OGDENSBURG -- $20,000 in matching grants from the Northern New York Community Foundation will augment a historic trail project and support the long-term sustainability of Fort La Presentation in Ogdensburg.

The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved a $10,000 matching grant to build community support for Fort La Presentation’s Abbé Picquet Trail project. The year-round trail will provide recreational access to the public at Van Rensselaer Point in Ogdensburg. The point along the St. Lawrence River was the site of Fort La Presentation, which was an early French Settlement founded in 1749. The Community Foundation will match citizen contributions toward the campaign, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 to help bridge the remaining gap for the $500,000 project.

The Community Foundation also agreed to award a $10,000 matching grant to build an endowment fund for Fort La Presentation. The Foundation will administer this charitable endowment fund, which will help diversify the organization’s charitable giving platforms and support future sustainability. “Because of the continued generosity of Community Foundation donors from St. Lawrence County, we continue to make grants to support things that make our region special,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation director.

The Northern New York Community Foundation makes grants to support the work of non-profit organizations and provides scholarships to individuals in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. The Foundation has been built and added to from gifts (both while living and through their legacy plans) by individuals and organizations committed to meeting the changing needs of Northern New York, as well as supporting specific charitable interests and passions.