by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 12, 2025 | CFFC News
The sixth annual Fayette Gives, held on November 6, 2025, raised $531,613 for 108 local charities. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), the goal of Fayette Gives is to engage the community in philanthropy and support local charities. The fundraising marathon highlights the work of Fayette County charities and provides a one-stop-shop for charitable giving.
During the 12-hour “day of giving” on November 6, the Fayette Gives website accepted online donations, displayed live results and leaderboards, and hosted hourly cash prize opportunities for charities. Check donations were also accepted ahead of Fayette Gives day, starting in September, and donations received after November 6 have been added to the total. This year, 892 donors contributed through the campaign.
A celebration event was held on December 4 at the foundation office. In attendance were representatives from participating charities, sponsors, and local elected officials.
“The foundation is grateful to everyone who generously donated,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer. “We know the charities will put their fundraising dollars to good use, helping to address community needs across Fayette County.”
Fundraising dollars must be used to benefit Fayette County but are otherwise unrestricted for charities’ use.
Fayette Gives has raised a grand total of $3.1 million in six years. “It’s amazing to see the impact of collective charitable giving – that’s what the foundation is all about,” said Hajek-Bates.
$50,000 in cash prizes were distributed, thanks to sponsors. 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.
Visit www.fayettegives.org to learn more and view results.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 9, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County is growing, and we are recruiting a caring, relationship-driven leader to become our first Director of Development.
At the foundation, we believe in the power of community. This role is about more than fundraising — it is about building trust, nurturing partnerships, and helping the Fayette County community come together to nurture positive impact.
Our Director of Development will:
- Connect with donors and partners who care deeply about Fayette County
- Celebrate generosity and inspire others to give back
- Help shape a stronger future for Fayette County residents and nonprofits
If you are passionate about people and believe in the strength of community, we welcome your application.
Please see more details in the job posting here.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 19, 2025 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 13, 2025 in partnership with the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. This commemorated the foundation’s purchase and relocation to 250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401.
Casey Leonard, Michael George, CJ Callahan, Ron Gabriel, David Hughes, Renee Couser, Jessica Hajek-Bates, Jim Higinbotham, Larry Kiefer, Terry Burden, Josh Ellsworth, Ed Balling
This strategic move, funded through the foundation’s operating reserve, marks a significant milestone in CFFC’s evolution. Until now, CFFC has operated out of leased spaces, most recently at 5 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in Uniontown. The new facility offers a substantial increase in square footage, allowing for expanded staffing and more opportunities to host events and presentations on-site. The first floor features a large conference room area with mobile desks and chairs, a kitchen, multiple restrooms, three offices, and two additional work stations. The lower level has a large office and storage rooms. The foundation requests that you park in the lot at the rear of the building and enter through the back door when visiting the office.
The large conference room enables CFFC to host events and convenings on-site.
Before the ribbon cutting, guests gathered at the front of the building for special remarks.
Muriel Nuttall, Fayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, welcomed everyone and highlighted that this milestone sparks a renewed energy and increased visibility to the foundation’s work as they continue in their mission. Local elected officials also shared remarks about the foundation’s philanthropic work and the excitement of seeing the organization grow. Remarks were shared by Senator Pat Stefano, Debbie Hoone from the office of Representative Charity Grimm Krupa, County Commissioner Scott Dunn, County Commissioner Vince Vicites, and County Commissioner Dutch Kaufman.
Debbie Hoone, Senator Pat Stefano, Commissioner Dutch Kaufman, Ron Gabriel, Renee Couser, Jessica Hajek-Bates, Commissioner Vince Vicites, Commissioner Scott Dunn
Renee Couser, CFFC retiring Executive Director, shared that the 250 West Main Street purchase and relocation helps to achieve the three goals of the foundation’s strategic plan: growth and impact; awareness and engagement; organization and operations. “This facility gives the foundation the infrastructure to grow, the visibility to engage our community more effectively, and the operational foundation it needs to succeed,” said Couser.
Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer, said, “This ribbon cutting is not just about a building; it’s about opening doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and a stronger Fayette County.” She recognized the efforts of the foundation board members and staff to make this milestone possible, and she thanked Fairchance Construction Company for their support throughout the building’s renovation.
Ron Gabriel, Chair of the CFFC Board of Directors, also shared gratitude to the late Robert and Elouise Eberly, whose investment in the foundation decades ago made the purchase and renovation of the building possible. He credited Renee Couser for encouraging the vision of the foundation having its own home in this building. Gabriel underscored the importance of this new location being a home for not just the foundation board and staff, but also the community, with new opportunities for growth, impact, and inclusion with on-site events and programs.
Board members in attendance joined Couser and Hajek-Bates for the ribbon cutting, followed by refreshments and mingling throughout the new office.
Customized hats were created at the Stahls hat bar to showcase CFFC’s new logo
Stahls’ provided a “hat bar” with a selection of baseball hats, CFFC logo patches, and additional fun patches that guests picked and saw come to life as their customized hat was heat pressed and presented to them. With CFFC’s recent launch of a new logo, this special experience helped kick off CFFC’s new branding efforts to increase visibility of the foundation throughout Fayette County.
The foundation’s mission is to build a stronger Fayette County by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact. “To scale that impact and meet our goals, we need space to grow and a strong identity that reflects our mission, vision, and values,” said Gabriel.
To learn more about the foundation’s philanthropy and how you can get involved, call our office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 1, 2025 | CFFC News
New Location, New Logo, Same Mission
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is entering a new chapter of growth with the purchase of its first-ever owned headquarters at 250 West Main Street in Uniontown. This strategic move, funded through the foundation’s operating reserve, marks a significant milestone in CFFC’s evolution. It is a reflection of growth, momentum, and continued commitment to serve the county. The relocation is planned for October 23, accompanied by the launch of a refreshed CFFC logo.
David Hughes, a long-serving member of the CFFC Board of Directors, has seen the foundation’s growth over the years. “Last year, we celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary and developed a Strategic Plan to guide our future growth and impact. Expanding our office space is a key part of that vision—and it’s also a chance to modernize our look as we continue to raise awareness about the work we do,” said Hughes.
The Strategic Plan outlines three focus areas: Growth and Impact; Awareness and Engagement; Organizations and Operations.
Until now, CFFC has operated out of leased spaces, most recently at 5 South Mt. Vernon Avenue in Uniontown. The new facility offers a substantial increase in square footage, allowing for expanded staffing and more opportunities to host events and presentations on-site.
Michael George, Renee Couser, Ron Gabriel, and Ed Balling with the 250 West Main Street agreement of sale.
The foundation’s mission is to build a stronger Fayette County by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact. “To scale that impact and meet our goals, we need space to grow and a strong identity that reflects our mission, vision, and values,” said Ronald Gabriel, Chair of the CFFC Board of Directors.
Jessica Hajek-Bates, Chief Executive Officer of CFFC, added, “We’re excited to open the doors to the community! This new space gives us room to grow, connect, and work together with the vision of a thriving Fayette County.”
To celebrate the new office location, CFFC is partnering with the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 13 at 1:00 p.m.