Members of the Northern New York Community Foundation’s St. Lawrence County Advisory Committee, recently helped open the Foundation’s St. Lawrence County office. Pictured from left Joseph Laurenza, Gouverneur; Linda Fay, Canton; Katherine Wyckoff, Canton; Sally Palao, Ogdensburg; Rev. Thomas Patterson, Ogdensburg; and Charles Goolden, Colton.

CANTON – An organization which serves as a financial resource for charitable organizations and non-profit organizations is looking to increase its presence in the North Country by opening an office in St. Lawrence County.

The Northern New York Community Foundation entered into a shared space agreement with Grasse River Heritage to establish a physical presence in St. Lawrence County. The foundation will occupy space within Rushton Place, located at One Main Street, Suite 102A.

Initially, the space will be used for periodic meetings with current and potential donors, grantees, and nonprofit partners.

“This is a continuation of our commitment to St. Lawrence County and its residents, and their commitment to our work and mission there. It is the next logical step in our work to solidify the role community foundations can play in a specific geographic area. We are pleased that more and more donors and organizations have decided to partner with us as they learn more about how we can collaborate. Grasse River Heritage is an organization whose mission is closely aligned with ours, which makes the partnership even more natural,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.

“With the help of those who have established new funds and supported other funds, and those who have supported our annual Friends of the Foundation campaign, we’ve made over $1 million in investments in supporting the quality of life in St. Lawrence County. We look forward to forging many more relationships that will leverage even more support for meaningful endeavors in the future,” he said.

The Foundation has been making grants and awarding scholarships in St. Lawrence County for several years. Additionally, many St. Lawrence County donors, organizations and school districts have established funds within the Foundation to help achieve their charitable and community objectives. Two St. Lawrence County residents also serve on the Foundation’s board of directors. Over 30 funds have been established within the Community Foundation for the benefit of specific organizations, schools, geographic locations, and scholarships for the benefit of St. Lawrence County residents.

“We are delighted that the Community Foundation will be sharing space with Grasse River Heritage in our Community Room at Rushton Place,” Louis Tremaine, Grasse River Heritage president said.

“This is a continuation and deepening of an already productive partnership between our two organizations. This latest development, in a way, closes a circle that brings together and enhances the energies and resources of a great many people who are working to build our community,” Tremaine said.

The Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation is committed to improving the area on and around the Grasse River Corridor in the Village and Town of Canton.