WATERTOWN — The 15 Public Square Foundation is a new charitable foundation that Watertown–based BCA Architects & Engineers started a few months ago in partnership with Northern New York (NNY) Community Foundation.

The effort “solidifies the firm’s dedication to the people and places it serves,” the NNY Community Foundation said in its March 21 announcement about the partnership.

BCA Architects & Engineers provides architectural and engineering services with a staff of more than 100 and offices in Watertown, Ithaca, Rochester, Binghamton, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and Syracuse, per its LinkedIn profile.

The 15 Public Square Foundation will “amplify BCA’s impact, supporting initiatives that make a real difference across the state,” the NNY Community Foundation said.

“We are grateful for the trust that BCA Architects & Engineers has put in the Community Foundation with the creation of this charitable fund,” Max DelSignore, VP of the Northern New York Community Foundation, said. “The firm has been deeply invested in its communities for decades. We look forward to having a lasting relationship with BCA, while providing guidance and responsible stewardship to accomplish its charitable endeavors.”

Why the name 15 Public Square? Travis Overton, CEO of BCA Architects & Engineers, explained that it’s “more than an address — it’s the heart of the city” where the firm’s story began.

“Since our founding in 1970 as a small civil engineering and surveying firm, BCA has grown into a 120-person, full-service architecture and engineering firm with seven offices across New York,” Overton said in the NNY Community Foundation announcement. “As we’ve expanded, so has our passion for giving back. This foundation represents a long-term vision for our philanthropy, reinforcing our belief that the work we do isn’t just about buildings and infrastructure — it’s about strengthening communities.”

Overton went on to say, “The 15 Public Square Foundation gives us a platform to expand our philanthropic reach statewide, ensuring that our support extends beyond our projects and into the fabric of the communities we help shape.”

With this initiative, BCA is “deepening its commitment to making meaningful, lasting” contributions to the communities that have supported the firm for more than half a century.

“We are honored to partner with the Northern New York Community Foundation to ensure this legacy of giving continues to grow,” Overton said. “Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected New York.”