by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 27, 2025 | CFFC News
EQT has created a GIVE campaign in partnership with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and EQT leaseholders. The GIVE Fayette County campaign fosters the act of philanthropy and lasting impacts for Fayette County communities.
The intent of GIVE Fayette County is to connect EQT landowners with CFFC and maximize the foundation’s grantmaking. The EQT Foundation will contribute $25,000 annually to the GIVE Fayette County campaign, as well as match landowner contributions to the campaign up to $10,000 per lease agreement for the first year of participation. For donations to qualify, they must be more than $100 in aggregate.
“The EQT Foundation is dedicated to supporting communities touched by EQT’s business, and we’re happy to partner with CFFC and landowners to give back in Fayette County,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President.
To participate in the GIVE Fayette County campaign, landowners must complete an enrollment form at www.eqt.com/community/give-campaign/.
Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President; Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Kaitlyn Magyar, EQT Corporation Community Investment Coordinator
EQT landowners can make a flat donation directly to the GIVE Fayette County campaign or allow EQT to withhold a certain amount or percentage of their monthly royalties to be donated on their behalf to the campaign.
CFFC will use all GIVE Fayette County campaign donations for grantmaking to Fayette County nonprofits, helping to address the ever-changing needs of the community. The contributions will support the foundation’s Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment for general grantmaking.
“Through the GIVE campaign, landowners’ contributions and EQT Foundation’s match will help make an impact in Fayette County for today, tomorrow, and forever,” explained Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 20, 2025 | CFFC News
Left to right, top to bottom: Edward Balling, Vice Chair; Angela Braun, D.C., Secretary; Terry Burden; Clifford J. Callahan, CPA; Edward Capuzzi, Jr.; Joshua Ellsworth; James R. Foutz, CPA; Ronald Gabriel, Chair; Michael George, Treasurer; Garnet Gordon, Esq.; James E. Higinbotham, Jr., Esq.; David Hughes; William James; Brandon Katzeff; Lawrence J. Kiefer; John LaCarte; Casey Leonard, CPA
Seventeen (17) community members continue to volunteer their service and support as board members of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, a public charity created in 1999 to improve Fayette County through charitable giving.
The 2025 officers are as follows: Ronald Gabriel as Chair, Edward Balling as Vice Chair, Michael George as Treasurer, and Angela Braun, D.C. as Secretary.
Additional directors are as follows: Terry Burden; Clifford J. Callahan, CPA; Edward Capuzzi, Jr.; Joshua Ellsworth; James R. Foutz, CPA; Garnet Gordon, Esq.; James E. Higinbotham, Jr., Esq.; David Hughes; William James; Brandon Katzeff; Lawrence J. Kiefer; John LaCarte; Casey Leonard, CPA.
“The foundation’s mission is to build a stronger Fayette County by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact. Our board members are committed to that mission, and they all help the growth and impact of the foundation,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The board of directors oversees the management and governance of the foundation. They are also crucial in the foundation’s special initiatives like the Gala of Giving, Fayette Gives, and strategic planning.
To learn more about CFFC, browse our website at www.cffayettepa.org or contact the office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 16, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc. – Sister Edie Strong (Financial Advisor), Malory Spring MSW (Director), Robin Kemp (Administrative Assistant) and Sister Annette Frey (Community Builder)
“The extra grants we have received in the last two years have made such a difference to our staff and to the women we serve. To have up-to-date equipment these days is such a necessity and can make us so much more productive!” said Sr. Annette Frey.
Sr. Annette Frey is referring to capacity building grants that the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded to Mary House, Inc. from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. Mary House, Inc. purchased a variety of computer equipment with the grants.
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc.
Mary House, Inc. provides a transitional residence for women who are homeless, have limited needs, or may struggle with mental health or substance use. The nonprofit was started with the collaboration of Roy Sarver, from Saint Vincent de Paul, and Father Bill Kiel and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Now, eight years after the initial opening of Mary House, the staff has grown and continues to provide a safe and secure environment to help the women through recovery and towards independence.
The foundation’s 2023 grant lined up well with the hiring of their administrative assistant, providing a computer for her, and the 2024 change in leadership from Sr. Annette to Malory Spring as the director.
“Computer equipment and systems are a ‘must’ for the day-to-day operations of an organization, so the foundation was happy to award these grants to strengthen Mary House’s capacity to do the good work that they do,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The equipment is also used by the residents. “Our residents are very happy with their ability to use an up-to-date computer for all the forms they must fill out as well as attend AA/NA meetings by zoom when unable to find a ride to their daily meeting,” explained Sr. Annette.
Aside from grant awards, Mary House, Inc. is involved with CFFC through their five-year participation in Fayette Gives. They have fundraised over $93,000 through the “day of giving”.
