by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 5, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
At Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School: George Belch, Building Construction Instructor; Fayette CTI students who constructed Buddy Benches; Bernadette Ptak; Nate White, Instructional Supervisor
Think back to the excitement of the playground during grade school recess… the bright sunshine as you exit the school building, the smell of freshly cut grass, the feeling of mulch under your feet as you navigate through the jungle gym, and the energy of your classmates around you. Children may have some days when they feel isolated from all of that action though, and a local couple has worked with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) to help.
The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund, held at CFFC, is a donor advised fund that was created by its namesake. The fund provided a grant for Buddy Benches at Ben Franklin Elementary/Middle School, Lafayette Elementary/Middle School, Marclay Elementary School, and Wharton Elementary School. One bench was installed at each of those four schools in the Uniontown Area School District.
Buddy Benches are used on school playgrounds as a way for students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to. When a child sits on the Buddy Bench, other classmates are encouraged to invite that child to play with them.
The Ptaks knew they wanted to utilize their charitable giving to install Buddy Benches at local schools, and CFFC was ready to make that happen. Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, reached out to Fayette County Career & Technical Institute (CTI) to ask if they could construct the benches. George Belch, Building Construction Instructor, said it was a go.
Fayette CTI students – six in particular – constructed the four benches. The John and Bernadette Ptak Family Fund grant provided funding for materials to construct the Buddy Benches.
When seeing a Buddy Bench for the first time, Mrs. Ptak gratefully said to the Fayette CTI students, “Thank you so much. You did a wonderful job.” The bench installations at the school playgrounds will serve as a tool for kindness for years to come.
Featured on KDKA-TV’s “Community Compass” segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/four-buddy-benches-created-for-four-uniontown-area-school-district-playgrounds-community-compass/
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 20, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting applications for Pre-K and K-12 tuition assistance for Fayette County students attending private schools. Applications are available at the participating schools and families must submit the application to CFFC, with a post-mark date no later than July 31, 2024.
The foundation is an approved Scholarship Organization, Pre-Kindergarten Organization, and Educational Improvement Organization through the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development (DCED).
Thank you to COE Distributing! Pictured: Renee M. Couser and J.D. Ewing
“There are so many ways to help the community through charitable giving. We extend our thanks to COE Distributing, Key Bank, Laurel Business Institute, Mid Penn Bank, PNC Bank, and United Concordia for donating to these educational programs,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Thank you to Mid Penn Bank! Pictured: Ashleigh L. Daniels, Renee M. Couser, Rebecca Wardle
In 2023, CFFC awarded $33,504 in K-12 tuition assistance and $8,000 in Pre-K tuition assistance for Fayette County students attending private schools. Participating schools included A.G. Montessori School, Calvary Chapel Christian School, Conn Area Catholic School, Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School, Heritage Baptist Academy, Mt. Moriah Christian School, St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, and Verna Montessori School.
More details, including eligibility requirements, are provided on the tuition assistance applications, which are available at the participating private schools. With questions for CFFC, families can call the office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 15, 2024 | CFFC News
Have you heard the phrase “give where you live”?
That’s what Fayette Gives is all about!
Fayette Gives is a 12-hour fundraising marathon, hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), that is all about the phrase “give where you live.” This year’s giving day will take place on November 7, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. CFFC encourages all interested charities to attend the “Getting Ready” webinar on June 12 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
This live webinar will be an online-only training presented by GiveGab, the company that manages the platform for Fayette Gives. Fayette Gives 2024 will have a new look, due to a switch in platform and new features for charity tracking and donor engagement. The foundation believes it is crucial for charities to attend the June 12 training to learn about new features and prepare for a successful Fayette Gives campaign.
Charities must register for the June 12 training on the “Trainings” page at www.fayettegives.org. Click here for the direct link.
Each charity that registers for the “Getting Ready” webinar and (virtually) attends will be awarded a $50 prize to add to their Fayette Gives fundraising. There is a limit of one prize per charity, and prizes will only apply to charities who are approved to participate in Fayette Gives at the registration cut-off date of August 30, 2024. Please contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203 with any questions.
During Fayette Gives, the public donates to participating charities to support their mission and services in Fayette County. Everyone can track live results and leaderboards throughout the “day of giving”, and donors can help their favorite charities win cash prizes to boost their fundraising.
In the first four years of Fayette Gives, the community has raised over $2 million for Fayette County charities.
“We are grateful to everyone who has joined this community-wide effort to build a stronger Fayette, and we’re excited to raise the bar for this year’s Fayette Gives!” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 10, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) was founded on November 15, 1999… making this year our 25th anniversary year!
Founding Community Members: John Buchanon; Charles Cluss; Lee Frankhouse; Albert Skomra; Lynda Waggoner; Robert Eberly Sr.
Founding Private Foundations: Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; Eberly Foundation; Richard King Mellon Foundation; McCune Foundation
With the generosity of many individuals and businesses over the years, CFFC has grown to over $24 million in assets and stewards nearly 200 charitable funds. Every year, a percentage of these charitable assets are used to support a number of nonprofits and local students.
We value each donor’s charitable giving goals and take pride in the trust and relationships we’ve built. Continuous accreditation since 2008 affirms the foundation’s commitment to meet and exceed the national standards for philanthropic services.
CFFC is here to help make an impact for today, tomorrow, and forever. Join us in building a stronger Fayette County through charitable giving.
Please consider making a 25th anniversary gift to support our Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. This endowment provides grants to Fayette County nonprofits every year, to address a variety of community needs.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 23, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is hosting a Grantwriting Workshop for local nonprofits, facilitated by Nonprofit SideKick, on May 29.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
12:00 – 4:00 (lunch will be provided)
Fay-Penn Economic Development Council
1040 Eberly Way
1st Floor Business Event Center
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
The $50 registration fee includes the Grantwriting Workshop and a one-year membership of Nonprofit SideKick. Please register by May 24.
Click here to register!
May 29 Grantwriting Workshop Flyer