by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 13, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants
The Sturge Hughes Memorial Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, granted $2,000 to Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center (CACTC) for their masonry and carpentry programs. Regina Hughes created the fund to honor the memory of her husband and to support local students pursuing the trades. Graduating seniors from CACTC’s masonry and carpentry programs were recognized at a memorial luncheon in May.
Jeff Butela, Jerry Matthews, Renee Couser, Jeff Puskar, and Ryan Butela
graduating seniors from CACTC’s masonry and carpentry programs
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 1, 2022 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is hosting the third annual Fayette Gives on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” that aims to build a stronger Fayette by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. Registration is now open (June 1, 2022) at www.fayettegives.org for charities who wish to participate. Registration will close on September 1, 2022.
Participating charities must be a 501(c)(3) organization, must file an annual 990 Form, and must serve Fayette County, PA. Once registered, CFFC will help prepare charities for the “day of giving” with additional information and educational materials.
On Fayette Gives day, November 10, 2022, the public will be encouraged to visit www.fayettegives.org to make online donations to a selection of local charities. The Fayette Gives website will display live results and leaderboards so charities and the public can track fundraising efforts. Check donations will also be accepted.
As a special incentive, the Fayette Gives bonus pool will enhance all qualifying donations that are received at CFFC by 8 p.m. on Fayette Gives day. This fundraising marathon stretches each dollar, both for the generous donors and for the charities serving the community.
CFFC extends a special thank-you to the bonus pool sponsors. Their sponsorships make it possible to boost each donation made during Fayette Gives. If you would like to join in supporting the bonus pool, please download the 2022 Sponsorship Flyer for details.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Mike Kelly Toyota
Generosity Sponsors: Erie Insurance
Humanity Sponsors: The Eberly Foundation; First Federal Savings & Loan Assoc. of Greene County; Ford of Uniontown; Montgomery Medical; Nemacolin Resort; Neubauer’s Flowers; the Uniontown Office of Janney Montgomery Scott; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter
To learn more about eligibility requirements or how Fayette Gives works, browse the FAQs at www.fayettegives.org or contact Rebecca Wardle at 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 18, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted the Spring 2022 Grants Presentation on May 17, 2022 at the Connellsville Canteen and announced $36,333 in grant awards. The fifteen (15) selected nonprofits received their grant check and spoke about their awarded project or program. From healthcare and environmental science to musicals and food assistance, CFFC is proud to fund a variety of community needs through these grant awards – thanks to the generosity of donors who create and support these charitable funds.
Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director, welcomed the group and highlighted the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment that CFFC created in 2020 to provide general grantmaking in perpetuity. EQT Foundation is one of the supporters of the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, donating $15,000 in 2021. Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President, spoke to the group about EQT’s presence in the region and their engagement with Fayette County.
To learn more about CFFC’s grantmaking program to or donate, visit www.cffayettepa.org.
Building a Stronger Fayette Grants
Support arts and culture; education; community and economic development; health and human services; and other areas of interest. These awards are made with the combined funding from: Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; Thompson Fund.
- Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center: GrandFamily Program
- CASA of Fayette County: Operating – Software
- Christian Church of Connellsville: Community Lunch Program – Lunches Plus
- Christian Layman Corps.: Fayette County Emergency Beds Program
- Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center: Junior Firefighter Boot Camp
- State Theatre Center for the Arts: Summer at the State 2022
- The Salvation Army: Sally’s Café Household & Hygiene Pantry
- Uniontown Public Library: 2022 Summer Quest Program
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund
Supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Fayette Emergency Medical Service: PPE Gloves
- Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc.: Breastfeeding Support in Fayette County
- Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Company: AED and Enhanced Medical Response
Community Beautification Fund
Supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
- Fayette County Cultural Trust: Downtown Connellsville Beautification Project 2022
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund
Supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Lafayette Manor: Senior Transportation
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund
Supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Great Meadows Garden Club: Blue Star Memorial – Landscape Renovation & Maintenance
- Mountain Watershed Association: Ecology Education & Outreach in the Yough River Watershed
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 6, 2022 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County launched the Mask Initiative in May 2020 to donate disposable masks to local organizations that were serving the community during the pandemic. CFFC continues to donate masks to first response organizations, healthcare organizations, human service agencies, churches, and other nonprofits that are located in or that serve the residents of Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
CFFC has donated over 256,000 masks since the beginning of the Mask Initiative.
How do I request masks for my organization?
