Nonprofit Lunch Seminar Scheduled for August 27th - 7/24/08
A lunchtime seminar for nonprofit board and staff members is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.at WCCC Greene County Education Center.
Mr. Ray Vargo, interim director of the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center will present a program on “Understanding the Financial Condition of Your Organization.”
The seminar is designed to help board and staff members of nonprofit organizations expand their knowledge and skills about nonprofit management issues. This program will specifically address topics such as: how to understand and interpret financial statements, cost behavior and classification, business growth and operating cycles, and how to identify warning signs of cash flow problems.
Registration for the event is $15 per person, which includes lunch. Participants may register by phone at 724-627-2010 or download a registration form at www.cfgcpa.org.
The Nonprofit Lunch Seminar is organized by the Community Foundation of Greene County and the Community Builders of Greene County Steering Committee. Conference sponsors also include WCCC-Greene County Education Center and Greene County Human Services Department.
For more information about the seminar or to download a registration form go to www.cfgcpa.org, or call the Community Foundation office at 724-627-2010.
Community Foundation Announces Discretionary Grant Availability - 7/2/08
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) recently announced that they are accepting grant applications as part of their discretionary grantmaking program.
CFGC seeks to fund organizations and ideas that will have a significant and lasting impact on Greene County, its residents, infrastructure and future. The Foundation expects to award one or two grants with awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
Grant priorities for the Discretionary grants include Arts, Culture & Humanities; Education; Environment & Animal Welfare; Health & Fitness; Human Services; Community/Economic Development, Community Involvement, and; Religious/Faith Based projects.
Specific guidelines and priorities for the discretionary grants may be downloaded from the Foundation website at http://www.cfgcpa.org/guidelines.html.
To apply for a grant, send a proposal describing the project and need for funds, and a project budget. The proposal narrative, not to exceed three pages, should include: a brief background about the organization and mission; a description of the proposed project, including project goals, objectives and outcomes; the need for the project and funds, how the grant award will be used, and how the project will be evaluated. A separate line-item budget that includes total project costs and proposed grant costs must be attached.
Other required attachments include: the Grantmakers of Western PA Common Grant Application Cover Sheet and Budget form, a copy of the organization’s IRS Letter of Determination, and a list of the organization’s Board of Directors, including addresses and affiliations. Applicants may attach other supporting documentation that describes the project and organization. Additional information may be requested.
Eligible applicants must be nonprofit, charitable (recognized under Section 501[c][3] of the Internal Revenue Code), tax-exempt organizations whose purposes and programs benefit Greene County residents.
Grant applications for the Discretionary Grants must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2008.
Information about the grant process and general grant guidelines is available on the Foundation’s website at www.cfgcpa.org. For additional information, contact the Foundation office at 724-627-2010, or e-mail cfgcpa@gmail.com.
Community Builders Classes to Begin September 15 - 6/30/08
Community Builders of Greene County announces its fifth annual series of community leadership classes beginning at 5:30 pm, Monday, September 15, 2008. Two separate programs are being offered, Nonprofit Leadership and Community Leadership. Candidates may apply for either program.
Nonprofit Leadership prepares individuals to lead local nonprofit groups, and provides an overview of the duties and skills needed to effectively manage them. The Community Leadership program focuses on community and economic development. Seminars and workshops cover strategies and methods to develop stronger and more prosperous communities and to equip municipal leaders, members of local boards and commissions, and other interested citizens with essential leadership skills.
Community Builders provides low-cost, quality training for present and future leaders of Greene County who want to improve their leadership skills. The sponsors invite current and potential directors, officers, and volunteers to attend. The course includes nine 3-hour sessions conducted between March and October. Classes are from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Waynesburg University Center for Research and Economic Development. The fee is to participate in the class is $150.
Local leaders and educators conduct all sessions. They possess both the experience and expertise to lead participants toward competence in nonprofit leadership and economic development. These professionals donate their time and expertise to make the program more relevant to the local area, and to keep the cost of attending as low as possible.
Primary sponsors and members of the Community Builders of Greene County steering committee include representatives of the Community Foundation of Greene County, Greene County Human Services Department, Waynesburg University, Community Action Southwest, Greene County Education Center/Westmoreland County Community College, Southwest Regional Medical Center and several individuals.
