by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 10, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Since 2021, the Strawberry Patch Fund has distributed nearly $250,000 among seven organizations. The fund is a permanent endowment, which means it will continue to grow over time and provide annual grants to the selected nonprofits in perpetuity.
Grantees: Crime Victims Center of Fayette County; Domestic Violence Services of SWPA; Fayette Friends of Animals; Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers; Mount Macrina Manor; Uniontown Public Library; St. John’s Catholic School.
It was 2010 when the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) first learned it would be the sole beneficiary of a community-minded person’s estate. The donor selected specific organizations to receive annual grants after their passing and the creation of the fund.
When they passed away, the process of settling the estate was led by their trusted attorney, who worked with CFFC staff to ensure that the donor’s wishes were met.
The foundation also receives gas well royalties from the donor’s estate, adding to the available funds for grant distributions.
“The Strawberry Patch Fund is a great example of philanthropy and how the foundation can be the connecting force for people to give back in a variety of ways,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “The donor’s legacy is one of amazing generosity and positive impact for our local communities forever.”
Pictured left to right: Rebecca Wardle (CFFC), Andrea Hibbs (Crime Victims Center), Keeley Forrestel (Fayette Friends of Animals), Jessica Hajek-Bates (CFFC), Steve Petruska (Uniontown Public Library), Carol Ashton (Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers), and Maggie Novotny (Domestic Violence Services).
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 3, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Nearly 200 child safety seats have been provided to community members through a Catalyst for Change Grant, and an additional 200 is expected to be distributed by the end of 2026.
Leah Ambrosini, Nursing Supervisor, and Anna DeFazio, Unit Manager, with car seats purchased through the grant
The Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, funded through Gala of Giving proceeds, to support the Infant and Child Safety Program at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
The Infant and Child Safety Program addresses a critical need for lower-income families by ensuring access to properly fitted car seats. For many families, the cost of a car seat can be a significant obstacle, creating challenges in safely transporting children to medical appointments and other essential services.
To help overcome these challenges, WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital supplies car seats to families in need. Car seats are distributed to infants born at the hospital, Head Start participants, patients of the hospital’s pediatric practice, and community families who seek assistance.
In addition to providing critical safety equipment, the program invests in education and prevention. Funding supports car seat technician certification training for hospital staff, equipping them to teach parents and caregivers how to properly install and use car seats. Together, these efforts improve child passenger safety, increase access to healthcare, and help ensure that Fayette County families have the resources they need to thrive.
WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital shared a patient story:
Tatem and Jonathan with their baby girl and car seat
A big stressor weighed on Tatem and Jonathan as they prepared to welcome their infant daughter this spring. The young couple already had baby supplies like diapers, clothing and a crib previously used by their toddler son. Yet one costly supply felt out of reach, even though it was absolutely essential: a high quality car seat.
“We weren’t sure if we could buy a good car seat and it was one of the things we worried about the most,” Tatem said.
When they arrived at the new WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Birthing Center at Uniontown Hospital, the couple asked staff whether financial assistance was available to purchase a car seat. They had come to the right place.
The hospital is able to provide convertible car seats to expectant mothers and their babies in Fayette County. These seats accommodate a child’s growth, up to 100 pounds, ultimately lasting years for one family.
“We are so thankful to the hospital for providing us with this car seat,” Tatem says. “It made everything else about welcoming our daughter easier and we were so surprised at how nice and lightweight it was.”
Check photo (left to right): Bonnie Ryan, Karen Merryman, Beth Konick, Dawn Hunchuck-Piccolomini, Renee Couser, Carrie Willetts, Garnet Gordon, Meredith Aumer
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 5, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
With last year’s grant award, elementary STEM teacher Daniel Arnold purchased robotics and STEM kits with computer-controlled motors, sensors, and lights. “This project is impacting roughly 300 students in 16 classes at our elementary schools in the Laurel Highlands School District. The students can build over 30 activated models and, in the future, can engineer their own designs,” said Mr. Arnold.
The grant for these kits was awarded by the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, a donor advised fund held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). Donors have ongoing involvement with how their advised fund awards grants to support the community, and this fund has a history of supporting reusable items for classrooms in the Laurel Highlands and Uniontown School Districts.
