The Community Foundation stewards several charitable funds that annually award grants to support nonprofit organization programs, projects and initiatives positively impacting the quality of life across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Funding opportunities below are open to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in 2021. Available grant funding for each opportunity varies and will be announced on this page as they are determined. Most grant applications will be managed through our new online Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal, which launched in March 2021. You may access the GLM portal and create a single user account for your organization here.
Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund
Communities served: St. Lawrence County
Purpose: Support to strengthen the quality of life in St. Lawrence County with a special emphasis on arts and culture, environmental conservation, and animal welfare
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $50,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
LEAD Impact Grant Program
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support nonprofit programs, projects and initiatives that will make a positive and tangible impact on the organization and the people it serves. Requests that are able to clearly demonstrate innovative approaches to service, enhancement of mission and community, and a meaningful impact on the quality of life across the North Country will be strongly considered.
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $20,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Safe Schools Endeavor
Communities served: Jefferson and Lewis counties
Purpose: Support for programs and projects that empower students, parents, and faculty to nurture the safest campus environment for children and adults in public and private K-12 schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties.
Proposals that are student-led or involve close collaboration with students may receive additional weight as funding is considered.
Application available: Summer 2021
Application deadline: November 5, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Erika Flint, steering committee chairwoman (eflint@fdrhpo.org)
Learn more: Click here to view and download a Safe Schools Endeavor program brochure
John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund
Communities served: Greater Potsdam area
Purpose: Support for nonprofit and eligible public organizations that impact the quality of life for residents of the greater Potsdam area, with a priority given to the village and town of Potsdam. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, community revitalization, and more
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $20,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Shaw Harbor Foundation Charitable Foundation
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support for nonprofit and eligible public organizations that broadly strengthen the quality of life for Northern New York residents. Special consideration is given to those serving the towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman, Worth, and Hounsfield. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: Arts and culture, history, LGBTQ services and programs, and general quality of life initiatives and projects.
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $15,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
The Jefferson Economic Development Fund
Communities served: Jefferson County
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations with programs, projects and initiatives that enhance and promote economic development in Jefferson County. Nonprofits are encouraged to think creatively and broadly when examining programs and services and identify a correlation between their work and economic development in the community
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $10,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Six Town Community Fund
Communities served: Towns of Adams, Ellisburg, Henderson, Lorraine, Rodman and Worth
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations and eligible public organizations that impact the quality of life for residents of the Six Town region, as noted above
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $7,500
Application deadline: November 5, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Clifton-Fine Community Fund
Communities served: Clifton, Cranberry Lake, Fine, Newton Falls, Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Wanakena
Purpose: Support for nonprofit and eligible public organizations for programs, projects and initiatives strengthening the quality of life in the region noted above
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $6,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Daniel J. Briggs Fund for Integrity
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support for bullying prevention and character education programs, as well as professional development for administrators, teachers, staff, and employees of school districts across the region
Application: Active
Funding available: Up to $1,000
Application deadline: October 22, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Rock Charitable Fund
Communities served: St. Lawrence County
Purpose: Support for the maintenance and preservation of churches and cemeteries and places of legitimate historical significance in the county; to help benefit or assist Veterans of the United States Military living in St. Lawrence County for medical or recreational needs
Application available: Spring 2021
Application deadline: September 3, 2021
Grants determined: December 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Youth Philanthropy Council
Communities served: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations serving all residents through programs and projects that enhance the quality of life in communities across the region -— not limited to youth programs
Application available: Autumn 2021
Application deadline: TBD
Grants determined: June 2022
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship and Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund
Communities served: Boonville, Constableville and Westernville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages
Funding available: Up to $50,000
Application deadline: April 23, 2021
Grants determined: June 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
Orchestral Fund
Communities served: Watertown
Purpose: Support for live orchestral performances in the Watertown area. Eligible nonprofit organizations are required to have at least 20 performers in the group with an instrumental component
Funding available: Up to $20,000
Application deadline: April 23, 2021
Grants determined: June 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
George R. Davis Fund for Lowville
Communities served: Village and Town of Lowville
Purpose: Support for programs, projects and initiatives that impact the quality of life for residents of the village and town of Lowville
Funding available: Up to $15,000
Application deadline: April 23, 2021
Grants determined: June 2021
Contact: Max DelSignore, Assistant Director, max@nnycf.org
The Lighthouse Fund
Communities served: Clayton, Cape Vincent, and surrounding St. Lawrence River-area communities
Purpose: Support for nonprofit organizations providing services to vulnerable populations living in the region noted above
Funding available: Up to $2,000
Application deadline: April 23, 2021
Grants determined: June 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org
Carolyn Whitney Fund
Communities served: Watertown
Purpose: Support for tree-planting projects in the city of Watertown
Funding available: Up to $4,000
Application deadline: April 23, 2021
Grants determined: June 2021
Contact: Kraig Everard, Director of Stewardship & Programs, kraig@nnycf.org