New US Flag Retirement Receptacle Installed at St. Marys Legion

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PHOTO: Pictured are Joe Walker, Elk County Cruisers President; Chuck Hahn, St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail; and Andy Hoy, Elk County Cruisers Treasurer and member of the St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail, with the new US Flag Retirement Receptacle in front of the St. Marys American Legion.

New U.S. Flag Retirement Receptacle Installed at St. Marys Legion

The Elk County Cruisers Car Club and the St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail recently installed a new United States Flag Retirement Receptacle in front of the American Legion Post #103 on Center Street in St. Marys. The project was completed with support from the Doris E. Stackpole Foundation, Shop 14 Muscle Cars in St. Marys, and the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF).

The new receptacle will make it easier for the public to drop off worn and tattered American flags for a respectful and proper disposal. Flags should not be deposited in bags or boxes as these materials clog the receptacle opening and make it difficult to empty. The Detail gathers the flags and conducts a ceremonial burning every summer at Bear Run.

In 2025, the Cruisers established a donor-advised fund at ECCF to raise funds to support projects like this in Elk County. This year, they made donations to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys, Christian Food Bank, Crystal Fire Department and St. Marys Municipal Airport. They also collaborated with the Servicemen’s Detail and American Legion Post #103 for the construction of the new flagpole and veterans’ monument at Shawmut Park. Donations to the Elk County Cruisers Car Club Fund of any size are gratefully accepted at the Elk County Community Foundation, PO Box 934. St. Marys, PA, 15857.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. Funds established by charitable donors support our communities through the awarding of grants and scholarships. For more information on how you can help support important community programs please contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

Community Foundation’s HMDS Fund awards $12,000 to Christian Food Bank

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PHOTO: Tiffany Boschert, Elk County Community Foundation Executive Director, on left, presented a $12,000 grant check to volunteers from the Christian Food Bank. The check represented a generous grant from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund.

Community Foundation’s HMDS Fund granted $12,000 to the Christian Food Bank

The Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund administered by the Elk County Community Foundation awarded a $12,000 grant to the Christian Food Bank. The Food Bank uses this grant to cover specialty food items such as hams, turkeys, pork, produce, and dairy items distributed to clients for the four special holidays during the year. The holidays include Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s food boxes. The Food Bank served 238 families this past Thanksgiving. Fortunately, the Christian Food Bank is well supported by the community, including grants from funds such as the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund, as well as donations from individuals, businesses, churches, and other sources. The Food Bank has had an excellent reputation for the past 43 years and is grateful for the tremendous support from caring people in our communities.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. Funds established by charitable donors support our communities through the awarding of grants and scholarships. For more information on how you can help support important community programs please contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

New grant cycle: apply for grants by January 15th

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PHOTO: The St. Marys Public Library received a $5,000 grant in 2024 from the Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund to assist with a series of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) events and programming for both young adults and their parents.

ECCF grants available, apply by January 15

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is accepting applications through January 15 for thousands of dollars in grants currently available to 501c3 organizations during their open grant cycle.

Organizations may currently submit applications for grant funding from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund, the newly named Elk County Community Fund, formerly known as the Elk County Development Fund, or the Elk County Society for Special Services Fund.

The Elk County Development Fund supports community development initiatives that will enhance the economic and community wellbeing of Elk County. Projects should include activities that are innovative and have a plan to sustain themselves.

The Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund is an open grant that supports worthy projects that provide services for the residents of our communities. Their goal is to support causes and projects that improve the quality of life in our local area.

The Elk County Society for Special Services Fund awards grants to nonprofit agencies that provide services for the purpose of enhancing Pre-K education.

To apply for a grant, go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. A link to each of the funds under Open Grants will connect you with our new online application process. Please call our office at 814-834-2125 with any questions.

ECCF, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it collaborates with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.

Grants for Pre-K programs available until January 15

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Photo: The Ridgway YMCA received an Elk County Society for Special Services grant in 2024 to purchase additional iPads for their recently expanded preschool program.

Grants for Pre-K programs available at ECCF

Does your organization serve the Pre-K community in Elk County? The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is accepting grant applications through January 15 from non-profit organizations and schools that provide educational services for the Pre-K community. The grants are made available through the Elk County Society for Special Services Fund (ECSSS) which is administered by the Foundation.

The ECCSS fund was established to assist any nonprofit agency that provides services that offer Pre-K education. The purpose of the grant is to improve programs that are already established or to develop new programs. This fund does not cover direct operating expenses of an agency, rather it hopes to enhance an organization’s programs that serve young children.

For instructions on how to apply for a grant, go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. A link to the fund under Open Grants will connect you with our new online application process. Contact our office at 814-834-2125 to determine if your organization qualifies and for further instructions on how to proceed with the grant application.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by partnering with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals.

New Name: The Elk County Community Fund

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New Name: The Elk County Community Fund

The Elk County Community Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a name change to its general granting fund. The Elk County Development Fund is now The Elk County Community Fund. This simple but meaningful name change is more than just a new title. It is a renewed commitment to the people, places, and potential that defines Elk County.

The Elk County Community Fund is a flexible charitable fund that supports the community’s most pressing and changing needs, as determined by the foundation’s board and staff. Unlike restricted funds for specific causes, unrestricted funds allow the foundation to provide grants for urgent issues, long-term solutions, and future opportunities that may not be anticipated when the fund is established. We evaluate all aspects of community well-being: arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, neighborhood revitalization, and more. The next round of grants for this fund is now open. Applications are due January 15.

The support of our communities through their generous donations helps to grow the fund to continue to respond to requests from non-profit organizations for important programs that enhance the lives of our residents. Donations of any size are gratefully accepted at the Elk County Community Foundation, PO Box 934. St. Marys, PA, 15857.

ECCF, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.