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 | Jun 30, 2023 | CFFC News, Uncategorized
Happy Summer! The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy, and we appreciate the support of generous donors who make our mission possible. The Community Foundation of Fayette County helps define charitable needs, connects donors with causes that matter to them, supports nonprofit organizations, and invests charitable assets to make the community a better place to live.
Here are a few ways that YOU can support the foundation. If you have any questions, or would like to learn about other charitable giving options, please contact Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, at 724-437-8600 x1 or rcouser@cffayettepa.org.
Fayette Gives 2023 Sponsorship
This year’s Fayette Gives will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at www.fayettegives.org. CFFC hosts this “day of giving” to engage the community in philanthropy and support local charities that make an impact in Fayette County. Your sponsorship will help us provide this special fundraising opportunity to the community, in an effort to build a stronger Fayette. Download the 2023 sponsorship form here!
Buliding a Stronger Fayette Fund
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund is our unrestircted grantmaking endowment. We award grants from this fund to local nonprofits for varoius projects and programs that will support Fayette County and its residents. Your donation will support our grantmaking, to address the ever-changing needs of the community in perpetuity.
Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund
The foundation created the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund to award scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Donors will be recognized as Silver ($100 – $4,999), Gold ($5,000 – $14,999), and Platinum ($15,000 +) Sponsors. To strengthen the fund in its first year, a generous donor is matching donations. A dollar-for-dollar match will be provided, up to a maximum of $25,000, for contributions to the fund through the end of 2023.
Legacy Gift to CFFC
Including a charitable bequest in your will or estate plan allows you to make a gift to the Community Foundation of Fayette County that will forever leave your mark on the community. Your bequest can be used to establish a special fund that supports broad community needs or focuses on a particular issue or cause that matters to you. Please reach out to Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, to learn more (724-437-8600 x1).
How to Donate
Our “Donate Now” button at the top of this website now gives you access to our new donation portal! This donation portal is connected to our in-house software, to simplify the donation process and help you select which fund to support. Donors will receive an email with their tax receipt attached after they make an online gift. If you prefer to give by check, please make it payable to CFFC with the name of the fund on the memo line, and mail to CFFC 5 South Mt. Vernon Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401. Please contact the office at 724-437-8600 if you have any questions, and thank you for supporting CFFC.
Donation Portal QR Code
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 14, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Do your canned food items at home have pull tabs that can be opened by hand, or do they require a can opener? You may not notice this feature when purchasing a can of soup at the grocery store, but the opening mechanism can be a hurdle for certain populations who don’t have access to kitchen equipment. Captain Erin Rischawy, Commanding Officer, gave the example of a can opener when explaining why The Salvation Army – Uniontown Corps wanted to expand their services for Sally’s Café soup kitchen and food pantry.
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a Building a Stronger Fayette Fund grant for Sally’s Café Household & Hygiene Pantry, to help provide items that would address unique needs, in particular for transient and homeless individuals. The grant was used to purchase ready-to-eat meals, houseware items like reusable utensils, personal care products in travel-sized containers, and warming kits. These items require minimal preparation for those with limited supplies, and they are easily portable for individuals who carry their belongings on the move.
“This generous grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County in support of this project has allowed us to always be prepared to help especially vulnerable homeless and transient populations in our community, and people struggling to afford the rising costs of non-food essentials,” said Captain Rischawy.
“We’re happy to support The Salvation Army in addressing this un-met need for those they serve. The direct services and referrals they provide are an asset to the community,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 14, 2022 | CFFC News, Fayette Gives
Over 1,000 individuals and businesses donated to Fayette County charities during the third annual Fayette Gives. During this “day of giving”, everyone has the opportunity to be a philanthropist by donating to support local causes. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts Fayette Gives to help build a stronger Fayette, and is thrilled to distribute a total of $581,589 for Fayette Gives 2022. CFFC hosted a Fayette Gives grand finale event on December 12, 2022 at Fay-Penn Economic Development Council’s Launch Box to celebrate the fundraising success of the participating charities and the generosity of the community.
Eighty-eight charities participated in Fayette Gives this year, fundraising to support their mission and services to Fayette County. Charity profiles, which are still available at www.fayettegives.org, provide details about their various efforts to address community needs.
CFFC began accepting Fayette Gives check donations in September. However, the main focus of Fayette Gives is the online giving day, which was November 10. The public was able to view live results and leaderboards, and online giving was available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fayette Gives day wrapped up with more than $500,000 in donations, in addition to the $74,000 bonus pool.
Watch the slideshow!
Fayette Gives has grown each year since its start in 2020. Over the last three years, $1,315,892 has been raised to support Fayette County charities. CFFC is grateful to the community for their generosity and support of this initiative.
“The community foundation invests in Fayette Gives to help local charities beyond our typical grantmaking program. It’s a way to showcase their good work to the entire community and create excitement around giving back,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “As charities raise money and build relationships with their supporters, they’re able to strengthen their sustainability,” noted Couser.
Fayette Gives provides a special incentive for charitable giving, because gifts are increased by a prorated percentage of the bonus pool. Thanks to the sponsors who contribute for the bonus pool boost, the public’s generosity is able to make a bigger impact.
CFFC will continue the effort to build a stronger Fayette by hosting Fayette Gives again on November 9, 2023. Charity registration is planned to open in June 2023, and more information can be found year-round at www.fayettegives.org.
CFFC thanks the Fayette Gives 2022 sponsors: (Community Sponsors) Charity Fund; Mike Kelly Toyota; The Swimmer Family; (Generosity Sponsors) Charitable Fund of Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing, LLC; COE Distributing; Erie Insurance; (Humanity Sponsors) The Eberly Foundation; First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County; Ford of Uniontown; Montgomery Medical; MountainCreek Property Group; Nemacolin Resort; Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House; Pittsburgh-Fayette Express, Inc; the Uniontown Office of Janney Montgomery Scott; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 6, 2022 | CFFC News, Grants
CFFC has awarded $35,302 in fall grants. Awards range from $500 to over $7,000. “These funding opportunities were created by generous donors who want to give back to the community, and we’re happy to support such diverse projects,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
To support health and medical care for Fayette County residents, CFFC awarded two grants from the Burchinal Family Endowment Fund. Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center received a grant for their conversion to a medical model pregnancy center – specifically for a medical exam room and staff training materials. New Haven Hose Company also received a grant, which they will use to purchase two new AEDs. These devices will be utilized for medical service on the bike trail, at the fire department, and at the social hall which serves as Connellsville’s emergency shelter.
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund supports the purchase of reusable items to enhance classrooms. Laurel Highlands School District was awarded three grants for autistic support educational and sensory room items, a book vending machine at an elementary school, and STEM activities for elementary media centers. Uniontown Area School District was awarded two grants for cooking supplies in middle and high school family & consumer science classes and graphing calculators for high school algebra classes.
Albert Gallatin Area School District was awarded a grant from the Idea Fund to enhance traditional classroom learning with the purchase of an audio booth for the high school’s AGTV studio. It will be used for all media classes and for the speech and presentation course.
To learn more about grant opportunities and how you can make an impact in our community through philanthropy, contact our office at 724-437-8600.