Community Foundation’s George R. Davis Fund for Lowville Awards $20,000 in Grant Funding
Sep 15, 2025 10:25AM ● By Kenzie Shiver
LOWVILLE — Five Lowville-area organizations will share $20,000 in grant support from the George R. Davis Fund for Lowville of the Northern New York Community Foundation. This geographic-specific fund serves as a permanent resource for programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the village and town of Lowville.
The Honorable George R. Davis lived almost his entire life in Lowville and served for 20 years as Lewis County Judge from 1962 to 1983, previously serving as District Attorney. He was active in civic affairs throughout his life with a particular interest in local history, including the history of Lowville Academy where his father was a supervising principal for more than 35 years. Judge Davis died in 2010. Judge Davis’s devotion to Lowville was extraordinary and his legacy fund at the Community Foundation perpetuates his affinity for making a positive impact in the community. The fund has supported nearly 60 community organizations and projects in the Lowville area with $140,000 in funding since grantmaking began in 2012.
“The lasting gift made by Mr. Davis continues to make a meaningful difference in the greater Lowville area,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation vice president. “Five projects will receive instrumental support covering a range of quality-of-life elements that will benefit citizens of all ages.” The five grants awarded this year from the George R. Davis Fund are:
Lewis County Amateur Hockey Association, $7,000 to help secure a new Zamboni machine before this winter.
Double Play Sports Community Center, $4,800 to purchase a smart board to enhance programs for senior citizens and teens.
Snow Belt Housing Company, $4,500 to support its “Ready to Work” initiative designed to help residents of the Village and Town of Lowville secure meaningful employment. Grant funding will help with costs related to clothing and grooming vouchers for program participants.Lewis County Historical Society, $2,000 to cover a stipend for an intern to research, scan, and organize the Henry M. Beach photography collection for public viewing. The exhibit is open to the public through Sept. 30.
Lewis County Hospital Foundation, $1,700 to help create a history wall mural in the main hallway of the new surgical pavilion entrance.
The application for the next grant cycle for funding from the George R, Davis Fund for Lowville will be available in early 2026.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.
CAPTION: A young George R. Davis. Judge Davis served for 20 years as Lewis County Judge from 1962 to 1983, previously serving as District Attorney.
