by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 22, 2024 | CFFC News
You can now reserve individual tickets for the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change event on April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Click here for ticket registration. This black-tie event will feature great food, an open bar through dinner, live and silent auctions, live music and dancing, and an after-party. We hope to see you there!
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Gala of Giving will be a special way to celebrate our first 25 years and provide more funding opportunities for local charities. Grants from event proceeds will be awarded from the Gala of Giving Fund to make a meaningful impact in Fayette County.
Please contact Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at 724-557-0820 with any questions about sponsorship opportunities.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 26, 2023 | CFFC News
The third Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) hosts this event to raise money for significant investments in projects that can affect real change and growth in Fayette County. The first Catalyst for Change Grant, from event proceeds, was recently announced.
CFFC is awarding a $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant to Main Street Theatre Company, for their Fayette County High School Musical Showcase, in collaboration with State Theatre Center for the Arts and Fayette County Cultural Trust. After Main Street Theatre Company’s October 6 performance of “Godspell”, CFFC’s Executive Director, Renee Couser, presented a check on stage as a special surprise to John Wagner III, Main Street Theatre Company’s Artistic Director.
Photo credit: Kelly Tunney
All Fayette County high schools will be invited to perform a selection from their musical at the showcase, bringing together youth from across the county. The showcase will shine a light on the vibrant arts community in Fayette County and invite youth, family, friends, community members, and people beyond Fayette County to attend performances and support local businesses on show day. Main Street Theatre Company will lead this project, the State Theatre Center for the Arts will provide the space for rehearsals and performance, and the Fayette County Cultural Trust will present their Fayette County Achievement in the Arts awards throughout the event.
“It is our foundational belief – backed up by significant data – that live performing arts experiences bring communities closer together, spur economic development and inspire change, growth and hope in those who participate,” said Kristen Tunney, Vice President of Main Street Theatre Company.
Photo credit: Kelly Tunney
Though showcases like this have been taking place in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties for years, this project is the first of its kind for Fayette County. An afternoon and evening performance are planned for May.
“This first Catalyst for Change Grant is just the start, and we encourage everyone to save the date for our next gala on April 13 to help us build up the proceeds that will be used for future funding. With the continued support of individuals and businesses, we hope to offer bigger grants in the future to help spark change in Fayette County on a bigger scale,” said Angela Braun DC, Gala of Giving Chair and CFFC Board Chair.
CFFC is currently accepting sponsorships for the 2024 Gala of Giving, and individual ticket sales are expected to open in February. In addition to sponsorship and tickets, donations can be made to CFFC’s Gala of Giving Fund by check or with the “Donate Now” button at cffayettepa.org.
“We are happy to announce that Fairchance Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2024 Gala of Giving. Next year, the community foundation will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, and we are excited to get everyone together in the spirit of charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, will be the event’s emcee, and guests will have access to a cocktail hour and exclusive auction items, dinner with a brief program and open bar, a live auction with big-ticket items, live music by the Kendall Brothers, and an after-party. To make it easier to track bidding and make bids from anywhere throughout the event space, guests will use online bidding again this year for the silent auction.
CFFC invites everyone to play a part in helping to make Fayette County a thriving place to live, work, and play. If you or your business is interested in sponsorships or ads, please contact Trish Desvarro, Gala of Giving Event Manager, at 724-557-0820.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Sep 21, 2023 | CFFC News
Save the date! The Community Foundation of Fayette County is hosting the third Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
More details to come. Check our website and social media (@cffayettepa) for announcements, and sign up for our e-newsletter to never miss an update.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | May 16, 2023 | CFFC News
A Night to Remember
In addition to the special announcement of the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” opportunity, guests at the second annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change enjoyed an evening with great company, food and drinks, music and dancing, a photo booth, and exclusive auction items. Guests accessed online bidding for the silent auction, which enabled them to keep an eye on their competition and make bids all at their fingertips.
Mike Clark, WTAE Anchor, was the emcee, and entertainment was provided by the Kendall Brothers, Joe Materkowski, Ed Balling, and Levi Graft. The afterparty in the Matterhorn Lounge also included a cigar bar by Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar.
“Thank you to all of the sponsors, guests, and supporters who helped make this another successful event,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director. “Our board of directors is excited to offer a grant of this size, as the first step in being a catalyst for change through the event’s proceeds,” continued Couser.
View all photos on CFFC’s Facebook!
Gala of Giving 2023 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Fairchance Construction Company
Platinum Sponsors: First National Bank; Gabriel Family; Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing; Sprowls Insurance Group; Wells Fargo Advisors.
Gold Sponsors: The Braun Family; COE Distributing; The Ewing Family; Fayette Pipe Company; Ford Office Technologies; Gismondi Family Foundation; Joyce’s Jewelry; Mike Kelly Toyota; MountainCreek Properties; Neubauer’s Flowers & Market House; Pine Hollow Mechanical, Inc.; Stoney’s Brewing Company; Mr. & Mrs. Joshua & Maria Swimmer; WVU Health Sciences.
Silver Sponsors: Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania; Direct Results; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fiano, Jr.; First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County; Liberty Steel; Montgomery Medical; Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC – Uniontown Office; PNC Bank; SagePoint Financial; Somerset Trust Bank; United Bank; Gnagey Propane; Koval Building Supply.
Bronze Sponsors: Higinbotham Law Offices; Mid Penn Bank; Nickman’s Drug; Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Point Marion Veterinary Care; Radcliffe Law, LLC; Shallenberger Construction; Zodiac Management Services, Inc.
Patron Sponsors: Todd & Beth Casteel; Charlie & Renee Couser; Wealth Enhancement Group – Devan White.
Hospitality Sponsors: Stahls’; Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc.; Demco Excavating; EQT; Ford of Uniontown; Jonathan P. Krizner, DDS; Stix – DiMarco’s Cigar Bar; Universal Steel.
Donate to the Gala of Giving Fund
You can donate to the Gala of Giving Fund, at any time, with a check made payable to CFFC or through our online Pay Pal donation portal.
Contact our office at 724-437-8600 x1 if you have any questions.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Apr 30, 2023 | CFFC News
Guests at the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) Gala of Giving – Catalyst for Change were the first to hear a special announcement about a $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant.” Gathered in the Exhibit Hall at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on April 29, CFFC announced this as the first grant that will be made from Gala of Giving proceeds. Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for the $50,000 “Catalyst for Change Grant” are being accepted, starting May 1, through the foundation’s online grant system. The LOI deadline will be June 15, 2023.
The event’s mission is to strengthen Fayette County through financial support of initiatives and projects that will aim to improve our community. Fairchance Construction Company was the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Gala of Giving. “We know that Fayette County has a lot of potential to grow and strengthen, and there are a lot of ways to spark that change. CFFC’s board of directors is excited to see what projects are proposed from organizations who are doing the work in the community,” said Angela Braun, CFFC Board Chair.
CFFC is looking for a collaborative effort with two or more nonprofits on a project that will make a significant impact in Fayette County. Both organizations must be located in, or provide a significant benefit to Fayette County. One “Catalyst for Change Grant” in the amount of $50,000 will be awarded.
Once you create an application through CFFC’s online grant system, the applicant can invite the partnering organization(s) to “collaborate” on the submission.
The LOIs will be reviewed by CFFC’s Grantmaking Committee, and organizations will be notified if they are invited to submit a formal application. Organizations that are selected to submit an application will present their proposals to the CFFC Board of Directors for the final selection.