While the Watertown Urban Mission remains in the “quiet” phase of a capital campaign, the Northern New York Community Foundation board of directors decided Tuesday to support the endeavor in a loud way.

The board approved a $200,000 grant to the Urban Mission, 247 Factory St., as the first major leadership donation, according to Community Foundation Executive Director Rande S. Richardson.

“This closely aligns with our policy of no more than 10 percent of a set goal for a capital campaign,” Mr. Richardson said. “They also have a component in here for sustainability — endowment building — and that's attractive to us.”

According to the mission's feasibility study summary report, the campaign would seek to eliminate the agency's debt, repair the building and create an endowment. Such a capital campaign is the agency's first in its 44-year history.

“We're deeply appreciative of the foundation's strong support, and we certainly see the leadership gift as sending a very positive message to the community,” said John W. Deans, campaign co-chairman. “We're trying to get as good of a handle as we can on handling the need.”

Mr. Deans's wife, Mary Jo, and the Rev. and Mrs. Frederick G. Garry are the other three co-chairs of the campaign. Mr. Deans said that although the campaign goal has yet to be finalized, committee members believe it could reach up to $2 million.

Despite the large gift, Mr. Deans said, the Urban Mission will remain in the “quiet” phase, seeking leadership gifts through 2012. He said he expects the community phase of the campaign to begin in early 2013.

Since 1974, Mr. Richardson said, the Community Foundation has awarded $168,220 to the Urban Mission in support of its programs to help the needy.

The foundation's board also approved the following grants for area agencies at its meeting Tuesday:

■ $25,000 to the North Country Arts Council to help fund the group's “Screen on the Square” project to provide a multipurpose venue for films, lectures, recitals and other presentations.

This grant was made possible, in part, through the Herring College Memorial Trust.

■ $15,000 to the Orchestra of Northern New York to fund a minimum of four concerts as part of its 2012-13 Watertown season.

This grant was made possible by the foundation's Orchestra Fund.

■ $10,000 to the Jefferson Community College Foundation, Watertown, toward a fundraising partnership to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed multipurpose facility.

■ $10,000 to the Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County, Watertown, toward the construction of a new residential shelter.

n$7,000 to the Watertown American Little League, as a matching grant for upgrades and improvements to facilities.

■ $5,000 to Trinity Concert Series, Watertown, to help fund the 2012-13 concert season.

This grant was made possible by the foundation's Orchestra Fund.

■ $4,000 to the Watertown Family Y in startup funds for the youth life skills/employment program.

■ $3,500 to the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, for tree-planting efforts as part of the 100th anniversary commemoration, “100 Girls, 100 Trees, Celebrating 100 years.”

This grant was made possible by the Carolyn Whitney Fund.

■ $2,500 to the Northern Choral Society, to help fund its annual holiday concert.

This grant was made possible by the foundation's Orchestra Fund.

■ $2,000 to the American Maple Museum, Croghan, to purchase computer hardware and software to assist the development of fundraising efforts.

The following grants, also approved Tuesday, were the first from the foundation's George R. Davis Fund for Lowville:

■ $3,000 to the Lewis County Office for the Aging, Lowville, toward the purchase of a commercial freezer for the Maple Ridge congregate meal site kitchen.

n$3,000 to the town of Lowville to go toward the repair of the retaining wall at the Old Lowville Cemetery, also known as the Jackson Street Cemetery.

■ $2,000 to the Arts Community of Lewis County for a four-part film series.

■ $1,000 to the Double Play Sports Community Center, Lowville, to provide scholarships for its summer enrichment program.

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