by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Feb 2, 2026 | CFFC News
Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) invites nonprofits to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for up to $100,000 in funding for a Fayette County project. Interested nonprofits must attend a mandatory 1-hour forum to understand the possibilities of the Catalyst for Change Grant.
This grant opportunity is provided through Gala of Giving event proceeds. The annual event raises money to invest in projects that will spark change and growth in Fayette County. So far, the foundation has awarded $175,000 in Catalyst for Change Grants.
“Our board of directors is driven by a shared belief in what’s possible when a community invests in bold ideas,” said Ron Gabriel, CFFC Board Chair. “The Catalyst for Change Grants are designed to spark that momentum, and we invite nonprofits to explore the updated criteria and bring forward visionary projects that can truly move our county forward.”
The foundation is looking for significant impact that will spark meaningful and measurable change, but the project is not required to reach across the entire county or involve collaboration. CFFC is especially inspired by projects that ignite economic opportunities and build lasting, sustainable solutions to community needs. Applicants are challenged to consider including matching funds for all or a portion of the amount requested.
Interested nonprofits must attend a 1-hour in-person forum at CFFC’s office (250 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401) on one of the following dates: February 12 at 9:00 a.m.; February 18 at 3:00 p.m.; February 20 at 12:00 p.m. (No registration needed.) Nonprofits will submit an LOI through CFFC’s online grant portal by the deadline of March 15 at 5:00 p.m. The grant is designed for up to a one-year timeline, starting with the award in July. Nonprofits can submit for an existing project or a new project. More details about the selection process are listed on the “Nonprofits” page at www.cffayettepa.org.
“We encourage nonprofits to think beyond a one-time impact or a single project – we want them to dream boldly about Fayette County’s future and how their project will address community needs,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer.
Interested nonprofits can begin their LOI submission now. However, upon review of the submitted LOIs, only projects that attended one of the mandatory forums will be considered.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 15, 2026 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is accepting funding requests for five grant opportunities this spring. Interested nonprofits must apply through CFFC’s online grant portal by March 1 at 5:00 p.m.
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund is the foundation’s unrestricted grantmaking endowment, which is accepting grant requests up to $5,000 for projects or capacity building. These awards are made with combined funding from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund; Fayette County Charities Endowment; Franklin K. and Jean Smith Family Fund; GIVE Fayette County campaign; Levi Komarinski Memorial Fund; Thompson Fund.
The spring grant cycle also includes four Field of Interest Funds, which have a specific area of focus:
- The Burchinal Family Endowment Fund supports charities that provide health and medical care for Fayette County residents.
- The Mary and John J. Depcrymski Memorial Fund supports transportation expenses for Fayette County seniors.
- The Community Beautification Fund supports landscape improvement in Fayette and Greene Counties.
- The Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund supports community gardens and science/environmental education.
“Last year, our spring grant cycle awarded $36,000 for computer equipment, employment readiness services, senior center programming, food distribution, flowers for an Honor Roll, and more,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to another year of charitable giving that addresses the needs of our community.”
For more details about these grant opportunities and criteria, visit the Nonprofits page at www.cffayettepa.org.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 8, 2026 | CFFC News
The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) awarded a total of $79,018 this past fall to support education in Fayette County, and projects are now in motion at each of the six school districts. This funding includes grants from three donor advised funds and two programs through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Nine grants totaling $25,828 were awarded from the Arthur and Millicent Gabriel Legacy Fund, the Patricia and Robert Metz Educational Fund, and the Idea Fund. As donor advised funds, the creators of these funds have ongoing involvement with their charitable giving through the foundation.
Laurel Highlands School District was awarded five grants for math class whiteboard tables, LEGO® Spike Prime kits, display screen and printer for a classroom Entrepreneurial Hub, books for a media center, and occupational therapy supplies. Uniontown Area School District was awarded a grant for a chemistry fire kit and thermal imaging camera, and two grants for different calculator models to be used at the high school. Frazier School District was awarded one grant for physics lab equipment.
In addition to supporting education through competitive grant opportunities, CFFC is approved as an Educational Improvement Organization through the DCED and provides funding for innovative educational programs. Each of the six Fayette County school districts received a $3,000 grant, thanks to the generous businesses who contribute to the program. 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, Laurel Highlands School District, and Uniontown Area School District. At Connellsville Area School District, funds will provide programming for a STEM Science program at the Connellsville Area Career and Technical Center.
Through DCED programming, CFFC also supports local families with tuition assistance for Fayette County students attending Pre-K and K-12 private schooling. The foundation awarded $9,000 in Pre-K tuition assistance and $26,190 in K-12 tuition assistance. Participating schools include A.G. Montessori School, Calvary Chapel Christian School, Calvary United Methodist Church Preschool, Conn Area Catholic School, Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy, Geibel Catholic Junior Senior High School, Grace Academy Christian School, Mt. Carmel Christian School, Mount Moriah Christian School, St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, and Verna Montessori School.
The foundation’s innovative educational program grants and private school tuition assistance awards are possible through the donations from COE Distributing, Laurel Business Institute, Mid Penn Bank, PNC Bank – Pittsburgh Market, Somerset Trust Company, and United Concordia Insurance Company. More details about these programs can be found at www.cffayettepa.org.
“These funding opportunities show the variety of ways that people can support a cause and children in Fayette County through charitable giving,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, Chief Executive Officer. “The foundation is honored to allocate this $79,000 in grants to local schools to help students and classrooms thrive.”
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jan 2, 2026 | CFFC News
We invite you to the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort! This fabulous event raises money for bigger and bolder funding projects in Fayette County. So far, the foundation has awarded $175,000 in Catalyst for Change Grants to invest in county-wide, collaborative projects that address a variety of community needs. These grant awards are possible through the generous support of our sponsors, attendees, and partners. Your continued support will help spark more positive change and growth!
Join in support through one of the many sponsorship opportunities.
Browse the event website to learn more.
Please direct questions to Trish Desvarro, Event Manager, at desvarro@gmail.com or 724-557-0820.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Dec 22, 2025 | CFFC News
Year-end giving is a powerful way to wrap up the year, and the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is here to help.
There are many ways to give back, and our staff will take time to learn about your charitable interests and discuss options for how you can make a meaningful impact in the community, supporting the causes you hold close to your heart.
We encourage you to give back during this time of holiday cheer, gift giving, and celebrations as a special way to support our neighbors in need.
Call our office at 724-437-8600 to wrap up 2025 with a bow of charitable giving!
Ways to Donate: Check; Online Credit/Debit Card; Legacy Gift (Join the PA Giving Pledge!); Charitable IRA; Stock Transfer. To learn more, call our office at 724-437-8600.
Click here to donate to CFFC’s Building a Stronger Fayette Fund. This endowment awards grants to Fayette County nonprofits, addressing a variety of community needs — now and into the future. Your contribution will help to build a stronger Fayette County.