Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Watertown, New York, established in 1929. It stewards charitable funds and awards grants and scholarships intended to improve quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Northern New York Community Foundation Inc gave $2.7M across 112 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in New York. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,673,746
- +15.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 112
- +51.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,873
- -24.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,022
- Total assets
- $172,890,176
- +13.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (31 of 112, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Applications for community grant programs are submitted online through the Foundation’s grant portal. Applicants create an organization account and select an application currently accepting requests. The Foundation recommends reviewing each opportunity’s guidelines and discussing a Grants for Good application with staff before starting.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 Grants for Good Q4 application deadline is October 23, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 Grants for Good Q4 application deadline is October 23, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: (315) 782-7110
Website: https://nnycf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
31 open opportunities from Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
10th Mountain Division (Light) Scholarship Grant
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Canton Community Fund Grants
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CAR-FRESHNER Corporation Charitable Fund Grant
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Northern New York Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Watertown Family YMCA ($173K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
451 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 399 grants of 451 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated service area is Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties in New York. In filing year 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, with the remainder distributed to recipients in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Utah, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 112 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Northern New York Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 31 of 112 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2021) to $2.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 112 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Watertown Family YMCA Watertown, NY | General Support | $173,125 |
| City of Watertown Watertown, NY | General Support | $147,067 |
| Wilderness Health Care Foundation - Hynes Star Lake, NY | General Support | $137,500 |
| First Presbyterian Church of Watertown Watertown, NY | General Support | $120,581 |
| Antique Boat Museum Clayton, NY | General Support | $112,140 |
| Watertown Urban Mission Watertown, NY | General Support | $83,724 |
| Lowville Academy and Central School Lowville, NY | General Support | $71,429 |
| United Presbyterian Church of Sackets Harbor Sackets Harbor, NY | General Support | $61,308 |
| Jefferson Community College Foundation Watertown, NY | General Support | $59,500 |
| Compassionate Care Foundation Dexter, NY | General Support | $58,250 |
Ready to take the next step with Northern New York Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $172,890,176 | $16,886,995 | $6,036,544 | $2,673,746 | 112 | $8,067,041 |
| 2023 | $152,557,376 | $19,223,854 | $5,810,387 | $2,325,892 | 74 | $5,993,274 |
| 2022 | $127,657,866 | $11,176,800 | $5,130,714 | $2,197,576 | 109 | $2,544,124 |
| 2021 | $141,175,832 | $16,124,492 | $4,122,086 | $1,663,327 | 75 | $8,298,035 |
| 2020 | $121,418,148 | $9,300,478 | $4,630,636 | $2,513,636 | 81 | $4,193,105 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to inspire and celebrate giving, steward resources honorably, and foster vibrant North Country communities. Its 2024 filing describes grant programs focused on stewardship, impact, inclusion, and better communities for all. It also stewards scholarship funds for students residing in the three-county region and donor-advised funds through which donors’ charitable interests are carried out with Foundation approval.
Among the 2024 grantees, the Antique Boat Museum describes its mission as preserving and interpreting boats and related artifacts to advance understanding of boating’s cultural history. The Watertown Urban Mission says it serves the community where there is human need, and Jefferson Community College Foundation says it works with the college, community, and alumni to enhance educational opportunities. Other grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve support for Clifton-Fine Hospital, cancer patients, and regional music and arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 112 grants totaling $2,673,746. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $173,125, with a median of $11,022. The largest reported grants included $173,125 to Watertown Family YMCA, $147,067 to the City of Watertown, $137,500 to Wilderness Health Care Foundation – Hynes, $120,581 to First Presbyterian Church of Watertown, and $112,140 to the Antique Boat Museum. The filing lists each of these grants as general support.
The Foundation’s Grants for Good program offers a rolling application for each of the three counties. Organizations may submit one application at a time, and the Foundation reviews applications four times annually, with final approval by its board. The Foundation encourages nonprofits to speak with staff before applying. Its application information says eligible applicants are generally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in and serving the three counties; municipalities and school districts may be eligible for projects that improve community quality of life and fall outside typical public funding responsibilities. Fiscal-sponsor applicants must confirm a partnership with an eligible nonprofit before submitting. Additional requirements may vary by program.
Other listed opportunities include the Clifton-Fine Community Fund, which offers up to $6,000 for eligible nonprofit and public organizations serving specified communities, and the LEAD Impact Grant Program, which offers up to $20,000 and prioritizes projects addressing basic human needs, mental health and wellness, and workforce development. The Youth Philanthropy Council is a student leadership and grantmaking program; its listed May 29, 2026 deadline has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Cheryl Steckly as chair and Mark R. Lavarnway as secretary/treasurer. It lists Catherine Burns Quencer as immediate past chair and Elizabeth Perry, Faye C. Waterman, Marie A. Hess, Jeffrey Ginger, Theresa L. Quintin, Robert M. Sligar, and Mark Thompson as board members.
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc is led by Rande S. Richardson, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rande S. Richardson
President & CEO
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$156K (2020) → $201K (2024)
Cheryl R. Steckly
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Max Delsignore
Vice President
Assistant Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $110K (2024)
Stephen Magovney
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Catherine Burns Quencer
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Sprague
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie A. Hess
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark R. Lavarnway
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert M. Sligar
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa L. Quintin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brent V. Sanford
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Perry
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Ginger
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Faye C. Waterman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa A. Weber
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Thompson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Savage
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Hasseler Collins
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Beth Maguire (2020–2023) — CFO
- Former: Katherine F. Fenlon (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Katherine Wyckoff (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas R. Sauter (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: David J. Males (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jude Renzi (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Beverly A. Brown (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jacquelyn A. Schell (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Maxine M. Quigg (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Stephen J. Todd (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $201K, to Rande S Richardson (President & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northern New York Community Foundation Inc
How much does Northern New York Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc gave $2.7M across 112 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 74 grants.
What is Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $11,022, and its average grant was $23,873, across 112 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Northern New York Community Foundation Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does Northern New York Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Watertown, NY (25 grants), Lowville, NY (12 grants), Potsdam, NY (8 grants) and Clayton, NY (7 grants).
Does Northern New York Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (112 of 112) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Watertown Family YMCA ($173,125), City of Watertown ($147,067) and Wilderness Health Care Foundation - Hynes ($137,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Northern New York Community Foundation Inc?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc reported $172.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $16.9M.
What does Northern New York Community Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to inspire and celebrate giving, steward resources honorably, and foster vibrant North Country communities. Its 2024 filing describes grant programs focused on stewardship, impact, inclusion, and better communities for all. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northern New York Community Foundation Inc?
Applications for community grant programs are submitted online through the Foundation’s grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 15-6020989. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Northern New York Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Northern New York Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/northern-new-york-community-foundation-inc-morg_0a0035eebe9c4fb899f034fcff95de42
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_156020989_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Northern New York Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/northern-new-york-community-foundation-inc-morg_0a0035eebe9c4fb899f034fcff95de42},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Northern New York Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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