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Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council Seeks
Proposals from Nonprofits for 2026 Grant Funding
Published: November 08, 2025
at 01:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NNY Community Foundation
Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council Seeks
Proposals from Nonprofits for 2026 Grant Funding
Up to $25,000 Available to Support Tri-County
Nonprofit Organizations
WATERTOWN — The Northern New
York Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council welcomes grant
proposals from nonprofit organizations of all types for programs, projects,
or initiatives that strengthen the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis, and
St. Lawrence counties.
The Council will
evaluate each proposal for a share of up to $25,000 in available grant
funding. This opportunity is not limited to youth programs or initiatives.
For
consideration, completed grant applications must be submitted no later than
Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Council members will notify finalists selected
to present proposals. The Council will recommend grants for funding to the
Community Foundation’s board of directors. This past round, the Youth
Philanthropy Council awarded five grants totaling $25,000 in support to
nonprofit organizations that serve tri-county residents.
Grants from the
Youth Philanthropy Council have helped organizations launch innovative
programs, enhance the resources and services they provide, expand learning
and enrichment, increase access to essential services, strengthen community
connections, and highlight the region’s cultural, historical, and
recreational assets. The Council seeks to support work that demonstrates
meaningful community impact, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to
lasting positive change across Northern New York.
“This is an ideal
opportunity for organizations across the region to connect and engage with
the next generation of leaders and increase the awareness of the work being
done to make our community a better place,” said Rande S. Richardson,
Community Foundation executive director. “We are hoping for a wide range of
applications that support a variety of programs, projects and initiatives
and challenge the students to allocate resources in the best way possible.”
The Youth
Philanthropy Council grant application may be completed online through the
Foundation’s grant portal at bit.ly/grant-portal. All 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. Organizations should register
as a user in the grant portal before applying. Nonprofits already
registered with an account should use existing login information to access
and start the application.
By applying,
nonprofits not only have the chance to secure funding, but also to help
local high school students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges
and strengths within their own communities. This partnership between
nonprofits and young leaders is a pillar the
Council’s purpose and impact. Contact Emily Pfeil, Community
Foundation philanthropy associate, emily@nnycf.org
, or 315-782-7110, with questions or to learn more.
“I greatly
encourage nonprofit organizations of all missions to apply for a
project-based grant,” Council Grants Committee Chair and South Jefferson
Central senior William Steward said. “From grants addressing animal
welfare to funding theater programs, the Council receives and welcomes a
wide variety of applications with all considered under equal review by
Council members. Good luck to all of those who apply.”
The Youth
Philanthropy Council and its grant program are made possible by gifts from
donors who make contributions to the Friends of the Foundation Community
Betterment Annual Fund and generous underwriting support from Watertown
Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Renzi
Family Charitable Foundation, the Mart Liinve
Fund, and the Timerman Family Fund.
This year’s Youth
Philanthropy Council includes 17 student delegates, representing Carthage
and Lyme Central schools, General Brown, Immaculate
Heart Central, and
South Jefferson and Watertown High schools. Representatives
from each school district are: Carthage: Valerie Akins, junior;
General Brown: Isabel Mendez, junior; Immaculate Heart Central: Julia
Tontarski, junior, and Alexandria Zajac, junior; Lyme: Maxwell
Hunt, junior; South Jefferson: Oliver King, junior, Annabelle
Renzi, junior, William Steward,senior, and Lydia Tremont,
junior; Watertown: Caitlin Daugherty, junior, Gaige Doroha,
junior, Hudson Guldenpfennig, junior, Nola Johnson, junior, Lucy
Swartz, junior, Trey Urf, junior, April
Wang, senior, and Frances Weir, junior.
PHOTO (Provided by Kara Dry Photography): Back row, from
left: Oliver King, South Jefferson High junior; Lydia Tremont,
South Jefferson High junior; Annabelle Renzi, South Jefferson High
junior; Nola Johnson, Watertown High junior; Julia Tontarski,
Immaculate Heart Central junior; Trey Urf,
Watertown High junior; Hudson Guldenpfennig, Watertown High junior, Maxwell
Hunt, Lyme Central junior. Front row, from left: Isabel Mendez,
General Brown junior, Caitlin Daugherty, Watertown High junior; Frances
Weir, Watertown High junior; Lucy Swartz, Watertown High junior;
April Wang, Watertown High senior; Valerie Akins, Carthage
High junior; Alexandria Zajac, Immaculate Heart Central junior; and Gaige
Doroha, Watertown High junior. Absent from photo: William Steward,
South Jefferson High senior.
Since its
inception in 2010, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded 155 grants
totaling $285,070 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve
residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
In the past 15
years, nearly 170 students representing nine Northern New York high schools
have been appointed to serve on the Youth Philanthropy Council.
A team of staff
and volunteer advisors mentor students through the yearlong program.
Advisors are Emily Sprague, senior advisor, and
Northern New York Community Foundation Board Vice Chair; Kraig Everard,
Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs; Leslie Renzi,
volunteer advisor; and Emily Pfeil, Community Foundation
philanthropy associate.
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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