by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 7, 2025 | CFFC News
Tickets are now available for the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change. This year’s event is set for Saturday, March 29 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with Fairchance Construction Company as the Presenting Sponsor. The formal event features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner with a brief program and open bar, live auction, live music and dancing, and an after-party.
CFFC hosts the Gala of Giving to raise money for projects that can affect change and growth in Fayette County. Event proceeds have supported two $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grants for collaborative, county-wide projects. The first grant supported Main Street Theatre Company’s inaugural Fayette County high school musical showcase, called ENCORE!, in partnership with the State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust. The second grant was awarded in fall of 2024 to support the WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital’s Infant and Child Safety Program. The hospital partners with Head Start of Fayette County to address the transportation needs of new mothers and their children. The Catalyst for Change Grant will provide over 300 convertible car seats and car seat training to new mothers at the recently re-opened Birthing Center.
“This is the fourth year for the Gala of Giving, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has joined in support. The event has been a game-changer for our ability to impact the community through grants,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The foundation is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry for a third Catalyst for Change Grant, up to $75,000. The deadline to submit a proposal through CFFC’s online grant system is March 1, 2025.
“We expect about 350 guests this year. Each of them is helping us raise money for these grant awards, so we’re working hard to plan a fabulous evening for them,” said Angela Braun, DC, Gala of Giving Event Chair.
Tickets can be reserved at cffayettepa.ejoinme.org/2025galaofgiving. Please direct questions to Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 22, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is awarding a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant to WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital to support their Infant and Child Safety Program. The grant will be used to provide 358 convertible car seats and car seat training to new mothers at the hospital’s new Birthing Center, which will open in January 2025. This program will support expectant mothers, infants, and children in Fayette County.
Pictured from left to right: Bonnie Ryan, Karen Merryman, Beth Konick, Dawn Hunchuck-Piccolomini, Renee Couser, Carrie Willetts, Garnet Gordon, Meredith Aumer
This is CFFC’s second $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, following last year’s grant for “ENCORE!”, Main Street Theatre Company’s Fayette County high school musical showcase. These grants are funded through CFFC’s Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event proceeds.
“The foundation launched the Gala of Giving in 2022 to raise money for bigger and bolder grants. We know there is a need for healthcare services in the county, and we’re happy to support maternal and child welfare through this grant award,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital partners with Head Start of Fayette County for the Infant and Child Safety Program. Their partnership addresses critical transportation needs for prenatal and pediatrician appointments. Transportation is cited as a significant barrier for low-income mothers seeking high-quality healthcare resources, often resulting in missed appointments and inadequate prenatal and pediatric care. Head Start provides transportation for expectant mothers and children up to age four in their program, and WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital will provide convertible car seats and car seat installation/training to patients who give birth at the hospital.
“By integrating transportation assistance with the provision of convertible car seats, the program addresses a key barrier to healthcare access for low-income families in Fayette County,” said Bonnie Ryan, BSN RN, Manager of Patient Experience/Patient Advocate at WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital. The hospital anticipates a reduction in appointment cancellations and an increase in routine wellness visits, testing, and adherence to immunization schedules.
The Catalyst for Change Grant will fund the purchase of 358 convertible car seats that will accommodate a child’s growth, up to 100 pounds. The grant also supports car seat technician classes for staff, enabling eight (8) staff members to educate parents and caregivers on how to properly use car seats.
CFFC will continue raising money for grants that can affect change and growth in Fayette County by hosting the fourth annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Fairchance Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor.
The formal event features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner with a brief program and open bar, live auction, live music and dancing, and an after-party. CFFC is accepting sponsorships, ads, and auction items for the event. Individual tickets will be available in February. To learn more, visit cffayettepa.ejoinme.org/2025galaofgiving.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 16, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has hosted three annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change events, awarded a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant from the proceeds, and will be awarding another $50,000 grant this fall. The momentum will continue to build with the next Gala of Giving on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Fairchance Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor, once again generously supporting the Gala of Giving.
The formal event features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner with a brief program and open bar, live auction, live music and dancing, and an after-party. Proceeds from the Gala of Giving will be invested in projects that can affect change and growth in Fayette County.
CFFC is accepting sponsorships, ads, and auction items for the event. Download the Sponsorship Packet. Individual tickets will be available at a later date. To learn more, visit https://cffayettepa.ejoinme.org/2025galaofgiving. Please direct questions to Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or call the CFFC office at 724-437-8600.
“The Gala of Giving is the foundation’s effort to raise money for bigger and bolder grants that will spark change in Fayette County. We’ve had amazing support from the start, and we thank everyone who is getting on board for another successful event,” said Angela Braun, DC, CFFC Board Chair and Gala of Giving Chair.
The first Catalyst for Change Grant was awarded in fall of 2023 to Main Street Theatre Company, for their Fayette County high school musical showcase, called “ENCORE!”. CFFC’s $50,000 grant made it possible for them to launch this new program, collaborating with State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust. “Local theater transcends across organizations, schools, and counties. It is a community. It is a family. ENCORE! not only solidified the bonds these organizations share, but allowed the community to be a part of celebrating students in their accomplishments in the arts,” said Megan Clark, Treasurer of Main Street Theatre Company.
