Nonprofit organizations serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties are invited to apply for up to $20,000 in funding through the LEAD Impact Grant Program, an initiative of the Northern New York Community Foundation’s LEAD Council.

The LEAD Council is an advisory committee of young professionals empowered to make key investments in the tri-county region through community grants and volunteerism. The Council wants to learn more about the current work of nonprofits and is accepting proposals for Impact Grant Program funding through Friday, Sept. 30.

The grant program is designed to support nonprofit programs, projects, and initiatives that will make a positive and tangible impact on the organization and the people it serves. Requests that clearly demonstrate innovative approaches to service, enhancement of mission and community, and a meaningful impact on the quality of life across the North Country will be strongly considered

“We hope nonprofit organizations see the LEAD Impact Grant Program as a unique opportunity for them to examine their current or ongoing needs, plan thoughtfully for the future, and think creatively about how they can better serve their community,” Council Vice Chair Anna Platz said.

The LEAD Council is comprised of 19 young professionals who live in the tri-county area and have an interest in enhancing the quality of life in the North Country. LEAD is an acronym that reflects four important guiding principles tied to the Community Foundation’s mission and values: Leadership, Engagement, Access, and Direction. LEAD and its grant program are supported through the thoughtful generosity of the Hyde-Stone Charitable Foundation of the Northern New York Community Foundation, Carthage Savings, Morgia Wealth Management, and donors to the Friends of the Foundation Annual Community Betterment Fund.

“Last year, LEAD revised its grantmaking process and opened it to any nonprofit regardless of mission. The number of applications we received for many amazing projects was a sign that LEAD found the best way to support the tri-county region,” Council Chair Andrew Boulter said. “We are excited to see all the great projects that local nonprofits have been working on since last year.”

The LEAD Impact Grant Program application must be completed online through the Foundation’s Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) portal at nnycf.org/grants. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are invited to apply. Organizations should register as a user in GLM before applying. Nonprofits already registered with a GLM account should use existing login information to access and start the application. Contact Max DelSignore, Community Foundation assistant director, max@nnycf.org, or 315-782-7110, with questions or to learn more.

Proposals will be reviewed in October and November with grant funding decisions made in December. Organizations selected to receive funding will be notified after the holidays in early January. It is important to note that funding will not be awarded as a means of reimbursement to support completed projects.

Since its inception in 2014, the LEAD Council has led several creative initiatives that have benefited the community and region. Strategic efforts include its active “LEADing the Way” volunteer program, enhancements toward child care and early childhood development programs, hyper-local support for anti-poverty initiatives, community giving challenges, and building philanthropic values in the region’s schools through student-led projects.