For more information about registering for either of the Community Builders programs, or becoming a Community Builders sponsor, call 724-627-2010; e-mail: cfgcpa@gmail.com; or clck on the Community Builders button on the Community Foundation of Greene County website at: www.cfgcpa.org.
Community Foundation Announces Grant Opportunity - 4/22/08
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) announces that it will accept proposals for a grant award from the Kathleen A. Hamilton Davis and William R. Davis Memorial Fund.
The CFGC seeks proposals for programs that provide support and assistance for the benefit of children and families of Greene County who are experiencing social or economic hardship. The maximum grant amount available is $2,000.
Eligible organizations must be nonprofit, charitable (recognized under Section 501[c][3] of the Internal Revenue Code), tax-exempt organizations whose purposes and programs benefit Greene County residents. Proposed projects must meet the Fund’s guidelines to benefit children and families of Greene County who are experiencing social or economic hardship.
To apply for a grant, applicants should use the Common Grant Application Guidelines, Cover Sheet and Format from the Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania. The project narrative should not exceed three typed pages. All grant applications must be postmarked by June 2, 2008.
Specific grant guidelines and application instructions are available on the CFGC website at www.cfgcpa.org.
The Kathleen A. Hamilton Davis and William R. Davis Memorial Fund was established through memorial gifts for Kathy and Bill Davis, local attorneys who died as the result of a car accident in May 2007. “Caring for families and children was a priority for Kathy and Bill,” commented Peggy Rock, chairwoman of the CFGC Board of Directors. “We hope that the grants from this fund will keep their memory alive by supporting programs that help families get back on their feet.”
For additional information, contact the Foundation office at 724-627-2010, or e-mail cfgcpa@gmail.com.
CFGC Receives EITC Scholarship Donation From National City Bank - 4/18/08
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) has received a $2,500 contribution from the National City Bank for CFGC's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) K-12 Scholarship Program.
"National City Bank has been a tremendous source of support for our EITC scholarship program since it began in 2005," remarked Margaret Rock, chairwoman of the CFGC board.
The K-12 Scholarship program provides scholarships to eligible students attending Pennsylvania private and parochial schools. Families may apply for a K-12 Scholarship, which is paid directly to the student's private or parochial school, to help offset tuition and fees for the child. To receive a scholarship, a Greene County student must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania private or parochial school. Family income must not exceed $50,000 with an additional $10,000 allowed for each dependent child. Essentially, a family with two children may earn up to $70,000 and still be eligible for the K-12 scholarship.
According to Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director, the Community Foundation of Greene County has been able to award more than $35,000 in scholarships for 61 students attending All Saints Regional School, Calvary Christian School and Open Door Christian School because of local business contributions through the EITC program.
Ryan Hartley, vice president and branch manager for National City in Greene County said that National City is proud to support the Community Foundation of Greene County with these scholarships for deserving students. “Our bank has been serving the financial needs of individuals, businesses and families in this area for more than a century and a half. We welcome this opportunity to return the support we have received from this region. We believe that taking care of our communities is not just the right thing to do, it is the best thing we do.”
The Greene County K-12 Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 when the Foundation was approved as a Scholarship Organization by The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's EITC program.
Under the EITC program, businesses receive Pennsylvania tax credits for their contributions – 90% tax credit if the business makes a two-year gift, or a 75% tax credit for a single year gift, up to a maximum of $200,000 in credits per taxable year, for the innovative Educational Improvement and K-12 scholarship programs.
For more information on the EITC program or how to apply for an EITC K-12 Scholarship call the Community Foundation at 724-627-2010, or email us at cfgcpa@gmail.com.
Ryan Hartley, vice president and branch manager for National City in Greene County presents a $2,500 check to Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Greene County to benefit the Greene County EITC K-12 scholarship program.
First National Bank of Pennsylvania Supports Greene County Students - 3/21/08
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) has received a $1,995 contribution from the First National Bank of Pennsylvania to support the Foundation’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) funds. The contribution is earmarked to support the K-12 Scholarship program for Greene County children attending private and parochial schools.
“We are proud to work with First National Bank to support private school students in Greene County. Education is the core of building a new generation of community leaders,” remarked Margaret Rock, chairwoman of the CFGC Board.
