by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 17, 2020 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases, Scholarships
March 17, 2020, Fayette County, Pa. — Like all of you, we here at CFFC sincerely hope this health emergency will pass swiftly and with minimal harm and disruption. To that end, we are following the advice of public health authorities and taking proactive steps to stymie the advancement of (and hopefully the arrival of) COVID-19 in our community. As the governor has stated: ‘Stay calm, stay safe, stay home’. For that reason, the CFFC is avoiding large group gatherings and minimizing in-person contact. We believe this is an important moment for our community to show concern, compassion, and prudence by avoiding measures that could put any one of us at risk.
Currently, the office is open, and staff is working in the office and remotely. We will be available by phone and by e-mail. However, no visitors will be permitted in the office. If you need to meet with someone, or drop something off, please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
The following activities have been cancelled:
- Donor Reception (March 25)
- The Executive Director Bootcamp (April 1, 8, 15 and 22)
Due to the closure of Fayette County School Districts, our scholarship deadline has been extended to April 3.
- For questions about scholarships, contact Lee O’Neil at eoneil@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x202.
- For questions about your fund statement, contact Glenn Valdiserri at 724-437-8600 x201.
- For questions about Fayette Gives, go to https://www.fayettegives.org, or contact Rebecca Wardle at 724-437-8600 x203.
- For questions about existing funds or to open a new fund, contact Renee Couser at rcouser@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x1.
It is our mission to be here for our community: to help define charitable needs, connect donors with causes that matter to them, supports nonprofit organizations and invest charitable assets to make the community a better place to live.
We’ll be sharing news and informational updates on our Facebook page and at www.cffayettepa.org. Thank you all for your commitment to our community and for your understanding as we work through this new challenge and find the best way forward.
And please do remember to wash your hands, practice social distancing, and above all, if you can stay home, please do so. It’s a simple but critical way we can look out for one another.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 16, 2020 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives, News Releases
The CFFC Announces “Fayette Gives”: A Community-Wide Day of Giving
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) will host a “day of giving” called Fayette Gives on November 12, 2020. This exciting new initiative will engage the community in philanthropy and help build a stronger Fayette County by supporting the local nonprofit sector. On Thursday, November 12, 2020 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., we encourage you to support the participating nonprofits that are making a positive impact in our community.
Fayette Gives provides the opportunity for anyone and everyone to contribute to the community’s success through online donations at www.fayettegives.org . This website will provide information about the day of giving, a list of participating nonprofits, requirements for donations, and live updates on Fayette Gives day. As a special incentive, donations to your favorite participating nonprofit organization(s) made during Fayette Gives will be enhanced by our bonus pool.
Please refer to the Fayette Gives website at www.fayettegives.org for more information about the “day of giving.” Registration for nonprofit organizations that are interested in participating will open in March.
Fayette Gives will have a positive impact on the county and its residents by providing support to the local nonprofit community. To learn more about how the CFFC is building a stronger Fayette, please visit our website at www.cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 2, 2020 | CFFC News, News Releases, Scholarships
January 2, 2020, Fayette County, Pa. — The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has posted scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Students pursuing post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for over 50 available scholarships.
The scholarships have a variety of criteria. Some are designated for students who plan to attend a specific school, have a certain GPA, have been involved in sports or community service, or plan to pursue a specific field of study. For a complete list of scholarships available, visit the Scholarship page on the CFFC website at www.cffayettepa.org. The application deadline is March 20, 2020. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your guidance counselor or Lee O’Neil at 724-437-8600 x 2.
Scholarship funds are created by individuals and families to honor or memorialize someone, support students and give back to the community. The CFFC and our donors are committed to supporting students as they continue their education and enhance their workforce development skills. If you would like to create a scholarship fund, or donate to one of our existing scholarship funds, please contact Renee Couser, Executive Director, at 724-437-8600 x 1.
In 2019, the CFFC distributed $237,000 in post-secondary scholarships. In addition, through the CFFC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Access to Higher Education Program (PATH), additional awards may be available for students attending a college in Pennsylvania who meet financial criteria.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 8, 2019 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and the Chevron Community Fund Fall 2019 Grants Presentation was held November 6, 2019 at the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council’s FNB Business Event Center (a no-charge facility sponsored by First National Bank). $86,891.64 in grant awards was presented to non-profit organizations in Fayette, Greene and Westmoreland Counties.
