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Community Foundation Partners to Award 1,157
Scholarships Supporting Post-Secondary Education
Published: September 07. 2025 at 09:00 a.m.
By: Press Release from Northern New York Community
Foundation
Community Foundation Partners to Award 1,157
Scholarships Supporting Post-Secondary Education
Donors Work to Expand Opportunities for Aid Through
New Awards, Initiatives
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York
Community Foundation, in partnership with donors, has awarded 1,157
scholarships this year totaling $1.56 million to help 743 students pursue
their post-secondary educational goals.
Students awarded
support are pursuing a wide range of post-secondary educational studies,
including trade, technical, vocational, and two- and four-year college
programs. The average award this year is $2,100 per student. In many cases,
students may receive more than one award from the Community Foundation.
Thanks to the
generosity of hundreds of donors who continue to make gifts that support
Community Foundation scholarships, opportunities for students this year
have grown through the establishment of new awards. In the past 18 months,
donors have created 44 new scholarships at the Community Foundation.
“Scholarships
remain one of the most significant ways our donors invest in the people of
Northern New York and help strengthen the future of our communities. In
addition to the many opportunities that have been in place for years,
several new funds have been established to support a wider range of
educational pursuits,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community
Foundation executive director. “An emerging trend we are seeing is more
interest in assisting those following trade and technical career paths as
well students who may not be eligible for other types of financial aid.”
Most of the
scholarships awarded will support students from 37 schools in Jefferson,
Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Forty-two students from schools outside
the tri-county region received scholarships the
Community Foundation administers. In most cases, these awards were
established by local donors who maintain strong ties to specific
out-of-area schools.
Eight
scholarships were also awarded to Next Step Education Program students,
which includes those who may be returning to
post-secondary studies after a break from school or older adults, pursuing
college, vocational, or technical education. Through its partnership with
the 10th Mountain Division Association, the Community Foundation
facilitated 30 scholarships to students with family ties to the U.S.
military.
The Community
Foundation also partners with the Herring College Memorial Trust to
award scholarships to students pursuing studies in science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, and related fields. In 2014, the Thousand
Islands Foundation became a component fund of the Community Foundation,
which now helps to administer scholarships awarded to graduates of
Alexandria, LaFargeville, Lyme, and Thousand
Islands high schools on its behalf.
Additionally, the
Foundation administers the Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program in
partnership with the Jefferson Community College Foundation and alumnus Stephen
Can. The Jefferson-Can Community Scholars Program awards Jefferson and
Lewis County high school seniors who are in the top 15 percent of their
graduating class a merit-based scholarship for the first two semesters of
study at Jefferson Community College. This year, 35 students are
Jefferson-Can Community Scholars.
The Community
Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually, made possible through
the philanthropic spirit of groups and individuals from across Northern New
York.
Scholarships are
popular choices for many as a preferred method of charitable giving and are
as varied as the individuals and groups that create them. Criteria for many
scholarships the Community Foundation stewards include geography, major of
study, college or university attended, student achievements and much more.
Several scholarships may also serve as a tribute to loved ones. Most
important, each scholarship is a gift that supports the education of local
students, helping them to pursue their academic goals.
The Community
Foundation also partners with 26 school districts across the region to
steward scholarship funds and awards established in partnership with donors
and schools.
Additionally, the
Foundation partners with 15 school districts to steward educational
foundations. In recent years, many donors have expressed interest in
supporting their favorite local school in broad or more directed ways, for
things other than scholarships. Through school
educational foundations, alumni, parents, teachers, retirees, and others
for whom their school holds special meaning can leave a legacy.
A complete list
of available scholarships and the applications may be found at nnycf.org/scholarships
The following
students, listed by county, school district and type, received scholarship
support this year to help with their post-secondary studies:
About the
Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the
Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and
enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson,
Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through
partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual
donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an
endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment
to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for
generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community
philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community
Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors,
professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring
people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy
Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative
solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live,
work, and play.
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