The Community Foundation of Fayette County Meets National Standards . . .

The National Standards Seal by our name indicates official confirmation from the Council on Foundations that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency and accountability. It says our grantmaking includes an open, competitive process designed to address the changing needs of our community. The National Standards Seal also confirms our history of honoring donors’ wishes—to support the arts, cultivate gardens, save endangered species, cure illness, expand literacy, feed children—and support countless other important causes. 

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations. National Standards guide community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operational practices that serve as blueprints for internal development and benchmarks for external assessment. The 43 National Standards require the Community Foundation of Fayette County to document its policies in donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration. To receive confirmation of National Standards compliance, the Community Foundation of Fayette County submitted its organizational and financial policies and procedures to a rigorous peer review.

The future looks bright for the Community Foundation of Fayette County.  In early 2009, we reached our one million dollar mark in grantmaking -- a very significant milestone for us, and we are proud of this accomplishment.  Grantmaking started in 2001, and our capacity has greatly expanded.  Awards are now made through several areas, including general Spring and Fall cycles, donor advised funds, scholarships, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) Partners program and the Fayette Community Growth Fund.

The PCA's Partners in the Arts program allows us to distribute awards for arts and cultural projects in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

The Fayette Community Growth Fund strategically supports and enhances community revitalization efforts across Fayette County.  Pre-development funding is available to five targeted communities, including Brownsville, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Point Marion and Uniontown, with additional areas planned for the future.

Grantmaking is not the only way, the Foundation provides service.  We help donors with their charitable giving, we assist local non-profits with development strategies and planning, and we access and respond to the issues facing our community every day.

This will be my first year as Chairperson, and I welcome the challenges and responsibility of leading the Foundation to reach our goals of expanding regional service and increased assets.

Please phone or stop by our office to learn more about how the Foundation serves and supports our community.

The Community Foundation of Fayette County recently reached its $1 million mark for distributing grant awards.

The Community Foundation of Fayette County, which was founded in 1999 and began grantmaking in 2001, is a tax-exempt public charity created to improve the quality of life for Fayette County residents.

The Foundation makes awards through several areas of funding, including general Spring and Fall awards, donor advised funds, such as scholarships, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) Partners program, and the Fayette Community Growth Fund.

The Foundation also makes awards through donor advised funds, such as the scholarship programs. These funds include an April 1 deadline for higher education scholarships, as well as a May 1 deadline for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, that provides tuition assistance for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade attending private or parochial schools in Pennsylvania.

The Partners in the Arts program has a summer deadline for applications, and awards are announced in the Fall.

The Foundation also administers the Fayette Community Growth Fund that strategically supports and enhances community revitalization efforts across Fayette County. Pre-development funding is being made available to assist five targeted communities, including Brownsville, Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Point Marion and Uniontown. Additional areas will be added.

New initiatives include planning youth philanthropy programs, including a partnership with Connellsville Area High School, and the “Change Agent Project’’ with the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Both programs will introduce high school students to philanthropy.