WATERTOWN, NY — The Northern New York Community Foundation announces $30,000 in initial grants to support nonprofit and civic organizations that are working to meet essential needs of hundreds of north country residents who have been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Community Foundation established the support fund last week to help address challenges mounting across the region as the effects of the global health pandemic deepen. With care for the residents of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in mind, the Foundation continues to take measures to best serve our community, donors, and other partners.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors approved the fund to help partner agencies and other nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that work to support essential needs for thousands of our neighbors. The effort is presently directed at basic needs. The Community Foundation contributed an initial $50,000 in funding available for rapid deployment to help buffer the impact that may be seen in the coming weeks and months. Additionally, since the announcement of the fund, generous donors have responded, making contributions to expand the fund’s impact and reach.
“It is humbling to witness the generosity of those who have helped us maximize resources and quickly get them where they are needed most,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Because we know the needs are urgent and essential, we are reviewing requests as they are received. We are confident that the community’s help, combined with existing resources, will provide immediate aid to organizations assisting our most vulnerable neighbors.”
The Community Foundation provides annual support to food pantries, soup kitchens and school backpack programs across the tri-county region. Additional grant funding during this time of increased demand is essential for food pantries and non-government funded school pantry programs to help those organizations
serve more of our neighbors.
Organizations receiving critical support include:
Jefferson County
$2,000, CAPC Food Pantry, Watertown
$2,000, Watertown Urban Mission
$1,000, Cape Vincent Food Pantry
$1,000, Carthage VEM Food Pantry
$1,000, Clayton Council of Churches Food Pantry
$1,000, Rohde Center, Adams
$1,000, Watertown Salvation Army
$500, Carthage Central School Backpack Program
$500, General Brown Central School Backpack Program
$500, Indian River Central School Backpack Program
$500, LaFargeville Central School Backpack Program
$500, Philadelphia Food Pantry
$500, Sackets Harbor Central School Backpack Program
$500, South Jefferson Central School Backpack Program
$500, St. Mary’s Food Pantry, Evans Mills
Lewis County
$2,000, Lowville Food Pantry
$3,000, Lewis County Opportunities, Lowville
$500, South Lewis Central School Backpack Program
St. Lawrence County
$1,000, Church and Community Program, Canton
$1,000, Clifton-Fine Central School Backpack Program
$1,000, Gouverneur Neighborhood Center
$1,000, Helping Hands of Potsdam
$1,000, Massena Salvation Army Food Supplies
$1,000, Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club Food Supplies
$1,000, Ogdensburg Salvation Army Food Supplies
$500, Canton Central School Backpack Program
$500, Canton Methodist Church, Free Will Meal
$500, Christian Fellowship Center Pantry, Madrid
$500, Community Lunch Program for Kids, Norwood
$500, Norfolk-Raymondville Food Pantry
$500, Potsdam Snack Pack Program
$500, St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House Food Supplies
$500, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Massena
$500, Transitional Living Services Food Supplies
Nonprofit organizations serving residents in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that wish to apply for funding from the Community Support Fund should contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs at 315-782-7110, or kraig@nnycf.org.
The Community Foundation is responding to funding requests rapidly. This effort helps our region in a manner that complements other steps being undertaken across the nonprofit and government sectors, and it is symbolic of the types of public/private partnerships that will be required moving forward.
Those who wish to join the effort to expand the reach may make gifts to the Northern New York Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Fund, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, or through a secure online gift at www.nnycf.org.
Nearly 180 community foundations in 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, have created relief funds to support those affected by COVID-19 — directing critical relief to local nonprofits to help people in their respective communities impacted by the pandemic. To date, these efforts have already mobilized essential support to help those in need in every corner of the country.
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.