by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 6, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
“Our mission is to best serve our community. To do that, we need to pay attention to detail, refine what we’re currently doing, and plan for the future. This grant helped us do those things,” said Steve Strange, Executive Director at East End United Community Center (EEUCC). The nonprofit hosted a Board Retreat in 2023 with funding from the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC).
Steve Strange, EEUCC Executive Director, at the CFFC spring 2023 grant presentation
EEUCC’s mission is to advance the growth and well-being of our community by providing individuals with educational, social, cultural, and economic opportunities. The center has recently seen an increase in their daycare program and out-of-school time programming. With the addition of multiple new board members in recent years and planning for a building expansion, Strange explained that the Board Retreat was an opportunity to “become more intentional in refining long-term planning”.
The funds were awarded through CFFC’s capacity building grant cycle of the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. “This CFFC grant allowed us to work with Nonprofit SideKick to strengthen our board,” said Strange, referencing a consulting company that works with nonprofits.
CFFC is happy to support the work of nonprofits like EEUCC. Through philanthropy, the foundation is able to aid their efforts in building a stronger Fayette.
Group photo submitted by East End United Community Center.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 15, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awards grants throughout the entire year, through the generosity of individuals and business who create charitable funds at the foundation. CFFC’s spring grant cycle is an opportunity for nonprofits to request funding from five charitable funds held at CFFC. Review criteria and apply through CFFC’s online grant system. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.
“CFFC is happy to offer grants for nonprofit capacity building, for the second year in a row, through the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. The four additional funds focus on a specific ‘field of interest’ that was determined by the donors who created the funds,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
- Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit (e.g. office equipment, software, training). These awards are made with the combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
- Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
For questions about grant applications, contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 13, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted the fourth annual Fayette Gives on November 9, to engage the community in philanthropy and support local charities through donations from the public. CFFC announced the grand total at a celebration event for participating charities on December 12 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses, CFFC is distributing a total of $687,046 amongst ninety (90) Fayette County charities.
“We’ve been so happy to see this ‘day of giving’ grow each year,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. In its first four years, Fayette Gives has raised over $2 million, all to benefit Fayette County. “The community foundation is a resource for charitable giving, and Fayette Gives is our way to bring that to the public on a large scale and make it easy for anyone to be a philanthropist,” said Couser.
CFFC began accepting donations by check, IRAs, and donor advised funds in September. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 9, online donations were received and live results and leaderboards displayed at www.fayettegives.org. Between all donation methods, over 1,200 donations were made.
Renee M. Couser
“Donors have commented on the convenience of Fayette Gives being a one-stop-shop for their charitable giving,” said Couser. This special fundraiser is also an opportunity for charities to educate the public on the services they provide, showcase the positive impact of their mission, and create a buzz on social media. Charities are not restricted in how they use their Fayette Gives funds, so they are able to fundraise for any of their operational or programming needs.
“On behalf of the CFFC board of directors, thank you to everyone who generously supported this effort,” said Angela Braun, CFFC Board Chair.
Donations were increased by a prorated percentage of the $60,000 bonus pool, based on the charities’ fundraising dollars and number of donors. This helps donors make a bigger impact on their favorite charities and incentivizes people to give.
CFFC is grateful for the support of the Fayette Gives sponsors. Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; COE Distributing; The Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: Mike Kelly Toyota of Uniontown; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital. Humanity Sponsors: First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; The Eberly Foundation; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter.
CFFC will be planning the next Fayette Gives for November 2024, with more details to come. To learn more about Fayette Gives and the community foundation, visit www.cffayettepa.org.
View the Charity Distribution List for the final results of each charity’s Fayette Gives total.
Jennifer Jubin spoke on behalf of COE Distributing, a Community Sponsor of Fayette Gives 2023
Fayette Gives 2023 raised $687,046
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 1, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting applications for the fall grant cycle starting on August 1, with three funding opportunities for local schools. The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, the Idea Fund, and the Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund are donor advised funds that provide the donors flexibility and ongoing involvement with how the grants are used to support charitable causes. Each grant application lists criteria for this year’s funding – all to support education.
Applicants will submit grant requests through CFFC’s online grant system. The application deadline is September 30, 2023.
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is accepting grant requests for reusable items that will enhance the classroom(s). Funding will not be made for field trips or items that can only be used once. Any teacher, school counselor, or administrator in the Laurel Highlands School District or Uniontown Area School District is encouraged to apply. Requests from $750 up to $10,000 will be considered. A total of $20,000 is possible to be awarded this grant cycle.
The Idea Fund was created by a donor who is interested in helping teachers achieve a level of creativity in the classroom that allows students of all learning styles to thrive. All school districts in Fayette County are eligible to apply for an Idea Fund grant in the amount of $2,500. Particular attention will be paid to applicants who: demonstrate that the funds will be used to address the needs of students in the classroom who may not be the top grade earners; can show the sustainability of the program; and are willing to go beyond traditional teaching styles to reach students. Funds will not be granted to purchase books, magazines, or field trips.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is accepting grant requests to enhance STEM teaching and learning at the Uniontown Area School District’s middle schools or high school. An award in the amount of $500 is intended to support teacher or student activities or the purchase of classroom materials. Possible uses include, but are not limited to: teacher professional development at the national or regional level, student field trips, demonstration or laboratory equipment, resource books or magazine subscriptions, and software or Internet resource subscriptions.
Click Here to Apply
If you do not already have a login for CFFC’s grant software, you will need to be added as a user to your school district’s grant account. Please contact Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator, at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203 for assistance.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 28, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund awarded a grant to Hatfield Elementary School for a book vending machine. CFFC was happy to join students, faculty, and PTO members at the ribbon cutting on March 10, 2023. Students used tokens to select the first books from the vending machine.
“Students will have the opportunity to earn vending tokens based on the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. Now, all Hatfield students will have the opportunity to grow their own personal libraries, foster a love of reading, and improve test scores.” – Heidi Mears, Principal
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund awards grants for the puchase of reusable items to enhance classrooms, both for Laurel Highlands School District and Uniontown Area School District.