by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 21, 2012 | News Releases
Catherine Poninsky, a first grade teacher at St. John the Evangelist Grade School, has been selected as the first recipient of a newly-established Idea Fund through the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC).
The Idea Fund was created by a local donor to foster teacher creativity in the Catholic Schools. Applicants must demonstrate a willingness to move outside the box to enrich the learning experience, engage students actively and use the materials to impact a significant number of students.
Poninsky received $798 for her application, “Creative Play and Puppet Theater.” According to Poninsky, “This grant has given us the opportunity to add a new dimension to our Fine Arts program. It will enhance the creativity of our students by using their imagination in its various forms.”
The project will involve students in Pre-K through 6th grade in writing and presenting puppet shows for their classmates and the entire student body.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County was founded in 1999 to enrich the quality of life for all residents of Fayette County. The CFFC is a public charity that focuses on helping donors with charitable giving, supporting nonprofit organizations through training and grantmaking, and responding to the needs of Fayette County. For additional information about the Community Foundation, call the CFFC office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 21, 2012 | News Releases
For the 2012-13 school year, through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, CFFC supported 39 children to attend local private and parochial pre-schools through 12th grade.
Schools include:
- All Saints Regional School
- Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy
- Conn Area Catholic School
- Geibel Catholic Middle-High School
- Mt. Moriah Christian School
- St. John the Evangelist Grade School
- St. Sebastian Regional School
Since 2007, CFFC has been an approved EITC Scholarship Program through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Educational opportunities for eligible families are provided through this state program with the generous philanthropic support of business partners. Businesses receive a tax credit for a portion of their EITC contribution to CFFC.
Requests continue to outnumber EITC capacity in Fayette County. In 2012, CFFC received 102 applications for support from area families, all within the designated income criteria. CFFC was able to provide tuition assistance to one third of the families that applied.
According to Cecilia Solan, Principal of Conn Area Catholic, “We are so thankful for the Community Foundation. The children they help with tuition assistance couldn’t attend our school otherwise.”
With tuition for private and parochial schools averaging between $2700-$4500 per student/per school year, an increase in contributions to the EITC Program is needed to enable more awards to more families. Businesses that pay PA income tax may donate to the EITC scholarship program and name the Community Foundation of Fayette County as a designated organization.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County was founded in 1999 to enrich the quality of life for all residents of Fayette County. The CFFC is a public charity that focuses on advising and serving donors with their charitable giving, supporting nonprofit organizations through training and grantmaking, and responding to the needs of Fayette County.
For additional information about the Community Foundation and EITC, call the CFFC office at 724-437-8600.