by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 1, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) offers nearly fifty scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship applications are now available for the 2024-2025 school year through CFFC’s online scholarship software, which can be accessed from the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.
Applicants will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for individual scholarship opportunities. Based on the required criteria, applicants will then see a list of scholarships that meet their qualifications. Each application will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
CFFC awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education. “Being a mother and full-time commuting college student is by not means easy, but this will be a tremendous help,” wrote Valen Lilley, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
Some scholarships target a field of study, participation in extracurricular actives, or a specific post-secondary school. Each scholarship opportunity is made possible by donors who created a charitable fund to support local students in this way. “Your gift helps students from all over Fayette County to afford higher education, and this means bettering the place we call home. My plan is to become a licensed professional counselor one day, and with support like you, I am able to do that,” wrote Brittney Roberts, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
In 2023, CFFC awarded over $192,000 in post-secondary scholarships. “It has been a great undertaking academically and financially to make it this far in my journey to becoming a physician, and you have eased some of its hardships with your philanthropy,” wrote James Brown, a 2023-2024 CFFC scholarship recipient.
For assistance, please contact Mrs. Lee O’Neil, Scholarship Coordinator, at eoneil@cffayettepa.org.
2024 Scholarship Flyer
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 15, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awards grants throughout the entire year, through the generosity of individuals and business who create charitable funds at the foundation. CFFC’s spring grant cycle is an opportunity for nonprofits to request funding from five charitable funds held at CFFC. Review criteria and apply through CFFC’s online grant system. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.
“CFFC is happy to offer grants for nonprofit capacity building, for the second year in a row, through the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. The four additional funds focus on a specific ‘field of interest’ that was determined by the donors who created the funds,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
- Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit (e.g. office equipment, software, training). These awards are made with the combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
- 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.
For questions about grant applications, contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 13, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted the fourth annual Fayette Gives on November 9, to engage the community in philanthropy and support local charities through donations from the public. CFFC announced the grand total at a celebration event for participating charities on December 12 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses, CFFC is distributing a total of $687,046 amongst ninety (90) Fayette County charities.
“We’ve been so happy to see this ‘day of giving’ grow each year,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. In its first four years, Fayette Gives has raised over $2 million, all to benefit Fayette County. “The community foundation is a resource for charitable giving, and Fayette Gives is our way to bring that to the public on a large scale and make it easy for anyone to be a philanthropist,” said Couser.
CFFC began accepting donations by check, IRAs, and donor advised funds in September. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 9, online donations were received and live results and leaderboards displayed at www.fayettegives.org. Between all donation methods, over 1,200 donations were made.
Renee M. Couser
“Donors have commented on the convenience of Fayette Gives being a one-stop-shop for their charitable giving,” said Couser. This special fundraiser is also an opportunity for charities to educate the public on the services they provide, showcase the positive impact of their mission, and create a buzz on social media. Charities are not restricted in how they use their Fayette Gives funds, so they are able to fundraise for any of their operational or programming needs.
“On behalf of the CFFC board of directors, thank you to everyone who generously supported this effort,” said Angela Braun, CFFC Board Chair.
Donations were increased by a prorated percentage of the $60,000 bonus pool, based on the charities’ fundraising dollars and number of donors. This helps donors make a bigger impact on their favorite charities and incentivizes people to give.
CFFC is grateful for the support of the Fayette Gives sponsors. Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; COE Distributing; The Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: Mike Kelly Toyota of Uniontown; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital. Humanity Sponsors: First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; The Eberly Foundation; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter.
CFFC will be planning the next Fayette Gives for November 2024, with more details to come. To learn more about Fayette Gives and the community foundation, visit www.cffayettepa.org.
View the Charity Distribution List for the final results of each charity’s Fayette Gives total.
Jennifer Jubin spoke on behalf of COE Distributing, a Community Sponsor of Fayette Gives 2023
Fayette Gives 2023 raised $687,046
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 8, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded nearly $20,000 in fall grants to local school districts for classroom projects and materials. The grants were provided by donor advised funds held at foundation, through which generous individuals recommend distributions to organizations.
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $7,679.99
Laurel Highlands School District: $6,634.81
Idea Fund
Albert Gallatin Area School District: $2,263.00
Connellsville Area School District: $2,269.00
Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $750.00
Stay tuned for details about the projects and impact of the classroom materials!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 5, 2023 | CFFC News
Save the date for CFFC’s Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort! This event raises money to support projects that can make a significant impact in Fayette County.
