by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 7, 2024 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Microscopes are a staple of science class, and students at Lafayette Middle School got an upgrade with funding from a grant in fall of 2023. The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County, awarded a grant to Uniontown Area School District for a new set of digital microscopes for Robert Schiffbauer’s middle school science classroom.
“In recent years, I have had to skip portions of lessons due to the fact that I did not have the necessary classroom tools. Rather than simply looking at images on the projection screen, students will now be able to explore and discover on their own and within small groups,” said Schiffbauer.
Seven digital microscopes were purchased to replace outdated and damaged microscopes in the school’s inventory.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is a donor advised fund that has awarded funding to enhance STEM education for local students. “After 40 years as a science educator, I wanted to give back to the community that launched my career. Helping to enhance teaching and learning through an annual grant to a Uniontown Area STEM teacher seems like a good start,” said Dr. Patricia A. Metz. “This year’s awardee taught me that microscopes have come a long way since I was a high school student!”
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jul 31, 2024 | CFFC News
Each year, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) proudly selects a variety of local students for post-secondary scholarship awards. The foundation holds forty-seven (47) scholarship funds, which are created specifically to support local students in their pursuit of higher education. This year, $207,924 is being awarded in scholarships to ninety-one (91) students.
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“Thank you so much for awarding me this great honor and continuing to support my lifelong goal of becoming a physician…. I hope to one day practice in Uniontown and continue giving back to our community!” said Nina D’Andrea, a Laurel Highlands High School graduate and current medical student at West Virginia University. CFFC has awarded scholarships to D’Andrea for seven years in a row throughout her higher education.
Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation helps people make a difference through charitable giving. Scholarship funds are created in honor or memory of a loved one, to support certain career paths, or to simply give back to the community. CFFC works with donors to determine criteria for each scholarship fund, including qualifications related to academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, or school preference.
“Congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients. Our scholarship program is strong, thanks to our generous donors and our dedicated review committee – all of them are passionate about supporting these students and the future of Fayette County,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Through CFFC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Access to Higher Education Program, qualifying students may have their scholarship awards matched by the state.
A CFFC scholarship can be created in honor or memory with a gift of $25,000, or donations in any amount can be made to the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund. To learn more about CFFC’s scholarship program, visit the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org.
2024-2025 CFFC Scholarship Awards
Alfred E. and Anna B. Jones Scholarship
Taney Basinger
Allen Craft Memorial Scholarship
Jamire Braxton
Madison McClean
Addyson Nose
Jocelyn Radcliffe
Owen Reed
Dominic Scott
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Scholarship
Valentina Gulino
Kylee Kurnot
Malcolm Patton
Bridget White
Brooklyn Williams
Betty Bayne Barnes Scholarship for Women
Kadie Keslar
Burchinal Family Endowment
Taney Basinger
Grace Bosnic
Bethany DuBois
Diana Fink
Brianna Hensh
Connor Kalich
Kadie Keslar
Josh Lomax
Aubriana Pesuti
Erica Rishel
Career and Technical Education Scholarship
Shelby Hall
CFFC Board of Directors Scholarship
Laila Suarez
Chris G. and Alice Omiros Scholars Fund
A’kira Dade
Cupelli Family Scholarship
Brianna Hensh
Darrell L. and Norma R. Uphold Family Scholarship
Mattalynn Schiffbauer
Deana Martorella Memorial Scholarship
Bella Carroto
Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky Scholarship
Logan Hoffer
Dr. Paul Pipik Scholarship for Study in the Health Sciences
Lauren Klink
Dr. William C. Thomas, Jr. Perseverance Scholarship for past recipients
Karsyn Lucy
George M. and Anna w. Hochheimer Scholarship
Josh Lomax
Helen Hulvey Scheggia Nursing Scholarship
Haley Filcheck
Henry J. Oppermann Scholarship
Grace Bosnic
Ian Zerecheck
Hughes Family Scholarship
Timothy Lacek
Johnson Matthey Scholarship
Lauren Colgan
Elyse Hughes
Kathleen DiMarco Gulino Memorial Scholarship
Matthew South
Laurel Business Institute Scholarship in Memory of Ruth and Milton Decker
Zaidan Bochnak
Kevin Morrison
Eric Reed
Laurel Highlands Mustang Academic Scholarship