Fall 2019 CFFC Grantees
The CFFC awarded grants to the following: Belle Vernon Library Association/Belle Vernon Public Library, Chatham Village Charitable Trust (Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund), Christian Layman Corps, Connellsville Area Community Ministries, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, Fayette EMS (Burchinal Family Endowment Fund), Fay-Penn Development Council, Historic Church of Saint Peter, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Fayette Inc. (Mary & John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund), Pittsburgh Chapter National Tooling & Machining Foundation, Point Marion Public Library, and Uniontown Area YMCA (Burchinal Family Endowment Fund).
The CFFC awarded additional grants to the following: Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center on behalf of The Chairty Fund; George J. Plava Elementary School on behalf of the Idea Fund; and Hutchinson Elementary School, Laurel Highlands High School, Laurel Highlands Middle School, Uniontown Area High School, and Wharton Elementary School on behalf of the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund.
CFFC Executive Director, Renee Couser, presenting a grant check to Tracey Whitted of Dress for Success in support of Mobile Services
The Chevron Community Fund made awards to the following: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, Christian Layman Corps, Connellsville Area Community Ministries, East End United Community Center, Fayette County, Fayette EMS, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, Historic Church of Saint Peters, Mon Valley Academy for the Arts Inc., Point Marion Public Library, Redstone Foundation, Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Fayette County, UMWA Career Centers Inc., and Uniontown Area YMCA.
Fall 2019 Chevron Community Fund Grantees
The Chevron Community Fund was created with the CFFC in efforts to improve the social and economic well-being of the communities where Chevron employees live and work. The Chevron Community Fund and the CFFC are happy to support a total of 26 organizations selected in this grants cycle.
Brent Robinson, Chevron’s Policy, Government and Public Affairs Representative presents a grant check to Fayette County’s Arthur Cappella for the Jacobs Creek Park project
“Chevron is proud to partner with the Community Foundation of Fayette County to support non-profit projects and programs that make a difference in the communities where we operate. Since 2010, the Chevron Community Fund has provided over $778,000 in funds for non-profit organizations in our area,” said Brent Robinson, Policy, Government and Public Affairs Representative at Chevron.
Check our Facebook page for more photos! If you have any questions about the CFFC grantmaking programs, please contact Renee M. Couser, Executive Director at the CFFC office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 21, 2019 | CFFC News, Fayette Philanthropy, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) honored the 2019 Fayette Philanthropists at the annual dinner on Thursday, October 17th at the Uniontown Country Club. Thank you to all of the participants who worked hard to raise money and awareness for their chosen causes. Congratulations to Mary Sampey, who was announced as “Fayette County’s Newest Philanthropist!”
During the program, CFFC Chairman Dan Gearing talked about how all philanthropy begins with having a passion, and CFFC Executive Director Renee Couser noted that the participants’ different passions all aim to achieve a common goal of making a difference in the community. Eberly Foundation President Bob Eberly, Jr. congratulated the CFFC on its 20th anniversary and spoke about his late father’s mission when he founded the CFFC with others in 1999. Each participant spoke about their cause: drug addiction services and community services, a police K-9 unit, bullying and suicide awareness, EMS services, and veterans’ assistance programs.
The fundraising competition results are as follows:
1st place: Mary Sampey, Angela Phillips Memorial Fund $19,000
2nd place: Jason Cox, Uniontown City Police K-9 Fund $8,763
3rd place: Gegg & Joyce Anders, Samantha Anders Legacy Fund $6,100
4th place: Beth Burd, Fayette Emergency Medical Services Permanent Fund $3,833.60
5th place: Victor Fiano III, Patrick MacIlvain Veteran Assistance Fund $500
To learn more about the participants, visit www.cffayettepa.org. Please call the CFFC office at 724-437-8600 if you would like to donate to any of the funds supported by this year’s participants.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 17, 2019 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and the Chevron Community Fund are now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 Grant Cycle.
The CFFC’s Grantmaking Program gives priority to programs in the following areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Economic Development and Health and Human Services. Requests of up to $5,000 will be accepted. Non-profit organizations located in Fayette County, or those that provide services to Fayette County, are welcome to apply.
The Chevron Community Fund awards grants to non-profit organizations located in or serving the residents of: Fayette County, Greene County, or areas in and around Hermine, Smithton, Sewickley Township, South Huntingdon Township and West Newton located in Westmoreland County. Funding priorities include: STEM Education, Workforce Development and Basic Human Needs. Other funding areas may be considered. Requests of up to $10,000 will be considered.
Visit the Grants page on www.cffayettepa.org to apply. The deadline to apply for both the CFFC and the Chevron Community Fund grants is September 1, 2019 at midnight (end-of-day).