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.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 12, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded over $20,000 in fall 2021 grants to local nonprofits and schools. CFFC supports a variety of funding areas, based on the interests of donors and the criteria they outline when creating a charitable fund.
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund awarded a total of $15,871 to Laurel Highlands School District and Uniontown Area School District for reusable items that will enhance the classrooms. Requested items that received funding include a flight simulator, book vending machine, items for autistic support/life skills sensory room, games, and technology enhancements for algebra classes.
The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund awarded a $1,500 grant to Don’t Stop Dreamin’ to support activities for their Fayette County skilled nursing residents.
The Idea Fund awarded a total of $2,200 to Geibel Catholic Junior Senior High School to enhance learning through a community history center and suturing supplies for anatomy classes.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund awarded a $500 grant to Uniontown Area School District to support family and consumer science sewing projects.
To learn more about the impact of CFFC grant awards, visit the Building a Stronger Fayette page at www.cffayettepa.org. CFFC will soon be announcing grant applications for the spring 2022 cycle, which includes grant opportunities for arts, education, health and human services, community gardens, and more.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 27, 2021 | Building a Stronger Fayette
CFFC Executive Director Renee Couser presenting the Emergency Relief Fund grant to volunteers of the Christian Church of Connellsville’s Free Community Lunch program
What began as a “modest community service” to address food insecurity in Fayette County has grown into a weekly program that has served over 7,400 free lunches to community members this year. The Christian Church of Connellsville hosts the Free Community Lunch program each Monday from 11:30 – 1:00 for those in need. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) supported this program with an Emergency Relief Fund grant in spring 2021 in response to the pandemic.
When delivering the grant check, CFFC was greeted by a larger than life mural on the side of the church entitled “Jesus and the Children.” Rounding the corner from the parking lot, a vinyl banner for the Free Community Lunch program came into view on the metal railing, with cartoon food items and text that read “everyone welcome!”
Inside the doors, a group of church volunteers who operate the free lunch program were chatting, providing a preview of the fellowship that is possible through this program.
As the program continues to grow, the Christian Church of Connellsville is happy to see “regulars” and new individuals participating. Compared to last year, the church will provide over double the number of free lunches to individuals and families in 2021.
“This past year, we have been blessed to have the support and guidance of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, which has generously provided funding for this program,” said Rev. Paul Sandusky. “The funding has supported our goals of addressing the food insecurity of many children, adults, and families in this county; supporting our effort to provide lunches that are more nutritious and healthy; and ensuring that program participants are included in our evaluation of this community service,” he explained.
The Emergency Relief Fund was created in 2020 to support the community during local emergencies and disasters, illustrating CFFC’s unique ability to fund a variety of charitable efforts based on Fayette County’s current needs.
#BuildingAStrongerFayette
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 15, 2021 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives, Grants
CFFC’s Fayette Gives Proves to be a Successful “Day of Giving” for Local Charities
The second annual Fayette Gives, held on November 16, raised $441,880 for Fayette County charities. Donations from the public totaled over $366,000 and the $70,600 bonus pool, supported by sponsors, provided additional funding to the 64 participating charities. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts Fayette Gives to engage the community in philanthropy and build a stronger Fayette County.
To recognize and celebrate the success of these charities, CFFC hosted a Fayette Gives Grants Presentation on December 14, 2021 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus for the participating charities. As Community Sponsors, Jennifer Jubin from COE and Luke Kim from Mike Kelly Toyota presented the checks.
Fayette Gives has proven to be a fundraising opportunity that the community embraces and that local charities value. The public’s donations increased by 66% percent compared to last year’s inaugural Fayette Gives, and the participating charities increased from 43 in 2020 to 64 in 2021.
“We started accepting check donations back in September, and by early November we knew we would surpass last year’s total,” said CFFC Executive Director Renee Couser. “It was exciting to see the numbers climb on November 16 during the 12-hour fundraising marathon. Thank you to everyone who joined us in building a stronger Fayette,” said Couser.
The Fayette Gives website (www.fayettegives.org) provides all the information needed for this special 12-hour “day of giving”. On Fayette Gives day, donors select one or more charities for their contribution and the payment is processed through the website. Live results display on the home page with leaderboards for the charities, based on dollars raised and the number of donations received. These leaderboards are still available on the website to display preliminary results (these numbers do not include bonus pool dollars or donations received after November 16).
A charity’s bonus pool dollars are determined by their amount raised and their number of unique donors, calculated through prorated percentages. This incentivizes donors to give because each donation received by the end of Fayette Gives day is enhanced by the bonus pool, which in turn provides extra support to the charities.
The 64 participating charities serve residents through the arts, basic human needs, education, healthcare, recreation, and a variety of other service areas. Aside from monetary contributions, Fayette Gives raises awareness of local charities and their work.
“There is so much ‘good’ being done throughout Fayette County. CFFC has the privilege of working with local organizations who make a real impact for our friends and neighbors, and we hope that Fayette Gives helps others learn more about their wonderful services. Thank you to everyone who helped raise the impressive total of $441,880. All funds will stay right here in Fayette County,” said CFFC Board Chair J.D. Ewing.
View the final results spreadsheet with charity totals.
View more photos on CFFC’s Facebook @cffayettepa
Mark your calendars for next year’s Fayette Gives on Thursday, November 10, 2022 as we continue our efforts in building a stronger Fayette!
Herald-Standard article
Daily Courier article
Community Sponsors
The Swimmer Family
Generosity Sponsors
Fayette Pipe Company
JLE Industries, LLC
Charity Fund
Humanity Sponsors
Community Bank
Erie Insurance
First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County
Ford of Uniontown
Nemacolin
Pittsburgh-Fayette Express, Inc.
the Uniontown Office of Janney Montgomery Scott
Wells Fargo Advisors ~ Vic Fiano, Jr. and Victor Fiano, III
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 16, 2021 | CFFC News, News Releases
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) recently received re-accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 500 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.
Since its founding in 1999, CFFC has been committed to serving Fayette County with the mission to “help define charitable needs, connect donors with causes that matter to them, support nonprofit organizations and invest charitable assets to make the community a better place to live.” CFFC first received accreditation in 2009 and has worked hard to receive re-accreditation to maintain recognition as an operationally and legally sound community foundation.
“CFFC’s re-accreditation distinguishes us as credible and trustworthy, which are valuable traits for our relationships with donors and professional advisors. These standards also hold us accountable for maintaining best practices, which will help us best serve the community for years to come,” said Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
National Standards is not mandatory, but the foundation chooses to go above and beyond by affirming its commitment to excellence and accountability. Accreditation provides assurance that CFFC has sound policies and practices in place, and it means that CFFC meets the highest standards for local giving.
Please visit www.cffayettepa.org and follow CFFC on social media at @cffayettepa to learn more about CFFC.
