by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 17, 2020 | Building a Stronger Fayette
The Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville received a 2019 Spring Grant from the CFFC in support of their drones and makerspace programs. The library provides creative programs for multiple age ranges and is always looking for new ideas to keep people engaged.
After purchasing drones, the Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville gathered a group of senior citizens at a park to learn how to fly them. Indoor programs, including a drone program for children, followed. “We provide the public with learning opportunities that they may not normally have,” explained Director Eileen Beveridge. The drones program combines the fun of a popular technology with the education of its use and the STEM concepts behind it.
The library’s makerspaces provide materials for patrons to “make” a variety of creations, like jewelry or car models for example. Beveridge noted that the library gets a lot of ideas from patrons, other libraries, and staff members to develop programs that will draw community interest and provide new learning opportunities.
In addition to programs like these, patrons come to the Carnegie Free Library of Connellsville for the computers, internet, 3-D printer, and a new media center. The technology and educational opportunities that the library provides makes it a resource for so much more than only books. Learn more at www.carnegiefreelib.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 9, 2020 | CFFC News
The Pittsburgh Foundation, PANO, The Forbes Fund, and the United Way of Southwestern PA are conducting a survey that compiles high-level data about COVID-19’s statewide impact on Pennsylvania nonprofits, with a particular emphasis on estimated revenue loss. The data will be used to determine needs for support caused by the impacts of the pandemic and to inform advocacy for public support, in order to preserve and strengthen the critical infrastructure that nonprofits collectively provide to local communities.
Take the survey here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 3, 2020 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives, News Releases
Nonprofits are there for local residents every day; let’s join in an effort to be there for them on one day. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting Fayette Gives to engage the community in philanthropy and build a stronger Fayette by supporting local nonprofits. Fayette Gives is a community-wide “day of giving” that will take place on November 12, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Each donation made during Fayette Gives will be enhanced by a prorated percentage of the $53,000+ Bonus Pool to help stretch each dollar of generosity.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have continued to serve communities, despite financial strain from an increase in services to meet community needs and cancellation of fundraising events that nonprofits rely on for their operation. Fayette Gives provides a safe and easy way for the public to support nonprofits that are making an impact in the community. Anyone can donate, and everyone will have their donation increased by the Bonus Pool as a special incentive to give back.
There are 43 nonprofits participating in Fayette Gives, and we’re excited for the community to get involved in this special fundraising opportunity to support them! Take some time to learn about these local organizations that are helping build a stronger Fayette, and see which ones align with your passions at www.fayettegives.org.
Participating Nonprofits:
180 Degree About Face
Albert Gallatin Human Services Agency, Inc.
Albert Gallatin Service Center of The Salvation Army
Alternatives. Yes Pregnancy Support Center
American Cancer Society – Greensburg Office
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region
Boy Scouts of America, Westmoreland Fayette Council
Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA)
Brownsville Free Public Library
Carnegie Free Library
Centerville Clinics, Inc
Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.
Christian Layman Corps
City Mission-Living Stones, Inc.
Crime Victim’s Center
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA
Dress for Success Pittsburgh
East End United Community Center
Fallingwater/Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Fayette County 4-H
Fayette County Agricultural Improvement Association, Inc.
Fayette County Association for the Blind
Fayette County Community Action Agency
Fayette County Cultural Trust
Fayette County Historical Society
Fayette Friends of Animals
Friends of Art of the Uniontown Art Club
German-Masontown Public Library
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Grindstone Community VFD
Highlands Hospital Foundation
Jumonville Foundation
Junior Achievement of Western PA
Literacy Council of Southwestern PA
Loving Daniel
Mary House Inc.
St. Vincent dePaul Society
State Theatre Center for the Arts
The Salvation Army
Touchstone Center for Crafts
Uniontown Area YMCA
Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Fayette Gives Sponsors!
