by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 27, 2025 | CFFC News
EQT has created a GIVE campaign in partnership with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and EQT leaseholders. The GIVE Fayette County campaign fosters the act of philanthropy and lasting impacts for Fayette County communities.
The intent of GIVE Fayette County is to connect EQT landowners with CFFC and maximize the foundation’s grantmaking. The EQT Foundation will contribute $25,000 annually to the GIVE Fayette County campaign, as well as match landowner contributions to the campaign up to $10,000 per lease agreement for the first year of participation. For donations to qualify, they must be more than $100 in aggregate.
“The EQT Foundation is dedicated to supporting communities touched by EQT’s business, and we’re happy to partner with CFFC and landowners to give back in Fayette County,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President.
To participate in the GIVE Fayette County campaign, landowners must complete an enrollment form at www.eqt.com/community/give-campaign/.
Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President; Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Kaitlyn Magyar, EQT Corporation Community Investment Coordinator
EQT landowners can make a flat donation directly to the GIVE Fayette County campaign or allow EQT to withhold a certain amount or percentage of their monthly royalties to be donated on their behalf to the campaign.
CFFC will use all GIVE Fayette County campaign donations for grantmaking to Fayette County nonprofits, helping to address the ever-changing needs of the community. The contributions will support the foundation’s Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment for general grantmaking.
“Through the GIVE campaign, landowners’ contributions and EQT Foundation’s match will help make an impact in Fayette County for today, tomorrow, and forever,” explained Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 16, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc. – Sister Edie Strong (Financial Advisor), Malory Spring MSW (Director), Robin Kemp (Administrative Assistant) and Sister Annette Frey (Community Builder)
“The extra grants we have received in the last two years have made such a difference to our staff and to the women we serve. To have up-to-date equipment these days is such a necessity and can make us so much more productive!” said Sr. Annette Frey.
Sr. Annette Frey is referring to capacity building grants that the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded to Mary House, Inc. from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. Mary House, Inc. purchased a variety of computer equipment with the grants.
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc.
Mary House, Inc. provides a transitional residence for women who are homeless, have limited needs, or may struggle with mental health or substance use. The nonprofit was started with the collaboration of Roy Sarver, from Saint Vincent de Paul, and Father Bill Kiel and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Now, eight years after the initial opening of Mary House, the staff has grown and continues to provide a safe and secure environment to help the women through recovery and towards independence.
The foundation’s 2023 grant lined up well with the hiring of their administrative assistant, providing a computer for her, and the 2024 change in leadership from Sr. Annette to Malory Spring as the director.
“Computer equipment and systems are a ‘must’ for the day-to-day operations of an organization, so the foundation was happy to award these grants to strengthen Mary House’s capacity to do the good work that they do,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The equipment is also used by the residents. “Our residents are very happy with their ability to use an up-to-date computer for all the forms they must fill out as well as attend AA/NA meetings by zoom when unable to find a ride to their daily meeting,” explained Sr. Annette.
Aside from grant awards, Mary House, Inc. is involved with CFFC through their five-year participation in Fayette Gives. They have fundraised over $93,000 through the “day of giving”.
CFFC is happy to support nonprofits like Mary House, Inc. through various efforts, thanks to the generosity of everyone who joins in charitable giving.
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