Remembering Jordan Adams through his Swim/Dive team award at ECCF

/in /by

Remembering Jordan Adams through his Swim/Dive team scholarship award

Jordan Adams was tragically killed in a car accident in January 2019 at the young age of nineteen. To honor his memory, Jordan’s family established the Jordan Adams Memorial Award Fund at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) to be given to a member of the SMAHS Swim and Dive Team.

The award is open to a graduating senior from any school who is a member of the St. Marys Area Swim and Dive Team. The applicant can be pursuing a post-secondary education program or entering the workforce. Applications will be accepted beginning January 15 with a submission deadline of February 25, 2026.

Jordan had struggled throughout his life with mental health issues, but one of his happiest times was when he was on the SMAHS Swim and Dive team. They were a special little family to him. He did not excel in the sport, but it did not matter as he was accepted and cheered for during his time on the team. This little swim/dive family saved his life! Jordan was always giving in any way he could, and his family knows he would want to try and help someone else who struggled and found their family in the SMAHS Swim and Dive team and needs help continuing on in life after high school.

Along with the Jordan Adams Fund, over 130 additional funds offer scholarship opportunities through the Elk County Community Foundation. Area students are encouraged to apply for this Jordan Adams fund award, as well as over 200 individual scholarships offered by ECCF funds. All scholarship applications are submitted through an online portal that can be accessed at the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

The Elk County Community Foundation, 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.

Apply now for Greater DuBois Area Community Fund grants and scholarships through ECCF

/in /by

Apply now for Greater DuBois Area Community Fund grants and scholarships through ECCF

The Greater DuBois Area Community Fund, managed by the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), is now accepting grant applications for its 2026 granting cycle. An exciting addition this year to the Greater DuBois Fund’s community outreach will be the awarding of scholarships for DuBois Area High School and Brockway Area High School students.

Online applications for both the grants and the scholarships are available on the Elk County Community Foundation website, www.elkcountyfoundation.org. The granting cycle opened on January 1, 2026, with a deadline to apply by February 16th for grants to community organizations. The scholarship application period will open on January 15, with a deadline to apply by February 25, 2026.

This Fund was established through the estate of a generous donor to benefit the communities of the DuBois area through charitable distributions, with hopes to continue to grow the fund through donations from the community. ECCF administers the fund, accepts the applications, and distributes grants and scholarships within the community. A committee of residents from the Greater DuBois Area is involved in reviewing applications and choosing successful applicants.

Grants are awarded through a competitive grant process open to 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, municipalities, or religious organizations that serve the public in the DuBois area. Eligible organizations with initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the area are encouraged to apply for grants to support programs and projects that benefit residents. Grant awards will typically be a maximum of $5,000, but special consideration will be given up to $10,000.

Scholarships of $1,000 per student will be awarded to several students in the DuBois and Brockway school districts. For application instructions for grants and scholarships, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org under the “Open Grants” or “Information for Students” sections”. Feel free to contact the ECCF office at 1-844-238-2289 with questions. Donations to support the Fund can also be made through the website.

The Elk County Community Foundation, a non-profit grant-making organization, is dedicated to enhancing community life by partnering with philanthropic donors to achieve their charitable goals. The Foundation provides administrative and investment management services to facilitate charitable giving and community improvement. ECCF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies.

New US Flag Retirement Receptacle Installed at St. Marys Legion

/in /by
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

/in /by
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

/in /by
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.