SARANAC LAKE — The Francis L. Carpenter Foundation announced Monday that grant applications are now being accepted.

Grants are available for those who reside in Franklin, Essex or Clinton counties and who are elderly or otherwise in need of aid because of sickness or distress.

The Frances L. Carpenter Foundation was established by Frances L. Carpenter prior to her death in 1942. Its purpose is to benefit people who are “poor through no fault of their own,” and to provide “assistance to worthy persons in case of sickness or distress,” according to a news release from the foundation.

Grant application forms are available from the Frances L. Carpenter Foundation, c/o Nicastro and Cantwell, 163 Olive St., P.O. Box 508, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Completed applications for the current grant year must be submitted to the foundation no later than Aug. 15. The directors of the foundation are William Cantwell, Frances Shepard, Henry Jakobe, Ken Hunt, Alyse Holstein, Ann Telfer and Edmond Cantwell.