Grant Opportunities for Local School Districts

Last year, nearly $20,000 was awarded in the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) fall grant cycle to support an aeroponics indoor garden, plant nursery, coding robot, items for a sensory room, a drone coding project, microscopes, hands-on learning, and more. The grants were made from three Donor Advised Funds held at CFFC – Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, Idea Fund, and Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund. These funds are currently accepting grant requests to support local schools again for the 2024-2025 school year.

Submitted by Luke Rice, Laurel Highlands School District – Aeroponic Tower Garden. “Students gathered data by measuring growth, different ratios of nutrients, light schedules, and by testing pH.”

Submitted by Michelle Mowry, Connellsville Area School District – Hands-on Learning. “Over the years, I’ve learned that students learn best when they are having fun and completely involved and engaged in their learning.”

“Donor Advised Funds give donors flexibility with how grants are used to support charitable causes, and the donors have ongoing involvement,” explained Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “The fund holders partner with us to support projects that match their passions,” said Couser.

The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is accepting grant requests for reusable items that will enhance the classroom(s). Any teacher, school counselor, or administrator in the Laurel Highlands School District or Uniontown Area School District is encouraged to apply. Requests from $750 up to $10,000 will be considered.

The Idea Fund was created by a donor who is interested in helping teachers achieve a level of creativity in the classroom that allows students of all learning styles to thrive. All school districts in Fayette County are eligible to apply for an Idea Fund grant in the amount of $2,500.

The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is accepting grant requests to enhance STEM teaching and learning at the Uniontown Area School District’s middle schools or high school. An award in the amount of $500 is intended to support teacher or student activities or the purchase of classroom materials.

Applications are due by October 4 through CFFC’s online grant system, which can be found on the “Grant Seekers” page at www.cffayettepa.org. Further details are listed online for each fund’s criteria.

Mid-Year Letter from CFFC

View CFFC’s mid-year letter below. Make sure to click to the second page to see the back of our flyer!

2024 Mid Year Flyer

The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) 25 years of philanthropy would not be possible without the generosity and support of donors. Thanks to many individuals and businesses over the years, CFFC stewards nearly 200 charitable funds and has grown to over $24 million in assets. Each year, a percentage of these charitable assets is used to support nonprofits and local students, in an effort to build a stronger Fayette County.

Throughout the past 25 years, CFFC has granted over $15 million to the community.

This spring, over $22,000 in grants were awarded to nine local nonprofits. Grants supported a pregnancy medical center, a garden that will be used for educational sessions and a culinary program, transportation for meal deliveries to senior citizens, and plants for a park. The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund awarded “capacity building” grants to strengthen nonprofits’ sustainability and their efficiency in serving the community. This included funding for equipment, board training, and technology updates.


Will you help us build a stronger Fayette?

Please join us, by making an anniversary gift to our Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
This endowment awards grants to local nonprofits each year, addressing a variety of community needs. Your donation will benefit Fayette County today, tomorrow, and forever.

Donate Now! Make checks payable to CFFC with “BASF Fund” on the memo line. For other giving options i.e. stocks, donor advised funds, IRAs, and RMDs please call CFFC.

In honor of our 25th anniversary…
Please consider making a gift of:   $25   $250   $2,500   $25,000


The third annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change black-tie event was held on April 13, with over 300 guests attending at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Proceeds will provide funding for projects that spark change and growth in Fayette County.

The first $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant was awarded to Main Street Theatre Company, State Theatre Center for the Arts, and Fayette County Cultural Trust last fall. Their program “Encore! A Showcase of Local Talent” on May 9 was the first of its kind in Fayette County.

CFFC has created a Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 with goals and actions for our growth!

The foundation is awarding over $200,000 in post-secondary scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. Thanks to scholarship fund donors, we are able to support local students. This, in turn, supports the future of Fayette County and helps to strengthen our local workforce.

CFNS Accredited FoundationCFFC received re-accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

Fayette Gives LogoSave the date for Fayette Gives on November 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. The community has raised over $2 million in the first four years of this 12-hour fundraising marathon. Join us again for this community-wide “day of giving” and celebrate the power of giving back.

CFFC Awards Over $200,000 in Post-Secondary Scholarships

black and green graduation capsEach year, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) proudly selects a variety of local students for post-secondary scholarship awards. The foundation holds forty-seven (47) scholarship funds, which are created specifically to support local students in their pursuit of higher education. This year, $207,924 is being awarded in scholarships to ninety-one (91) students.

“Thank you so much for awarding me this great honor and continuing to support my lifelong goal of becoming a physician…. I hope to one day practice in Uniontown and continue giving back to our community!” said Nina D’Andrea, a Laurel Highlands High School graduate and current medical student at West Virginia University. CFFC has awarded scholarships to D’Andrea for seven years in a row throughout her higher education.

Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation helps people make a difference through charitable giving. Scholarship funds are created in honor or memory of a loved one, to support certain career paths, or to simply give back to the community. CFFC works with donors to determine criteria for each scholarship fund, including qualifications related to academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, or school preference.

“Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients. Our scholarship program is strong, thanks to our generous donors and our dedicated review committee – all of them are passionate about supporting these students and the future of Fayette County,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.

Through CFFC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Access to Higher Education Program, qualifying students may have their scholarship awards matched by the state.

A CFFC scholarship can be created in honor or memory with a gift of $25,000, or donations in any amount can be made to the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund. To learn more about CFFC’s scholarship program, visit the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org.

 

black and green graduation caps

2024-2025 CFFC Scholarship Awards

Alfred E. and Anna B. Jones Scholarship

Taney Basinger

 

Allen Craft Memorial Scholarship

Jamire Braxton

Madison McClean

Addyson Nose

Jocelyn Radcliffe

Owen Reed

Dominic Scott

 

Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Scholarship

Valentina Gulino

Kylee Kurnot

Malcolm Patton

Bridget White

Brooklyn Williams

 

Betty Bayne Barnes Scholarship for Women

Kadie Keslar

 

Burchinal Family Endowment

Taney Basinger

Grace Bosnic

Bethany DuBois

Diana Fink

Brianna Hensh

Connor Kalich

Kadie Keslar

Josh Lomax

Aubriana Pesuti

Erica Rishel

 

Career and Technical Education Scholarship

Shelby Hall

 

CFFC Board of Directors Scholarship

Laila Suarez

 

Chris G. and Alice Omiros Scholars Fund

A’kira Dade

 

Cupelli Family Scholarship

Brianna Hensh

 

Darrell L. and Norma R. Uphold Family Scholarship

Mattalynn Schiffbauer

 

Deana Martorella Memorial Scholarship

Bella Carroto

 

Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky Scholarship

Logan Hoffer

 

Dr. Paul Pipik Scholarship for Study in the Health Sciences

Lauren Klink

 

Dr. William C. Thomas, Jr. Perseverance Scholarship for past recipients

Karsyn Lucy

 

George M. and Anna w. Hochheimer Scholarship

Josh Lomax

 

Helen Hulvey Scheggia Nursing Scholarship

Haley Filcheck

 

Henry J. Oppermann Scholarship

Grace Bosnic

Ian Zerecheck

 

Hughes Family Scholarship

Timothy Lacek

 

Johnson Matthey Scholarship

Lauren Colgan

Elyse Hughes

 

Kathleen DiMarco Gulino Memorial Scholarship

Matthew South

 

Laurel Business Institute Scholarship in Memory of Ruth and Milton Decker

Zaidan Bochnak

Kevin Morrison

Eric Reed

 

Laurel Highlands Mustang Academic Scholarship

Addyson Nose

Matthew South

 

Legacy Scholarship of Ernst Gottlieb Braun

Joshua Dankle

 

Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship

Paige Miller

Maximus Nassar

Melisha Robinson

   

Lulu A. Dudley Scholarship

Brooke Eutsey

Kennedy Orndorff

 

Frances and George J. Plava Educational Award

Hadyn Chipps

Lauren Colgan

 

Mary Jane Dailey Wood Scholarship

Ava Crofcheck

Kennedy Roskopp

Dominic Scott

 

Maurice M. Bortz and Bessie D. Rinehart Memorial Scholarship

Connor Kalich

 

Melvin J. and Beatrice Vance Keller Memorial Scholarship

Tagan Basinger

 

Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Scholarship

Madison McClean

 

My Mother’s Legacy Scholarship

Avery Maldovan

Jaylee Moorhead

 

Nancy Vance Jones Scholarship

Madison McClean

Rebecca Mihalko

Jaylee Moorhead

Magdalen Williams

  

Palmer F. Sabatine Scholarship

Khalia Batie

 

Parker A. Hess Memorial Scholarship

Parker King

Aubriana Pesuti

 

Rita P. Peters Scholarship

Bella Miller

 

Robert and Marjorie Rager Scholarship

Kirra Davis

 

Robert E. and Elouise R. Eberly Scholarship

Benjamin Diamond

 

Sam’s Symphony of Love Scholarship

Bella Carroto

 

Sergeant Eric Hull Memorial Scholarship

Tate Musko

 

Suzanne J. McMonagle Nursing Scholarship

Kiera McLaughlin

 

Tolstoi Family Scholarship

Jace Deli

Shelby Hall

Landen Taylor

 