CFFC will announce a second grant soon, selected from this spring’s Catalyst for Change Grant requests.
Sponsorship Packet 2025
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 22, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosted 350 guests at the third annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, with Fairchance Construction Company as the Presenting Sponsor. The black-tie event featured a champagne greeting, a cocktail hour and dinner with an open bar, online bidding for an array of silent auction items, a live auction, live music by the Kendall Brothers Band and dancing, and an after-party with a buffet, Stix-DiMarco’s Cigar Bar, and live music by Joe Materkowski. Mike Clark of WTAE Pittsburgh Action News 4 was the master of ceremonies, and Tony Quarrick was the auctioneer for the live auction.
Senator Pat Stefano presented a citation to the Community Foundation as a special acknowledgment of its 25th anniversary. He presented it to Renee M. Couser (CFFC Executive Director), Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair), and Ron Gabriel (CFFC Vice Chair).
Brandon Katzeff (2024 Gala of Giving Auction Chair) spoke more about CFFC’s 25th anniversary, with November 15, 1999 as the founding date. “The foundation has grown to hold about 200 charitable funds and nearly $25 million in assets,” noted Katzeff. Each year, a percentage of the charitable assets is used to support nonprofits through grants and to support local students through scholarships.
Angela Braun, DC (CFFC Board Chair and 2024 Gala of Giving Chair) addressed the Exhibit Hall to share gratitude to Fairchance Construction for their presenting sponsorship. She also spoke about the foundation’s goals with the Gala of Giving. All event proceeds will stay in Fayette County, with a goal of being a “catalyst for change” by investing in projects that can affect change and growth in the community.
“Starting on April 15, CFFC will be accepting proposals for a second $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant,” said Braun. The foundation is looking for projects that will have county-wide impact, be a true collaboration to address community needs, and serve as a catalyst for change in strengthening Fayette County.
John Wagner III, President and Artistic Director of Main Street Theatre Company, spoke about the first Catalyst for Change Grant that was awarded in fall of 2023 for the organization’s first-ever Fayette County high school musical showcase – “Encore! A Showcase of Local Talent”. The project collaborates with State Theatre Center for the Arts, as the venue host for the showcase, and Fayette County Cultural Trust, as the presenters for the Achievement in the Arts awards that will be announced at the showcase. Tickets are on sale for the May 5, 2024 showcase, with performances at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Wagner explained that he was tasked to announce dinner, “but simply saying ‘dinner will be served’ doesn’t seem very fun… so instead, I’ll say hit it!” Music started to play and attention was drawn to a table when Brennen Wager-Malia popped up from his seat with candlestick props on his arms as he performed Lumiere’s opening lines to “Be Our Guest” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As the song progressed, more Main Street Theatre Company performers rose from their seats to join at the front of the room, with a confetti finish for the surprise ensemble performance.
The thrilling live auction included an autographed Troy Polamalu jersey, a JOLTBIKE electric bike, an office makeover from COE Distributing, a Vahan bracelet from Joyce’s Jewelry, concert tickets for either Jason Aldean or Justin Timberlake, Army Navy game tickets, a Deep Creek, MD getaway, and a Nemacolin overnight stay with golfing.
The room was beautifully decorated by ILLUME Lighting + Event Design and flowers were provided by Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House. Signs and print materials were coordinated through FastSigns of Uniontown and Direct Results. A photo booth mirror from The Wow Booth Co. helped guests capture the evening.
“We are so thankful to everyone who has supported CFFC throughout the past 25 years, and to everyone who is supporting the Gala of Giving as a way to strengthen the future of our charitable impact,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
More information about the Gala of Giving and the Catalyst for Change Grant can be found on CFFC’s website at www.cffayettepa.org. Contact the foundation at 724-437-8600 if you would like to learn more about your charitable giving options.
Watch a brief thank-you video!
Follow us on social media @cffayettepa to see pictures!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 15, 2024 | CFFC News
We had a fabulous evening at the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success, and thank you to all who support the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
We’ll be sharing photos soon, but first we have a special announcement…
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts the Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event to raise money for projects that can affect change and growth in the community. Event proceeds support bigger and bolder grants that will help to strengthen Fayette County. The foundation is accepting Letters of Inquiry for a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant, with a deadline of June 15.
Grant description:
The project should be a true collaboration between two or more nonprofits, showing a collective effort to address community needs. The nonprofits must be located in Fayette County or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. The project should incorporate county-wide impact, both in the number of people impacted by the project and the geographic reach of the project’s impact. Projects that spark economic growth will be viewed favorably. Projects that anticipate sustainability or can become sustainable will be viewed favorably. The grant should be expended within a year of the award.
Selection process:
- Interested nonprofits submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). LOIs are reviewed by the CFFC Grantmaking Committee. Nonprofits will be notified if they are invited to submit a full Application.
- Invited nonprofits submit an Application. Applications are reviewed by the CFFC Grantmaking Committee. Nonprofits will be notified if they are invited to present their proposal.
- Selected nonprofits present their proposal to the CFFC Board of Directors. The CFFC Board of Directors will make final decisions for the Catalyst for Change Grant in the fall.
Click here to start your Letter of Inquiry!