by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 26, 2024 | CFFC News
Join us in building a stronger Fayette! We are asking for your help to support the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment that is used for general grantmaking to support the Fayette County community. Your donation will strengthen the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s grantmaking to local nonprofits that make a positive impact for the county.
Grants are awarded to local nonprofits to support arts and culture; education; community and economic development; health and human services; nonprofit capacity building; and other areas of interest.
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund endowment will help address the ever-changing needs of the community for today, tomorrow, and forever. Will you help?
Your gift to the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund will be a special way to celebrate the foundation’s 25th anniversary, by strengthening our charitable impact for the next 25 years and beyond!
To donate online, please click here or use the “Donate Now” button at www.cffayettepa.org. To donate by check, please make your check payable to “CFFC” and write BASF Fund on the memo line. Thank you!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 25, 2024 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has awarded a total of $39,932 in grants to local school districts this fall. The foundation is able to support education in a variety of ways, including grants from donor advised funds and grants through CFFC’s participation in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) program for educational improvement.
Three donor advised funds, held at CFFC, awarded a total of $25,934 for classroom projects and materials at Laurel Highlands School District and Uniontown Area School District. The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, the Idea Fund, and the Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund accepted grant applications from August to October, and twelve (12) requests were funded.
Randy Miller, LHSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Dr. Jesse Wallace, LHSD Superintendent
The Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund is supporting LEGO® education kits, whiteboard tables, lab tables, enrichment and remediation materials, a classroom library, library Zeitgeist collection, flexible seating and literacy material, and a student publishing center.
The Idea Fund is supporting business classes with an Apple TV and Mac Mini Pro for stock market learning and a pinewood derby project for STEM learning.
The Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund is supporting tools for science class and models and equipment for anatomy and physiology class.
“Donor advised funds have flexibility to award grants for different organizations and causes throughout the year, and we value these donors’ trust in CFFC to help with their charitable giving,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Dr. Kelly Swartz, UASD Assistant to the Superintendent; Renee Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Sally Matthews, UASD Business Manager
Through the DCED, CFFC is approved as an Educational Improvement Organization and provides funding to local school districts for innovative educational programs. Thanks to businesses that donate to this program, a total of $13,998 was granted this fall to six (6) Fayette County school districts.
With the funds, Penn State Extension 4-H will provide programming for a STEM and Computer Science Initiative at Albert Gallatin Area School District, Brownsville Area School District, Frazier School District, Uniontown Area School District, and Laurel Highlands School District. At Connellsville Area School District, funds will provide programming for a STEM Science program at the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center.
To learn more about how you can support local education through charitable giving, call the foundation office at 724-437-8600.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Nov 15, 2024 | CFFC News
Today is CFFC’s 25th anniversary!
Established November 15, 1999
As the Community Foundation of Fayette County celebrates its 25th anniversary, we credit the collective effort of many generous and passionate people. The foundation was established in 1999 by community members who wanted to make a positive impact, and our philanthropy continues to grow with the support of individuals and businesses.
The foundation has grown since 1999 and now holds nearly 200 charitable funds and over $24 million in assets. Each year, a percentage of these charitable assets is used to support nonprofits and local students. Over the past 25 years, the Community Foundation of Fayette County has granted over $15 million to the community.
The foundation’s board of directors and staff are committed to our mission, and the recent strategic plan will help serve as a road map for continued impact and growth.
Make a 25th Anniversary Donation
Here’s even more reason to celebrate… November 15 is National Philanthropy Day, which falls within Community Foundation Week (November 12 – 18)!
Watch our Timeline Video
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.
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.