Community Sponsors:
Mike Kelly Toyota of Uniontown
Joshua and Maria Swimmer
Generosity Sponsors:
Erie Insurance
Charity Fund
Joy G. Huston
Humanity Sponsors:
The Eberly Foundation & Robert E. Eberly, Jr.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Somerset Trust Company
First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County
Fayette Legacy Partners of Janney
Additional Bonus Pool Supporters:
Anonymous
Barnes Saly & Company
Johnson and Matthey
Uniontown Walmart Supercenter (Walmart Giving)
United Bank
#FayetteGives
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 13, 2020 | CFFC News, Grants
COVID-19 Arts Working Group (CAWG)
The Covid-19 Arts Working Group (CAWG), a collaboration of 15 foundations and a private donor in the Pittsburgh metro area, announces the Arts I Equity I Reimagined Fund, in response to the unprecedented and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region’s arts and cultural sector. The fund is intended to foster collective action and identify creative solutions to operating challenges as nonprofit arts organizations navigate these uncertain times. While the fund is open to all arts and cultural organizations, in recognition of long-standing disparities in funding, it will prioritize small to medium-sized arts organizations and those that serve or are led by historically marginalized communities in southwestern Pennsylvania, whether they be urban or rural in location.
Details about the Arts I Equity I Reimagined Fund, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, FAQs, the application process and guiding principles can be found at www.artsreimagined.org or by calling (412) 219-6584.
CAWG Grant Opportunities
Arts I Equity I Reimagined grants will support arts and cultural organizations located in any of the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. All 501(c)3 arts organizations, artist-driven projects, and unincorporated arts collectives are eligible to apply. Non-501(c)3 projects and collectives may use a fiscal sponsor to apply (assistance to find and secure a fiscal sponsor is available as part of this program). The program contains two unique opportunities:
1) Capacity Building Assistance – open to any arts organization or sponsored project with a budget of $2.5 million or less. Managed by PACE (Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise), this program is designed to quickly respond to requests to help nonprofits gain the skills or concrete strategies needed to address COVID-19 related challenges. Examples of assistance could include, but are not limited to: short-term action plans, financial planning, fundraising or marketing capacity, human resource assistance, anti-racism training, and other tools to create a sustainable future. With its long history of increasing the organizational capacity of nonprofits serving the African American and other marginalized communities, PACE is uniquely positioned to assist this effort.
2) Collective Action for Re-Imagining – collaborations, partnerships or networks of any budget size, comprised of three or more 501(c)3 arts organizations, artist-driven projects, and/or unincorporated arts collectives, are eligible to apply. Managed by New Sun Rising (NSR), this program seeks ideas that employ new, novel, and innovative ways of working together to address the dramatic shifts that have been instigated by the COVID-19 crisis, and that also address opportunities and solutions to reposition the sector for a more sustainable and equitable future. New Sun Rising (NSR) designs and implements programs that create economic opportunity, solve social challenges and strengthen community vibrancy. NSR will bring these strengths to help facilitate the funding of this work.
AER Live Info Sessions
See below for a list of free, live information sessions that will be open to any potential applicant and will provide a space where specific questions get answered right away in real time. Potential applicants may also submit questions for a quick response by email at the fund’s website: www.artsreimagined.org.
AER Live Info Sessions*
Session #1 – Thursday, Aug. 20, 9:00 a.m.**
Session #2 – Monday, Aug. 24, 3:00 p.m.
Session #3 – Tuesday, Aug. 25, 9:00 a.m.
Session #4 – TDC/Barr Foundation Webinar on Scenario Planning. Time/date TBD.
*Info sessions will be hosted virtually and made available for replay at www.artsreimagined.org.
**The Aug. 20 session is hosted by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Community Foundation of Fayette County, and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and will address unique questions from potential applicants in rural and suburban counties. However, participants from any southwestern Pennsylvania location are welcome at any of the live sessions.
To participate in the Aug. 20 session, please register here: https://cfwestmoreland.org/CAWGInfoSession
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email and a separate Zoom calendar invitation that includes the Zoom meeting link.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 12, 2020 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Junior Achievement of Western PA is dedicated to educating K-12 students with programs of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy/money management. Their experimental, hands-on programs provide students with tools such as leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills. The CFFC awarded Junior Achievement of Western PA a Spring 2019 grant to support “Empowerment to the Youth of Fayette County.”
“It’s a collaborative effort with the school districts. Each school has different needs, so we help fill in the gaps of work readiness in the schools’ curriculum and provide artifacts that students can include in their portfolios,” explained Nicki Sliko, Education Program Manager.
Junior Achievement empowers students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world, enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school.
Volunteer community mentors serve as career role models and provide real-world context to classroom topics through in-class instruction. In addition to teaching students important life skills such as saving money, balancing a checkbook, and how to find an keep a job, Junior Achievement also addresses important “soft” skills, such as communication and problem solving.
Once students understand the connection between education and local workplace opportunities, they can better envision how their developed skills can help strengthen the Fayette County workforce and community as a whole.