Essex Community Fund grants support arts, emergency services & more

Community organizations serving the town of Essex received over $32,000 in philanthropic support this summer.

The Essex Community Fund (ECF) at Adirondack Foundation awards grants annually to nonprofit organizations, schools, church programs and local government activities serving residents of the town of Essex. Grants are traditionally given in support of community services, beautification, historic preservation, culture, the arts, education, and programs for youth and senior citizens.

ECF awarded $32,490 to 12 organizations in 2024.

“Our community thrives when dedicated leaders and volunteers come together to advance initiatives that make this a better place to live, work and enjoy life,” said Norma Goff, chair of ECF’s grants committee. “This year’s cohort of grant recipients are working on everything from art education for youth and enhanced library services to residential fire safety, preserving local history and more. We commend these organizations for their tireless commitment to Essex.”

The following organizations received ECF grants this year:

• Adirondack Art Association, for paid art internships for students pursuing careers in visual arts
• Belden Noble Memorial Library, for enhancement of community access to a full range of services as the library returns to its historic home
• Champlain Area Trails, for improved access to trails in the Essex area
• Essex Fire Department, to supply all homes and kitchens in Essex with fire blankets
• Essex Initiatives, to support a website and quarterly newsletter to help keep the community connected and provide business and civic updates
• Essex Theatre Company, to help replace the old sound system at the Masonic Lodge
• Lakeside Preschool: Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm, to help construct a ground-level bathroom for children
• Paine Memorial Free Library, to help establish a reading circle for teens
• Piano by Nature, to support a unique concert experience combining live music and the outdoors
• Joseph’s Catholic Church, to support a summer lecture celebrating the church’s 150th anniversary
• Whallonsburg Grange Hall, to support technology that improves access to historical and cultural videos, photographs and interviews
• Willsboro-Essex Summer Youth Program, to support Tuesday field trips to the Plattsburgh Y’s swimming pool

“The Essex Community Fund has been one of our most valued partners through the years, and with their support we’ve been able to accomplish many small but significant one time improvement projects, creating a lasting contribution to Lakeside School’s long term sustainability and future,” said Elisaveta Goff, director of development and outreach at Lakeside School. “This year, with the support of the ECF, we were able to add a small ground level accessible bathroom, where children have simplified access to a restroom when playing outside. This addition substantially improves the quality of care we provide for our students and their families.”

“I want to express our deep gratitude to the Essex Community Fund for its support of the Whitcomb’s project and the grant that enabled us to purchase the new Touch Screen Media

Player for the community space and gallery,” said Mary-Nell Bockman, manager of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall. “This new addition has already enhanced the experience that visitors and residents have with our art shows.”

“Staying in touch with our community is essential,” said Ellen Cormier, Essex Initiatives board president. “Thanks to the generosity of the Essex Community Fund, we’re able to send a quarterly newsletter to every single Essex resident, engaging them in our work and alerting them to upcoming events.”

A component fund of Adirondack Foundation, ECF was established in 2004 and has awarded over $346,000 in grants to date. To learn more about community funds at Adirondack Foundation, visit adirondackfoundation.org or contact Lisa Bramen at lisa.bramen@adkfoundation.org.