Mr. Arnold submitted an application to purchase twenty-four (24) LEGO® Spike Prime Kits and was awarded $9,600 for the school district to purchase these items. “The project has greatly enhanced hands-on STEM activities, which correspond to problem-solving skills, building models, introducing beginning robotics, and evaluating operational solutions that the students create,” he explained. A wide variety of students in grades 3 – 5 benefit from this project as Mr. Arnold teaches in multiple elementary schools within Laurel Highlands School District.
“We look forward to helping our donors support more amazing projects like this!” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. From August 1 until September 15 at 5:00 p.m., CFFC is accepting fall grant requests for the 2026-2027 school year, through the generosity of three donor advised funds. Learn more on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
Photos courtesy of Laurel Highlands School District.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 7, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
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.”
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 15, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Tucked away in the beautiful scenery of the Laurel Highlands, Touchstone Center for Crafts offers arts programming that draws people from near and far. To help strengthen their capacity, with technology equipment and staff expansion, they have been awarded grants from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund at the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
Touchstone’s mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression. The nonprofit offers a variety of programs for people of all experience levels, with opportunities customized for youth, arts educators, veterans, and resident artists. Those who visit their campus for workshops can learn blacksmithing, ceramics, jewelry-making, and more.
Throughout daily operations, staff was facing challenges with their outdated phone system, describing it as cumbersome and inefficient. Implementing a new phone system, with grant funding, has had a positive effect.
“It is important for employees of our organization to be able to conduct business seamlessly, whether they are working remotely or in our offices. Support from a CFFC grant allowed us to move from an outdated phone system to a more responsive and flexible platform that works from our computers and phones,” said Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Executive Director.
Touchstone also received funding to support their staff expansion and the computer equipment needed for new team members. Lindsay explained the impact of hiring strong talent to enhance the organization’s mission: “We’ve strengthened our fundraising capacity, expanded our programming season, and increased off-season visibility.”
CFFC is happy to support Touchstone’s capacity to inspire, teach, and serve the community.
Photos courtesy of Touchstone Center for Crafts
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 13, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Women who are pregnant and seeking resources can turn to Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Ministries. The nonprofit provides services 100% free of charge, empowering women to make healthy, informed choices and supporting the family through and beyond pregnancy.
In 2025, Alternatives.Yes created an agency fund at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) to provide a steady source of income each year. They will receive an annual grant distribution to support their nonprofit, and the fund will be invested for growth.
“We were blessed by the opportunity to set up an agency fund. This fund not only provides annual support, but its existence also loudly conveys to our donors that our ministry is committed to being a long-term presence in our community – saving lives, providing support, and improving early maternal health outcomes for years to come,” said Andrea Pritts, Alternatives.Yes Executive Director.
The creation of this fund comes after years of partnership between Alternatives.Yes and CFFC. The nonprofit has participated in Fayette Gives (CFFC’s day-of-giving) for six years, raising a total of $124,000. They have also received grants from Burchinal Family Endowment Fund and the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, totaling $20,000 over the past five years. These grants have supported the nonprofit’s conversion to a medical facility and their ongoing programs.
photo courtesy of Alternatives.Yes
2024 was the first full year that Alternatives.Yes offered pregnancy tests and ultrasounds performed by trained medical professionals in their newly formed medical center, the Alternatives Laurel Highlands Pregnancy Center. This added to existing programs like “Earn While You Learn” – mothers earn a “baby buck” for each educational class they complete. A digital curriculum covers hundreds of topics related to pregnancy, labor/delivery, infant care, and life skills. Mothers use the “baby bucks” they earn to purchase items from the Alternatives.Yes pantry, such as car seats, strollers, cribs, clothing, toys, diapers, formula, and other supplies.
Services are also available to help other family members who are caring for an infant under the age of one, including grandparents who take emergency custody of an infant. Additionally, Alternatives.Yes provides around 1,000 referrals to clients each year, connecting them with other nonprofits and social service resources based on their needs and circumstances.
Their recent relocation to a facility at 1829 University Drive in Dunbar houses all their medical, educational, and referral services under one roof. CFFC is happy to be a source of support as they help mothers and families across Fayette County.
Featured photo: Lacey Krysak and Andrea Pritts creating an agency fund for Alternatives.Yes