by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 3, 2026 | CFFC News
Photo courtesy of Mr. Arnold with Laurel Highlands School District
Last fall, three donor advised funds at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded over $25,000 to support education at Fayette County schools. CFFC is now accepting grant requests for the 2026-2027 school year, inviting teachers and administrators to apply online by September 15 at 5:00 p.m.
As donor advised funds, the fund creators of the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, Idea Fund, and Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund have ongoing involvement with how the funds’ charitable dollars support the community. “The lasting impact of these three funds speaks to the fund creators’ deep belief in the power of education,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “We are grateful to see their passion continue to open doors for students and educators through this year’s fall grant cycle.”
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is accepting grant requests from $750 up to $10,000 for reusable education items to enhance the classroom. Any teacher, school counselor, or administrator in the Laurel Highlands School District or Uniontown Area School District is encouraged to apply.
The Idea Fund was created by a donor who strives to help teachers to achieve a level of creativity in the classroom that allows all students to succeed. All school districts in Fayette County are eligible to apply for an Idea Fund grant in the amount of $2,500.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is accepting grant requests from Uniontown Area School District’s middle schools or high school to enhance STEM teaching and learning. An award of $500 is intended to support teacher or student activities or the purchase of classroom materials.
With last year’s grant award, elementary STEM teacher Daniel Arnold purchased robotics and STEM kits with computer-controlled motors, sensors, and lights. “This project is impacting roughly 300 students in 16 classes at our elementary schools in the Laurel Highlands School District. The students can build over 30 activated models and, in the future, can engineer their own designs,” said Arnold.
“We look forward to helping our donors support more amazing projects like this!” said Hajek-Bates. More details about the criteria and how to apply can be found on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 14, 2026 | CFFC News
We invite you to review our 2025 Community Impact Report to learn more about the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s efforts in building a stronger Fayette County. Click here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 7, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Ron Gabriel, Michelle Knight, Steve Strange, Terry Burden
EEUCC hosted a program by Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia
During a visit to East End United Community Center (EEUCC), we saw children and volunteers in the flourishing garden, residents accessing their food pantry, and a room full of children enjoying a wildlife presentation about birds. With a diverse range of programs, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is happy to support EEUCC in their efforts to build a stronger Fayette County.
A recent capacity building grant from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund enabled the nonprofit to purchase an industrial color printer/copier machine. Their previous machine was unable to print in color, and they needed a machine that can handle their high volume of printing without breaking down or lagging.
“The ability to use the color printer will help enhance educational programming by providing high quality color materials that will help improve the children’s comprehension and engagement, in addition to improving the professionalism of printed materials for community members,” said Michelle Knight, EEUCC Office Manager.
Residents can benefit from EEUCC’s programs such as daycare, after-school programming, truancy prevention, seniors programming, nutrition assistance, and other community outreach projects.
“Our community is better because of East End United Community Center’s programs and the dedicated service of their staff and volunteers,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “We’re grateful for opportunities to partner with their organization through grants, participation in Fayette Gives, and our wonderful network of local nonprofits.”
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 6, 2026 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program offers tuition assistance for Pre-Kindergarten and K-12 Fayette County, PA students attending a participating private school. To apply, families can obtain an EITC Scholarship Application from their school, then submit the completed application to CFFC, 250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. All applications must be received or post-marked on or before July 31, 2026.
CFFC’s Participating K-12 Schools:
- A.G. Montessori School
- Calvary Chapel Christian School
- Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy
- Conn Area Catholic School
- Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School
- Grace Academy
- Mt. Carmel Christian School
- Mt. Moriah Christian School
- St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School
- Verna Montessori School
CFFC’s Participating Pre-K Schools:
- A.G. Montessori School
- Asbury Preschool
- Bright Beginnings Center for Learning
- Calvary Chapel Christian School
- Calvary United Methodist Church Preschool
- Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy
- Conn Area Catholic School
- Grace Academy
- Mt. Moriah Christian School
- St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School
- The Learning Lamp
- Verna Montessori School
“We are grateful to COE Distributing, Laurel Technical Institute, PNC Bank, and United Concordia Insurance Company for their generous support of our EITC program,” said CFFC Chief Executive Officer Jessica Hajek-Bates. “Their commitment to education helps create meaningful opportunities for local students, and we deeply appreciate their partnership in investing in the future of our children.”
Businesses can learn more about how to receive tax credits and participate in this program by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) website.
Families who are selected to receive tuition assistance are typically notified in October. Please direct any questions to CFFC’s Accountant Celena Valentine by telephone at 724-437-8600 x114 or by email at cvalentine@cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 1, 2026 | CFFC News
The seventh annual Fayette Gives will take place on November 5, 2026 and add to the $3.1 million that has been raised over the years. Nonprofits that wish to participate must register at fayettegives.org by September 1 at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts Fayette Gives as a “day of giving” to support local nonprofits and engage the community in philanthropy – all in the effort of building a stronger Fayette County.
To participate, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, must serve Fayette County, and must file an annual Form 990. This year, nonprofits are required to attend one (1) of four (4) training sessions:
- July 14 at 3:00 p.m.
- July 29 at 9:00 a.m.
- August 6 at 9:00 a.m.
- August 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Each training session will cover the same content over the span of one (1) hour and will be held in-person at the CFFC office, located at 250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401. Nonprofits do not need to register for the training sessions, though attendance will be tracked to confirm participation eligibility.
Additional information about Fayette Gives participation requirements and expectations is listed on the Nonprofit FAQs page at fayettegives.org. For assistance, call Rebecca Wardle at 724-437-8600 x111.
“We’re excited to kick off this year’s Fayette Gives campaign and announce the special incentive that will encourage more donations from the public and help give nonprofits a fundraising boost,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer. “Nonprofits will receive a 10% match on eligible Fayette Gives donations, up to a maximum of $10,000.”
The 10% match on donations will be made through the generosity of the Fayette Gives 2026 sponsors. Contributions from sponsors serve as a one-time investment that will help all 100+ participating nonprofits. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call Lauren Shroyer at 724-437-8600 x110.