The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded $23,484 to nine local nonprofits for the spring 2023 grant cycle. CFFC hosted a grants presentation on May 9 to recognize the awarded organizations and provide an opportunity for them to speak about their work.
Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, spoke about a shift in CFFC’s grantmaking. “This grant cycle, the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund was used to support capacity building for nonprofits. Oftentimes, donations and grants are earmarked for a specific purpose or program – they’re restricted. We wanted to provide funding for other costs, like staff training and office equipment, which are crucial to an organization’s ability to provide their services to the community. CFFC is aiming to support long-term sustainability,” explained Couser.
CFFC received a total of forty-one grant applications, with twenty-six of the requests for capacity building. The foundation has been making a focused effort to grow the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, to increase the available funding for unrestricted grantmaking.
EQT Foundation has supported the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund with $30,000 since the fund’s creation. “It’s important for us to give back to the communities where EQT operates,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President. “We trust the experience of the community foundation to direct funding in an impactful way, and we’re proud of our partnership in supporting Fayette County,” said Rossi.
In addition to five grant awards from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, four grants were made from field of interest funds, which focus on a specific category of community need.
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Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit. 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; and Thompson Fund.
- Domestic Violence Services of SWPA – Education for Board of Directors and New CEO
- East End United Community Center – EEUCC Board Development
- Main Street Theatre Company – Website Development
- Mary House Inc. – Life Builder’s Project
- Mon Valley Academy for the Arts – Peter J. Daley Cultural Center Project
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Fayette Emergency Medical Service – Nitonox Units
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
- German-Masontown Public Library – StoryWalk® Adventure
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Fayette County Community Action Agency – Community Garden at RFEC Project
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. – Transportation – Meals for the Elderly
You can join CFFC in building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy! Browse our website to learn more about our work in the community, and use the “Donate Now” button to contribute to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
