by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 13, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants
The Sturge Hughes Memorial Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, granted $2,000 to Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC) for their masonry and carpentry programs. Regina Hughes created the fund to honor the memory of her husband and to support local students pursuing the trades. Graduating seniors from CACTC’s masonry and carpentry programs were recognized at a memorial luncheon in May.
Jeff Butela, Jerry Matthews, Renee Couser, Jeff Puskar, and Ryan Butela
graduating seniors from CACTC’s masonry and carpentry programs
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 1, 2022 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting the third annual Fayette Gives on Thursday, November 10, 2022 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 and supporting local charities. Registration is now open (June 1, 2022) at www.fayettegives.org for charities who wish to participate. Registration will close on September 1, 2022.
Participating charities must be a 501(c)(3) organization, must file an annual 990 Form, and must serve Fayette County, PA. Once registered, CFFC will help prepare charities for the “day of giving” with additional information and educational materials.
On Fayette Gives day, November 10, 2022, the public will be encouraged to visit www.fayettegives.org to make online donations to a selection of local charities. The Fayette Gives website will display live results and leaderboards so charities and the public can track fundraising efforts. Check donations will also be accepted.
As a special incentive, the Fayette Gives bonus pool will enhance all qualifying donations that are received at CFFC by 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day. This fundraising marathon stretches each dollar, both for the generous donors and for the charities serving the community.
CFFC extends a special thank-you to the bonus pool sponsors. Their sponsorships make it possible to boost each donation made during Fayette Gives. If you would like to join in supporting the bonus pool, please download the 2022 Sponsorship Flyer for details.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Mike Kelly Toyota
Generosity Sponsors: Erie Insurance
Humanity Sponsors: The Eberly Foundation; First Federal Savings & Loan Assoc. of Greene County; Ford of Uniontown; Montgomery Medical; Nemacolin Resort; Neubauer’s Flowers; the Uniontown Office of Janney Montgomery Scott; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter
To learn more about eligibility requirements or how Fayette Gives works, browse the FAQs at www.fayettegives.org or contact Rebecca Wardle at 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 18, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted the Spring 2022 Grants Presentation on May 17, 2022 at the Connellsville Canteen and announced $36,333 in grant awards. The fifteen (15) selected nonprofits received their grant check and spoke about their awarded project or program. From healthcare and environmental science to musicals and food assistance, CFFC is proud to fund a variety of community needs through these grant awards – thanks to the generosity of donors who create and support these charitable funds.
Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director, welcomed the group and highlighted the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment that CFFC created in 2020 to provide general grantmaking in perpetuity. EQT Foundation is one of the supporters of the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, donating $15,000 in 2021. Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President, spoke to the group about EQT’s presence in the region and their engagement with Fayette County.
To learn more about CFFC’s grantmaking program to or donate, visit www.cffayettepa.org.
Building a Stronger Fayette Grants
Support arts and culture; education; community and economic development; health and human services; and other areas of interest. These awards are made with the combined funding from: Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; Thompson Fund.
- Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center: GrandFamily Program
- CASA of Fayette County: Operating – Software
- Christian Church of Connellsville: Community Lunch Program – Lunches Plus
- Christian Layman Corps.: Fayette County Emergency Beds Program
- Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center: Junior Firefighter Boot Camp
- State Theatre Center for the Arts: Summer at the State 2022
- The Salvation Army: Sally’s Café Household & Hygiene Pantry
- Uniontown Public Library: 2022 Summer Quest Program
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund
Supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Fayette Emergency Medical Service: PPE Gloves
- Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc.: Breastfeeding Support in Fayette County
- Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Company: AED and Enhanced Medical Response
Community Beautification Fund
Supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
- Fayette County Cultural Trust: Downtown Connellsville Beautification Project 2022
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund
Supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Lafayette Manor: Senior Transportation
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund
Supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Great Meadows Garden Club: Blue Star Memorial – Landscape Renovation & Maintenance
- Mountain Watershed Association: Ecology Education & Outreach in the Yough River Watershed
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 6, 2022 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County launched the Mask Initiative in May 2020 to donate disposable masks to local organizations that were serving the community during the pandemic. CFFC continues to donate masks to first response organizations, healthcare organizations, human service agencies, churches, and other nonprofits that are located in or that serve the residents of Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
CFFC has donated over 256,000 masks since the beginning of the Mask Initiative.
How do I request masks for my organization?
1. Log in or create an account on CFFC’s online grant system: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cffayettepa
2. Go to the “Apply” page.
3. Find the Mask Initiative and click the small blue “Apply” button to begin your request. You may save your request and return to it at a later time before submitting.
4. CFFC reviews requests on a monthly basis and will email your organization with instructions for mask pick-up.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 6, 2022 | Building a Stronger Fayette, Grants
Jacobs Creek Watershed Association (JCWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, rehabilitation of the creek and watershed, environmental education and recreation. They partner with the Fayette County Conservation District to host STEM and Science-based programs in summer: Tot Time for children ages 2-5 and Nature Explorers Camp for children ages 6-9. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a grant to support the 2021 Tot Time and Nature Explorers Camp.
Photos submitted by JCWA
JCWA staff coordinated exciting and informative stories, crafts, and games around the theme of “Habitats Surround Us” for the four-week program. Topics included forest/trees, grass/meadows, wetlands, and water. In light of the pandemic, JCWA provided themed kits for families registered in the watershed. The kits had sub-sections for each week with materials to perform each activity, written instructions, and instructional videos. Some used the kits for a family night and sent photos of the activities in action.
The goal of Tot Time and Nature Explorers Camp is to introduce basic ecology and environmental science to preschool/elementary school children. “Thanks to the support of CFFC, Jacobs Creek Watershed Association was able to continue our mission and provide easily accessible and affordable STEM opportunities to our watershed community in 2021,” said Denise Wilkins, JCWA Executive Director. JCWA is happy to resume in-person programs at Greenlick Lake for 2022.