by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 17, 2023 | CFFC News
The foundation created the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund to award scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Donors who wish to support post-secondary students can contribute to this fund, as an alternative to creating a named scholarship fund. Donors will be recognized as Silver ($100 – $4,999), Gold ($5,000 – $14,999), and Platinum ($15,000 +) Sponsors.
You can donate by check or online through CFFC’s PayPal donation portal. If you have questions, please contact Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, at 724-437-8600 x1.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 17, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Students in the Brownsville Area, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown Area School Districts benefited from a $12,000 grant for the STEM and Computer Science Initiative. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) partners with Penn State Extension’s Fayette County 4-H for this initiative, led by 4-H Educator Jennifer Deichert. The foundation’s grant was used for the 2022 Race Day workshop and competition, where students learned how to program robots to navigate a bowtie-shaped race track and play table-top dodgeball.
A group of students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade participated in Race Day. SPIKE™ Prime sets were provided for students to use drag-and-drop coding language to maneuver their robots around the race track and dodgeball table. Each set includes a programmable Hub with built-in gyro to determine direction, three sensors (distance, force, and color), one large motor, two medium motors, wheels, and over 500 LEGO® Technic™ elements.
“Teams modified their robot’s design and used a variety of the programming skills acquired throughout the school workshop to upgrade their robot’s performance,” explained Deichert.
Members of the 4-H Robotics Club served as teen leaders to share their knowledge in robot design and programming. These particular students are members of FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Team #16011. They compete with other FTC teams in the state, and they design and manage robotics workshops and competitions for Fayette County youth.
CFFC awarded an additional grant of $26,665 to Albert Gallatin Area, Brownsville Area, Frazier, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown Area School Districts for the STEM and Computer Science Initiative to continue the program in 2023.
This grant opportunity is made possible through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) Program. Eligible businesses are encouraged to participate in this tax credit program. More information can be found at https://dced.pa.gov.
“This is a special program that incentivizes businesses to support education through philanthropy. CFFC is an approved EIO Organization and we’re grateful to award grants for exciting learning opportunities like the STEM and Computer Science Initiative,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Watch the video!
*All photos included in this feature were submitted by Penn State Extension’s Fayette County 4-H.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 10, 2023 | CFFC News
Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” to support local charities and engage the community in philanthropy. This year’s Fayette Gives is on November 9, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org.
You can help make this fundraising marathon a success! Download the sponsorship form to learn more.
Based on your level of sponsorship, you can be recognized on the Fayette Gives website, Check Contribution Form, social media, e-newsletters, printed ads, and at check presentations.
Visit www.fayettegives.org to learn more, or contact the CFFC office at 724-437-8600 x1.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 7, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting the second Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community.
Individual tickets are now on sale!
Guests can enjoy a cocktail hour while they peruse the auction items, dinner with a brief program and open bar, live music, and an after-party. Online bidding is available for the silent auction, so guests can track their competition and make bids through an app.
“We’re excited to announce that Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, will be the Gala’s emcee. Guests can look forward to an exciting evening packed with festive entertainment by the Kendall Brothers, an array of fabulous auction items, and great company. CFFC is grateful for everyone supporting this event,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Fairchance Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Gala of Giving.
Platinum Sponsors: First National Bank, Gabriel Family, Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing, Sprowls Insurance Group, Wells Fargo Advisors (Jim Wiltman).
Gold Sponsors: The Braun Family, COE Distributing, 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.
Sponsorships are still available. If you or your business is interested in sponsorships or ads, please contact Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at 724-557-0820.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 15, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is led by a board of directors, consisting of community members who volunteer their service and support. We thank these board members for their dedication to our mission: to help define charitable needs, connect donors with causes that matter to them, support nonprofit organizations, and invest charitable assets to make the community a better place to live.
Serving on the board of directors up through 2022, CFFC extends appreciation to Beth Casteel, Daniel Gearing, and Joshua Swimmer. The 2023 board of directors is as follows:
Edward Balling, Treasurer
Angela Braun, D.C., Chair
Terry Burden
Clifford J. Callahan, CPA
Edward Capuzzi, Jr.
James D. Ewing, Jr., Past Chair
James R. Foutz, CPA
Ronald Gabriel, Vice Chair
Michael George
Garnet Gordon, Esq., Secretary
James E. Higinbotham, Jr., Esq.
David Hughes
William James
Brandon Katzeff
Lawrence J. Kiefer
John LaCarte
Casey Leonard, CPA
Toby Maykuth
