2025 Community Impact Report
We invite you to review our 2025 Community Impact Report to learn more about the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s efforts in building a stronger Fayette County. Click here!
New Office Printer Enhances Programs at EEUCC
Ron Gabriel, Michelle Knight, Steve Strange, Terry Burden
EEUCC hosted a program by Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia
During a visit to East End United Community Center (EEUCC), we saw children and volunteers in the flourishing garden, residents accessing their food pantry, and a room full of children enjoying a wildlife presentation about birds. With a diverse range of programs, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is happy to support EEUCC in their efforts to build a stronger Fayette County.
A recent capacity building grant from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund enabled the nonprofit to purchase an industrial color printer/copier machine. Their previous machine was unable to print in color, and they needed a machine that can handle their high volume of printing without breaking down or lagging.
“The ability to use the color printer will help enhance educational programming by providing high quality color materials that will help improve the children’s comprehension and engagement, in addition to improving the professionalism of printed materials for community members,” said Michelle Knight, EEUCC Office Manager.
Residents can benefit from EEUCC’s programs such as daycare, after-school programming, truancy prevention, seniors programming, nutrition assistance, and other community outreach projects.
“Our community is better because of East End United Community Center’s programs and the dedicated service of their staff and volunteers,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “We’re grateful for opportunities to partner with their organization through grants, participation in Fayette Gives, and our wonderful network of local nonprofits.”
Accepting EITC Scholarship Applications
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program offers tuition assistance for Pre-Kindergarten and K-12 Fayette County, PA students attending a participating private school. To apply, families can obtain an EITC Scholarship Application from their school, then submit the completed application to CFFC, 250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. All applications must be received or post-marked on or before July 31, 2026.
CFFC’s Participating K-12 Schools:
- A.G. Montessori School
- Calvary Chapel Christian School
- Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy
- Conn Area Catholic School
- Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School
- Grace Academy
- Mt. Carmel Christian School
- Mt. Moriah Christian School
- St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School
- Verna Montessori School
CFFC’s Participating Pre-K Schools:
- A.G. Montessori School
- Asbury Preschool
- Bright Beginnings Center for Learning
- Calvary Chapel Christian School
- Calvary United Methodist Church Preschool
- Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy
- Conn Area Catholic School
- Grace Academy
- Mt. Moriah Christian School
- St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School
- The Learning Lamp
- Verna Montessori School
“We are grateful to COE Distributing, Laurel Technical Institute, PNC Bank, and United Concordia Insurance Company for their generous support of our EITC program,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “Their commitment to education helps create meaningful opportunities for local students, and we deeply appreciate their partnership in investing in the future of our children.”
Businesses can learn more about how to receive tax credits and participate in this program by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) website.
Families who are selected to receive tuition assistance are typically notified in October. Please direct any questions to CFFC’s Accountant Celena Valentine by telephone at 724-437-8600 x114 or by email at cvalentine@cffayettepa.org.
Fayette Gives 2026 Registration & Sponsorship
The seventh annual Fayette Gives will take place on November 5, 2026 and add to the $3.1 million that has been raised over the years. Nonprofits that wish to participate must register at fayettegives.org by September 1 at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts Fayette Gives as a “day of giving” to support local nonprofits and engage the community in philanthropy – all in the effort of building a stronger Fayette County.
To participate, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, must serve Fayette County, and must file an annual Form 990. This year, nonprofits are required to attend one (1) of four (4) training sessions:
- July 14 at 3:00 p.m.
- July 29 at 9:00 a.m.
- August 6 at 9:00 a.m.
- August 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Each training session will cover the same content over the span of one (1) hour and will be held in-person at the CFFC office, located at 250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Nonprofits do not need to register for the training sessions, though attendance will be tracked to confirm participation eligibility.
Additional information about Fayette Gives participation requirements and expectations is listed on the Nonprofit FAQs page at fayettegives.org. For assistance, call Rebecca Wardle at 724-437-8600 x111.
“We’re excited to kick off this year’s Fayette Gives campaign and announce the special incentive that will encourage more donations from the public and help give nonprofits a fundraising boost,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer. “Nonprofits will receive a 10% match on eligible Fayette Gives donations, up to a maximum of $10,000.”
The 10% match on donations will be made through the generosity of the Fayette Gives 2026 sponsors. Contributions from sponsors serve as a one-time investment that will help all 100+ participating nonprofits. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call Lauren Shroyer at 724-437-8600 x110.
$309,000 in Scholarship Awards
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is awarding $309,000 in post-secondary scholarships to 103 local students. Supporting the future of Fayette County in this way is possible thanks to the generous donors from fifty (50) CFFC scholarship funds.
“Congratulations to these remarkable students,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek‑Bates. “With the wide range of scholarship funds entrusted to us, we are honored to support graduating seniors from all six Fayette County school districts, as well as many continuing post‑secondary students. Some of these students have earned CFFC scholarships year after year, and their dedication continues to inspire us.”
CFFC accepts applications from early February to early April through an online portal that matches students with scholarship opportunities based on eligibility requirements. Some awards are selected by the donors of the scholarship funds, while many others are reviewed by a dedicated group of volunteers who meet to discuss and recommend award selections.
