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Northern NY Community Foundation

Northern NY Community Foundation

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Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge

 

The Northern New York Community Foundation’s 2020-2021 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge is now CLOSED. Winning entries will be announced in early January 2021. Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, 315-782-7110, or kraig@nnycf.org to learn more.

About the challenge

The Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge began in October 2017 as an effort to engage middle school-aged children in the principles of community and philanthropy. That year, the Community Foundation selected 23 winning entries from more than 60 submissions by 7th- and 8th-grade students in Jefferson and Lewis counties, awarding grants to 19 nonprofit organizations totaling $10,000 in support. The Watertown-based nonprofit Stage Notes was a 2017-2018 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge partner. The 2018-2019 Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge was expanded to also include 7th- and 8th-grade students in St. Lawrence County. Community Bank N.A., joined the effort as a program partner, providing a generous gift to help underwrite the grant awards.

The initiative strives to help participants explore their concept of community and provide funding to eligible 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that embody and support what students feel makes their community a great place to live. Through a written essay contest, the Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge asks students to explain what community means to them and to choose a nonprofit organization that best embodies their definition of community. Students compete for a chance to award a $500 grant from a total of $10,000 available that the students themselves recommend. Twenty students are selected and each will personally present a $500 grant to the nonprofit organization they have chosen while spending time with the nonprofits’ leadership, learning about the organization’s mission and how it serves tri-county residents.

Watch a video here about the Youth Giving Challenge and hear from past challenge winners and nonprofit leaders about how they used a $500 grant to help their organizations.

Click to view a list of nonprofit organizations that presently partner with the Community Foundation.

We are pleased to continue this initiative with support from a private donor, a corporate gift from Community Bank N.A., as well as all who give to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund.

Click to view a list of 7th- and 8th-grade students whose essays were selected as 2019-2020 Youth Giving Challenge winners and the nonprofit organizations they chose to receive a grant. Check back to view a photo gallery of past Community Spirit Youth Giving Challenge winners!

Enter online now!

Northern New York Community Foundation

131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: 315-782-7110
Fax: 315-782-0047

info@nnycf.org

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Northern New York Community Foundation

1 week ago

Northern New York Community Foundation

“Giving back is so important because it creates a culture that, the more we give, the better it is for everyone — those giving, and those receiving. That’s very, very important. We can always do more and we have to remember that.” — Donald Whitney, Adams Center

Don Whitney came from a family of givers. He believed that helping your community in any fashion is part of gratifying life. We are grateful for having known him and even more grateful that Don joined us in 2017 to participate in the Northern New York Community Podcast. His passing last weekend deeply saddens us. The fact that his story — in his own voice — is forever documented is a wonderful part of his permanent legacy that will inspire generations to come.

Learn more about what called Don to a life of service to his community and others in this 2017 episode from the second season of the Northern New York Community Podcast.

Listen today at: www.nnycpodcast.com/episodes/donald-whitney

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacy #CommunityPodcast
... See MoreSee Less

“Giving back is so important because it creates a culture that, the more we give, the better it is for everyone — those giving, and those receiving. That’s very, very important. We can always do more and we have to remember that.” — Donald Whitney, Adams Center

Don Whitney came from a family of givers. He believed that helping your community in any fashion is part of gratifying life. We are grateful for having known him and even more grateful that Don joined us in 2017 to participate in the Northern New York Community Podcast. His passing last weekend deeply saddens us. The fact that his story — in his own voice — is forever documented is a wonderful part of his permanent legacy that will inspire generations to come.

Learn more about what called Don to a life of service to his community and others in this 2017 episode from the second season of the Northern New York Community Podcast. 

Listen today at: www.nnycpodcast.com/episodes/donald-whitney

#NNYCF #ThoughtfulLegacy #CommunityPodcast
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I'm so happy that Don did this podcast...it will always be nice to hear his voice and his passion for history!!

A truly wonderful man and educator.

Prayers for this wonderful man's family🙏💗

Such a wonderful man!

This man was a huge part of my life growing up and I pray for his family. Say hi to mom for me Don

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Northern New York Community Foundation

2 weeks ago

Northern New York Community Foundation

It is an honor to work with Minna Anthony Common Nature Center - Friends in this meaningful and enduring way. They are one of the North Country's finest with a mission worth perpetuating for generations to come.In case you missed this article from the TI Sun a couple weeks ago... we are thrilled to announce our endowment with Northern New York Community Foundation! With this fund, we hope to sustain our future endeavors and continue providing nature education for many years to come! ... See MoreSee Less

It is an honor to work with Minna Anthony Common Nature Center - Friends in this meaningful and enduring way. They are one of the North Countrys finest with a mission worth perpetuating for generations to come.
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