The first Northern New York Community Foundation board member from St. Lawrence County is being honored with the creation of a permanent endowment fund in his honor.

The foundation established a grant in tribute of Peter Van de Water, who served on the foundation’s board from 2008 to 2011, representing St. Lawrence County. Van de Water, a Canton and Cranberry Lake resident, died April 30.

The Peter Van de Water Fund for St. Lawrence County, seeded with a $25,000 gift from the Community Foundation and a $5,000 gift from Canton residents Peter and Katherine Wyckoff, will award grants annually to support the quality of life in the county, foundation officials said.

“Peter was extraordinarily instrumental in expanding our work and mission in that part of our service area. So many good things that will affect the region for generations are directly due to his guiding hand. It is especially appropriate that we honor him with this permanent fund, which will forever help build upon the good work he started,” said Rande S. Richardson, Foundation executive director.

Additional gifts are being accepted to help build the fund and enhance the ability to award grants each year in St. Lawrence County.

Those wishing to join in honoring Mr. Van de Water and his efforts to expand the Community Foundation’s grant-making and donor services in St. Lawrence county communities can send donations to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 120 Washington St., Suite 400, Watertown, NY 13601, with a notation for the “Peter Van de Water Fund” on the memo line.

Since 2008, the Community Foundation has made over $1 million in grants and scholarship awards in the county and currently administers endowment funds for 20 nonprofit organizations and school districts in the area.