CFFC is happy to support nonprofits like Mary House, Inc. through various efforts, thanks to the generosity of everyone who joins in charitable giving.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 1, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting applications for the spring grant cycle. Local nonprofits can apply for six grant opportunities, each with its own criteria. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025.
Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting projects/programming or nonprofit capacity building. These awards are made with the combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; GIVE Fayette County campaign, Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
Catalyst for Change Grant: CFFC is looking for a big idea that can affect change and growth in Fayette County. There will be three steps for the selection process: letter of inquiry; full application; presentation to the CFFC board of directors. The project should be a true collaboration between two or more nonprofits, showing a collective effort to address county needs. The project should incorporate county-wide impact, both in the number of people impacted by the project and the geographic reach of the project’s impact. Projects will be viewed favorably if they spark economic growth and anticipate sustainability.
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
Click here to apply through CFFC’s online grant system.
“In 2024, the foundation awarded $22,734 in the spring grant cycle, supporting ten local nonprofits. Those awards were made possible through generous donations to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, and through four field of interest funds with specific areas of focus,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Crosskeys Human Services was awarded $3,131 last year to support their meal deliveries to about 200 elderly community members. Their service area of Brownsville and Republic is very rural and widespread, traversing rough roads and unpaved driveways. “Two of our vehicles had to have major work due to the rocky roads that are traveled in the delivery of the meals,” said Sr. James Ann Germuska, Executive Director.
Photo courtesy of DVSSP from their Board Training
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA was also awarded funding last spring. “It becomes problematic when we are trying to enter reporting information or complete time-sensitive tasks, and our outdated computers are running so slow that staff struggle to access the programs they need,” said Megan Hegedus, CEO. Their $2,500 capacity building grant enabled them to update the office computers at their Fayette County Safe House.
CFFC is including the Catalyst for Change Grant letter of inquiry in this year’s spring grant cycle. Money raised from the foundation’s Gala of Giving event has funded two $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grants so far. This year, applicants can request up to $75,000 for a collaborative, county-wide project.
Pictured from left to right: Bonnie Ryan, Karen Merryman, Beth Konick, Dawn Hunchuck-Piccolomini, Renee Couser, Carrie Willetts, Garnet Gordon, Meredith Aumer
“This past fall, we awarded a Catalyst for Change Grant to support new moms at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital with car seats and training. In 2023, the first Catalyst for Change Grant was awarded to Main Street Theatre Company’s musical showcase for Fayette County high schools. We’re excited to see more creative, impactful projects for this year’s round of requests,” said Couser.
Applications must be submitted through CFFC’s online grant system, and more information can be found on the grants page at www.cffayettepa.org. Please direct questions to Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203.
Applicant Tutorial
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 13, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County gathered local charities on December 12 at the Fayette LaunchBox to celebrate Fayette Gives 2024 and announce the final total. Ninety-six (96) Fayette County charities raised $586,365 through CFFC’s fifth annual Fayette Gives. This “day of giving” helps to build a stronger Fayette County by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 7, donations were accepted at www.fayettegives.org with live results and leaderboards on display.
“We know charities put a lot of work into their fundraising efforts, so it’s encouraging to see that over 1,000 people donated to this year’s Fayette Gives,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Thanks to the Fayette Gives sponsors, over $50,000 was awarded in prize money as donor incentives. Each hour, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., charities had the chance to receive cash prizes based on a variety of criteria, including their asset size category, dollars raised, number of donors, and random drawings.
“Charities can choose how they use the fundraising money to support their work in Fayette County. Having that discretion is really valuable for a lot of charities,” explained Couser.
At the celebration event, Representative Charity Grimm Krupa addressed the room and commended the charities on their impact in helping others. She said, “The most rewarding thing about my position is doing a deep dive in the community…. We are doing good things in Fayette County, and I see that when I look out into this room.”
Senator Pat Stefano congratulated the charities on their Fayette Gives fundraising and said, “You guys get a lot of things done with just a little bit of money…. You make great things happen, so I’m so thrilled you’re part of this program, and taking leverage of these dollars, and getting them out in the community.”
“Each and every one of these charities play a part in building a stronger Fayette, and we actually had someone donate to all ninety-six (96)! The donor explained that they were looking through the list and felt compelled to support all of them. That was an exciting ‘first’ for Fayette Gives,” said Couser.
This fifth year of Fayette Gives brings the grand total to over $2.5 million that has been raised for local charities through the “day of giving”. The foundation is grateful to everyone who has donated over the years and supported charities through Fayette Gives. To learn more, visit www.fayettegives.org.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: COE Distributing; Nemacolin; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing. Humanity Sponsors: Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Montgomery Medical; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Highlands Wealth Management; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.