WATERTOWN — Professional women across the tri-county region are invited to apply for 2023 grant support from the Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

The Maxine Quigg Women in Business Fund aims to perpetuate the life and legacy of Maxine by supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties to succeed in their pursuits and realize their full potential. Maxine’s sister-in-law, Kimberley Horrill, established the fund at the Community Foundation in July 2021 with a goal to increase local mentorship, volunteerism, community and civic engagement, and investment.

“We are grateful to Maxine’s family and friends and join together to keep her legacy alive so she continues to touch lives in positive and lasting ways,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We are hopeful that all those whose goals align with the fund’s objectives will seek support and become part of the growing number of individuals who Maxine continues to uplift.”

Horrill said she and Maxine often spoke about the value of women as role models and mentors in business and leadership and that those conversations “were the impetus for this fund.”

“We shared many stories of the women who inspired us to take risks, who taught us to take the work seriously but not ourselves (we laughed about that), and the importance of paying our knowledge and generosity forward,” Horrill said.

Maxine was a successful real estate broker, community and business leader in Jefferson County who passed away unexpectedly in April 2021. At the time of her passing, she was serving on the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“My mom embodied what it means to work with what you have, where you are, when you can,” said her daughter, Kennedy Quigg. “Her original intent was not to form the leading real estate brokerage in Northern New York — although she and her business partner, Terry O’Brien, did just that. Instead, from day one, her intention was to work hard, embrace new challenges, and treat everyone with respect and dignity. These are the qualities that made my Mom a successful businesswoman, and these qualities we hope to perpetuate through her grant fund.”

Applicants may request any amount of grant support, though awards may range between $500 and $1,000. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 12. Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs, www.nnycf.org/quigg-wib-2023 or 315-782-7110, to obtain an application and learn more.