by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 22, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Uniontown Area School District was awarded a fall 2022 grant from the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC)’s Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund to purchase cookware and cooking equipment for Family & Consumer Sciences. “Cooking projects allow for so much learning – independence in daily living skills, tolerance of new foods/textures/smells, math concepts, science skills, and literacy competency – all of this can be encompassed in one lesson,” said Kim Zebro, Family & Consumer Sciences teacher.
Zebro teaches at Lafayette Middle School, Ben Franklin Middle School, AJ McMullen Middle School, and Uniontown High School. Purchasing new equipment has helped provide a more consistent set-up for classes at each of the four schools. Missing or old supplies were upgraded with new items that are cleaner and safer. The grant was awarded from the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, held at CFFC, and enabled the purchase of measuring cups, pots and pans, utensils, mixing bowls, cutting boards, spatulas, baking sheets, knife sets, and more.
“Throughout cooking, the students are learning to multitask, delegate tasks, communicate with each other, follow directions, and prepare foods,” explained Zebro. Since all of the purchased items are reusable, they will be tools for learning for multiple school years.
“The foundation is able to support local education in a variety of ways. We award scholarships for students’ post-secondary education, but we also award grants to schools and programs that enhance learning opportunities for students, from elementary school and up. There are many ways to make an impact with charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
To learn more about how you can support local education through charitable giving, contact CFFC at 724-437-8600 x1.
All photos are submitted by Uniontown Area School District.
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 | Jul 11, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
John Lewis preaching for the first time, Rosa Parks singing a tune about “good trouble”, Martin Luther King, Jr. sharing inspiring words… these are all scenes that local students witnessed during a performance from the Pittsburgh CLO. Since 2014, the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has provided grants to bring the Pittsburgh CLO’s “Gallery of Heroes” series to Fayette County students, through a Donor Advised Fund. The series of educational and entertaining mini-musicals highlight significant historical figures.
In February, students gathered for “Hero: The Boy from Troy”, which told the story about John Lewis and how his heroes in the Civil Rights movement inspired him to protest injustice and get into “good trouble”. In attendance were fourth and fifth graders from Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown School Districts and students from St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, grades four through eight. They saw historical figures come to life on stage and participated in a short Q&A session with the cast after the performance.
There are many ways to build a stronger Fayette, and CFFC is happy to provide personalized donors services to help each donor with their charitable giving goals. “Charitable giving enables the community foundation to support special educational experiences like this. We’re happy to provide funding for programs that our donors are passionate about,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 18, 2023 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) purchased materials for a newly developed Equipment Resource Library with funding from the Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). “With the generous support of this grant, MWA is able to provide supplies and equipment for outdoor education and recreation within the Youghiogheny River watershed,” said Hannah Spencer, Program Development Manager.
MWA purchased items to create eight themed “activity backpacks” that contain a story book, guided activities, writing supplies, and other educational supplies based on four themes: winter ecology, trees, bugs, and nature fun. Each theme has a backpack with activities focused on ages 3 to 6, as well as a backpack with activities for ages 6 and up.
They also purchased detailed trail maps of the Laurel Highlands, field guides, binoculars for both adults and youth, and educational curriculum books for various environmental education topics. These materials and the activity backpacks are available to loan out, free of charge, as part of MWA’s Equipment Resource Library. They welcome local residents, visitors to the Laurel Highlands, and educators in the area to utilize these resources as part of their efforts for ecology education and outreach.
“We hosted one community workshop and participated in two well-attended community events with the resource library materials purchased through this grant,” explained Spencer, while sharing plans to continue promoting the Equipment Resource Library as a valuable asset to environmental education.
MWA’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the Youghiogheny River watershed and its broader communities through conservation, recreation, education, and advocacy. CFFC is happy to support their mission through philanthropy.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 13, 2023 | CFFC News
What is the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund?
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s board of directors has approved the creation of a new scholarship fund, the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund, to provide funding towards local students’ higher education. This fund will serve as an alternative to donors creating a named scholarship fund.
The Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Applicants must be a Fayette County resident and either a student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a non-traditional student.
Donors to this fund will be recognized as Silver ($100 – $4,999), Gold ($5,000 – $14,999), and Platinum ($15,000 +) Sponsors. Check donations can be made payable to CFFC with Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund on the memo line. Online donations are being accepted through CFFC’s PayPal account.
Donations to the Fund Matched by Generous Donor
The public is invited to support the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund. 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 Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund through the end of 2023.
Check donations can be made payable to CFFC with Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund on the memo line. Online donations are being accepted through CFFC’s PayPal account.
CFFC is grateful for the opportunity to invest in the future of our community by supporting local students, with the help of generous donors.
Please contact Renee M. Couser, Executive Director, with any questions at 724-437-8600 x1.