Students Field 25 Requests for Funding Support from Diverse Slate of Tri-County Nonprofits
WATERTOWN — Six North Country nonprofit organizations will share $20,000 in grant support to support a wide range of community programs and projects, thanks to the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation.
Each year, the Council reviews requests from tri-county nonprofit organizations to fund projects or initiatives that positively impact the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence counties. In addition to researching and recommending grants, Council members visit several nonprofit organizations and learn about community investment and leadership, nonprofit sustainability, and grantee stewardship.
The Council received 25 funding proposals during the 2023-2024 program year with seven agencies invited to present requests to the full Council. Members delivered grant recommendations to the Community Foundation Board of Directors during its recent quarterly meeting and the Board unanimously approved the full slate of grants.
“The students involved in this program consistently demonstrate an awareness of the importance of supporting our region broadly as it relates to quality of life, which is the community foundation model. They represent their schools, their families, and their community extremely well in their stewardship of donor resources,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “The leadership skills they are developing through this experience will remain with them as they seek ways to make a difference throughout their lifetimes.”
Council Chair Olivia Urf, a second-year member and 2024 Watertown High School graduate, said the Council “had many deserving applications this year.”
“Through an intricate and careful selection process, the Council assessed which organizations would benefit our community most effectively with funding from the Youth Philanthropy Council,” Ms. Urf said. “I am proud of the work this Council has done to maximize its impact upon our community.”
The following Youth Philanthropy Council grants were approved:
- Wilderness HealthCare Foundation, $6,000 to support Clifton-Fine Hospital’s “Emergency Care Close to Home” capital campaign for the construction of a 9,300-square-foot addition to its emergency department. YPC grant funding will be used to purchase essential equipment for a new emergency room and trauma space, ensuring patients receive high-quality care.
- HarmoNNY Performing Arts Community, $5,000 to help purchase a projector to screen films, enhance performances with visual aids, and facilitate presentations, which will expand the versatility for theater groups and other arts organizations at a new performing arts space opening later this year in Watertown’s historic Strand Theatre building.
- Potsdam Snack Pack Program, $3,500 to help relocate storage and packing operations from New Hope Community Church to a space at Lawrence Elementary in Potsdam. Funding will help acquire new equipment, including shelving, bins, a refrigerator, a freezer, and a volunteer station.
- Jefferson County Toys for Tots, $2,500 to support local efforts of this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, ensuring that every child has a gift to open on Christmas, regardless of their family’s financial needs, alleviating some of the holiday burden many disadvantaged families face.
- Henderson Harbor Water Sports Programs, $2,000 to help purchase new safety equipment and provide needs-based scholarships for local youth to encourage participation in essential classes that teach Jefferson County residents drown-proofing and other critical swimming skills.
- St. Lawrence County People Project, $1,000 to purchase materials for a mental health awareness and education program, which introduces age-appropriate mental health and wellness concepts to St. Lawrence County K-12 students. Grant funding will support mindfulness tools, and program books for students.
Council Grants Committee Chair Ella Smith, a second-year member and rising Watertown High School senior, said she and her peers “selected six organizations with the most confidence that each project will have a lasting impact and meet the needs in the communities they serve.”
“This part of the grantmaking process contributes a great amount of knowledge from all members on the Council about the variety of needs in our community,” Ms. Smith said. “Our Council worked together to make impactful decisions with our funding and feel fulfilled with the grants selected this year.”
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 problem solvers as they engage in lessons that may never be taught in a classroom.
A team of volunteers and Community Foundation staff manage the program, including Senior Advisor Emily Sprague, a retired Watertown City School District teacher who also serves as Vice Chair of the Community Foundation Board of Directors. Mrs. Sprague has volunteered to lead the program since its inception. Advisor Leslie Renzi is a volunteer who has helped mentor Council students for the past four years. Mrs. Renzi’s son, Jude, is a Council alumnus. Kraig Everard, Community Foundation Director of Stewardship and Programs, serves as the staff advisor for the program. Mr. Everard joined the Foundation team in 2020.
The Council’s grant program is made possible through support from gifts made to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund and Watertown Savings Bank, Renzi Family Charitable Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, the Mart Liinve Family Charitable Fund.
Since its inception, the Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded 145 grants totaling $255,070 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve tri-county residents, and nearly 160 students from eight different North Country high schools have served as Council members.
This year’s Council includes 17 representatives from General Brown High School, Lyme High School, South Jefferson High School, and Watertown High School. Each Council member is in his or her sophomore, junior, or senior class. Representatives from each school district are: General Brown High School: McKenna Lee, senior; Olivia Wisner, senior and 2023-24 Council Vice Chair; and Colden Marks, junior. Lyme High School: Rosamond Hunt, junior. South Jefferson High School: Jack Mangan, senior; Watertown High School: Justin Draught, junior; Hannah Eldridge, junior; Mia Kelly, junior and Communications Committee Chair; Vincent Knapp, junior; Harper Lane, junior; Bennett Pistner, junior; Anastaja Smith, junior; Ella Smith, junior and Grants Committee Chair; Finley Swartz, junior; Olivia Urf, senior and 2023-24 Council Chair; Sienna Virga, junior; and Maya Voss, senior and 2023-24 Council Secretary.
The Council reconvenes at the start of the new school year in September. It will accept 2024-2025 funding proposals in the fall. Information about how nonprofits may apply will be announced at that time.
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.
