by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 1, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting the fourth annual Fayette Gives on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” that aims to build a stronger Fayette by engaging the community in philanthropy to support local charities. This fundraising marathon helps charities raise money and promote their work in the community. Charities that wish to participate must register at www.fayettegives.org starting June 1, 2023. The registration deadline is August 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
On Fayette Gives day (November 9), the public will be encouraged to make online donations to the participating charities through the website, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Charities can track their fundraising progress with leaderboards that display live results. Check donations will also be accepted, starting September 7.
As a special incentive, each Fayette Gives donation that is received at the CFFC office by 8 p.m. on November 9 will be boosted by a percentage of the bonus pool. This increases the impact of each generous gift.
Participating charities must be a 501(c)(3) organization, must file an annual 990 Form, and must serve Fayette County, PA. All money raised through Fayette Gives must be used to benefit Fayette County. Each charity must provide established services to the county and be in good standing as a public charity.
Charities must re-register each year. Charities will be notified by email when their registration is approved or if further information is needed to determine eligibility. CFFC will provide educational materials to help you run a successful fundraising campaign.
CFFC is accepting sponsorship for Fayette Gives 2023, to support this special opportunity for local charities. Download the sponsorship form here.
Please visit www.fayettegives.org to learn more. Questions can be directed to Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203 or rebecca@cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 31, 2023 | CFFC News
The Daily Courier, May 10: Fayette EMS among foundation grant recipients
Herald-Standard, May 12: CFFC grants to help fund several local nonprofit projects
The Daily Courier, May 17: CFFC announces opportunity for Catalyst for Change Grant
The Daily Courier, May 24: CACTC students pursue their dreams
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 16, 2023 | CFFC News
A Night to Remember
In addition to the special announcement of the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” opportunity, guests at the second annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change enjoyed an evening with great company, food and drinks, music and dancing, a photo booth, and exclusive auction items. Guests accessed online bidding for the silent auction, which enabled them to keep an eye on their competition and make bids all at their fingertips.
Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, was the emcee, and entertainment was provided by the Kendall Brothers, Joe Materkowski, Ed Balling, and Levi Graft. The afterparty in the Matterhorn Lounge also included a cigar bar by Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar.
“Thank you to all of the sponsors, guests, and supporters who helped make this another successful event,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “Our board of directors is excited to offer a grant of this size, as the first step in being a catalyst for change through the event’s proceeds,” continued Couser.
View all photos on CFFC’s Facebook!
Gala of Giving 2023 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Fairchance Construction Company
Platinum Sponsors: First National Bank; Gabriel Family; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; Sprowls Insurance Group; Wells Fargo Advisors.
Gold Sponsors: The Braun Family; COE Distributing; The Ewing Family; Fayette Pipe Company; Ford Office Technologies; Gismondi Family Foundation; Joyce’s Jewelry; Mike Kelly Toyota; MountainCreek Properties; Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; Stoney’s Brewing Company; Mr. & Mrs. Joshua & Maria Swimmer; WVU Health Sciences.
Silver Sponsors: Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania; Direct Results; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fiano, Jr.; First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County; Liberty Steel; Montgomery Medical; Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC – Uniontown Office; PNC Bank; SagePoint Financial; Somerset Trust Bank; United Bank; Gnagey Propane; Koval Building Supply.
Bronze Sponsors: Higinbotham Law Offices; Mid Penn Bank; Nickman’s Drug; Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Point Marion Veterinary Care; Radcliffe Law, LLC; Shallenberger Construction; Zodiac Management Services, Inc.
Patron Sponsors: Todd & Beth Casteel; Charlie & Renee Couser; Wealth Enhancement Group – Devan White.
Hospitality Sponsors: Stahls’; Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.; Demco Excavating; EQT; Ford of Uniontown; Jonathan P. Krizner, DDS; Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar; Universal Steel.
Donate to the Gala of Giving Fund
You can donate to the Gala of Giving Fund, at any time, with a check made payable to CFFC or through our online Pay Pal donation portal.
Contact our office at 724-437-8600 x1 if you have any questions.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 11, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded $23,484 to nine local nonprofits for the spring 2023 grant cycle. CFFC hosted a grants presentation on May 9 to recognize the awarded organizations and provide an opportunity for them to speak about their work.
Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, spoke about a shift in CFFC’s grantmaking. “This grant cycle, the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund was used to support capacity building for nonprofits. Oftentimes, donations and grants are earmarked for a specific purpose or program – they’re restricted. We wanted to provide funding for other costs, like staff training and office equipment, which are crucial to an organization’s ability to provide their services to the community. CFFC is aiming to support long-term sustainability,” explained Couser.
CFFC received a total of forty-one grant applications, with twenty-six of the requests for capacity building. The foundation has been making a focused effort to grow the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, to increase the available funding for unrestricted grantmaking.
EQT Foundation has supported the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund with $30,000 since the fund’s creation. “It’s important for us to give back to the communities where EQT operates,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President. “We trust the experience of the community foundation to direct funding in an impactful way, and we’re proud of our partnership in supporting Fayette County,” said Rossi.
In addition to five grant awards from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, four grants were made from field of interest funds, which focus on a specific category of community need.
Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit. 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; and Thompson Fund.
- Domestic Violence Services of SWPA – Education for Board of Directors and New CEO
- East End United Community Center – EEUCC Board Development
- Main Street Theatre Company – Website Development
- Mary House Inc. – Life Builder’s Project
- Mon Valley Academy for the Arts – Peter J. Daley Cultural Center Project
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Fayette Emergency Medical Service – Nitonox Units
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
- German-Masontown Public Library – StoryWalk® Adventure
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Fayette County Community Action Agency – Community Garden at RFEC Project
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. – Transportation – Meals for the Elderly
You can join CFFC in building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy! Browse our website to learn more about our work in the community, and use the “Donate Now” button to contribute to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 30, 2023 | CFFC News
Guests at the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change were the first to hear a special announcement about a $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant.” Gathered in the Exhibit Hall at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on April 29, CFFC announced this as the first grant that will be made from Gala of Giving proceeds. Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” are being accepted, starting May 1, through the foundation’s online grant system. The LOI deadline will be June 15, 2023.
The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community. Fairchance Construction Company was the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Gala of Giving. “We know that Fayette County has a lot of potential to grow and strengthen, and there are a lot of ways to spark that change. CFFC’s board of directors is excited to see what projects are proposed from organizations who are doing the work in the community,” said Angela Braun, CFFC Board Chair.
CFFC is looking for a collaborative effort with two or more nonprofits on a project that will make a significant impact in Fayette County. Both organizations must be located in, or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. One “Catalyst for Change Grant” in the amount of $50,000 will be awarded.
Once you create an application through CFFC’s online grant system, the applicant can invite the partnering organization(s) to “collaborate” on the submission.
The LOIs will be reviewed by CFFC’s Grantmaking Committee, and organizations will be notified if they are invited to submit a formal application. Organizations that are selected to submit an application will present their proposals to the CFFC Board of Directors for the final selection.