The generosity of Charles and Fern Brown will continue to make a meaningful difference throughout southern Jefferson County this year.
Through the Charles and Fern Brown Fund at the Northern New York Community Foundation, an additional $10,000 has been allocated to support grantmaking through the Six Town Community Fund this year. With this generous grant from the Brown’s legacy fund, up to $15,000 will be available to support non-profit programs, projects and initiatives enhancing the quality of life in the Six Town communities.
“Geographic-specific funds can be very meaningful and a directed way to benefit communities in perpetuity. This additional funding made possible by Charles and Fern Brown demonstrates the enduring power of legacy to impact a region,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation director.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown devoted several years of community service to the Adams area. Mr. Brown was an Ellisburg native and a graduate of Adams High School in 1941. Mr. and Mrs. Brown each worked for approximately 30 years at Carrier Corporation in Syracuse until they retired in 1982 and returned to Northern New York. Mr. Brown died in 2010 at age 89, and Mrs. Brown died at age 97 in 2017. As part of their charitable legacy, Mr. and Mrs. Brown established their named fund at the Community Foundation to endow their thoughtful giving within the region in perpetuity.
The Six Town Community Fund is administered by the Northern New York Community Foundation. The geographic-specific fund was created as a philanthropic resource for community projects and efforts impacting residents of all ages in southern Jefferson County. Since inception, the Six Town Community Fund has awarded $15,000 to support 22 different projects. The fund was made possible by gifts from individuals, families, businesses and organizations, as well as a matching grant from the Community Foundation.
Grant guidelines to apply to the Six Town Community Fund are available through the Community Foundation. Organizations with a 501(c)(3) non-profit classification are eligible to apply. Other agencies, community groups, or individuals seeking a fiscal sponsor for a community project are encouraged to partner with an eligible non-profit or the nearest municipality.
The deadline to submit an application for consideration is November 15, 2018. Interested organizations are encouraged to contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, at (315) 782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org to receive grant guidelines or discuss potential projects.
The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions. The Community Foundation is located at the Northern New York Philanthropy Center in Watertown.