Tylar Andaloro Memorial Scholarship

Kathryn Chiado

Aubriana Pesuti

Uniontown College Club CFFC Scholarship

Hadyn Chipps

Casey Fijalkovic

Lindsay Klink

 

Virginia Eberharter Scholarship

Jodi Lowery

Delaney Reese

 

Virginia Springer Memorial Scholarship

Julie Cooper

Nina D’Andrea

Rebecca Mihalko

Grace Taylor

Kaleb Walls

   

Wolford Swimmer Memorial Scholarship

Emily Angelo

Caylee Balabon

Tagan Basinger

Chaz Berkshire

James Brown

Iris Burd

Sienna Dean

Jocelyn Gratchic

Gabriel Kemp

Hanna Lucente

Eva Lypson

Noah Maceiko

Jacqueline Maendel

Natayah Moten

Cecilia Mrosko

Anthony Muccioli

Vincenzo Muccioli

Bella Palm

Madison Rosier

Braylin Salisbury

Serenity Swihart-Fullem

Autumn Taylor

Colby Voyten

Ian Zerecheck

 

Zackery R. Nelson Memorial Scholarship

Aubriana Pesuti

 

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CFFC Creates a Strategic Plan

This year, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To help reflect on CFFC’s role in the community and set focus on the desired impact for the future, the foundation has created a Strategic Plan for 2024-2027.

Pictured: (bottom row, left to right) Casey Leonard, Garnet Gordon, Angela Braun, Terry Burden, CJ Callahan, Renee Couser, (top row, left to right) Rebecca Wardle, Jim Kline, Jordan Pallitto, Josh Ellsworth, David Hughes, Jim Foutz, Ron Gabriel, Michael George, Larry Kiefer, Brandon Katzeff. Missing from photo: Ed Balling, Ed Capuzzi, Jim Higinbotham, Will James, John LaCarte, Lee O’Neil,

Throughout the past 25 years, the foundation has granted over $15 million to the community. CFFC’s philanthropy is credited to the collective effort of many generous and passionate people who help to make a positive impact.

Foundation board members and staff worked with The Hill Group, a management consultant firm, over the course of eight months to strategize for increased impact for the county, nonprofits, and donors.

CFFC’s Strategic Planning Committee during a meeting with Jordan Pallitto of The Hill Group.

The Strategic Plan includes an update to the foundation’s mission statement: “Our mission is to build a stronger Fayette County by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact.”

CFFC created a vision statement: “We envision a thriving Fayette County that is uplifted by generous donors and strong nonprofits.” To complement the mission and vision, the foundation identified four values as stability, community, impact, and integrity.

 

Committee members categorized CFFC’s priorities.

Strategic goals will guide CFFC’s work in the coming years, centered around the following categories: growth and impact; awareness and engagement; organization and operations.

“Many of the goals and priorities in this Strategic Plan are targets we’ve discussed over the years. Now, the board and staff have a guide for achieving the charitable impact we all want to see. We’re grateful to everyone who helped throughout this Strategic Plan process,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.

View the summary page of CFFC’s Strategic Plan.

CFFC Strategic Plan - Summary Page

 

Registration for CFFC’s “Day of Giving” Closes on August 30

Fayette Gives LogoForty (40) charities have already registered to participate in Fayette Gives, a 12-hour fundraising marathon for local charities that is hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). This year’s giving day will take place on November 7, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Charities that wish to participate must register on the website by August 30.

Last year’s Fayette Gives raised $687,046 for ninety (90) Fayette County charities. A total of over $2 million has been raised through the first four years of Fayette Gives, thanks to the generous donations from the public and sponsors. (Sponsorships are being accepted for Fayette Gives 2024.)

CFFC is working with a different platform this year to host the Fayette Gives website, called GiveGab/Bonterra. “The new features will add value for the participating charities. They’ll have more options for creating a compelling, personalized Fayette Gives profile, and they’ll have real-time access to donation reports to strengthen their fundraising and stewardship,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.

Also new to this year’s Fayette Gives are cash prizes for charities. Previously, donors were incentivized by a bonus pool that would stretch each donation, based on a prorated percentage. The cash prizes will be based on certain criteria (such as dollar amount raised, number of donors, random selection, timeframes, and charity size) and awarded to charities throughout Fayette Gives day on November 7.

“Fayette Gives has been a great way for the foundation to facilitate charitable giving. You can donate to multiple charities, all in one place – all in one day. It’s an impactful day for the county and for the wonderful charities that work so hard to help others,” said Angela Braun, DC, CFFC Board Chair.

Charities can learn more at www.fayettegives.org and visit the “Trainings” page to register for the next live webinar on August 14 at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x203 or rebecca@cffayettepa.org with questions.

 

Applications for Pre-K and K-12 Tuition Assistance

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.