• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Northern NY Community Foundation

Northern NY Community Foundation

  • Home
    • COVID-19 Community Support Fund
  • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Philanthropy Center
    • Recent News
    • News Archive
    • Publications
    • Partner & Grantee Resources
    • Milestones
    • Northern New York Community Podcast
    • Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge
    • Youth Philanthropy Council
  • Giving
    • Donate Online
    • Gift Information “At A Glance”
    • Making A Gift
    • Top 10 Things You Can Do To Leave A Legacy
    • NNYCF vs. A Private Foundation
    • FAQs
    • Investment Performance
    • #giveNNY
  • Scholarships
    • Scholarship Overview
    • Applications
    • Greenfield Everyday Heroes Award
    • Scholarships Available
    • Requirements & Criteria
    • Financial Aid
  • Grants
    • Apply for a Grant
    • 2022 Grant Opportunities
    • Recent Grant Recipients
  • Contact

John & Dorotha VanNess Family Fund Supports Potsdam Nonprofits

February 12, 2020 By admin

First Grant Awards Aid North Country Children’s Museum, Potsdam Holiday Fund

    POTSDAM — The John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently made its first grant awards to two nonprofit organizations that support the quality of life and vibrancy of the Potsdam area.

John and Dorotha VanNess

    The North Country Children’s Museum, Potsdam, received a $2,500 award to purchase kits for its STEAM learning opportunities. A group of educators with a collective vision to create a cultural and educational center for North Country families formed the museum in 2012.

    The Potsdam Holiday Fund received $500 to support its “Santa’s Workshop” program. Each year, the Potsdam Holiday Fund helps to make the holidays happier for hundreds of local families.

    The John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation is a permanent grantmaking fund that will forever support programs, activities and initiatives that support the general welfare of the Potsdam community. It was established at the Community Foundation in 2018 by Mr. and Mrs. VanNess’ daughter, Susan J. Sewall, as a lasting tribute to her parents’ civic-mindedness.

    Through her legacy planning, the fund was established after Mrs. Sewall passed away in 2017 to appropriately honor her parents and their long-standing commitment to the betterment of the Potsdam area. She believed that strong, healthy, quality-of-life enhanced communities help provide the backdrop from which many other aspects of community vibrancy and development can occur.

    “The Potsdam area will forever benefit from this fund. The first two grants demonstrate meaningful ways communities can be positively affected by a legacy of caring,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

    Applications for 2020 funding from the VanNess Family Fund will be accepted this fall with up to $10,000 available. Eligible 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve the Potsdam area are encouraged to apply through this funding opportunity. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, community revitalization, and more.

    Contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, 315-782-7110, or max@nnycf.org, to obtain a grant application or learn more about this opportunity to enhance the quality of life in the Potsdam area.

About the John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund

    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 a trustee at Paul Smith’s College.

    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.

Susan J. Sewall

    Their daughter, Susan J. Sewall, admired her parents’ 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.

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.

Filed Under: Recent News

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
2 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Congratulations to Kyle Moyer, the 2022 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Anna Mae Searles Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Kyle graduated in June from Belleville-Henderson High School in June and will attend SUNY Brockport to study exercise science. He aspires to work as a physical therapist.

Kyle is a National Honor Society member and an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing in varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. He is the son of Michelle and Jeromy Moyer, Mannsville.

Established in 2019 at the Community Foundation, the Anna Mae Searles Cooper Scholarship honors the life and legacy of longtime South Jefferson Central Schools teacher Anna Mae Searles Cooper. It is presented annually to a South Jefferson High School graduate who demonstrates exceptional motivation and potential.

Kyle recently met with scholarship founders Denny and Pamela Jerome and Anna Mae’s longtime dear friend, Sandra Haight, who presented him with a $1,000 scholarship award. Pictured, from left: Denny Jerome, Pamela Jerome, Kyle Moyer, and Sandra Haight.

We are honored to part of the special way that Anna Mae will be remembered as she continues to touch the lives of students in her community.

#NNYCF #Scholars #ClassOf2022
... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to Kyle Moyer, the 2022 recipient of the Northern New York Community Foundation Anna Mae Searles Cooper Memorial Scholarship.

Kyle graduated in June from Belleville-Henderson High School in June and will attend SUNY Brockport to study exercise science. He aspires to work as a physical therapist. 

