The Northern New York Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Council is accepting grant requests from non-profit organizations for programs, projects or initiatives positively impacting the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Agencies providing programs and services in the tri-county area are encouraged to apply. The council will evaluate all proposals and have up to $20,000 to award in grant funding.

A dozen representatives from Watertown High School, Immaculate Heart Central School, and Sackets Harbor Central School comprise this year’s Youth Philanthropy Council. Council members will assess all grant proposals from non-profits and notify finalists to present their grant requests to the council this spring. The council will determine grant recommendations, and the Community Foundation’s board of directors will review the council’s recommendations at their quarterly meeting in June 2018. Last spring, the council awarded eight grants totaling more than $17,000 in support of non-profit organizations serving the tri-county area.

Grant requests to be considered by the Youth Philanthropy Council must be received by the Community Foundation no later than February 1, 2018. The program is made possible through the generosity of Watertown Savings Bank, the Renzi Foodservice Charitable Foundation, RBC Wealth Management, and annual gifts made to Friends of the Community Foundation Community Betterment Fund.

Non-profit organizations interested in applying for grant funding through the Youth Philanthropy Council may contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, at 315-782-7110 or via email at max@nnycf.org. Proposals should include a general description of the organization and request, the grant amount requested, how the funding will be utilized and the expected impact of the program or project.

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.