Up to $20,000 Available for Tri-County Nonprofits; Info Session Set for Nov. 2
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council welcomes grant requests from nonprofit organizations of all types for projects, programs or initiatives that positively impact the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The council will evaluate each proposal for up to $20,000 in available grant funding.
For consideration, completed grant applications must be received at the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, no later than Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. Council members will notify finalists selected to present proposals. The council will recommend grants for funding to the Community Foundation’s board of directors, which will review recommendations during its quarterly meeting in June 2021. This past spring, the Youth Philanthropy Council awarded eight grants totaling $19,530 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve residents of the tri-county region.
“Interest in this important program continues to grow. We are hopeful that all charitable organizations view this as a way to communicate their work and mission to the next generation,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We want to make the council’s work as challenging and thought-provoking as possible by having the widest diversity of funding requests.”
Nonprofit organizations that wish to apply for Youth Philanthropy Council grant funding should contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, 315-782-7110, or kraig@nnycf.org. Proposals should include a description of the organization, its mission and how it serves tri-county residents, the requested grant amount, how funding would be used, and the anticipated project or program impact. Grant applications are available to download at nnycf.org/grants/grant-opportunities.
Organizations applying for funding are encouraged to attend a free online Grant Information Session via Zoom Monday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. The Youth Philanthropy Council’s Executive Committee, along with its Grants Subcommittee chair, will lead the session. Attendees will hear an overview of the Foundation’s YPC grant program, review recent YPC grant awards, learn what makes a successful partnership, review a grant application checklist, and have a chance to ask questions.
Nonprofit leaders who wish to attend the Nov. 2 Grant Information Session should contact Kraig Everard at kraig@nnycf.org and register by Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. Confirmed registrants will receive an invitation with a link to the online event.
The Youth Philanthropy Council and its grant program is made possible by annual gifts made to the Friends of the Foundation Community Betterment Fund and generous support from Watertown Savings Bank, the Renzi Foodservice Charitable Foundation at the Northern New York Community Foundation, and RBC Wealth Management.
This year’s Youth Philanthropy Council includes 15 representatives from Immaculate Heart Central School, South Jefferson Central School and Watertown High School. Each council member is in his or her junior or senior class. Representatives from each school district are:
Immaculate Heart Central High School: Tadd Ledoux, senior.
South Jefferson High School: Katherine Banazek, junior; Hailyn Buker, junior; Blake Edgar, senior; Maxwell Gray, senior; Logan Hess, senior; Romi LaClair, junior; and Sidney Wheeler III, junior.
Watertown High School: Ella Arnott, junior; Lucas Barney, senior; Anmolika Bolla, junior; Isabelle Boyce, senior; Eloise Johnson, senior; Philip Marra III, senior; and Dakota Sloat, 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 10 years ago, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded close to 100 grants to nonprofit organizations in the tri-county area, totaling $165,870 in support.
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.