by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Mar 3, 2026 | CFFC News
Women across Fayette County are invited to take part in the Fayette County Spring Opportunity Fair on March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC), 250 West Main Street, Uniontown.
Hosted in partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh, EmployHER Pittsburgh, and CFFC, the free event is designed to remove barriers, build confidence, and connect women with the tools they need to advance in their careers.
The fair will feature local employers actively hiring, along with nonprofit organizations offering resources tailored to women’s personal and professional growth. Attendees will also receive:
- Wardrobe and makeup support to help them look and feel their best
- A complimentary professional headshot
- Employment readiness guidance, including résumé and interview support
- Free lunch during the event
“We’re excited to host this empowering event and bring together a variety of resources for local women,” said Jessica Hajek-Bates, CFFC Chief Executive Officer. “Women may register in advance, and walk-ins are welcome.”
Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s EmployHER Pittsburgh initiative works to ensure women have access to the support, opportunities, and community they need to define success on their own terms. Pop-up opportunity fairs like this one help eliminate common obstacles—such as limited childcare or transportation—by bringing multiple resources together in one accessible location.
Women interested in registering along with local employers and nonprofits interested in participating are encouraged to contact elizabeth@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org for details.
Attendees and partners are asked to park behind the CFFC building and use the rear entrance.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Oct 1, 2025 | Building a Stronger Fayette
Photo from the board training courtesy of Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County.
From 2023 to 2024, the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County reported a 149% increase in clients. To meet the needs of the community, the nonprofit is prioritizing its growth and sustainability to ensure that their services can help as many residents as possible.
Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County (CVC) offers a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, and advocacy services for victims of violent crimes. They also provide educational and training classes for children and adults across the county at low to no cost.
“Due to our funding structure, we have strict guidelines and standards that we must follow,” said Andrea Hibbs, CVC Executive Director. For example, government grants cannot be used for fundraising efforts, but the nonprofit identified that as an important area for growth. To spearhead these efforts, they hosted two training sessions for board members and the executive director. The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) supported the trainings with a 2024 grant from the Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
CVC partnered with consulting company Nonprofit SideKick to take a closer look at the board of directors’ responsibilities, identify the type of board they are, and assess strengths and opportunities for growth. “CFFC’s funding provided us with an opportunity to gain important knowledge to increase awareness, sustain board members, and attain financial growth. This is vital in keeping with our mission to provide services to victims of crime in a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment,” said Hibbs.
Andrea Hibbs and Renee Couser with Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County’s first grant from the Strawberry Patch Fund in 2021.
Beyond competitive grant awards, CVC has taken advantage of other opportunities to bolster their mission. They have raised over $17,000 through Fayette Gives. Each of the five years that CVC has participated, they have increased their fundraising and worked to raise awareness of their services in the community.
CVC also receives an annual distribution from the Strawberry Patch Fund, a donor designated fund at CFFC that was created through an estate gift to support specific organizations. Over $21,000 has been granted to CVC from the fund. They have the discretion to use these funds to address the organization’s most pressing needs and invest in resources that will benefit the residents they serve.
Charitable giving can help bridge the funding gap for impactful services like the ones that Crime Victims’ Center offers. Residents who experience a violent crime have somewhere to turn, with the support of CVC. This year marks the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary, and we applaud their efforts in building a stronger Fayette County.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Aug 5, 2024 | CFFC News
View CFFC’s mid-year letter below. Make sure to click to the second page to see the back of our flyer!
2024 Mid Year Flyer
The Community Foundation of Fayette County’s (CFFC) 25 years of philanthropy would not be possible without the generosity and support of donors. Thanks to many individuals and businesses over the years, CFFC stewards nearly 200 charitable funds and has grown to over $24 million in assets. Each year, a percentage of these charitable assets is used to support nonprofits and local students, in an effort to build a stronger Fayette County.
Throughout the past 25 years, CFFC has granted over $15 million to the community.
This spring, over $22,000 in grants were awarded to nine local nonprofits. Grants supported a pregnancy medical center, a garden that will be used for educational sessions and a culinary program, transportation for meal deliveries to senior citizens, and plants for a park. The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund awarded “capacity building” grants to strengthen nonprofits’ sustainability and their efficiency in serving the community. This included funding for equipment, board training, and technology updates.
Will you help us build a stronger Fayette?
Please join us, by making an anniversary gift to our Building a Stronger Fayette Fund.
This endowment awards grants to local nonprofits each year, addressing a variety of community needs. Your donation will benefit Fayette County today, tomorrow, and forever.
Donate Now! Make checks payable to CFFC with “BASF Fund” on the memo line. For other giving options i.e. stocks, donor advised funds, IRAs, and RMDs please call CFFC.
In honor of our 25th anniversary…
Please consider making a gift of: $25 $250 $2,500 $25,000
The third annual Gala of Giving ~ Catalyst for Change black-tie event was held on April 13, with over 300 guests attending at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Proceeds will provide funding for projects that spark change and growth in Fayette County.
The first $50,000 Catalyst for Change Grant was awarded to Main Street Theatre Company, State Theatre Center for the Arts, and Fayette County Cultural Trust last fall. Their program “Encore! A Showcase of Local Talent” on May 9 was the first of its kind in Fayette County.
CFFC has created a Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 with goals and actions for our growth!
The foundation is awarding over $200,000 in post-secondary scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. Thanks to scholarship fund donors, we are able to support local students. This, in turn, supports the future of Fayette County and helps to strengthen our local workforce.
CFFC received re-accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.
Save the date for Fayette Gives on November 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at www.fayettegives.org. The community has raised over $2 million in the first four years of this 12-hour fundraising marathon. Join us again for this community-wide “day of giving” and celebrate the power of giving back.
by Community Foundation of Fayette County | Jun 30, 2023 | CFFC News, Uncategorized
Happy Summer! The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) is building a stronger Fayette through philanthropy, and we appreciate the support of generous donors who make our mission possible. The Community Foundation of Fayette County helps define charitable needs, connects donors with causes that matter to them, supports nonprofit organizations, and invests charitable assets to make the community a better place to live.
Here are a few ways that YOU can support the foundation. If you have any questions, or would like to learn about other charitable giving options, please contact Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, at 724-437-8600 x1 or rcouser@cffayettepa.org.
Fayette Gives 2023 Sponsorship
This year’s Fayette Gives will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at www.fayettegives.org. CFFC hosts this “day of giving” to engage the community in philanthropy and support local charities that make an impact in Fayette County. Your sponsorship will help us provide this special fundraising opportunity to the community, in an effort to build a stronger Fayette. Download the 2023 sponsorship form here!
Buliding a Stronger Fayette Fund
The Building a Stronger Fayette Fund is our unrestircted grantmaking endowment. We award grants from this fund to local nonprofits for varoius projects and programs that will support Fayette County and its residents. Your donation will support our grantmaking, to address the ever-changing needs of the community in perpetuity.
Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund
The foundation created the Educate Fayette Scholarship Fund to award scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Donors will be recognized as Silver ($100 – $4,999), Gold ($5,000 – $14,999), and Platinum ($15,000 +) Sponsors. To strengthen the fund in its first year, a generous donor is matching donations. A dollar-for-dollar match will be provided, up to a maximum of $25,000, for contributions to the fund through the end of 2023.
Legacy Gift to CFFC
Including a charitable bequest in your will or estate plan allows you to make a gift to the Community Foundation of Fayette County that will forever leave your mark on the community. Your bequest can be used to establish a special fund that supports broad community needs or focuses on a particular issue or cause that matters to you. Please reach out to Renee M. Couser, CFFC Executive Director, to learn more (724-437-8600 x1).
How to Donate
Our “Donate Now” button at the top of this website now gives you access to our new donation portal! This donation portal is connected to our in-house software, to simplify the donation process and help you select which fund to support. Donors will receive an email with their tax receipt attached after they make an online gift. If you prefer to give by check, please make it payable to CFFC with the name of the fund on the memo line, and mail to CFFC 5 South Mt. Vernon Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401. Please contact the office at 724-437-8600 if you have any questions, and thank you for supporting CFFC.
Donation Portal QR Code
