POTSDAM — Nonprofit organizations that serve the greater Potsdam area may now apply for 2022 grant funding from the John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The John and Dorotha VanNess Family Fund is a permanent grantmaking fund stewarded by the Northern New York Community Foundation that will forever support programs, activities, and initiatives to advance the quality of life in the Potsdam community. This year, up to $20,000 in grant funding is available to eligible nonprofits.

Successful projects, programs or initiatives should exhibit a clear plan for implementation and an explanation of meaningful impact. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, health and wellness, arts and culture, economic development, recreational programs, community revitalization and beautification, and more. To date, $24,000 in grant funding has been awarded to support eight different projects that benefit Potsdam residents.

Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) classification that serve the Potsdam area are encouraged to apply. Organizations that do not have this classification are required to partner with an eligible nonprofit, municipality, or local agency as a fiscal sponsor. Agencies seeking funding must confirm partnership with an eligible nonprofit or fiscal sponsor when submitting a proposal.

Completed applications must be received at the Community Foundation through its online grant portal by Friday, July 22. Grant awards will be determined in September. Visit nnycf.org/grants to learn more about how to apply.

Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, 315-782-7110, or kraig@nnycf.org, with questions about the online application or to learn more about this opportunity.

This family legacy fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2018 to honor and recognize the lifelong community spirit of John S. and Dorotha T. VanNess, who were actively engaged in the Potsdam community for decades through local business and volunteer efforts.

John S. VanNess was active in Potsdam government and served as village mayor from 1955 to 1961. He also held leadership positions with the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, Potsdam Rotary Club and was a trustee at Paul Smith’s College.

Dorotha (Ticknor) VanNess began teaching at Potsdam High School in 1939 and later joined her husband in the management of Sunshine Stores. She served as president of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Guild and was an active member of Potsdam United Methodist Church.

Their daughter, Susan J. Sewall, admired her parents’ public service and commitment to improving the place they loved. Before her untimely passing in 2017, she made plans to establish this fund to forever honor her parents and their long-standing commitment to the betterment of the Potsdam area. She believed that strong, healthy, quality-of-life enhanced communities help provide the backdrop from which many other aspects of community vibrancy and development can occur.