-American Civic Association steward this highly cherished and storied legacy award. We look forward to seeing these three talented student athletes continue their journeys on and off the athletic field as they advance to undergraduate studies this fall.

Complete details: nnycf.org/2026-graf-award

Top photo, from left: Watertown High School seniors and 2026 William I. Graf Award recipients Marra Dickinson and Maddox J. Corey. 

Bottom left photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Marra Dickinson; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace. 

Bottom right photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Maddox J. Corey; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace. 

#NNYCF #ClassOf2026 #GrafAward #WHS #IACA #ThoughtfulLegacyImage attachmentImage attachment

Together with the Italian-American Civic Association, we are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the William I. Graf Award.

Watertown High School seniors Marra Dickinson was selected as the women’s recipient, and Maddox J. Corey was named as the men’s honoree this year.

We are honored to help the Graf family and the Italian-American Civic Association steward this highly cherished and storied legacy award. We look forward to seeing these three talented student athletes continue their journeys on and off the athletic field as they advance to undergraduate studies this fall.

Complete details: nnycf.org/2026-graf-award

Top photo, from left: Watertown High School seniors and 2026 William I. Graf Award recipients Marra Dickinson and Maddox J. Corey.

Bottom left photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Marra Dickinson; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

Bottom right photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Maddox J. Corey; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

#NNYCF #ClassOf2026 #GrafAward #WHS #IACA #ThoughtfulLegacy
... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 73
  • Shares: 15
  • Comments: 7

Comment on Facebook

Congrats to the both of them. Keep killing it Marra and Maddox

Congratulations 👏🎉

Congratulations to you both!

Do they honor IHC?

Congrats to Marra and Maddox! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

View more comments

Load more

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