Addyson Nose
Matthew South
Legacy Scholarship of Ernst Gottlieb Braun
Joshua Dankle
Lillian’s Legacy Scholarship
Paige Miller
Maximus Nassar
Melisha Robinson
Lulu A. Dudley Scholarship
Brooke Eutsey
Kennedy Orndorff
Frances and George J. Plava Educational Award
Hadyn Chipps
Lauren Colgan
Mary Jane Dailey Wood Scholarship
Ava Crofcheck
Kennedy Roskopp
Dominic Scott
Maurice M. Bortz and Bessie D. Rinehart Memorial Scholarship
Connor Kalich
Melvin J. and Beatrice Vance Keller Memorial Scholarship
Tagan Basinger
Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Scholarship
Madison McClean
My Mother’s Legacy Scholarship
Avery Maldovan
Jaylee Moorhead
Nancy Vance Jones Scholarship
Madison McClean
Rebecca Mihalko
Jaylee Moorhead
Magdalen Williams
Palmer F. Sabatine Scholarship
Khalia Batie
Parker A. Hess Memorial Scholarship
Parker King
Aubriana Pesuti
Rita P. Peters Scholarship
Bella Miller
Robert and Marjorie Rager Scholarship
Kirra Davis
Robert E. and Elouise R. Eberly Scholarship
Benjamin Diamond
Sam’s Symphony of Love Scholarship
Bella Carroto
Sergeant Eric Hull Memorial Scholarship
Tate Musko
Suzanne J. McMonagle Nursing Scholarship
Kiera McLaughlin
Tolstoi Family Scholarship
Jace Deli
Shelby Hall
Landen Taylor
Tylar Andaloro Memorial Scholarship
Kathryn Chiado
Aubriana Pesuti
Uniontown College Club CFFC Scholarship
Hadyn Chipps
Casey Fijalkovic
Lindsay Klink
Virginia Eberharter Scholarship
Jodi Lowery
Delaney Reese
Virginia Springer Memorial Scholarship
Julie Cooper
Nina D’Andrea
Rebecca Mihalko
Grace Taylor
Kaleb Walls
Wolford Swimmer Memorial Scholarship
Emily Angelo
Caylee Balabon
Tagan Basinger
Chaz Berkshire
James Brown
Iris Burd
Sienna Dean
Jocelyn Gratchic
Gabriel Kemp
Hanna Lucente
Eva Lypson
Noah Maceiko
Jacqueline Maendel
Natayah Moten
Cecilia Mrosko
Anthony Muccioli
Vincenzo Muccioli
Bella Palm
Madison Rosier
Braylin Salisbury
Serenity Swihart-Fullem
Autumn Taylor
Colby Voyten
Ian Zerecheck
Zackery R. Nelson Memorial Scholarship
Aubriana Pesuti
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by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 20, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting applications for Pre-K and K-12 tuition assistance for Fayette County students attending private schools. Applications are available at the participating schools and families must submit the application to CFFC, with a post-mark date no later than July 31, 2024.
The foundation is an approved Scholarship Organization, Pre-Kindergarten Organization, and Educational Improvement Organization through the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development (DCED).
Thank you to COE Distributing! Pictured: Renee M. Couser and J.D. Ewing
“There are so many ways to help the community through charitable giving. We extend our thanks to COE Distributing, Key Bank, Laurel Business Institute, Mid Penn Bank, PNC Bank, and United Concordia for donating to these educational programs,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Thank you to Mid Penn Bank! Pictured: Ashleigh L. Daniels, Renee M. Couser, Rebecca Wardle
In 2023, CFFC awarded $33,504 in K-12 tuition assistance and $8,000 in Pre-K tuition assistance for Fayette County students attending private schools. Participating schools included A.G. Montessori School, Calvary Chapel Christian School, Conn Area Catholic School, Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School, Heritage Baptist Academy, Mt. Moriah Christian School, St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, and Verna Montessori School.
More details, including eligibility requirements, are provided on the tuition assistance applications, which are available at the participating private schools. With questions for CFFC, families can call the office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 23, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is hosting a Grantwriting Workshop for local nonprofits, facilitated by Nonprofit SideKick, on May 29.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
12:00 – 4:00 (lunch will be provided)
Fay-Penn Economic Development Council
1040 Eberly Way
1st Floor Business Event Center
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
The $50 registration fee includes the Grantwriting Workshop and a one-year membership of Nonprofit SideKick. Please register by May 24.
Click here to register!
May 29 Grantwriting Workshop Flyer
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 8, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded nearly $20,000 in fall grants to local school districts for classroom projects and materials. The grants were provided by donor advised funds held at foundation, through which generous individuals recommend distributions to organizations.
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $7,679.99
Laurel Highlands School District: $6,634.81
Idea Fund
Albert Gallatin Area School District: $2,263.00
Connellsville Area School District: $2,269.00
Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $750.00
Stay tuned for details about the projects and impact of the classroom materials!