The Northern New York Community Foundation community grant program allows tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties to apply for grants to fund innovative programs, projects and initiatives that positively affect the quality of life in the region.
The Community Foundation awards grants to programs and projects that are responsive to changing community needs, in areas such as: human services, health and wellness, arts and culture, education, families and youth, community development, recreation and more. Our organization encourages grant requests designed for meaningful and valuable impact in Northern New York. Proposals will also be evaluated based on the quality of planning, leadership, support, funding available for disbursement, passion and vision expressed in the application.
Grant applications are reviewed four times each year. Grant requests of $5,000 or less may be approved at the committee level. Larger grant requests are referred to the Board of Directors with a committee recommendation. Applicants will be notified of the grant award or denial by letter after the Board of Directors meeting. St. Lawrence County grant proposals are reviewed twice a year and must be submitted by Friday, April 17, 2020, and Friday, July 17, 2020, to be considered.
To learn more about the Community Foundation’s grant process, please contact Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, at max@nnycf.org.
2020 Grant Application Deadlines
Friday, January 24
Friday, April 24
Friday, July 24
Friday, October 23
2020 Board Meetings
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, June 23
Tuesday, September 29
Tuesday, December 15
2020-2021 Safe Schools Endeavor Grants
All public and private schools in Jefferson and lewis counties are eligible and encouraged to apply for a Safe Schools Endeavor grant. The Steering Committee will consider applications submitted by students, teachers, faculty, staff, and parents. Any individual or group with an idea to improve safety within their Jefferson or Lewis County school should discuss the concept with their respective school administrator to gather support. Proposals that are student-led or involve close collaboration with students may receive additional weight as funding is considered. Grant applications for the 2020-2021 funding year will be made available in early September.
Funding is not awarded as a means of reimbursement for any program or school-based initiative that has already occurred. All grants must be applied to programs in the 2020-2021 school year that have not been held at the time of application. Click here to download and review a scoring rubric.
School officials and representatives should complete applications no later than Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, and submit them to: Northern New York Community Foundation, ATTN: Safe Schools Endeavor, 131 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601. Applicants will be notified after Jan. 1, 2021, with a funding decision. Contact Erika Flint, Steering Committee chairwoman, eflint@fdrhpo.org, or safeschoolsendeavor@gmail.com, with any application questions.
Click here to view and download a Safe Schools Endeavor program brochure to learn more about this initiative.
General Contact Information
Max DelSignore, Assistant Director
Northern New York Community Foundation
Northern New York Philanthropy Center
131 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: 315-782-7110
Email: max@nnycf.org
Fax: 315-782-0047