The K-12 Scholarship program provides scholarships to eligible students attending Pennsylvania private and parochial schools. Families may apply for a K-12 Scholarship, which is paid directly to the student’s private or parochial school, to help offset tuition and fees for the child. To receive a scholarship, a Greene County student must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania private or parochial school. Family income must not exceed $50,000 with an additional $10,000 allowed for each dependent child. Essentially, a family with two children may earn up to $70,000 and still be eligible for the K-12 scholarship.
According to Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director, the Community Foundation of Greene County has been able to award more than $35,000 in scholarships for students at three local private schools during this school year. “Because of the support from local businesses like First National Bank,” said Stammerjohn. “We’ve been able to help more than 60 Greene County students with EITC K-12 scholarships at All Saints Regional School, Calvary Christian School and Open Door Christian School.”
“We are committed to supporting the communities we serve,” said Vincent Delie, President and CEO of First National Bank’s Pittsburgh Region. “Our support of local education is also out contribution to the overall success of our region.”
First National Bank of Pennsylvania, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), operates over 150 full-service banking offices in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and loan production offices in Florida and Tennessee.
The Greene County K-12 Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 when the Foundation was approved as a Scholarship Organization by The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s EITC program.
As part of the EITC program, businesses receive Pennsylvania tax credits for their contributions – 90% tax credit if the business makes a two-year gift, or a 75% tax credit for a single year gift, up to a maximum of $200,000 in credits per taxable year, for the innovative Educational Improvement and K-12 scholarship programs.
For more information on the EITC program or how to apply for an EITC K-12 Scholarship call the Community Foundation at 724-627-2010, or email us at cfgcpa@gmail.com.
Scholarships For High School Seniors Available Through the Community Foundation of Greene County - 3/15/08
The Community Foundation of Greene County announces several scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors in the Southeastern Greene, Jefferson-Morgan, Carmichaels, and West Greene School Districts.
The William H. Davis, Jr. Scholarship Fund will provide two $500 scholarships for a graduating senior from Southeastern Greene School District to attend the Westmoreland County Community College. Eligible students must have made application to and been accepted at Westmoreland County Community College as a full-time student for the fall semester and applied for financial aid.
The Dove Award will provide one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating female student from Jefferson Morgan High School. Eligible students must be planning to pursue a Bachelor Degree, Associates Degree, or a diploma from a trade school; have a minimum 2.75 academic GPA, and have a level of financial need.
The R.A. Matteucci Family Scholarship Fund will award two $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors in the Jefferson-Morgan High School. Eligible students must be planning to pursue a Bachelor Degree, Associates Degree, or a diploma from a trade school; have a minimum 2.75 academic GPA, and have a level of financial need.
Students may apply for the above scholarships by writing a letter addressing the following items: Involvement in Community Service, Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, number of members in your family and the annual family taxable income. Applicants must also submit a copy of their FAFSA, their Special Condition Form (if applicable), verification of their GPA from the guidance counselor, a copy of their official attendance record and copies of post-secondary acceptance letters. A completed CFGC Common Scholarship Application Cover Form must also be completed.
Applicants should send five (5) copies of the letter and supporting documentation to: The Community Foundation of Greene County, ATTN: Grant Making Committee, PO Box 768, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Letters should be postmarked no later than April 15, 2008.
Copies of the Common Scholarship Application Form and the scholarship criteria are available in the Guidance offices, or on the CFGC website here.
The Walter Samek III Memorial Fund will provide one $500 scholarship to assist graduating senior class members of Carmichaels High School to continue post-secondary education. Eligible students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, be enrolled in an approved post-secondary college or university, have a financial need, and be involved in community service. Application forms for the Walter Samek, III Memorial Fund are available from the Carmichaels High School Guidance Office and must be completed and returned to the Guidance Office by April 15.
The Thelma S. Hoge Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarship to worthy graduating seniors of West Greene School District who are pursuing a college education. Eligible students must be accepted at a post-secondary four-year college for Fall 2007 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Application forms and requirements for the Hoge Scholarships are available through the Guidance Office at West Greene High School and are due back at the Guidance Office by April 16.
