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 | Feb 3, 2025 | CFFC News
Post-secondary students are encouraged to apply for scholarships at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). The foundation is accepting online applications for forty-eight (48) scholarship opportunities to support local individuals pursuing post-secondary education. The 2025-2026 applications are now available through CFFC’s online scholarship system, which is linked on the Scholarships page at www.cffayettepa.org. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2025.
Students will complete a “universal” application to determine their eligibility for the scholarship opportunities. A list of matching scholarships will display; each will have additional questions and must be submitted individually.
Scholarship criteria vary for academic achievement, community service, financial need, extracurricular participation, area of study, and school preference. CFFC offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors, current post-secondary students, and adults wishing to continue their education.
“Scholarship funds are one of the many ways that the foundation supports the county through charitable giving. Many of the donors who created these funds are honoring a loved one, supporting an area of study that they are passionate about, or using this as an opportunity to give back to the community,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
Last year, the foundation awarded over $207,000 in post-secondary scholarships to ninety-one (91) students. “Your investment in my education inspires me to work harder and to give back to the community in the future,” said Connor Kalich, a 2024-2025 scholarship recipient. Jaylee Moorhead also received a scholarship last year and said, “This scholarship alleviates a lot of my financial burdens and also motivates me on my academic journey.”
For assistance, please contact Celena Valentine, Accountant/Scholarship Coordinator, at 724-437-8600 x2.
Apply for scholarships here!
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 27, 2025 | CFFC News
EQT has created a GIVE campaign in partnership with the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) and EQT leaseholders. The GIVE Fayette County campaign fosters the act of philanthropy and lasting impacts for Fayette County communities.
The intent of GIVE Fayette County is to connect EQT landowners with CFFC and maximize the foundation’s grantmaking. The EQT Foundation will contribute $25,000 annually to the GIVE Fayette County campaign, as well as match landowner contributions to the campaign up to $10,000 per lease agreement for the first year of participation. For donations to qualify, they must be more than $100 in aggregate.
“The EQT Foundation is dedicated to supporting communities touched by EQT’s business, and we’re happy to partner with CFFC and landowners to give back in Fayette County,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President.
To participate in the GIVE Fayette County campaign, landowners must complete an enrollment form at www.eqt.com/community/give-campaign/.
Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation President; Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director; Kaitlyn Magyar, EQT Corporation Community Investment Coordinator
EQT landowners can make a flat donation directly to the GIVE Fayette County campaign or allow EQT to withhold a certain amount or percentage of their monthly royalties to be donated on their behalf to the campaign.
CFFC will use all GIVE Fayette County campaign donations for grantmaking to Fayette County nonprofits, helping to address the ever-changing needs of the community. The contributions will support the foundation’s Building a Stronger Fayette Fund, an endowment for general grantmaking.
“Through the GIVE campaign, landowners’ contributions and EQT Foundation’s match will help make an impact in Fayette County for today, tomorrow, and forever,” explained Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 16, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc. – Sister Edie Strong (Financial Advisor), Malory Spring MSW (Director), Robin Kemp (Administrative Assistant) and Sister Annette Frey (Community Builder)
“The extra grants we have received in the last two years have made such a difference to our staff and to the women we serve. To have up-to-date equipment these days is such a necessity and can make us so much more productive!” said Sr. Annette Frey.
Sr. Annette Frey is referring to capacity building grants that the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded to Mary House, Inc. from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. Mary House, Inc. purchased a variety of computer equipment with the grants.
Photo courtesy of Mary House, Inc.
Mary House, Inc. provides a transitional residence for women who are homeless, have limited needs, or may struggle with mental health or substance use. The nonprofit was started with the collaboration of Roy Sarver, from Saint Vincent de Paul, and Father Bill Kiel and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Now, eight years after the initial opening of Mary House, the staff has grown and continues to provide a safe and secure environment to help the women through recovery and towards independence.
The foundation’s 2023 grant lined up well with the hiring of their administrative assistant, providing a computer for her, and the 2024 change in leadership from Sr. Annette to Malory Spring as the director.
“Computer equipment and systems are a ‘must’ for the day-to-day operations of an organization, so the foundation was happy to award these grants to strengthen Mary House’s capacity to do the good work that they do,” said Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director.
The equipment is also used by the residents. “Our residents are very happy with their ability to use an up-to-date computer for all the forms they must fill out as well as attend AA/NA meetings by zoom when unable to find a ride to their daily meeting,” explained Sr. Annette.
Aside from grant awards, Mary House, Inc. is involved with CFFC through their five-year participation in Fayette Gives. They have fundraised over $93,000 through the “day of giving”.
CFFC is happy to support nonprofits like Mary House, Inc. through various efforts, thanks to the generosity of everyone who joins in charitable giving.
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!