by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 25, 2025 | CFFC News
We invite you to review the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s
2024 Community Impact Report, which highlights our efforts in building a stronger Fayette County. Flip through to learn about our mission to inspire charitable giving, support nonprofits, and nurture positive community impact.
This Community Impact Report also reflects on the foundation’s growth in its 25th anniversary year and the generosity of many people who have made our charitable impact possible. We are committed to supporting Fayette County, and we welcome you to call us with any questions about how you can get involved: 724-437-8600 x1.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 7, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
About 1,950 Fayette County students saw Galileo Galilei come to life on stage during an “edutainment” musical performance from the Pittsburgh CLO. “The Next Galileo” musical is part of the Pittsburgh CLO’s Gallery of Heroes series, which highlights the lives and accomplishments of significant historical figures through mini-musicals at local schools. A donor advised fund at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) brought the program to the Uniontown Area High School auditorium and covered transportation costs for the students.
Photo credit: Archie Carpenter and Pittsburgh CLO
“We see students’ faces light up as they enter the auditorium and look around, clap at the end of songs, and raise their hands for a chance to ask the performers a question during the Q&A. When asked if this was anyone’s first time seeing a musical, a number of kids raised their hand,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Photo credit: Archie Carpenter and Pittsburgh CLO
The performance followed a young student, Gabriella, as she journeys back in time to meet Galileo Galilei. Together, they experience the joy of scientific discovery and the importance of curiosity, from questioning Aristotle’s belief that the Earth was at the center of the universe to realizing that Galileo’s telescope could be used to see what was above Earth in the sky.
Students attended from Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown, and St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School. Back in the classroom, teachers can use a guide provided by the Pittsburgh CLO to help students think about the themes and learnings from the performance.
This is the tenth year that Gallery of Heroes has come to the stage for Fayette County students, thanks to a generous donor at the community foundation who values bringing the arts to young people.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 20, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has joined forces with forty (40) other Pennsylvania community foundations to launch the PA Giving Pledge, a statewide campaign to inspire Pennsylvanians to leave at least 5% of their estates to help future generations.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA), the newly announced PA Giving Pledge aims to scale Pennsylvania-focused giving with emphasis on generating sustainable financial resources for worthy causes and nonprofits working to address a range of issues in local communities.
“The PA Giving Pledge is a collective effort of PACFA community foundations across the state to improve the quality of life for our families, friends, and neighbors for generations to come. When someone leaves a percentage of their estate to the community foundation, they are leaving a legacy of charitable giving that will have a positive impact for years to come,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The effort aims to tap into 5% of the estimated $418 billion transfer of wealth projected in Pennsylvania by 2030, according to estimates by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. “If 5% of that $418 billion was endowed through the pledge, it would generate $21 billion to benefit Pennsylvania communities and causes forever,” said Michael L. Batchelor, PACFA President.
With the launch of the PA Giving Pledge, donors and professional advisors can now access an interactive website PAGivingPledge.org to find their nearest community foundation and to access county-by-county data that highlights the total estimated wealth transfer by 2030. PACFA members will be asking business leaders, professional advisors, and philanthropists in their communities to endorse the program to build further momentum.
“There’s amazing potential with Fayette County’s estimated wealth transfer of $2.22 billion in the next 10 years. If 5% of that was pledged in estate gifts, it would translate to $5.56 million being available each and every year to support Fayette County nonprofits and causes,” said Couser.
Do you pledge to leave at least 5% of your estate to support future Fayette County generations?
Call our office at 724-437-8600 x1 to learn more about including CFFC in your estate plan.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 7, 2025 | CFFC News
Tickets are now available for the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change. This year’s event is set for Saturday, March 29 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with Fairchance Construction Company as the Presenting Sponsor. The formal event features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner with a brief program and open bar, live auction, live music and dancing, and an after-party.
CFFC hosts the Gala of Giving to raise money for projects that can affect change and growth in Fayette County. Event proceeds have supported two $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grants for collaborative, county-wide projects. The first grant supported Main Street Theatre Company’s inaugural Fayette County high school musical showcase, called ENCORE!, in partnership with the State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust. The second grant was awarded in fall of 2024 to support the WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital’s Infant and Child Safety Program. The hospital partners with Head Start of Fayette County to address the transportation needs of new mothers and their children. The Catalyst for Change Grant will provide over 300 convertible car seats and car seat training to new mothers at the recently re-opened Birthing Center.
“This is the fourth year for the Gala of Giving, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has joined in support. The event has been a game-changer for our ability to impact the community through grants,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The foundation is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry for a third Catalyst for Change Grant, up to $75,000. The deadline to submit a proposal through CFFC’s online grant system is March 1, 2025.
“We expect about 350 guests this year. Each of them is helping us raise money for these grant awards, so we’re working hard to plan a fabulous evening for them,” said Angela Braun, DC, Gala of Giving Event Chair.
Tickets can be reserved at cffayettepa.ejoinme.org/2025galaofgiving. Please direct questions to Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 3, 2025 | CFFC News
Post-secondary students are encouraged to apply for scholarships at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). The foundation is accepting online applications for forty-eight (48) scholarship opportunities to support local individuals pursuing post-secondary education. The 2025-2026 applications are now available through CFFC’s online scholarship system, which is linked on the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2025.
Students will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for the scholarship opportunities. A list of matching scholarships will display; each will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
Scholarship criteria vary for academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, and school preference. CFFC offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education.
“Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation supports the county through charitable giving. Many of the donors who created these funds are honoring a loved one, supporting an area of study that they are passionate about, or using this as an opportunity to give back to the community,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Last year, the foundation awarded over $207,000 in post-secondary scholarships to ninety-one (91) students. “Your investment in my education inspires me to work harder and to give back to the community in the future,” said Connor Kalich, a 2024-2025 scholarship recipient. Jaylee Moorhead also received a scholarship last year and said, “This scholarship alleviates a lot of my financial burdens and also motivates me on my academic journey.”
For assistance, please contact Celena Valentine, Accountant/Scholarship Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x2.
Apply for scholarships here!