by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 1, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting applications for the spring grant cycle. Local nonprofits can apply for six grant opportunities, each with its own criteria. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2025.
Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting projects/programming or nonprofit capacity building. 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; GIVE Fayette County campaign, Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
Catalyst for Change Grant: CFFC is looking for a big idea that can affect change and growth in Fayette County. There will be three steps for the selection process: letter of inquiry; full application; presentation to the CFFC board of directors. The project should be a true collaboration between two or more nonprofits, showing a collective effort to address county needs. The project should incorporate county-wide impact, both in the number of people impacted by the project and the geographic reach of the project’s impact. Projects will be viewed favorably if they spark economic growth and anticipate sustainability.
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
Click here to apply through CFFC’s online grant system.
“In 2024, the foundation awarded $22,734 in the spring grant cycle, supporting ten local nonprofits. Those awards were made possible through generous donations to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, and through four field of interest funds with specific areas of focus,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Crosskeys Human Services was awarded $3,131 last year to support their meal deliveries to about 200 elderly community members. Their service area of Brownsville and Republic is very rural and widespread, traversing rough roads and unpaved driveways. “Two of our vehicles had to have major work due to the rocky roads that are traveled in the delivery of the meals,” said Sr. James Ann Germuska, Executive Director.
Photo courtesy of DVSSP from their Board Training
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA was also awarded funding last spring. “It becomes problematic when we are trying to enter reporting information or complete time-sensitive tasks, and our outdated computers are running so slow that staff struggle to access the programs they need,” said Megan Hegedus, CEO. Their $2,500 capacity building grant enabled them to update the office computers at their Fayette County Safe House.
CFFC is including the Catalyst for Change Grant letter of inquiry in this year’s spring grant cycle. Money raised from the foundation’s Gala of Giving event has funded two $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grants so far. This year, applicants can request up to $75,000 for a collaborative, county-wide project.
Pictured from left to right: Bonnie Ryan, Karen Merryman, Beth Konick, Dawn Hunchuck-Piccolomini, Renee Couser, Carrie Willetts, Garnet Gordon, Meredith Aumer
“This past fall, we awarded a Catalyst for Change Grant to support new moms at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital with car seats and training. In 2023, the first Catalyst for Change Grant was awarded to Main Street Theatre Company’s musical showcase for Fayette County high schools. We’re excited to see more creative, impactful projects for this year’s round of requests,” said Couser.
Applications must be submitted through CFFC’s online grant system, and more information can be found on the grants page at www.cffayettepa.org. Please direct questions to Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203.
Applicant Tutorial
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 13, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County gathered local charities on December 12 at the Fayette LaunchBox to celebrate Fayette Gives 2024 and announce the final total. Ninety-six (96) Fayette County charities raised $586,365 through CFFC’s fifth annual Fayette Gives. This “day of giving” helps to build a stronger Fayette County by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 7, donations were accepted at www.fayettegives.org with live results and leaderboards on display.
“We know charities put a lot of work into their fundraising efforts, so it’s encouraging to see that over 1,000 people donated to this year’s Fayette Gives,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Thanks to the Fayette Gives sponsors, over $50,000 was awarded in prize money as donor incentives. Each hour, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., charities had the chance to receive cash prizes based on a variety of criteria, including their asset size category, dollars raised, number of donors, and random drawings.
“Charities can choose how they use the fundraising money to support their work in Fayette County. Having that discretion is really valuable for a lot of charities,” explained Couser.
At the celebration event, Representative Charity Grimm Krupa addressed the room and commended the charities on their impact in helping others. She said, “The most rewarding thing about my position is doing a deep dive in the community…. We are doing good things in Fayette County, and I see that when I look out into this room.”
Senator Pat Stefano congratulated the charities on their Fayette Gives fundraising and said, “You guys get a lot of things done with just a little bit of money…. You make great things happen, so I’m so thrilled you’re part of this program, and taking leverage of these dollars, and getting them out in the community.”
“Each and every one of these charities play a part in building a stronger Fayette, and we actually had someone donate to all ninety-six (96)! The donor explained that they were looking through the list and felt compelled to support all of them. That was an exciting ‘first’ for Fayette Gives,” said Couser.
This fifth year of Fayette Gives brings the grand total to over $2.5 million that has been raised for local charities through the “day of giving”. The foundation is grateful to everyone who has donated over the years and supported charities through Fayette Gives. To learn more, visit www.fayettegives.org.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: COE Distributing; Nemacolin; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing. Humanity Sponsors: Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Montgomery Medical; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Highlands Wealth Management; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 26, 2024 | CFFC News
Join us in building a stronger Fayette! We are asking for your help to support the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment that is used for general grantmaking to support the Fayette County community. Your donation will strengthen the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s grantmaking to local nonprofits that make a positive impact for the county.
