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Northern New York Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,318,630 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles (applications reviewed 4 times per year)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $20,000+ (varies by fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties, NY

Contact Details

Website: www.nnycf.org
Phone: 315-782-7110
Address: 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601
Online Grant Portal: bit.ly/grant-portal
Pre-application Support: Emily Pfeil, Philanthropy Associate (emily@nnycf.org)

Overview

Founded in 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF) serves as a responsible steward of charitable funds in Northern New York. With assets exceeding $100 million, the Foundation manages more than 100 unrestricted, designated, and advised funds. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $4,318,630 in grants through 74 awards. The Foundation's mission is to inspire and celebrate giving, steward resources honorably, and foster vibrant North Country communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. NNYCF has recently expanded its impact through new partnerships, including the CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund established in late 2024, and has significantly increased support for food security initiatives, awarding over $152,000 to 67 food pantries and soup kitchens in 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program (rolling, four quarterly deadlines)

  • Grant Range: Varies (grants of $5,000 or less approved at committee level; larger grants require Board approval)
  • Application Method: Online via Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) system
  • Review Schedule: Four times per year
  • Letter of Inquiry (LOI) required before full application

Micro-Grants Program (rolling basis)

  • Grant Range: $500 - $2,500
  • Purpose: Rapid deployment of funding with minimal obstacles
  • Application Method: Streamlined online process

CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund (quarterly deadlines)

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $20,000
  • Focus: Educational initiatives including libraries, childcare, preschool programs, career training, vocational and technical education
  • Geographic Area: Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
  • Limitation: One application per organization per year

Community Support Fund (focused on food security)

  • Recent Awards: $152,175 to 67 organizations in 2025
  • Typical Grant Size: $1,000 per organization
  • Purpose: Support food pantries, soup kitchens, and school backpack programs

Rock Charitable Fund (annual)

  • Grant Range: Typically $100,000+ total available annually
  • Geographic Focus: St. Lawrence County residents
  • Reapplication Policy: Organizations that receive funding must wait three years before reapplying

Youth Philanthropy Council Grant Program (annual)

  • Total Available: Up to $25,000 shared among recipients
  • Decision Makers: Youth Philanthropy Council evaluates proposals

Six Town Community Fund (annual)

  • Total Available: Up to $7,500 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Six Town area (Henderson, Henderson Harbor, and surrounding communities)
  • Recent Awards: $7,500 to seven organizations in 2023

Priority Areas

The Foundation's General Grant Program supports proposals responsive to evolving regional needs in:

  • Human services
  • Health and wellness
  • Arts and culture
  • Education
  • Families and youth
  • Conservation and environment
  • Community development
  • Recreation

Recent funding emphasis has included food security (67 grants totaling $152,000+ in 2025) and healthcare access.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations (unless working with a fiscal sponsor)
  • Graduate study (for scholarships)
  • Direct grants to individuals for veterans' support (must go through qualified organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Board Leadership

  • Emily Sprague, Board Vice Chair

Key Leadership Quotes

Rande S. Richardson on grant-making approach:

  • "We anticipate that we will continue to see opportunities to make a difference in ways that move meaningful projects and programs solidly forward."
  • "We hope this new program [Micro-Grants] will help facilitate and streamline the rapid deployment of grant funding in a way that minimizes obstacles to getting charitable support to work in the tri-county region."
  • "We know the need continues to be great and is likely to continue. This is a way to reach all across our region to help." (regarding food security funding)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Submit a Letter of Inquiry through the Foundation's online Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) system at bit.ly/grant-portal. Organizations must create an organization user account.

2026 LOI Deadlines:

  • Q1: December 26, 2025
  • Q2: March 13, 2026
  • Q3: June 12, 2026
  • Q4: September 18, 2026

Step 2: Full Grant Application (by invitation following LOI review)

2026 Application Deadlines:

  • Q1: January 23, 2026
  • Q2: April 17, 2026
  • Q3: July 17, 2026
  • Q4: October 23, 2026

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are reviewed four times per year on a quarterly cycle
  • Grant requests of $5,000 or less may be approved at the committee level
  • Larger grant requests are referred to the Foundation's Board of Directors with a committee recommendation
  • Applicants are notified by letter after the Board of Directors meeting
  • Specific timeline from submission to notification not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. In 2023, the Foundation made 74 awards totaling $4,318,630. In 2022, 109 awards were made.

Reapplication Policy

General Grant Program: No specific restrictions found for unsuccessful applicants; organizations may apply in subsequent quarterly cycles.

Rock Charitable Fund: Organizations that have received a grant award from this fund must wait three years before applying for new funding.

CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund: Organizations may submit one application per year.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

  1. Quality of planning - Well-thought-out projects with clear objectives
  2. Leadership - Strong organizational leadership and project management
  3. Community support - Demonstrated community need and support
  4. Available funding - Alignment with available funds and fund priorities
  5. Passion and vision clearly expressed in the application - Applications should convey the importance and impact of the proposed work

Recent Funding Patterns

The Foundation has shown strong commitment to:

  • Food security initiatives: Over $152,000 to 67 organizations in 2025, with individual grants typically $1,000 each to food pantries, soup kitchens, and school backpack programs
  • Healthcare access: Multi-year investment in community health services, including dental care expansion
  • Educational initiatives: New CAR-FRESHNER fund specifically targets education from early childhood through vocational training
  • Community infrastructure: Support for AEDs, building restoration, and essential community services
  • Small community organizations: Six Town fund awards of $500-$2,000 support grassroots projects

Strategic Advice

Executive Director Rande Richardson's approach suggests:

  • The Foundation values projects that "move meaningful projects and programs solidly forward"
  • Applications should minimize obstacles and demonstrate efficient deployment of funds
  • Regional reach is important - the Foundation seeks to help "all across our region"
  • Responsiveness to "evolving needs of the region" is a key consideration

Application Tips:

  • Contact Emily Pfeil (emily@nnycf.org, 315-782-7110) with questions before applying
  • Ensure your organization has 501(c)(3) status or secure a fiscal sponsor
  • Clearly articulate passion and vision in your application
  • Demonstrate community support and need
  • Consider applying to fund-specific programs that align with your mission
  • For smaller, urgent needs, the Micro-Grants program offers faster access to $500-$2,500

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic requirement is non-negotiable: Your organization must serve Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence counties
  • Multiple opportunities throughout the year: Four quarterly deadlines plus specialized funds provide multiple entry points
  • Size matters for decision-making: Requests under $5,000 can be approved faster at committee level; larger requests require Board approval
  • Two-stage process for General Grants: Submit LOI first, then wait for invitation to submit full application
  • Food security is a current priority: The Foundation has dramatically increased funding in this area, awarding over $152,000 in 2025
  • Consider specialized funds: CAR-FRESHNER (education), Rock (St. Lawrence County), Six Town (local geographic area), and Community Support (food security) offer targeted opportunities
  • Partnership approach: The Foundation emphasizes being a long-term partner in community development, not just a one-time funder

References

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