“Each year, our scholarship volunteer reviewers give their time, care, and thoughtful attention to help us support Fayette County students,” said Hajek‑Bates. “Their dedication ensures that every application is read with fairness and compassion, and their commitment strengthens the integrity of our scholarship program. We are deeply grateful for their service and the meaningful role they play in shaping brighter futures for our students.”
Depending on a scholarship’s criteria, considerations include financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, area of study, school preference, community service, and other factors.
—–
2026-2027 CFFC Scholarship Awards
Alfred E. Jones & Anna B. Jones Scholarship
Bailey Lemansky
Allen Craft Memorial Scholarship
Lucia Baker
Diondra Brown
Hannah Foster
Jackson Johns
Luke Martin
Sara Reed
Sevrin Vecchiola
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Scholarship Fund
Malcolm Patton
Valentina Gulino
Betty Bayne Barnes Scholarship Fund for Women
Morgan Armstrong
Burchinal Family Endowment Scholarship Fund
Tabitha Horvath
Madelyn Salisbury
Riley Rankin
Hailey Plavi
Kiley Kezmarsky
Joshua Burkett
Zoe Hughes
Career and Technical Education Scholarship Fund
Makenzie Foster
Julian Smith
Carl S. Micarelli Memorial Scholarship Fund
Tyler Williams
CFFC Board of Directors Scholarship Fund
Jennifer Smith
Jenna Walls
Chris G. and Alice Omiros Scholars Fund
Greta Shirk
Cupelli Family Scholarship
Lillian Beers
Darrell L. and Norma R. Uphold Family Scholarship
Luke Gresh
Deana Martorella Memorial Scholarship Fund
Charlee Wagner
Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky Scholarship Fund
Logan Hoffer
Dr. Paul Pipik Fund for Study in the Health Sciences
Madelyn Marks
Dr. William C. Thomas, Jr. Perseverance Scholarship
Karsyn Lucy
Josie Petrucci
Educate Fayette Scholarship
Khyler Tony
Edward T. Yezioro Memorial Scholarship
Aiden Glover
George M. and Anna Hochheimer Scholarship
Emily Dolan
Helen Hulvey Scheggia Nursing Scholarship
Eddie Palmer
Henry J. Opperman Scholarship Permanent Fund
Avery Lape
Hughes Family Scholarship
Taylor Irwin
Johnson Matthey Scholarship
Delaney Hines
Alexa Lincoln
Logan Seese
Shiann Sullivan
Kathleen DiMarco Gulino Memorial Scholarship
Jackson Johns
Laurel Highlands Mustang Academic Scholarship
Lucia Baker
Jackson Wade
Laurel Technical Institute Scholarship Fund in Memory of Ruth and Milton Decker
Makalia Morrell
Sierra Murphy
Lulu A. Dudley Scholarship Fund
Brandy Sickles
Brynn Hibbs
Frances and George J. Plava Educational Award
Christopher Colgan
Zofia Radosevich
Mary Jane Dailey Wood Scholarship
Mia Fabery
Adam Pegg
Geno Farrel
Ava Clark
Kami Workman
Emma Mihalko
Maurice M. Bortz & Bessie D. Rinehart Memorial Scholarship
Joshua Reed
Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Scholarship
Ethan Doman
My Mother‘s Legacy Fund
Brianna Hensh
Nancy Flanegan McManus Nursing Scholarship
Gianna Radovich
Nancy Vance Jones Scholarship
Hannah Foster
Palmer F. Sabatine Scholarship
Mia Fabery
Ethan Doman
Ava Setren
Parker A. Hess Memorial Scholarship
Avery Lape
Lucia Baker
Jackson Johns
Rita P. Peters Scholarship
Julie Cooper
Robert and Marjorie Rager Scholarship
Cameron Mickey
Robert E. and Elouise R. Eberly Scholarship Endowment
Yelena Ford
Sam’s Symphony of Love Scholarship
David White
Sergeant Eric Hull Advised and Memorial Scholarship Funds
Riley Armstrong
Suzanne McMonagle Scholarship for Nursing
Lauren Colgan
The Garbart Memorial Scholarship
Lucas Salaway
Tolstoi Family Scholarship
Haylee Bill
Trinity Hatfield
Alyssa Sharp
Julian Smith
Brighten Spector
Ethan Syner
Natalie Ursiny
Mackenzie Victor
Tylar Andaloro Memorial Scholarship
Joshua Reed
Uniontown College Club Scholarship
Emily Pennington
Ava Sefcheck
Paisley Murtha
Virginia Eberharter Scholarship
Avery Lape
Lilly Show
Virginia Springer Memorial Scholarship
Hannah Proud
Paige Miller
Kaleb Walls
Wolford Swimmer Memorial Scholarship
College:
Caylee Balabon
William Barton
Jacqueline Maendel
Anthony Muccioli
Braylin Salisbury
Brianna Marzano
Steven Shearin
Natayah Moten
Emma Young
Anna Sedlak
Ava Crofcheck
Karsyn Lucy
Hannah Legarsky
Erica Rishel
Emily Sines
Grant Barcheck
High School:
Julia Lohr
Shiann Sullivan
Mia Fabery
Josie Petrucci
Alexa Gray
Hannah Foster
Ethan Doman
Geno Farrel
Jakylah Dressel
Logan Seese
Emma Hull
Christopher Colgan
Gia Gillott
Aaron Michaels
Abagale Kuhns
Zackery R. Nelson Memorial Scholarship Fund
Madison Grimm