Northern New York Community Foundation

06/11/2026

Together with the Italian-American Civic Association, we are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the William I. Graf Award.

Watertown High School seniors Marra Dickinson was selected as the women’s recipient, and Maddox J. Corey was named as the men’s honoree this year.

We are honored to help the Graf family and the Italian-American Civic Association steward this highly cherished and storied legacy award. We look forward to seeing these three talented student athletes continue their journeys on and off the athletic field as they advance to undergraduate studies this fall.

Complete details: nnycf.org/2026-graf-award

Top photo, from left: Watertown High School seniors and 2026 William I. Graf Award recipients Marra Dickinson and Maddox J. Corey.

Bottom left photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Marra Dickinson; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

Bottom right photo, from left: Watertown High School Director of Health, PE, & Athletics Greg Russo; 2026 William I. Graf Award recipient and Watertown High School senior Maddox J. Corey; Italian-American Civic Association President Michael Lettiere and Italian-American Civic Association Vice President Pasquale Surace.

06/08/2026

Thank you to Stewart's Shops for the generous gift. Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott recently invited us to her store for a grant presentation.

The gift is from the Stewart’s Holiday Match program, an annual initiative from Thanksgiving to Christmas when Stewart’s Shops matches customer donations, dollar-for-dollar, to support local children and youth nonprofit initiatives.

The program raised more than $1.8 million in 2025 to help fund nonprofit organizations, schools, and churches in their service areas. We are grateful to be a recipient of a Holiday Match grant.

Pictured, from left: Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil; Youth Philanthropy Council member and Watertown High School junior Hudson Guldenpfennig; and Stewart’s Washington Street store manager Megan Abbott.

05/26/2026

St. Lawrence County organizations seeking funding support from the Rock Charitable Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation: There is still time to RSVP for a grant workshop.

Four workshops in different St. Lawrence County communities are scheduled throughout the month of June. Those interested in attending any workshop should RSVP online at bit.ly/Rock-Workshops

The Rock Charitable Fund is accepting grant applications through Friday, September 4, 2026. Up to $150,000 in funding is available this year. Complete details, including how to apply: nnycf.org/rock-workshops-26

05/21/2026

St. Lawrence County high school JUNIORS — Class of 2027: Be like Gianna!

Gianna M. Willis is on her way to a rewarding career in a STEM field. Gianna plans to pursue her educational dreams in psychology at SUNY Potsdam this fall. A member of the Ogdensburg Free Academy Class of 2026, she was awarded a $3,000 Evergreen STEM scholarship last year.

Gianna’s success in earning the educational support she needs began with just one click!

St. Lawrence County juniors (Class of 2027) pursuing studies in a STEM field should complete an application for the Evergreen STEM scholarship at bit.ly/nnycf-scholarships, by Monday, June 1.

05/20/2026

It’s our final Who’s YPC!

Click through the post to learn more about our last veteran member and Council Chair April Wang, a Watertown High School senior who is in her second year of Council service!

ICYMI — Scroll through our page to meet more members of this year’s Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation. 🌱

05/19/2026

DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING: Are you a rising sophomore or junior who is a leader in your school or community?

The Community Foundation is accepting applications through next Friday, May 29, to serve on its Youth Philanthropy Council. Applications are welcome from students who attend any of the county’s 13 public and private schools, as well as home-schooled students, provided they live in a Jefferson County school district.

Download an application to serve at nnycf.org/ypc. Questions? Contact Community Foundation Philanthropy Associate Emily Pfeil at [email protected] or 315-782-7110.

Meanwhile, watch the video below to hear what current and past Youth Philanthropy Council members say about their experience.

The Northern New York Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Counc...

05/18/2026

It’s Who’s YPC!

Click through the post to learn more about one of our veteran members, Trey Urf, a Watertown High School senior who is in his second year of Council service!

Be sure to follow our page to meet more members of the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation every Monday and Wednesday. 🌱

05/14/2026

Do you know a current eighth-grade student at a Jefferson County school who would benefit from a different kind of summer camp experience?

A new Community Foundation summer Youth Philanthropy Experience is set to take off in July with up to 17 rising freshmen who attend school or reside in Jefferson County.

Applications are now being accepted from students entering ninth grade this fall to attend a weeklong summer program to learn about philanthropy and how they can positively impact their communities.

Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Visit nnycf.org/summer-ype to obtain an application.

Complete details: nnycf.org/summer-ype-opens

05/13/2026

It’s Who’s YPC!

Click through the post to learn more about one of our veteran members, Julia Tontarski, an Immaculate Heart Central junior who is in her second year of Council service!

Be sure to follow our page to meet more members of the Youth Philanthropy Council of the Northern New York Community Foundation every Tuesday and Friday. 🌱

05/13/2026

Join our growing team and make a meaningful and enduring impact in your community!

Rare opportunities to work with a great team and help donors strengthen the quality of life in communities across Northern New York.

Complete details, including how to apply: nnycf.org/employment