1. Log in or create an account on CFFC’s online grant system: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cffayettepa
2. Go to the “Apply” page.
3. Find the Mask Initiative and click the small blue “Apply” button to begin your request. You may save your request and return to it at a later time before submitting.
4. CFFC reviews requests on a monthly basis and will email your organization with instructions for mask pick-up.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 7, 2022 | CFFC News, Gala of Giving, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) thanks everyone who attended and supported the inaugural Gala of Giving – “Catalyst for Change” on March 26, 2022 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. It was a fabulous evening, and the ballroom was full of enthusiasm.
“It’s clear that the mission of this event has resonated with people… we all want to see a bigger change, a bolder impact, and a better Fayette County,” said Dan Gearing, Gala of Giving Chair.
The generous support of event sponsors, auction item donations, program ads, individual ticket purchases, and volunteers made this event possible. And the support continued throughout the entire evening. Guests bid on a wide variety of silent and live auction items… from high-end jewelry, golf foursomes, and wine… to tropical get-aways, sports memorabilia, and arts and entertainment tickets.
J.D. Ewing, CFFC Board Chair, addressed the ballroom, saying in part: “We’re proud of [CFFC’s] impact in the community, and we know there’s a lot more work that needs to be done to help Fayette County reach its full potential. The Gala of Giving is our new effort to spark change and growth on a higher level – on a bigger scale – than ever before. The foundation wants to invest in projects that will make a significant change, and we know it takes time, money, and partnerships to make that possible.”
In the spirit of partnership, Gala of Giving guests were asked to complete a feedback card to list what they believe to be the top three challenges that Fayette County faces. CFFC will review the responses and use them as a guide for selecting an initiative to fund, in the goal of being a “catalyst for change” in Fayette County.
CFFC extends a sincere thank-you to everyone who made it possible to raise over $280,000 for the inaugural Gala of Giving! Guests have already asked to reserve tickets for next year’s event, and we look forward to continuing this bold new effort to help Fayette County reach its full potential. Community members can join the effort by donating to the Gala of Giving Fund.
Special Thanks to our Generous Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors: COE Distributing; Ford Office Technologies; Gismondi Family Foundation; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; Sprowls Insurance Group; Wells Fargo Advisors.
Gold Sponsors: 84 Lumber Company/Nemacolin; Fairchance Construction Company; Fayette Pipe Company; First National Bank; Arthur Gabriel; Joyce’s Jewelry; Mountain Creek Properties; Neubauer’s Flowers; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; Radcliffe Law, LLC; Joshua and Maria Swimmer; Stahls’; Stoney’s Brewing Company; Time Out Batting Cages; Janney Montgomery Scott LLC –Uniontown Office; United Bank; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
Silver Sponsors: The Braun Family; Edward and Julie Capuzzi; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Liberty Steel; McClure & Wolfe; Montgomery Medical; PNC; Somerset Trust Company; State Farm, Lauren Yohman; John and Lisa Sunyecz; Watson Mundorff LLP.
Bronze Sponsors: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Highlands Hospital; Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Unity Printing.
Patron Sponsors: Todd and Beth Casteel; Charlie and Renee Couser; DiMarco’s; Donald M. Miller Inc.; Mid Penn Bank; Zodiac Management Services, LLC.
Hospitality Sponsors: Reschini Agency; Sunbelt Marketing, Inc. Employee Sunshine Fund; Universal Steel Company.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 27, 2022 | CFFC News, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is happy to announce the election of new officers and board members for 2022.
Chair: James D. Ewing
Vice Chair: Angela Braun, D.C.
Secretary: Ronald Gabriel
Treasurer: James R. Foutz, CPA
Past Chair: Daniel Gearing
CFFC welcomes:
Michael George
William James
Brandon Katzeff
Continuing Board members:
Edward Balling
Terry Burden
Clifford J. Callahan, CPA
Edward Capuzzi, Jr.
Beth Casteel
Garnet Gordon, Esq.
Lawrence J. Kiefer
John LaCarte
Joshua Swimmer
CFFC extends a sincere thank-you to David R. Hughes, Joy G. Huston, and William Radcliffe for their service on the board of directors up through 2021.
“We’re grateful to have a board that is actively involved in CFFC’s work and committed to improving Fayette County,” said Executive Director Renee Couser. CFFC’s board members come from a variety of backgrounds and all have the common goal of building a stronger Fayette through CFFC’s mission.