The Community Foundation of Fayette County is hosting a Grantwriting Workshop for local nonprofits, facilitated by Nonprofit SideKick, on May 29.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
12:00 – 4:00 (lunch will be provided)
Fay-Penn Economic Development Council
1040 Eberly Way
1st Floor Business Event Center
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
The $50 registration fee includes the Grantwriting Workshop and a one-year membership of Nonprofit SideKick. Please register by May 24.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted 350 guests at the third annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with Fairchance Construction Company as the Presenting Sponsor. The black-tie event featured a champagne greeting, a cocktail hour and dinner with an open bar, online bidding for an array of silent auction items, a live auction, live music by the Kendall Brothers Band and dancing, and an after-party with a buffet, Stix-DiMarco’s Cigar Bar, and live music by Joe Materkowski. Mike Clark of WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4 was the master of ceremonies, and Tony Quarrick was the auctioneer for the live auction.
Senator Pat Stefano presented a citation to the Community Foundation as a special acknowledgment of its 25th anniversary. He presented it to Renee M. Couser (CFFC Executive Director), Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair), and Ron Gabriel (CFFC Vice Chair).
Brandon Katzeff (2024 Gala of Giving Auction Chair) spoke more about CFFC’s 25th anniversary, with November 15, 1999 as the founding date. “The foundation has grown to hold about 200 charitable funds and nearly $25 million in assets,” noted Katzeff. Each year, a percentage of the charitable assets is used to support nonprofits through grants and to support local students through scholarships.
Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair and 2024 Gala of Giving Chair) addressed the Exhibit Hall to share gratitude to Fairchance Construction for their presenting sponsorship. She also spoke about the foundation’s goals with the Gala of Giving. All event proceeds will stay in Fayette County, with a goal of being a “catalyst for change” by investing in projects that can affect change and growth in the community.
“Starting on April 15, CFFC will be accepting proposals for a second $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant,” said Braun. The foundation is looking for projects that will have county-wide impact, be a true collaboration to address community needs, and serve as a catalyst for change in strengthening Fayette County.
John Wagner III, President and Artistic Director of Main Street Theatre Company, spoke about the first Catalyst for Change Grant that was awarded in fall of 2023 for the organization’s first-ever Fayette County high school musical showcase – “Encore! A Showcase of Local Talent”. The project collaborates with State Theatre Center for the Arts, as the venue host for the showcase, and Fayette County Cultural Trust, as the presenters for the Achievement in the Arts awards that will be announced at the showcase. Tickets are on sale for the May 5, 2024 showcase, with performances at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wagner explained that he was tasked to announce dinner, “but simply saying ‘dinner will be served’ doesn’t seem very fun… so instead, I’ll say hit it!” Music started to play and attention was drawn to a table when Brennen Wager-Malia popped up from his seat with candlestick props on his arms as he performed Lumiere’s opening lines to “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As the song progressed, more Main Street Theatre Company performers rose from their seats to join at the front of the room, with a confetti finish for the surprise ensemble performance.
The thrilling live auction included an autographed Troy Polamalu jersey, a JOLTBIKE electric bike, an office makeover from COE Distributing, a Vahan bracelet from Joyce’s Jewelry, concert tickets for either Jason Aldean or Justin Timberlake, Army Navy game tickets, a Deep Creek, MD getaway, and a Nemacolin overnight stay with golfing.
The room was beautifully decorated by ILLUME Lighting + Event Design and flowers were provided by Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House. Signs and print materials were coordinated through FastSigns of Uniontown and Direct Results. A photo booth mirror from The Wow Booth Co. helped guests capture the evening.
“We are so thankful to everyone who has supported CFFC throughout the past 25 years, and to everyone who is supporting the Gala of Giving as a way to strengthen the future of our charitable impact,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
More information about the Gala of Giving and the Catalyst for Change Grant can be found on CFFC’s website at www.cffayettepa.org. Contact the foundation at 724-437-8600 if you would like to learn more about your charitable giving options.
Follow us on social media @cffayettepa to see pictures!
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) offers nearly fifty scholarship opportunities for individuals pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship applications are available for the 2024-2025 school year through CFFC’s online scholarship software, which can be accessed from the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org.
Due to changes in the FAFSA system, CFFC’s scholarship application deadline has been extended from April 30 to May 24. We recommend that students answer as many sections of their applications as possible, SAVE their applications, and return when they have all of the data they need to complete and submit the applications.
Applicants will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for individual scholarship opportunities. Based on the required criteria, applicants will then see a list of scholarships that meet their qualifications. Each application will have additional questions and must be submitted individually. Some scholarships target a field of study, participation in extracurricular actives, or a specific post-secondary school. Each scholarship opportunity is made possible by donors who created a charitable fund to support local students in this way.
For assistance, please contact Mrs. Lee O’Neil, Scholarship Coordinator, at eoneil@cffayettepa.org. You can also call the CFFC office at 724-437-8600.
We had a fabulous evening at the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success, and thank you to all who support the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
We’ll be sharing photos soon, but first we have a special announcement…
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event to raise money for projects that can affect change and growth in the community. Event proceeds support bigger and bolder grants that will help to strengthen Fayette County. The foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry for a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, with a deadline of June 15.
Grant description:
The project should be a true collaboration between two or more nonprofits, showing a collective effort to address community needs. The nonprofits must be located in Fayette County or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. The project should incorporate county-wide impact, both in the number of people impacted by the project and the geographic reach of the project’s impact. Projects that spark economic growth will be viewed favorably. Projects that anticipate sustainability or can become sustainable will be viewed favorably. The grant should be expended within a year of the award.
Selection process:
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has recently received re-accreditation with Community Foundations National Standards®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown above, indicates that CFFC meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.
“This is a significant accomplishment,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “When people trust CFFC with a charitable bequest, to establish a fund, or set up an annuity, they do it knowing that we have met rigorous standards for donor services, investments, grantmaking, and administration,” said Couser.
The accreditation program reinforces integrity, professionalism, and legal compliance by the charitable giving sector.
CFFC’s approval notification stated, “The Community Foundations National Standards® accreditation program represents your foundation’s commitment to go above and beyond federal and state law requirements to demonstrate accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.”
In short, Community Foundations National Standards® indicates that CFFC is a sound place to give. To learn more about CFFC and our philanthropic services, please contact our office at 724-437-8600 x1.