St. Lawrence County non-profits serving communities in Franklin County or within the Adirondack "Blue Line" can apply for the Adirondack Foundation’s Generous Acts Fund.

That includes the towns of Fine, Clare, Clifton, Colton, Piercefield, Hopkinton and part of Pitcairn.

This year, the fund will prioritize applications that address early childhood development and quality of life for seniors. Innovative projects that target pressing or unmet needs and opportunities are also welcome.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12. To get started on an application, or for information about 2018 guidelines, visit www.adirondackfoundation.org/granting/apply-grant/generous-acts-fund. Prior to applying, organizations are encouraged to contact Adirondack Foundation staff to share ideas and ask questions: call (518) 523-9904.

In 2017, the fund awarded $100,000 to organizations across the Adirondack region: $40,000 was awarded to organizations in support of early childhood development; $40,000 supporting quality of life for seniors; and $20,000 in grants for programs supporting food security, equity, and social justice.

“Elders in the Adirondacks have fewer resources to cope with aging,” said Donna Beal, executive director of Mercy Care for the Adirondacks. “Young people often move away for education and career, which means there are fewer informal caregivers. The Generous Acts Fund and Adirondack Foundation are helping us respond to those challenges.”

“With Adirondack Foundation’s support, our Healthy Families program is providing more parents with the right tools to help their children develop and master skills during the first critical years of their life,” said Esther Piper, program director for Behavioral Health Services North.

This grants program is made possible by the hundreds of Generous Acts Fund donors. For info on how to join in, visit www.adirondackfoundation.org/how-it-works/generous-acts-fund or call 518-523-9904.