The Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation is now accepting applications for 2023 grant support from qualified charitable organizations, houses of worship, cemeteries, or governmental entities that serve St. Lawrence County residents.

Grant funding is available to organizations whose missions and efforts align with the fund’s charitable purposes, which are: for the maintenance and preservation of churches, houses of worship, and cemeteries in St. Lawrence County; for the preservation and maintenance of places of legitimate historical significance in the county; and to benefit or assist veterans of the United States military with their medical or recreational needs who live in St. Lawrence County.

While projects that focus on each charitable purpose will be evaluated for funding, those that aid St. Lawrence County U.S. military veterans will receive priority consideration this year.

All organizations applying for funding must do so through the Community Foundation’s online Grant Lifecycle Manager, which may be accessed at bit.ly/grant-portal. A grant information session is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, July 6, via Zoom. Visit bit.ly/rockinfosession23 to register for the session today.

Approximately $100,000 in grant funding is available, and successful applicants may receive full or partial funding of their requested amount. While one sole project could be funded, it is the committee’s practice to accommodate several grants that are meaningful in nature with the total funding available.

In 2022, 10 projects were awarded grant funding totaling $115,000 that include: $25,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Potsdam for building improvements; $16,200 to American Legion Champion-Hobkirk Post 420, Waddington, to help complete an outdoor recreation space for veterans; $15,000 to St. James Church, Gouverneur, to help restore the large stained-glass window behind its altar; $13,000 to Galilee United Methodist Church, Oswegatchie, to help replace the roof on its main building and bell tower; $11,800 to First United Methodist Church of Norfolk for roof-related maintenance and other critical repairs to its church building; $10,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Ogdensburg to support repairs to several damaged stained-glass windows and installation of safety glass coverings; $10,000 to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Norwood, to help restore its Good Shepherd stained-glass window; $6,000 to St. Andrew’s Church Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk, to repair the foundations of 16 monuments that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s; receive $5,000 to Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY), Canton, to support facade restoration and installation of new front doors at the downtown TAUNY Center; $3,000 to Fairview Cemetery Association, Canton, to remove eight deteriorating trees from its property that are dangerous to nearby stones and roadways.

Organizations that have received a grant award from this charitable fund must wait three years before applying for new funding. Awards to support veterans may only be made to qualified organizations that serve veterans and cannot be made directly to individuals. Grants are not, however, restricted to Veterans Service Organizations and can be awarded to help with programs or initiatives that directly support veterans.

Second Lieutenant Marjorie J. Rock, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 1942. Ms. Rock retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970 and made St. Lawrence County her home.

The Rock Charitable Fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2019 through a bequest from St. Lawrence County resident and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marjorie J. Rock, who passed away in February 2017 at the age of 96.

“We anticipate that we will continue to see opportunities to make a difference in ways that move meaningful projects and programs solidly forward,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We are continually grateful that Marjorie chose to make a lasting gift that clearly addresses identified needs in St. Lawrence County in ways that were consistent with her beliefs.”

The Community Foundation administers this permanent charitable legacy fund in collaboration with a seven-member board of advisors that will review applications and make funding recommendations. Advisors include Ruth McWilliams, South Colton; Erik Backus, Potsdam; Fred Hanss, Hannawa Falls; Sarah Maneely, Canton; Chris Rediehs, Canton; Mark Thompson, Watertown; and Keith Zimmerman, Canton.

Requests for funding will not be considered for work that begins before Dec. 31, 2023. Successful applicants will have up to three years to complete their project or program. Applications and guidelines for the Rock Charitable Fund may be accessed through the Foundation’s Grant Lifecycle Manager portal. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Community Foundation to discuss requested amounts and project details before submitting grant proposals.

Complete grant proposals must be submitted online by 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Grant decisions will be made in December 2023. The Community Foundation will notify all applicants of the status of their proposal by Friday, Jan. 19, 2023. Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, with any application or grant questions at [email protected] or 315-782-7110.