by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 16, 2023 | CFFC News
A Night to Remember
In addition to the special announcement of the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” opportunity, guests at the second annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change enjoyed an evening with great company, food and drinks, music and dancing, a photo booth, and exclusive auction items. Guests accessed online bidding for the silent auction, which enabled them to keep an eye on their competition and make bids all at their fingertips.
Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, was the emcee, and entertainment was provided by the Kendall Brothers, Joe Materkowski, Ed Balling, and Levi Graft. The afterparty in the Matterhorn Lounge also included a cigar bar by Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar.
“Thank you to all of the sponsors, guests, and supporters who helped make this another successful event,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “Our board of directors is excited to offer a grant of this size, as the first step in being a catalyst for change through the event’s proceeds,” continued Couser.
View all photos on CFFC’s Facebook!
Gala of Giving 2023 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Fairchance Construction Company
Platinum Sponsors: First National Bank; Gabriel Family; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; Sprowls Insurance Group; Wells Fargo Advisors.
Gold Sponsors: The Braun Family; COE Distributing; The Ewing Family; Fayette Pipe Company; Ford Office Technologies; Gismondi Family Foundation; Joyce’s Jewelry; Mike Kelly Toyota; MountainCreek Properties; Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; Stoney’s Brewing Company; Mr. & Mrs. Joshua & Maria Swimmer; WVU Health Sciences.
Silver Sponsors: Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania; Direct Results; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fiano, Jr.; First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County; Liberty Steel; Montgomery Medical; Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC – Uniontown Office; PNC Bank; SagePoint Financial; Somerset Trust Bank; United Bank; Gnagey Propane; Koval Building Supply.
Bronze Sponsors: Higinbotham Law Offices; Mid Penn Bank; Nickman’s Drug; Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Point Marion Veterinary Care; Radcliffe Law, LLC; Shallenberger Construction; Zodiac Management Services, Inc.
Patron Sponsors: Todd & Beth Casteel; Charlie & Renee Couser; Wealth Enhancement Group – Devan White.
Hospitality Sponsors: Stahls’; Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.; Demco Excavating; EQT; Ford of Uniontown; Jonathan P. Krizner, DDS; Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar; Universal Steel.
Donate to the Gala of Giving Fund
You can donate to the Gala of Giving Fund, at any time, with a check made payable to CFFC or through our online Pay Pal donation portal.
Contact our office at 724-437-8600 x1 if you have any questions.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 30, 2023 | CFFC News
Guests at the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change were the first to hear a special announcement about a $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant.” Gathered in the Exhibit Hall at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on April 29, CFFC announced this as the first grant that will be made from Gala of Giving proceeds. Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” are being accepted, starting May 1, through the foundation’s online grant system. The LOI deadline will be June 15, 2023.
The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community. Fairchance Construction Company was the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Gala of Giving. “We know that Fayette County has a lot of potential to grow and strengthen, and there are a lot of ways to spark that change. CFFC’s board of directors is excited to see what projects are proposed from organizations who are doing the work in the community,” said Angela Braun, CFFC Board Chair.
CFFC is looking for a collaborative effort with two or more nonprofits on a project that will make a significant impact in Fayette County. Both organizations must be located in, or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. One “Catalyst for Change Grant” in the amount of $50,000 will be awarded.
Once you create an application through CFFC’s online grant system, the applicant can invite the partnering organization(s) to “collaborate” on the submission.
The LOIs will be reviewed by CFFC’s Grantmaking Committee, and organizations will be notified if they are invited to submit a formal application. Organizations that are selected to submit an application will present their proposals to the CFFC Board of Directors for the final selection.
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 24, 2022 | CFFC News, Gala of Giving, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is excited to announce the inaugural Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change! This marquee event will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community.
Make your online reservation now!
Sponsorship & Auction Items:
To learn how you can support this event, please contact Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
Learn more about Gala of Giving:
CFFC is committed to making Fayette County a better place for all to live, and great work has been accomplished over the last 22 years of investing in charitable organizations and programs that directly benefit the county and its diverse population. The passion to continue making a meaningful impact is now moving to the next level with the Gala of Giving.
“The goal is to make a significant investment in projects that can affect real change and growth in Fayette County,” said Dan Gearing, Gala of Giving Chair.
CFFC invites everyone to play a part in helping to make Fayette County a thriving place to live, work and play. Also, and most importantly, all money raised is for the benefit of Fayette County and will stay in Fayette County. Together we can make a difference, and through the Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change you can join with others across our community in helping to raise the vital funding needed to initiate these bold new projects and programs now and for years to come.
