by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 10, 2025 | CFFC News
Each charity* that participates in one or more of these three trainings will receive a $50 cash prize on Fayette Gives day. These 30-minute trainings will be held via Zoom. You will register for each webinar separately. Multiple representatives from your charity are encouraged to participate in these trainings — each must register for the webinar to receive the Zoom meeting link via email.
June 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Registration and Accessing Your Account
Click here to sign up for the June 24 webinar!
July 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Profile Completion and Promoting Fayette Gives
Click here to sign up for the July 22 webinar!
August 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Prizes and Payout
Click here to sign up for the August 26 webinar!
*Limit one prize per charity. Charity must register, meet eligibility requirements, and be a participating charity for Fayette Gives 2025.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 2, 2025 | CFFC News
The sixth annual Fayette Gives “day of giving” will take place on November 6, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During this fundraising marathon, participating charities receive donations from the public to support their services in Fayette County. Charities that wish to participate must register online at www.fayettegives.org by August 29.
To participate, charities must be a 501c3 nonprofit, must not be a private foundation, must be located in or providing services in Fayette County, and must file an annual 990.
Fayette Gives is hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) in an effort to build a stronger Fayette County by supporting local charities and engaging the community in philanthropy. In its first five years, Fayette Gives has raised over $2.5 million for more than one hundred (100) Fayette County charities.
“This is a one-stop-shop for charitable giving. We want to make it easy for everyone to give back and support the good work of our amazing Fayette County charities,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Each participating charity will have a profile on the website, where the public can learn more about their mission and how they impact the community. Starting in early September (exact date TBD), CFFC will accept check donations, IRA contributions, and donor advised fund donations. Online donations will be available for a 12-hour period on November 6 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. Cash prizes will be awarded each hour during Fayette Gives day, to incentivize donations and boost fundraising.
“Fayette Gives offers a tremendous opportunity for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to see a more complete picture of the amazing services that are available to Fayette County,” said Paula Millsaps, Founding Director/President of Joel 2 Missions.
“Fayette Gives provides us with non-restricted funding that we can use on anything we need for our initiatives in the County,” said Laurel Ross, Planner/Grant Writer of Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette.
CFFC is accepting sponsorship for Fayette Gives. Please direct questions to Rebecca Wardle, Communications & Grantmaking Coordinator at rebecca@cffayettepa.org or 724-437-8600 x203.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 14, 2025 | CFFC News
Position Summary
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior leader and public face of the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). This individual is responsible for strategic leadership, fundraising and donor engagement, community partnerships, and operational excellence.
The CEO will lead CFFC’s efforts to expand philanthropic assets, with a particular focus on major and planned giving, while strengthening the foundation’s impact throughout Fayette County. Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff, donors, and community stakeholders, the CEO will ensure that CFFC fulfills its mission of inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and fostering positive community transformation.
Key Responsibilities
This job description outlines a broad range of responsibilities and qualifications that define the role. We encourage interested candidates to apply even if they don’t meet every listed requirement—if you bring relevant experience, enthusiasm, and a commitment to our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
1. Fundraising and Donor Engagement
- Lead CFFC’s fundraising strategy, in partnership with staff and the Board of Directors, to grow its charitable assets, focusing on major and planned giving,
- Cultivate relationships with high-net-worth individuals, professional advisors, businesses, and other philanthropists to increase unrestricted and endowed funds
- Develop and implement donor stewardship programs, ensuring fundholders are actively engaged with CFFC’s mission
- Oversee marketing, outreach, and public relations efforts to communicate the value of philanthropy in Fayette County
2. Community Leadership and Partnerships
- Position CFFC as a trusted leader and convener on key community issues
- Strengthen strategic alliances with nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and civic leaders to foster collaborative impact
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and represent CFFC at public events, speaking engagements, and community meetings to advocate for local philanthropy
- Identify and respond to emerging community needs, working with stakeholders to develop funding solutions
3. Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Develop and execute CFFC’s long-term strategic vision, in partnership with the Board of Directors
- Oversee financial stewardship and operational effectiveness, ensuring the foundation operates with integrity and sustainability
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities
- Ensure compliance with National Standards for US Community Foundations® and best practices in philanthropy
- Monitor key performance indicators to evaluate CFFC’s success in fundraising, community impact, and operational efficiency
4. Financial and Operational Management
- Oversee CFFC’s financial health, including the foundation’s investment portfolio (in partnership with the Finance Director and outside investment management advisors), operating budget, and fund distributions
- Implement policies and procedures to support organizational efficiency, transparency, and donor confidence
- Identify opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness, including technology investments and infrastructure improvements
Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience in fundraising and donor development
- Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage donors, corporate partners, and community leaders
- Experience leading strategic planning and organizational development for a mission-driven organization
- Excellent public speaking and communication skills, with the ability to articulate CFFC’s mission and vision
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated success in major and planned giving, with a track record of growing philanthropic assets
- Deep understanding of community foundations, philanthropy, and nonprofit governance
- Financial acumen, with experience in managing budgets, endowments, and investment strategies
- Experience working in a community foundation or donor-advised fund environment
- Knowledge of Fayette County’s economic, social, and philanthropic landscape
- Familiarity with nonprofit tax laws, grantmaking policies, and donor stewardship best practices
Reporting Structure
- The CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and collaborates with staff, committees, and external advisors to achieve CFFC’s strategic goals.
