by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 8, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County awarded nearly $20,000 in fall grants to local school districts for classroom projects and materials. The grants were provided by donor advised funds held at foundation, through which generous individuals recommend distributions to organizations.
Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $7,679.99
Laurel Highlands School District: $6,634.81
Idea Fund
Albert Gallatin Area School District: $2,263.00
Connellsville Area School District: $2,269.00
Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund
Uniontown Area School District: $750.00
Stay tuned for details about the projects and impact of the classroom materials!
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 | May 11, 2023 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded $23,484 to nine local nonprofits for the spring 2023 grant cycle. CFFC hosted a grants presentation on May 9 to recognize the awarded organizations and provide an opportunity for them to speak about their work.
Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, spoke about a shift in CFFC’s grantmaking. “This grant cycle, the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund was used to support capacity building for nonprofits. Oftentimes, donations and grants are earmarked for a specific purpose or program – they’re restricted. We wanted to provide funding for other costs, like staff training and office equipment, which are crucial to an organization’s ability to provide their services to the community. CFFC is aiming to support long-term sustainability,” explained Couser.
CFFC received a total of forty-one grant applications, with twenty-six of the requests for capacity building. The foundation has been making a focused effort to grow the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, to increase the available funding for unrestricted grantmaking.
EQT Foundation has supported the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund with $30,000 since the fund’s creation. “It’s important for us to give back to the communities where EQT operates,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President. “We trust the experience of the community foundation to direct funding in an impactful way, and we’re proud of our partnership in supporting Fayette County,” said Rossi.
In addition to five grant awards from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, four grants were made from field of interest funds, which focus on a specific category of community need.
Watch the slideshow!
Building a Stronger Fayette Fund: supporting capacity building – an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit. These awards are made with the combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; and Thompson Fund.
- Domestic Violence Services of SWPA – Education for Board of Directors and New CEO
- East End United Community Center – EEUCC Board Development
- Main Street Theatre Company – Website Development
- Mary House Inc. – Life Builder’s Project
- Mon Valley Academy for the Arts – Peter J. Daley Cultural Center Project
Burchinal Family Endowment Fund: supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- Fayette Emergency Medical Service – Nitonox Units
Community Beautification Fund: supports landscape improvements (including but not limited to planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers) for community beautification projects.
- German-Masontown Public Library – StoryWalk® Adventure
Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund: supports projects and programs in the areas of community gardens and/or science/environmental education.
- Fayette County Community Action Agency – Community Garden at RFEC Project
Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund: supports organizations that provide transportation for Fayette County senior citizens.
- Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. – Transportation – Meals for the Elderly
You can join CFFC in building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy! Browse our website to learn more about our work in the community, and use the “Donate Now” button to contribute to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.