The Community Foundation is dedicated to building permanent community capital for Greene County causes and organizations. The Foundation now manages 33 permanently endowed funds and more than $2 million in assets. For more information about the Community Foundation contact Bettie Stammerjohn, Executive Director, at 724-627-2010 or visit our website at www.cfgcpa.org.
• Forget-Me-Not Fund Grant Benefits Cornerstone Care - 12/7/07
The Forget-Me-Not Fund of the Community Foundation of Greene County has provided a grant of $3,065 to Cornerstone Care, Inc. to purchase a new x-ray unit for the dental services department at Greensboro Health Center. This is the first grant to be awarded from the fund.
According to Robert Mt. Joy, CEO of Cornerstone Care, the new x-ray unit will add chair-side x-ray capacity at the only one of three existing dental chairs lacking x-ray capacity. This will allow more patients to be scheduled and treated in a give time without having to unseat and reseat patients in different chairs in order to be fully treated. Because more than 60 percent of Cornerstone Care’s patients are low-income, and more than 20 percent are uninsured, the dental department will be able to increase access for the entire community, and particularly, underserved populations.
The Forget-Me-Not Fund was established in 2006 as a permanently endowed fund by an anonymous donor who wanted to give back to the local community. The Fund was named in memory of a very fine lady who came to Greene County from Europe, taught herself to speak and read English, married a coal miner, and raised nine children. Her favorite flower was the Forget-Me-Not.
Set up as a donor-advised fund at the Foundation, the Forget-Me-Not Fund supports educational, civic, environmental and other charitable programs in Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania and in the Dunkard Creek watershed. When establishing the fund, the donor set-aside some monies to use for grants until the permanent fund grows enough for the income to be used.
For more information about establishing a permanent fund at the Foundation, please contact the Foundation office at 724-627-2010 or email cfgcpa@gmail.com.
• The Good For Greene Fund Established at Community Foundation of Greene County - 12/6/07
The Good for Greene Fund was recently established as a permanently endowed fund at the Community Foundation of Greene County by Mrs. Dolly Throckmorton in memory of her parents, the late James A. and Mary S. Goodwin.
“My parents were very philanthropic people, and I learned from them that donating your time and money to worthy causes is as much a part of a person’s life as family, education and career,” said Mrs. Throckmorton. “Sometimes you can give a little of your time and money, and sometimes you can give a lot. It doesn’t really matter what or how much you give. It just matters that you do.”
Established as an unrestricted fund, the purpose of the Good for Greene Fund will be to enhance the discretionary grantmaking of the Foundation. This means that the Foundation Board of Directors will use the income from the endowment as it grows to award grants to Greene County charitable organizations.
In addition to the contribution for the endowed fund, Mrs. Throckmorton designated a portion of the donation to be used for a special grant opportunity for 2007. Because of this opportunity CFGC awarded a grant of $1,500 to the Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation to provide support for the hands-on artist demonstrations at the 2nd Annual Art Blast on the Mon and ARTS Festival.
According to Mrs. Throckmorton many programs and projects throughout Greene County rely on grants. Sometimes monies that these organizations and programs have depended upon year after year have either diminished or are cut entirely. “The Good for Greene Fund will hopefully allow the Foundation to fill some voids in these worthwhile programs as they see fit,” she commented recently. “These grants will fall under the guidelines set forth already by the Foundation.”
A native of Greene County, Mrs. Throckmorton is a graduate of Waynesburg Central High School and obtained a B.A. in Business/Economics with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh. She and her husband, John A. Throckmorton own two local businesses. They are the parents of three daughters.
As a founding member of the Community Foundation of Greene County, Mrs. Throckmorton has served on the board of directors since its inception in 2000. During her tenure, she has served on the Board in many capacities, including the offices of Secretary, Vice-Chair and Chair. Active in the community, she has also served on the board of the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Miss Rain Day Scholarship, Inc.
“I am thankful to have the opportunity to establish the Good for Greene Fund,” remarked Mrs. Throckmorton, “and I hope I can continue to grow this fund though out my lifetime, so that it may contribute to programs and organizations within Greene County that work so hard to improve the quality of life here. Endowment is one way to secure the future of these programs. I am confident in the Foundation that they will make careful and meaningful grants from the Good for Greene Fund.”
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DAVIS MEMORIAL FUND - 12/6/07
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) recently announced they have established a new endowed fund in memory of Kathleen and Bill Davis.
The Kathleen A. Hamilton Davis and William R. Davis Fund was established as a field of interest fund by the board of directors at their November meeting with the memorial gifts contributed in the Davis’ names. Income from the fund will be used to provide support and assistance for the benefit of children and families of Greene County experiencing social or economic hardship.
“Following the untimely deaths of Kathy and Bill, the Foundation has received more than $18,000 in memorial gifts,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the foundation. “We want these gifts to honor Kathy’s and Bill’s memories forever. Every grant awarded from this fund in their name will help us remember their concern for children and families who don’t have sufficient resources, and their love for Greene County.”
The criterion for the fund was decided following careful consideration of the projects Kathy and Bill have supported in the past and through conversations with their children, Aryn, Ryan, Sean, and Cami.
According to Nancy Davis, chairman of the Foundation, the Davis’s were instrumental in the formation of the Community Foundation. Bill Davis helped file the incorporation papers and provided legal counsel during the first two years of the organization. In 2002, Kathy Davis became a member of the board of directors, which meant we had to find other legal counsel. She later established the Katherine M. and D. Dale Hamilton, Jr. Fund, in memory of her parents, to provide holiday gifts for children under the Greene County Children and Youth protective services who are still living in their natural homes.
Kathleen A. Hamilton Davis was born in Mt. Lebanon on June 17, 1948, a daughter of the late D. Dale and Katherine W. Hamilton. After graduating from Dickinson College, she began her career as an educator teaching students from middle school through college. She obtained a master’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from West Virginia University. She served as academic dean and vice president of Waynesburg College. In 1999 she graduated from West Virginia University School of Law and joined her husband, Bill, in law practice in Waynesburg, Pa.
William R. Davis was born in Waynesburg on August 23, 1943, a son of H. Richard and the late Thelma Shoup Davis. He graduated from Waynesburg High School and Waynesburg College. After teaching math, he attended the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, where he met his future wife, Kathy. After graduating from law school in 1968, Bill began a 38-year law practice in Waynesburg. They raised four children, Sean, Ryan, Aryn and Cami.
The Davises were strong supporters of the community. Members of the Washington Street United Methodist Church, they also supported a number of community organizations, including the Community Foundation of Greene County and the Washington Women’s Shelter.
The first grant from this fund will be distributed in 2008 through these memorial gifts. A grant application process for this fund will be announced in the spring.
For more information about the Kathleen A. Hamilton Davis and William R. Davis Fund, or about the Community Foundation of Greene County, call our office at 724-627-2010, or visit our website at www.cfgcpa.org.
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS - 11/28/07
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) celebrated the contributions of its volunteers and major donors during a dinner at the Greene County Country Club on November 14th. Highlighting the event was the announcement of the Outstanding Volunteer Award which was presented to Jim O’Connell and Tom Milinovich.
“The Outstanding Volunteer Award is a new award to recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty,” said Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the Foundation. “We have two board members who have truly gone out of their way in support of the foundation. We felt it was important to recognize and honor these individuals for their time and dedication.”
Thomas G. Milinovich, owner of Milinovich & Co., has been a member of the CFGC board of directors since 2001. Throughout his service on the board, Tom has served as the Treasurer of the Foundation, maintaining the foundation’s accounts and monitoring the endowment investment portfolios. According to David Cumberledge, vice-chairman of the foundation board, Milinovich is a valuable supporter of the foundation who, for years with no pay and no recognition, has calculated the payout for each endowed fund, paid all the bills, filed quarterly reports, prepared monthly financial reports, and so much more. Tom’s attention to detail and his knowledge of tax laws and financial planning concepts has helped the Community Foundation of Greene County operate efficiently and grow its endowment over the years.
James R. O’Connell joined the board of directors in early 2005 and from the beginning became fully involved. Just a few months later, O’Connell agreed to take on the office of president of the foundation when the executive director at that time, Joy Eggleston, resigned. The volunteer board position had been previously established to help provide oversight of daily activities in the absence of a paid staff. Dolly Throckmorton, chairman of the board in 2005, shared just a few of the activities that O’Connell completed or maintained during his thirteen months as president. According to Throckmorton, O’Connell worked tirelessly to maintain the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), encouraging new and existing corporations to provide contributions for the innovative education grants and K-12 and Pre-K scholarship programs. He also updated the foundation’s website and marketing materials, coordinated the Community Builder’s leadership initiative, followed up on developing new permanently endowed funds, and participated in a search for a new executive director. Throckmorton said that O’Connell must have contributed 40-50 hours a week of his time to the foundation during that period of time.