Work Schedule and Location
- This is a full-time, in-person position based at the CFFC office, with the expectation that some evening and weekend activities will be required to engage with individuals and organizations across the county and build meaningful relationships.
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience, ranging from $90,000 to $120,000 per year plus benefits
- Benefits: Health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A cover letter outlining their experience in fundraising, leadership, and community engagement
- A current resume detailing relevant qualifications and achievements
- Three professional references (name, title, relationship, and contact information)
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET
Submit Applications to: CEOSearchCFFC@gmail.com
CFFC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 13, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County gathered local charities on December 12 at the Fayette LaunchBox to celebrate Fayette Gives 2024 and announce the final total. Ninety-six (96) Fayette County charities raised $586,365 through CFFC’s fifth annual Fayette Gives. This “day of giving” helps to build a stronger Fayette County by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 7, donations were accepted at www.fayettegives.org with live results and leaderboards on display.
“We know charities put a lot of work into their fundraising efforts, so it’s encouraging to see that over 1,000 people donated to this year’s Fayette Gives,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Thanks to the Fayette Gives sponsors, over $50,000 was awarded in prize money as donor incentives. Each hour, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., charities had the chance to receive cash prizes based on a variety of criteria, including their asset size category, dollars raised, number of donors, and random drawings.
“Charities can choose how they use the fundraising money to support their work in Fayette County. Having that discretion is really valuable for a lot of charities,” explained Couser.
At the celebration event, Representative Charity Grimm Krupa addressed the room and commended the charities on their impact in helping others. She said, “The most rewarding thing about my position is doing a deep dive in the community…. We are doing good things in Fayette County, and I see that when I look out into this room.”
Senator Pat Stefano congratulated the charities on their Fayette Gives fundraising and said, “You guys get a lot of things done with just a little bit of money…. You make great things happen, so I’m so thrilled you’re part of this program, and taking leverage of these dollars, and getting them out in the community.”
“Each and every one of these charities play a part in building a stronger Fayette, and we actually had someone donate to all ninety-six (96)! The donor explained that they were looking through the list and felt compelled to support all of them. That was an exciting ‘first’ for Fayette Gives,” said Couser.
This fifth year of Fayette Gives brings the grand total to over $2.5 million that has been raised for local charities through the “day of giving”. The foundation is grateful to everyone who has donated over the years and supported charities through Fayette Gives. To learn more, visit www.fayettegives.org.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: COE Distributing; Nemacolin; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing. Humanity Sponsors: Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Montgomery Medical; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Highlands Wealth Management; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 8, 2024 | CFFC News
The community raised $579,505 for 96 Fayette County charities through the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) fifth annual Fayette Gives. Fayette Gives is a “day of giving” that helps to build a stronger Fayette County by engaging the community in philanthropy and supporting local charities. During the 12-hour fundraising marathon on November 7, the public donated online at www.fayettegives.org between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. with live results and leaderboards on display. Check donations were also accepted ahead of Fayette Gives day, starting in September.
“We extend a huge thank-you to the 923 people who donated and to everyone who helped spread the word about this special initiative. All of the money that the charities fundraised will be used to support their work right here in Fayette County,” Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Fayette Gives 2024 provided new features for the “day of giving”. Charities were able to add pictures and videos to their profile page, to help tell the story of their impact in the community, and charities had access to their donation reports in real time to strengthen their fundraising efforts and stewardship. On November 7, the website displayed a section of recent donations and Instagram posts, to encourage engagement. The public could also view leaderboards for each size category of charities, which was determined by asset size.
Another new feature this year was the donor incentives. Each hour, charities had the chance to receive cash prizes, based on specific criteria. Donors could view the list of prizes on the Fayette Gives website and help their favorite charities’ chances of receiving extra money, adding excitement to each hour throughout the day. Thanks to the Fayette Gives sponsors, over $50,000 was awarded in prize money.
“Fayette Gives is a one-stop-shop for people to give back, and it’s an opportunity to highlight the amazing work being done across Fayette County by these charities. Raising over half-a-million dollars in one campaign shows the incredible generosity of our community,” said Couser.
Community Sponsors: Charity Fund; Swimmer Family. Generosity Sponsors: COE Distributing; Nemacolin; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing. Humanity Sponsors: Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation; First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County; Montgomery Medical; Uniontown Walmart Supercenter; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Highlands Wealth Management; WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital.
To view the leaderboards and learn more about Fayette Gives, visit www.fayettegives.org.