Four St. Lawrence County organizations were among 11 nonprofits to receive funding to strengthen the quality of life in their respective regions.

Funding totaling $20,000 from the LEAD Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation will be distributed to the agencies in the tri-county area.

Local recipients include:

• Northern TRIBS Swimming, Massena — $2,700 to improve access to its Learn to Swim programs for second graders across St. Lawrence County. Grant funding will enable month-long lessons to second graders with financial need in seven different St. Lawrence County communities.
• Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence Foundation — $2,500 to enhance and expand its therapy equipment and gross motor areas on the outdoor playground at the Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center, Watertown, which includes daycare, early intervention, clinical therapies, and an integrated preschool for children of all abilities. Participants range from 18 months to 5 years old.
• Canton Day Care Center — $1,400 to help the center augment its book collection and materials focused on early childhood literacy. New books and play-based materials will help center staff encourage children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old to develop a love for reading and learning that will enhance their overall development. Approximately 80 children, from infants to school-age, are enrolled at the center.
• Church & Community Program Church of Canton — $500 to help secure locally sourced goods and bolster the local economy and agriculture industry. The organization offers a food pantry, thrift store, senior meals, and more to seven different St. Lawrence County communities. More than 500 people were served in late summer and patrons have steadily increased through the winter. The organization strives to gather local meat, fruit, and vegetables from local farmers to serve their consumers.

The LEAD Council is an advisory committee of young professionals empowered to make meaningful investments in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties through community grants and volunteerism. The Council was pleased to consider a diverse group of worthy community projects and ultimately award support to nonprofits with a wide range of missions.

The LEAD Council and its grant program are supported through the thoughtful generosity of the Hyde-Stone Charitable Foundation of the Northern New York Community Foundation, Carthage Savings and Loan Association, Morgia Wealth Management, and donors to the Community Foundation’s Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund.