Community Foundation’s Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund awards $13,649 in grants

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PHOTO: Emma Coppolo and Michael Handley, Ridgway Borough; Jim Prosper and John Schlimm, Dickinson Center; Hope Weichman, Salvation Army; Mel Correll, House to Home; Joe Bullers and Derrick Goode, Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund Advisory Committee.

Community Foundation’s Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund awards $13,649 in grants

The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, under the management of the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), recently awarded $13,649 in grants to four non-profit organizations. The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, an endowed fund, was established from a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to organizations that contribute to the quality of life of the residents of the Borough of Ridgway.

An advisory committee made up of Ridgway community leaders and residents is appointed by the Board of Directors of ECCF to review grant applications and distribute grants each year.

The following organizations received grants during the 2024 granting cycle: Dickinson Center to supplement the Elk County Prison Library’s non-fiction/reference/resource book selection; Ridgway Borough for an ADA compliant swing at O.B. Grant park; Square One for a safety railing at Ridgway House to Home store; and the Salvation Army for quarterly distribution of essential household items and personal care kits.

The Elk County Community Foundation encourages residents and businesses to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help grow this community-oriented fund and increase the granting dollars available each year. Donations to the Ridgway Charitable Fund can be sent in care of the Elk County Community Foundation at PO Box 934, St. Marys, PA, 15857.

For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or contact ECCF at 814-834-2125. The Elk County Community Foundation, 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, is an affiliate of our parent company, the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies.

ECCF grant helps Bennett’s Valley Community Center with industrial kitchen

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Photo: The Elk County Community Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the Bennett’s Valley Community Center for kitchen revitalization. Front row: Tom Wagner (ECCF Board President), Jeff Marzella (ECCF Vice-President), Rita Bonfardine, Denise Cuneo (ECCF Board Member and local to Bennett’s Valley), Jessica Barbazzeni, Heather Collins. Back row: Debi Mitchell, Danielle Assalone, Jimmy Allegretto, John Bricen, Chairman, Rick Krulia Sr., Tiffany Boschert (ECCF Executive Director). Missing from photo: Vice Chairman Jeremy Rippey

ECCF grant helps BV Community Center with industrial kitchen

St. Marys: The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is pleased to announce the awarding of a $10,000 grant to the Bennett’s Valley Community Center (BVCC) to provide new industrial kitchen supplies at the center. BVCC received the grant from the Elk County Development Fund, an unrestricted fund which is administered by the Community Foundation.

When Bennett’s Valley School closed, Jay Township collaborated to have the school returned to the community with plans to utilize the school building to uplift their community. The decision to open the Bennett’s Valley Community Center in their old school was born. Unfortunately, a few months after the opening of the Community Center devastation hit with flooding of the basement, causing major damage to the entire electrical and heating system. Funding for repairs was now very much needed, in addition to supplying the vacant kitchen, gym, and janitorial supplies to allow for the BVCC to continue to operate.

ECCF was pleased to assist with the addition of the industrial kitchen, to aide the Bennett’s Valley Community Center with this important source of revenue to help establish financial stability. This will allow numerous entities to utilize the kitchen and cafeteria area for events, bringing in rental income.

The Elk County Development Fund is an unrestricted fund that allows the Foundation the flexibility to address the community’s changing needs through strategic grant making each year. Rather than designating how the money must be spent, the Foundation determines the most effective ways to meet the most compelling opportunities and most pressing needs in our communities as they arise, such as support for the Bennett’s Vally Community Center.

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, please contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

Grant opportunity until October 15 at ECCF

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Grant opportunities are open until October 15 at the Elk County Community Foundation

Photo: In 2023, the Elk County Courthouse was awarded a grant from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation for an “Elk County Facility Dog”. The project’s primary purpose is to provide vulnerable children and their families with canine support during the interview and testimonial phases of the judicial process. The facility dog will also reduce anxiety and stress for children, their families, and other participants in court-related proceedings.

St. Marys, PA: The final grant cycle for 2024 for funding from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation is currently underway. The deadline to apply for this round of grant funding is October 15. The goal of the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund is to support worthy causes and projects that improve the quality of life in our local area.

Grants are available to 501c3 organizations, municipalities, and faith-based organizations. Applicants can access information on the funds, instructions on how to apply, and the grant application on the Elk County Community Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. If you have questions about the application process, whether your organization qualifies, or would like to speak to someone about your project, please call the Foundation office at 814-834-2125.

The Elk County Community Foundation provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes, while improving the quality of life 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.

Johnsonburg Endowment Fund awards grants

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Photo: The Johnsonburg Area Endowment Fund, administered by the Elk County Community Foundation, awarded grants to 7 local organizations for their 2024 granting cycle. Seated: Nikki Zimmerman, Johnsonburg Little League; Vicki Condino, Endowment committee member; Tara Poague, Johnsonburg Community Center; Judy Allegretto, Johnsonburg School District. Standing: Tiffany Boschert, ECCF Executive Director; Chris Kreckel, Johnsonburg Fire Department; Rachel Kilhoffer, committee member; Ella Spiegel, Helping Hands; Scott Cherry, Johnsonburg Little League; Al Maletto, Barb Duffy and Tom Fedorko, committee members; Rachel Krieg, Wilcox Presbyterian Church. Missing from photo are Janice Carnovale and Tony King, committee members.

Johnsonburg Endowment Fund awards grants to local organizations

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) was pleased to award a total of $15,239 in grant monies from the Johnsonburg Area Endowment Fund. These dollars will go toward several different projects that will serve and aid the community. This endowed fund awards grant dollars to eligible organizations, schools, and religious groups that benefit the residents of the Johnsonburg Area School District.

From this year’s distribution, grants were awarded to Helping Hands Food Pantry to assist in adding nutrient rich foods to the monthly distribution, Johnsonburg Borough to purchase additional trash cans for the downtown business district, Johnsonburg Community Center to help refinish windows, Johnsonburg Fire Department to purchase electric vehicle emergency plugs and various hose fittings, Wilcox Presbyterian Church for a public access AED station, Johnsonburg Elementary School for startup money for a book vending machine and storybooks, and Johnsonburg Little League for new roofing on current dugouts.

The Johnsonburg Area Endowment Fund was created in 2020 with a check from the selling of the Johnsonburg Community TV Company, with the intention of helping the residents of the Johnsonburg Area School District.

ECCF oversees multiple granting cycles throughout the year. For more information about grant opportunities or an interest in establishing a fund, visit our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. Our office can also be contacted at 814-834-2125. The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, 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.

Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund at Community Foundation awards first grant

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Photo: The first distribution from the newly established Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund was made to the ECCHS baseball program. The fund is administered by the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF). Tiffany Boschert, Executive Director of ECCF, along with Fr. Eric’s family members presented the grant award. Tiffany Boschert; Danny Singer, ECCHS Boys Head Baseball Coach; Aaron Straub, ECCHS Athletic Director; Lance O’Neil, Will Wortman, and Charlie Geci, baseball players; Fr. Eric’s family members: Emily Saline, sister, Dale Vogt, brother, Julie Stebick, niece, Mary Jo Bolitski, sister, Mary Lee DePrator, cousin, Kenny Vogt, Jr., nephew, Mike Vogt and John Vogt, brothers.

Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund awards its first grant distribution

St. Marys, PA: A golf tournament to benefit the Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund, a donor advised fund administered by the Elk County Community Foundation, was recently held at the Bavarian Hills. Following the tournament, the first distribution from the fund was appropriately awarded to the Elk County Catholic High School baseball team, which Fr. Eric coached and developed over the years.

The purpose of the fund, which was established by Fr. Eric’s family, is to keep his name alive by supporting youth programs that foster education, mentorship, and personal development.

Groups and individuals are welcome to help grow the fund which is held at the Elk County Community Foundation. Donations can be made online at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or checks can be mailed to the Elk County Community Foundation, PO Box 934, St. Marys, PA 15857. Please note Fr. Eric Vogt Memorial Fund in the memo.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, 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. For more information contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125.