The third Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts this event to raise money for significant investments in projects that can affect real change and growth in Fayette County. The first Catalyst for Change Grant, from event proceeds, was recently announced.
CFFC is awarding a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant to Main Street Theatre Company, for their Fayette County High School Musical Showcase, in collaboration with State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust. After Main Street Theatre Company’s October 6 performance of “Godspell”, CFFC’s Executive Director, Renee Couser, presented a check on stage as a special surprise to John Wagner III, Main Street Theatre Company’s Artistic Director.
Photo credit: Kelly Tunney
All Fayette County high schools will be invited to perform a selection from their musical at the showcase, bringing together youth from across the county. The showcase will shine a light on the vibrant arts community in Fayette County and invite youth, family, friends, community members, and people beyond Fayette County to attend performances and support local businesses on show day. Main Street Theatre Company will lead this project, the State Theatre Center for the Arts will provide the space for rehearsals and performance, and the Fayette County Cultural Trust will present their Fayette County Achievement in the Arts awards throughout the event.
“It is our foundational belief – backed up by significant data – that live performing arts experiences bring communities closer together, spur economic development and inspire change, growth and hope in those who participate,” said Kristen Tunney, Vice President of Main Street Theatre Company.
Photo credit: Kelly Tunney
Though showcases like this have been taking place in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties for years, this project is the first of its kind for Fayette County. An afternoon and evening performance are planned for May.
“This first Catalyst for Change Grant is just the start, and we encourage everyone to save the date for our next gala on April 13 to help us build up the proceeds that will be used for future funding. With the continued support of individuals and businesses, we hope to offer bigger grants in the future to help spark change in Fayette County on a bigger scale,” said Angela Braun DC, Gala of Giving Chair and CFFC Board Chair.
CFFC is currently accepting sponsorships for the 2024 Gala of Giving, and individual ticket sales are expected to open in February. In addition to sponsorship and tickets, donations can be made to CFFC’s Gala of Giving Fund by check or with the “Donate Now” button at cffayettepa.org.
“We are happy to announce that Fairchance Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2024 Gala of Giving. Next year, the community foundation will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, and we are excited to get everyone together in the spirit of charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, will be the event’s emcee, and guests will have access to a cocktail hour and exclusive auction items, dinner with a brief program and open bar, a live auction with big-ticket items, live music by the Kendall Brothers, and an after-party. To make it easier to track bidding and make bids from anywhere throughout the event space, guests will use online bidding again this year for the silent auction.
CFFC invites everyone to play a part in helping to make Fayette County a thriving place to live, work, and play. If you or your business is interested in sponsorships or ads, please contact Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at 724-557-0820.
Save the date! The Community Foundation of Fayette County is hosting the third Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
More details to come. Check our website and social media (@cffayettepa) for announcements, and sign up for our e-newsletter to never miss an update.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting the fourth annual Fayette Gives on November 9, 2023. Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” that supports local charities and engages the community in philanthropy, all in an effort to build a stronger Fayette. Ninety-two (92) charities are participating in Fayette Gives this year, and the public can donate now by check.
The main focus of Fayette Gives is the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 9 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org with online donations via credit card. Starting on September 7, donors can give early by check and other donation methods, to accommodate donors’ preferences. The minimum gift is $25 per charity.
To donate by check, donors can support one or more charities with one check payable to “CFFC” for their total Fayette Gives contribution amount, along with an official Check Contribution Form. The Check Contribution Form specifies the donor’s selected charities, donation amounts, and recognition preferences. (Click here to download the form.)
“All of the money raised through Fayette Gives will be used to benefit Fayette County. Thanks to the many generous people of Fayette County and beyond, a total of $1,315,892 has been raised through Fayette Gives in the first three years,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
To learn about the participating charities and their work in Fayette County, visit the Charity Search page at www.fayettegives.org.
Donations to the 92 Fayette County charities will be boosted by a prorated percentage of the Fayette Gives bonus pool, thanks to generous sponsors. Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; COE Distributing; The Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: Mike Kelly Toyota of Uniontown; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital. Humanity Sponsors: First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; The Eberly Foundation; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter.
Donations must be received at the CFFC office (5 South Mt. Vernon Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401) by 8 p.m. on November 9 to receive bonus pool dollars.
Questions about Fayette Gives can be directed to 724-437-8600 x203.
Uniontown Area School District was awarded a fall 2022 grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC)’s Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund to purchase cookware and cooking equipment for Family & Consumer Sciences. “Cooking projects allow for so much learning – independence in daily living skills, tolerance of new foods/textures/smells, math concepts, science skills, and literacy competency – all of this can be encompassed in one lesson,” said Kim Zebro, Family & Consumer Sciences teacher.
Zebro teaches at Lafayette Middle School, Ben Franklin Middle School, AJ McMullen Middle School, and Uniontown High School. Purchasing new equipment has helped provide a more consistent set-up for classes at each of the four schools. Missing or old supplies were upgraded with new items that are cleaner and safer. The grant was awarded from the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, held at CFFC, and enabled the purchase of measuring cups, pots and pans, utensils, mixing bowls, cutting boards, spatulas, baking sheets, knife sets, and more.
“Throughout cooking, the students are learning to multitask, delegate tasks, communicate with each other, follow directions, and prepare foods,” explained Zebro. Since all of the purchased items are reusable, they will be tools for learning for multiple school years.
“The foundation is able to support local education in a variety of ways. We award scholarships for students’ post-secondary education, but we also award grants to schools and programs that enhance learning opportunities for students, from elementary school and up. There are many ways to make an impact with charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
To learn more about how you can support local education through charitable giving, contact CFFC at 724-437-8600 x1.
All photos are submitted by Uniontown Area School District.