Mrs. Stammerjohn presented Milinovich and O’Connell each with a framed photograph of historic Waynesburg, circa 1875, and a certificate of appreciation. Each picture was inscribed with a plaque recognizing their contributions above and beyond the call of duty to the foundation.
During the program, Mrs. Stammerjohn presented outgoing board members, Dr. Nancy Davis, Dolly Throckmorton, and Joy Eggleston with certificates of appreciation for their service to the foundation. Dolly Throckmorton is a founding member of the Community Foundation and has served on the board, including holding the offices of secretary, vice-chair and chair, since 2000. Nancy Davis, a member of the board of directors since 2002, is the current chair of the board of directors. Mrs. Janet Matteucci received a certificate recognizing her service as a former and founding member of the community foundation.
Major donors to the foundation’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program received certificates thanking them for their ETIC contributions of more than $50,000 since 2005. Consol Energy contributed $300,000. Equitable Resources and its subsidiaries contributed more than $165,000. Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield contributed $50,000 to the EITC programs.
Mrs. Stammerjohn announced that, as a result of the corporate contributions and several new funds this year, the foundation has reached a new milestone with more than $2 million in assets this year. Additionally, the endowment has grown to $1.66 million from $1.5 million at the end of 2006.
The Foundation remembered attorneys Kathleen Hamilton Davis and Bill Davis for their many contributions to and continuing support for the foundation. Kathleen, a member of the board of directors from 2002 until her death, served in many capacities on the board, most recently as secretary. Her husband Bill served as counsel for the foundation during 2000 through 2001, helping to prepare and file the initial incorporation papers for the foundation. Donations in memory of Kathy and Bill now total nearly $18,000. The Foundation established a new, permanently endowed fund in their names to provide grants in Greene County.
The Community Foundation of Greene County was established in 2000 by a group of local citizens who wanted to help build philanthropy in the local area. Since then, the foundation has become the focal point within the county for mobilizing and assisting individual donors, nonprofit groups and organizations to create funds that support today’s needs and that promote long-term investment in the County.
For more information about the Community Foundation of Greene County, call the office at 724-627-2010, or visit the website at www.cfgcpa.org.
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WEEK CELEBRATES GIVING IN GREENE COUNTY - 11/8/07
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) joins more than 700 community foundations across the country to celebrate Community Foundation Week, November 12-18, an event begun in 1989 by Presidential proclamation. The observance has raised awareness of the charitable activities of community foundations and provided donors, even those of modest means, with an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of their communities.
The Foundation will celebrate local charitable giving with a dinner at the Greene County Country Club on November 14th to recognize both individual and corporate volunteers and donors who have contributed their time, their talents, and their dollars.
Community foundations are now one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the
United States, and have far-reaching benefits for anyone interested in philanthropy.
“Community foundations are at the heart of our cities and towns. We know the places of need in our area, and we can direct resources to solve those problems,” said Nancy Davis,
Chairwoman. “Here at the Community Foundation of Greene County, donors can select the type of charitable fund that best supports their interests and help make Greene County a great place for future generations.” Individuals and groups can establish their own funds, contribute to an existing fund, serve on advisory committees, or volunteer with an agency the foundation supports.
The Community Foundation of Greene County was established in 2000 by a group of local citizens who wanted to help build philanthropy in the local area. Since then, the foundation has become the focal point within the county for mobilizing and assisting individual donors, nonprofit groups and organizations to create funds that support today’s needs and that promote long-term investment in the County.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation, the community foundation currently manages about $2 million in assets, including 27 permanently endowed funds. Funds are professionally managed, and integrated into grant-making programs that address current and emerging needs in areas such as arts and culture, economic development, education, the environment, health, human services, recreation, and religion.
For more information about the Community Foundation of Greene County, call our office at 724-627-2010, or visit our website at www.cfgcpa.org.
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES - 10/5/07
The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) recently announced that the are accepting grant applications for five Field of Interest Funds.