Grants are awarded to local nonprofits to support arts and culture; education; community and economic development; health and human services; nonprofit capacity building; and other areas of interest.
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund endowment will help address the ever-changing needs of the community for today, tomorrow, and forever. Will you help?
Your gift to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund will be a special way to celebrate the foundation’s 25th anniversary, by strengthening our charitable impact for the next 25 years and beyond!
To donate online, please click here or use the “Donate Now” button at www.cffayettepa.org. To donate by check, please make your check payable to “CFFC” and write BASF Fund on the memo line. Thank you!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 25, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has awarded a total of $39,932 in grants to local school districts this fall. The foundation is able to support education in a variety of ways, including grants from donor advised funds and grants through CFFC’s participation in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) program for educational improvement.
Three donor advised funds, held at CFFC, awarded a total of $25,934 for classroom projects and materials at Laurel Highlands School District and Uniontown Area School District. The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, the Idea Fund, and the Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund accepted grant applications from August to October, and twelve (12) requests were funded.
Randy Miller, LHSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Dr. Jesse Wallace, LHSD Superintendent
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is supporting LEGO® education kits, whiteboard tables, lab tables, enrichment and remediation materials, a classroom library, library Zeitgeist collection, flexible seating and literacy material, and a student publishing center.
The Idea Fund is supporting business classes with an Apple TV and Mac Mini Pro for stock market learning and a pinewood derby project for STEM learning.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is supporting tools for science class and models and equipment for anatomy and physiology class.
“Donor advised funds have flexibility to award grants for different organizations and causes throughout the year, and we value these donors’ trust in CFFC to help with their charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Dr. Kelly Swartz, UASD Assistant to the Superintendent; Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Sally Matthews, UASD Business Manager
Through the DCED, CFFC is approved as an Educational Improvement Organization and provides funding to local school districts for innovative educational programs. Thanks to businesses that donate to this program, a total of $13,998 was granted this fall to six (6) Fayette County school districts.
With the funds, Penn State Extension 4-H will provide programming for a STEM and Computer Science Initiative at Albert Gallatin Area School District, Brownsville Area School District, Frazier School District, Uniontown Area School District, and Laurel Highlands School District. At Connellsville Area School District, funds will provide programming for a STEM Science program at the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center.
To learn more about how you can support local education through charitable giving, call the foundation office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 15, 2024 | CFFC News
Today is CFFC’s 25th anniversary!
Established November 15, 1999
As the Community Foundation of Fayette County celebrates its 25th anniversary, we credit the collective effort of many generous and passionate people. The foundation was established in 1999 by community members who wanted to make a positive impact, and our philanthropy continues to grow with the support of individuals and businesses.
The foundation has grown since 1999 and now holds nearly 200 charitable funds and over $24 million in assets. Each year, a percentage of these charitable assets is used to support nonprofits and local students. Over the past 25 years, the Community Foundation of Fayette County has granted over $15 million to the community.
The foundation’s board of directors and staff are committed to our mission, and the recent strategic plan will help serve as a road map for continued impact and growth.
Make a 25th Anniversary Donation
Here’s even more reason to celebrate… November 15 is National Philanthropy Day, which falls within Community Foundation Week (November 12 – 18)!
Watch our Timeline Video
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 8, 2024 | CFFC News
The community raised $579,505 for 96 Fayette County charities through the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) fifth annual Fayette Gives. Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” that helps to build a stronger Fayette County by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 7, the public donated online at www.fayettegives.org between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with live results and leaderboards on display. Check donations were also accepted ahead of Fayette Gives day, starting in September.
“We extend a huge thank-you to the 923 people who donated and to everyone who helped spread the word about this special initiative. All of the money that the charities fundraised will be used to support their work right here in Fayette County,” Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Fayette Gives 2024 provided new features for the “day of giving”. Charities were able to add pictures and videos to their profile page, to help tell the story of their impact in the community, and charities had access to their donation reports in real time to strengthen their fundraising efforts and stewardship. On November 7, the website displayed a section of recent donations and Instagram posts, to encourage engagement. The public could also view leaderboards for each size category of charities, which was determined by asset size.
Another new feature this year was the donor incentives. Each hour, charities had the chance to receive cash prizes, based on specific criteria. Donors could view the list of prizes on the Fayette Gives website and help their favorite charities’ chances of receiving extra money, adding excitement to each hour throughout the day. Thanks to the Fayette Gives sponsors, over $50,000 was awarded in prize money.
“Fayette Gives is a one-stop-shop for people to give back, and it’s an opportunity to highlight the amazing work being done across Fayette County by these charities. Raising over half-a-million dollars in one campaign shows the incredible generosity of our community,” said Couser.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: COE Distributing; Nemacolin; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing. Humanity Sponsors: Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Montgomery Medical; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Highlands Wealth Management; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
To view the leaderboards and learn more about Fayette Gives, visit www.fayettegives.org.