by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 24, 2022 | CFFC News, Gala of Giving, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is excited to announce the inaugural Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change! This marquee event will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022 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.
Make your online reservation now!
Sponsorship & Auction Items:
To learn how you can support this event, please contact Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
Learn more about Gala of Giving:
CFFC is committed to making Fayette County a better place for all to live, and great work has been accomplished over the last 22 years of investing in charitable organizations and programs that directly benefit the county and its diverse population. The passion to continue making a meaningful impact is now moving to the next level with the Gala of Giving.
“The goal is to make a significant investment in projects that can affect real change and growth in Fayette County,” said Dan Gearing, Gala of Giving Chair.
CFFC invites everyone to play a part in helping to make Fayette County a thriving place to live, work and play. Also, and most importantly, all money raised is for the benefit of Fayette County and will stay in Fayette County. Together we can make a difference, and through the Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change you can join with others across our community in helping to raise the vital funding needed to initiate these bold new projects and programs now and for years to come.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 14, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has announced their spring 2022 grant cycle, with six different funding opportunities for local nonprofit organizations. All applications are completed through CFFC’s online grant system, which can be accessed from the Grants page at www.cffayettepa.org. The grant application deadline is March 1, 2022.
CFFC thanks the many generous donors who make these grant opportunities possible. “Supporting local nonprofits is an important part of CFFC’s mission, and these grant cycles are a great way to learn about the needs of organizations and lend a helping hand,” said CFFC Grantmaking Committee Chair Joy G. Huston.
Below is the list of spring 2022 CFFC grant opportunities:
- Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supports arts and culture; education; community and economic development; health and human services; and other areas of interest.
- 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.
- Natalie Anthony Petrie Alzheimer’s Fund: supports research of Alzheimer’s Disease.
For questions about grant applications, please contact Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator Rebecca Wardle at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 12, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded over $20,000 in fall 2021 grants to local nonprofits and schools. CFFC supports a variety of funding areas, based on the interests of donors and the criteria they outline when creating a charitable fund.
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund awarded a total of $15,871 to Laurel Highlands School District and Uniontown Area School District for reusable items that will enhance the classrooms. Requested items that received funding include a flight simulator, book vending machine, items for autistic support/life skills sensory room, games, and technology enhancements for algebra classes.
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund awarded a $1,500 grant to Don’t Stop Dreamin’ to support activities for their Fayette County skilled nursing residents.
The Idea Fund awarded a total of $2,200 to Geibel Catholic Junior Senior High School to enhance learning through a community history center and suturing supplies for anatomy classes.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund awarded a $500 grant to Uniontown Area School District to support family and consumer science sewing projects.
To learn more about the impact of CFFC grant awards, visit the Building a Stronger Fayette page at www.cffayettepa.org. CFFC will soon be announcing grant applications for the spring 2022 cycle, which includes grant opportunities for arts, education, health and human services, community gardens, and more.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 3, 2022 | CFFC News, News Releases, Scholarships
Apply Now for the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s Post-Secondary Scholarships
Over Fifty Scholarship Opportunities for Local Students
Fayette County, Pa. (Jan. 4, 2022) – The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awards scholarships to support local students in their pursuit of post-secondary education. Over fifty (50) applications are now available for the 2022-2023 school year. Applicants will create an account in CFFC’s online scholarship software and complete an eligibility quiz to determine which scholarships match their qualifications.
The application deadline is March 31, 2022. Students can access the scholarship software on the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. Applicants may be high school seniors, current post-secondary students, or adults wishing to continue their education.
CFFC scholarship opportunities are made possible by generous donors who create scholarship funds, often to honor or memorialize someone special in their lives, to support students, and to give back to the community. The criteria for these scholarships may include field of study, specific post-secondary schools, GPA, participation in sports or the arts, community service hours, and more.
“We encourage local students to take advantage of CFFC’s scholarship program. The donors who have created these funds have set a variety of criteria, so it’s likely that there’s something for everybody,” said Executive Director Renee Couser.
In 2021, CFFC awarded over $160,000 in post-secondary scholarships.
For questions about scholarship applications, please contact Scholarship Coordinator Lee O’Neil at eoneil@cffayettepa.org.
###
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 27, 2021 | Building a Stronger Fayette
CFFC Executive Director Renee Couser presenting the Emergency Relief Fund grant to volunteers of the Christian Church of Connellsville’s Free Community Lunch program
What began as a “modest community service” to address food insecurity in Fayette County has grown into a weekly program that has served over 7,400 free lunches to community members this year. The Christian Church of Connellsville hosts the Free Community Lunch program each Monday from 11:30 – 1:00 for those in need. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) supported this program with an Emergency Relief Fund grant in spring 2021 in response to the pandemic.
When delivering the grant check, CFFC was greeted by a larger than life mural on the side of the church entitled “Jesus and the Children.” Rounding the corner from the parking lot, a vinyl banner for the Free Community Lunch program came into view on the metal railing, with cartoon food items and text that read “everyone welcome!”
Inside the doors, a group of church volunteers who operate the free lunch program were chatting, providing a preview of the fellowship that is possible through this program.
As the program continues to grow, the Christian Church of Connellsville is happy to see “regulars” and new individuals participating. Compared to last year, the church will provide over double the number of free lunches to individuals and families in 2021.
“This past year, we have been blessed to have the support and guidance of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, which has generously provided funding for this program,” said Rev. Paul Sandusky. “The funding has supported our goals of addressing the food insecurity of many children, adults, and families in this county; supporting our effort to provide lunches that are more nutritious and healthy; and ensuring that program participants are included in our evaluation of this community service,” he explained.
The Emergency Relief Fund was created in 2020 to support the community during local emergencies and disasters, illustrating CFFC’s unique ability to fund a variety of charitable efforts based on Fayette County’s current needs.
#BuildingAStrongerFayette