CFGC seeks to fund organizations and ideas that will have a significant and lasting impact on Greene County, its residents, infrastructure and future. CFGC is currently considering three types of grants - programmatic funding, capacity building, and special projects; in the following service areas: Arts & Culture; Children, Youth and Families; Community & Economic Development; Health & Human Services, and; Innovative Projects that will advance the economic or social well-being of Greene County.
The Foundation expects to award at least five grants, one in each service area, with awards between $500 and $1,000 each.
Eligible organizations must be nonprofit, charitable (recognized under Section 501[c][3] of the Internal Revenue Code), tax-exempt organizations in Greene County, PA. CFGC may make grants to organizations outside Greene County, PA whose purposes and programs benefit Greene County.
To apply for a grant, send a one to two-page letter proposal, on organization letterhead, which describes the proposed project and need for funds. Information should include: a brief background about the organization and mission statement; a description of project need and how the grant award will be used, and; a project budget. Please attach a copy of your IRS Letter of Determination and Board of Directors list including addresses and affiliations. Applicants may attach other supporting documentation that describes the project and organization.
All grant applications must be received in the Community Foundation of Greene County Office no later than 3:00 P.M. on November 1, 2007. All applicants will be notified of the grant awards after November 30, 2007.
Information about the grant process is available on the Foundation’s website at www.cfgcpa.org. For additional information, contact the Foundation office at 724-627-2010, or e-mail cfgcpa@gmail.com.
• COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS - 7/24/07
Click to download the PDF Press Release
From the Executive Director’s Desk: Growing for Greene County
The Community Foundation of Greene County continues to grow to the benefit of Greene County residents. Since our beginning in 2001, the Community Foundation was worked with Greene County residents, businesses and agencies to establish endowed funds and increase support for community programs that will continue for generations. Our success during the past year demonstrates some of the fruits of this ongoing work in the community, including adding two new “Partners in Philanthropy” described in another article.
During 2006, the Foundation’s assets grew by more than 18 percent over the previous year, reaching nearly $2 million dollars.
Four new endowed funds were started last year, established bringing the number of funds at the Foundation to twenty-eight and adding $62,000 to the endowment. These included two new permanent funds, the Greene County 4-H Fund and the Forget-Me-Not Fund which were established as permanently endowed funds. The Walter Samek Scholarship Fund and the Community Action Southwest fund were started with initial gifts which will continue to build over the next five years to become fully endowed.
Corporate contributions through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program provided more than $200,000 to benefit local schools and students. The contributions designated for the EITC Public School Improvement supported innovative educational programs and needs including new GIS software for the Computer Aided Drafting curriculum at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. The EITC program also supports scholarships for students attending Kindergarten through Grade 12 at local private and parochial schools, as well as scholarships for 3- and 4-year olds participating in qualified Pre-Kindergarten programs.
The Community Foundation gives right back to the community. In 2006, more than $211,000 was distributed to Greene County agencies and scholarships for Greene County students from designated endowed funds and the EITC program. We hope to expand the number of grants in 2007 with grants from the five field of interest funds which have been building since 2004.
The Community Foundation partners with other local agencies to support and promote activities which build a better Greene County community. The Community Builders of Greene County, a leadership development program, is currently in its fourth year. It is organized by interested citizens and representatives from organizations, including the Greene County Economic Development Office, The Greene County Human Services Office, Community Action Southwest, Waynesburg College, and Southwest Regional Medical Center, among others. The Community Builders program offers nine-sessions of evening seminars over an eight month period from March through October. Many graduates of the program have become involved in their communities as board and committee members of local organizations. The current class has seventeen participants enrolled in the Nonprofit Leadership or Community Leadership courses who are looking to become involved in their communities.
As the Executive Director of the Community Foundation, I am excited by the growth and possibilities that exist for the Foundation and for Greene County. Our office is growing with the addition of part-time administrative assistant, An’Etta Neff, to answer the phone and provide general office support. With your help and support, we will continue to build an endowment that will support Greene County programs and residents, “for good and for ever.”
For more information on how you can support a favorite non-profit agency, organization, church, or scholarship, please contact our office by phone at 724-627-2010 or e-mail: cfgcpa@gmail.com, or visit our website for more information.
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