The Northern New York Community Foundation is looking into establishing a philanthropy and nonprofit resource center to serve donors, nonprofit organizations and communities in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The center would also create a permanent home for the foundation, a press release from their office said.

A committee of board and community members has been formed to study the feasibility of such a center and to examine possible locations, including the historic Black River Valley Club building in downtown Watertown.

Several meetings have been held with the Central New York Community Foundation, which established a similar center in 2010 in the historic University Club in downtown Syracuse.

The centers typically have as their focus a philanthropy hub which provides space for collaboration between the foundation, donors, other funders, nonprofit organizations and business and community leaders. Such a center typically is designed to accommodate future growth and enhance the mission to expand the impact of regional philanthropy and be a force for positive change.

“As we continue to grow, we are exploring the logical next chapter in the Community Foundation’s 85-year history,” said Community Foundation Executive Director Rande S. Richardson. “We are taking a deliberate and thoughtful look at ways we can enhance and further our vision and values for what a community foundation should be. At the same time, we would look to create mission-based community space to provide added value for all of our stakeholders who have a desire to enhance the quality of life in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.”