Kyle is a National Honor Society member and an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing in varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. He is the son of Michelle and Jeromy Moyer, Mannsville.

Established in 2019 at the Community Foundation, the Anna Mae Searles Cooper Scholarship honors the life and legacy of longtime South Jefferson Central Schools teacher Anna Mae Searles Cooper. It is presented annually to a South Jefferson High School graduate who demonstrates exceptional motivation and potential.

Kyle recently met with scholarship founders Denny and Pamela Jerome and Anna Mae’s longtime dear friend, Sandra Haight, who presented him with a $1,000 scholarship award. Pictured, from left: Denny Jerome, Pamela Jerome, Kyle Moyer, and Sandra Haight.

We are honored to part of the special way that Anna Mae will be remembered as she continues to touch the lives of students in her community.

#NNYCF #Scholars #ClassOf2022
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 45
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 9

Comment on Facebook

Anna Mae would love seeing all the recipients of this scholarship. She was an amazing person!

Thank You for your generosity ❤️

Great teacher. She’s smiling on this

Congratulations

Thank you Anna Mae . Thank you Sandy .

Moyer Michelle

Pamela Jerome

Yes sir!

Awesome Michel Soluri Michel F. Soluri

View more comments

Northern New York Community Foundation
2 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Watch your mailboxes for our Summer 2022 issue of “Thoughtful Giving” that is now on its way to all our valued donors, partners, and Community Foundation friends!

We feature a wide range of stories in 32 pages about the work donors make possible to strengthen communities across Northern New York. We also pay special tribute to many incredible people who our community recently lost and whose legacies will live on in many special ways.

Donors like YOU support so much of our work that improves the quality of life across Northern New York for everyone.

Click here for a “sneak peek” of the issue: issuu.com/nnycf/docs/tg_summer_2022

#ThoughtfulGiving #ThoughtfulLegacies #NNYCF #Grateful
... See MoreSee Less

Watch your mailboxes for our Summer 2022 issue of “Thoughtful Giving” that is now on its way to all our valued donors, partners, and Community Foundation friends!

We feature a wide range of stories in 32 pages about the work donors make possible to strengthen communities across Northern New York. We also pay special tribute to many incredible people who our community recently lost and whose legacies will live on in many special ways.

Donors like YOU support so much of our work that improves the quality of life across Northern New York for everyone.

Click here for a “sneak peek” of the issue: issuu.com/nnycf/docs/tg_summer_2022

#ThoughtfulGiving #ThoughtfulLegacies #NNYCF #Grateful
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 13
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

View more comments

Northern New York Community Foundation
3 days ago
Northern New York Community Foundation

Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship!

Pictured, from left: North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee member Terry Williams; Advisory Committee member and past League president William Parody; North Side Legacy Scholarship recipient Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central graduate; scholarship recipient Martin J. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; scholarship recipient Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero-North Syracuse High School; and Advisory Committee member Terri Mallette. Absent from photo: scholarship recipient Loise A. Pador, Watertown High School.

Each of this year’s recipients have strong family ties to Watertown’s North Side Improvement League.

We are honored to be the permanent home for the North Side Improvement League to build upon its legacy of charitable work and support for college-bound students. Because of this endowment, the League’s civic deeds and community pride will forever continue.

#NNYCF #NSIL #Scholars #ClassOf2022
... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship! 

Pictured, from left: North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee member Terry Williams; Advisory Committee member and past League president William Parody; North Side Legacy Scholarship recipient Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central graduate; scholarship recipient Martin J. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; scholarship recipient Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero-North Syracuse High School; and Advisory Committee member Terri Mallette. Absent from photo: scholarship recipient Loise A. Pador, Watertown High School.

Each of this year’s recipients have strong family ties to Watertown’s North Side Improvement League.

We are honored to be the permanent home for the North Side Improvement League to build upon its legacy of charitable work and support for college-bound students. Because of this endowment, the League’s civic deeds and community pride will forever continue.

#NNYCF #NSIL #Scholars #ClassOf2022
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 23
  • Shares: 4
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

So glad to see the North Side Improvement League is still touching the lives of our community. As a former volunteer with my grandparents and a descendent of a past president of the ladies auxiliary, I am proud of the organization!!!

View more comments

Load more

Copyright © 2022 · Northern NY Community Foundation · Site Design: Riverside Media, LLC.