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 | May 15, 2026 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Tucked away in the beautiful scenery of the Laurel Highlands, Touchstone Center for Crafts offers arts programming that draws people from near and far. To help strengthen their capacity, with technology equipment and staff expansion, they have been awarded grants from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund at the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
Touchstone’s mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression. The nonprofit offers a variety of programs for people of all experience levels, with opportunities customized for youth, arts educators, veterans, and resident artists. Those who visit their campus for workshops can learn blacksmithing, ceramics, jewelry-making, and more.
Throughout daily operations, staff was facing challenges with their outdated phone system, describing it as cumbersome and inefficient. Implementing a new phone system, with grant funding, has had a positive effect.
“It is important for employees of our organization to be able to conduct business seamlessly, whether they are working remotely or in our offices. Support from a CFFC grant allowed us to move from an outdated phone system to a more responsive and flexible platform that works from our computers and phones,” said Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Executive Director.
Touchstone also received funding to support their staff expansion and the computer equipment needed for new team members. Lindsay explained the impact of hiring strong talent to enhance the organization’s mission: “We’ve strengthened our fundraising capacity, expanded our programming season, and increased off-season visibility.”
CFFC is happy to support Touchstone’s capacity to inspire, teach, and serve the community.
Photos courtesy of Touchstone Center for Crafts
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 2, 2026 | CFFC News
Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) invites nonprofits to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for up to $100,000 in funding for a Fayette County project. Interested nonprofits must attend a mandatory 1-hour forum to understand the possibilities of the Catalyst for Change Grant.
This grant opportunity is provided through Gala of Giving event proceeds. The annual event raises money to invest in projects that will spark change and growth in Fayette County. So far, the foundation has awarded $175,000 in Catalyst for Change Grants.
“Our board of directors is driven by a shared belief in what’s possible when a community invests in bold ideas,” said Ron Gabriel, CFFC Board Chair. “The Catalyst for Change Grants are designed to spark that momentum, and we invite nonprofits to explore the updated criteria and bring forward visionary projects that can truly move our county forward.”
The foundation is looking for significant impact that will spark meaningful and measurable change, but the project is not required to reach across the entire county or involve collaboration. CFFC is especially inspired by projects that ignite economic opportunities and build lasting, sustainable solutions to community needs. Applicants are challenged to consider including matching funds for all or a portion of the amount requested.
Interested nonprofits must attend a 1-hour in-person forum at CFFC’s office (250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401) on one of the following dates: February 12 at 9:00 a.m.; February 18 at 3:00 p.m.; February 20 at 12:00 p.m. (No registration needed.) Nonprofits will submit an LOI through CFFC’s online grant portal by the deadline of March 15 at 5:00 p.m. The grant is designed for up to a one-year timeline, starting with the award in July. Nonprofits can submit for an existing project or a new project. More details about the selection process are listed on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
“We encourage nonprofits to think beyond a one-time impact or a single project – we want them to dream boldly about Fayette County’s future and how their project will address community needs,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer.
Interested nonprofits can begin their LOI submission now. However, upon review of the submitted LOIs, only projects that attended one of the mandatory forums will be considered.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 15, 2026 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting funding requests for five grant opportunities this spring. Interested nonprofits must apply through CFFC’s online grant portal by March 1 at 5:00 p.m.
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund is the foundation’s unrestricted grantmaking endowment, which is accepting grant requests up to $5,000 for projects or capacity building. These awards are made with combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; GIVE Fayette County campaign; Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
The spring grant cycle also includes four Field of Interest Funds, which have a specific area of focus:
- The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- The Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund supports transportation expenses for Fayette County seniors.
- The Community Beautification Fund supports landscape improvement in Fayette and Greene Counties.
- The Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund supports community gardens and science/environmental education.
“Last year, our spring grant cycle awarded $36,000 for computer equipment, employment readiness services, senior center programming, food distribution, flowers for an Honor Roll, and more,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to another year of charitable giving that addresses the needs of our community.”
For more details about these grant opportunities and criteria, visit the Nonprofits page at www.cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 1, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Photo from the board training courtesy of Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County.
From 2023 to 2024, the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County reported a 149% increase in clients. To meet the needs of the community, the nonprofit is prioritizing its growth and sustainability to ensure that their services can help as many residents as possible.
Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County (CVC) offers a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, and advocacy services for victims of violent crimes. They also provide educational and training classes for children and adults across the county at low to no cost.
“Due to our funding structure, we have strict guidelines and standards that we must follow,” said Andrea Hibbs, CVC Executive Director. For example, government grants cannot be used for fundraising efforts, but the nonprofit identified that as an important area for growth. To spearhead these efforts, they hosted two training sessions for board members and the executive director. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) supported the trainings with a 2024 grant from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
CVC partnered with consulting company Nonprofit SideKick to take a closer look at the board of directors’ responsibilities, identify the type of board they are, and assess strengths and opportunities for growth. “CFFC’s funding provided us with an opportunity to gain important knowledge to increase awareness, sustain board members, and attain financial growth. This is vital in keeping with our mission to provide services to victims of crime in a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment,” said Hibbs.
Andrea Hibbs and Renee Couser with Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County’s first grant from the Strawberry Patch Fund in 2021.
Beyond competitive grant awards, CVC has taken advantage of other opportunities to bolster their mission. They have raised over $17,000 through Fayette Gives. Each of the five years that CVC has participated, they have increased their fundraising and worked to raise awareness of their services in the community.
CVC also receives an annual distribution from the Strawberry Patch Fund, a donor designated fund at CFFC that was created through an estate gift to support specific organizations. Over $21,000 has been granted to CVC from the fund. They have the discretion to use these funds to address the organization’s most pressing needs and invest in resources that will benefit the residents they serve.
Charitable giving can help bridge the funding gap for impactful services like the ones that Crime Victims’ Center offers. Residents who experience a violent crime have somewhere to turn, with the support of CVC. This year marks the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary, and we applaud their efforts in building a stronger Fayette County.