by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 14, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Do your canned food items at home have pull tabs that can be opened by hand, or do they require a can opener? You may not notice this feature when purchasing a can of soup at the grocery store, but the opening mechanism can be a hurdle for certain populations who don’t have access to kitchen equipment. Captain Erin Rischawy, Commanding Officer, gave the example of a can opener when explaining why The Salvation Army – Uniontown Corps wanted to expand their services for Sally’s Café soup kitchen and food pantry.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a Building a Stronger Fayette Fund grant for Sally’s Café Household & Hygiene Pantry, to help provide items that would address unique needs, in particular for transient and homeless individuals. The grant was used to purchase ready-to-eat meals, houseware items like reusable utensils, personal care products in travel-sized containers, and warming kits. These items require minimal preparation for those with limited supplies, and they are easily portable for individuals who carry their belongings on the move.
“This generous grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County in support of this project has allowed us to always be prepared to help especially vulnerable homeless and transient populations in our community, and people struggling to afford the rising costs of non-food essentials,” said Captain Rischawy.
“We’re happy to support The Salvation Army in addressing this un-met need for those they serve. The direct services and referrals they provide are an asset to the community,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 1, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) offers nearly fifty scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship applications are now available for the 2023-2024 school year through CFFC’s online scholarship software, which can be accessed from the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2023.
Applicants will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for individual scholarship opportunities, since each has its unique criteria. Once they complete the “universal” application, applicants will see a list of CFFC scholarships they may apply for. Each application will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
CFFC awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education. Some scholarships target a field of study, participation in extracurricular actives, or a specific post-secondary school. Each scholarship opportunity is made possible by donors who created a charitable fund to support local students in this way.
In 2022, CFFC made over 120 scholarship fund awards, amounting to $208,000.
Applicants can read more about CFFC’s scholarship process on the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. For questions about scholarship applications, please contact Mrs. Lee O’Neil, Scholarship Coordinator, at eoneil@cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 30, 2023 | CFFC News, Grants
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is now accepting applications for their spring 2023 grant cycle. Nonprofits can request funding from five charitable funds, based on specific criteria and funding categories. All applications are completed through CFFC’s online grant system, which can be accessed from the Grants page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2023.
This grant cycle, CFFC’s Building a Stronger Fayette Fund is awarding grants for capacity building, in contrast to previous years where this fund accepted requests for a variety of categories. “Capacity building is whatever is needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, so it may more effectively and efficiently advance its mission into the future,” explains the National Council of Nonprofits.
- Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit (e.g. office equipment, software, training). 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.
- Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
For questions about grant applications, contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 19, 2023 | CFFC News
Starting in 2023, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is awarding grants electronically through ACH transfers instead of printed checks. This will expedite your grant award process and send the grant directly to your organization’s bank account.
Please note: CFFC will email your organization with instructions if you have an upcoming grant award. Unless directed by CFFC to take next steps, no action is required at this time.
When contacted by CFFC, a representative from your organization will be directed to complete an ACH Transfer Agreement through our online grant system.
We appreciate your cooperation as we transition to this efficient, digital method of awarding grants. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 14, 2022 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives
Over 1,000 individuals and businesses donated to Fayette County charities during the third annual Fayette Gives. During this “day of giving”, everyone has the opportunity to be a philanthropist by donating to support local causes. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts Fayette Gives to help build a stronger Fayette, and is thrilled to distribute a total of $581,589 for Fayette Gives 2022. CFFC hosted a Fayette Gives grand finale event on December 12, 2022 at Fay-Penn Economic Development Council’s Launch Box to celebrate the fundraising success of the participating charities and the generosity of the community.
Eighty-eight charities participated in Fayette Gives this year, fundraising to support their mission and services to Fayette County. Charity profiles, which are still available at www.fayettegives.org, provide details about their various efforts to address community needs.
CFFC began accepting Fayette Gives check donations in September. However, the main focus of Fayette Gives is the online giving day, which was November 10. The public was able to view live results and leaderboards, and online giving was available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fayette Gives day wrapped up with more than $500,000 in donations, in addition to the $74,000 bonus pool.
Fayette Gives has grown each year since its start in 2020. Over the last three years, $1,315,892 has been raised to support Fayette County charities. CFFC is grateful to the community for their generosity and support of this initiative.
“The community foundation invests in Fayette Gives to help local charities beyond our typical grantmaking program. It’s a way to showcase their good work to the entire community and create excitement around giving back,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “As charities raise money and build relationships with their supporters, they’re able to strengthen their sustainability,” noted Couser.
Fayette Gives provides a special incentive for charitable giving, because gifts are increased by a prorated percentage of the bonus pool. Thanks to the sponsors who contribute for the bonus pool boost, the public’s generosity is able to make a bigger impact.
CFFC will continue the effort to build a stronger Fayette by hosting Fayette Gives again on November 9, 2023. Charity registration is planned to open in June 2023, and more information can be found year-round at www.fayettegives.org.
CFFC thanks the Fayette Gives 2022 sponsors: (Community Sponsors) Charity Fund; Mike Kelly Toyota; The Swimmer Family; (Generosity Sponsors) Charitable Fund of Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing, LLC; COE Distributing; Erie Insurance; (Humanity Sponsors) The Eberly Foundation; First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County; Ford of Uniontown; Montgomery Medical; MountainCreek Property Group; Nemacolin Resort; Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House; Pittsburgh-Fayette Express, Inc; the Uniontown Office of Janney Montgomery Scott; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter.
