ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW FUND TO SUPPORT ST. LEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new fund aimed at providing tuition assistance to St. Leo Catholic School in Ridgway, PA. This initiative has been made possible through the generous estate of William H. Gausman, a visionary philanthropist dedicated to supporting education and empowering the community.

The Gausman Family Scholarship Fund has been created as an endowment with the purpose of ensuring that deserving students at St. Leo Catholic School have access to quality education, regardless of their financial circumstances. The fund will help bridge the financial gap for families who aspire to provide their children with a faith-based education in a nurturing and supportive environment.

St. Leo Catholic School, a classical academy, is an integral part of the Elk County Catholic School System, and renowned for its commitment to the spiritual and educational well-being of each student. With the launch of this fund, the Elk County Community Foundation aims to bolster the mission of St. Leo Catholic School, ensuring that more children can benefit from the school’s exceptional educational programs and values-based education.

“We are incredibly grateful to the late William H. Gausman for his extraordinary generosity,” stated Lynne Kucenski, Principal of St. Leo Catholic School. “This fund will open doors for students who may have otherwise been unable to attend our school due to financial constraints. Through this endowment, the legacy of William H. Gausman will live on, enabling countless students to receive a high-quality education rooted in faith and academic excellence.”

The Elk County Community Foundation would like to express sincere gratitude to Meyer, Wagner, Brown, and Kraus Attorneys at Law for their instrumental role in working closely with Mr. Gausman to establish the Gausman Family Scholarship Fund and utilizing the ECCF as the trusted vehicle for administering this meaningful endowment. Their expertise and dedication to making a positive impact in our community have been invaluable.

The ECCF is honored to collaborate with St. Leo Catholic School and the Elk County Catholic School system to help transform the lives of young students through access to education. The Gausman Family Scholarship Fund will provide much-needed support to families who believe in the value of a Catholic education and strive to provide their children with a solid foundation for lifelong success. When talking about the importance and commitment of catholic education in the Gausman family, William’s niece and executrix of his estate, Karen Yonker, commented “My uncle and his siblings all attended St. Leo School as did many of their children and grandchildren.  At one time, there was a period of 50 consecutive years where there was a Gausman family member attending St. Leo’s, oftentimes several in various grades.”

“We are thrilled to announce the establishment of this fund, which will have a transformative impact on the lives of students at St. Leo Catholic School,” said Jeff Marzella, Vice President of the Elk County Community Foundation. “Thanks to the unwavering commitment of St. Leo Catholic School and the Elk County Catholic School system, we can help make a lasting influence on the lives of students in our community.”

The ECCF welcomes contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses who share the belief in the transformative power of education. Donations to the Gausman Family Scholarship Fund can be made directly to the Elk County Community Foundation.

For more information about the Elk County Community Foundation, please visit www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and enhancing the quality of life in Elk County, PA. By connecting generous donors with local causes, the ECCF provides resources to support impactful initiatives in education, health and human services, arts and culture, community development, and more.

Photo: L to R: Sam MacDonald, President of ECCSS; Lynne Kucenski, Principle of St. Leo Catholic School; Karen Yonker representing the Gausman Family; and Jeff Marzella, Vice President of the Elk County Community Foundation

Community Foundations celebrate $1.5 million milestone in grants awarded in single year

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Photo: The Elk and McKean County Community Foundations distributed over $1.5 million in grants in 2022. This marked a new milestone for grants awarded in a single year. In Elk County, many community organizations received a grant, with the Ridgway Ambulance Association receiving a grant for two power pro Stryker Stretchers.

The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies (CFNA) announced they have reached a new milestone of over $1.5 million in grants awarded to area non-profit organizations in one granting year. CFNA is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. 

Because Elk and McKean donors continue to meet community needs with unparalleled generosity, grant awards in 2022 have helped fund $1.5 million in community improvements, educational and social programs, student scholarships for continuing education, and so much more. Those who live in, or have ever been to Elk and McKean Counties, know that it is a beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family. The Community Foundation works to keep it that way by providing donors with a simple but powerful and highly personal approach to achieving their charitable goals while enhancing the quality of life for the people of our region. Donors who establish their own funds, and those who donate towards growing Foundation granting dollars, are all a part of building a better future for everyone in our area.

During the 1990’s a group of business and civic leaders began to explore establishing a Community Foundation in the Elk County Area.  As a result, the Elk County Community Foundation incorporated in 2000, and a year later became a non-profit organization. In 2017, the McKean County Community Foundation was established. The two Foundations are both affiliates of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies. To date, they have distributed over $6 million in grants, and more than $2.5 million in scholarships throughout our communities. 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. Donors interested in learning more about establishing a fund can contact the Foundation at 1-844-238-228.

ECCF welcomes new board members and slate of officers for 2023

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Photo: Tom Wagner, incoming Board President on right, welcome new board members, Denise Cuneo, Mary DaCanal, and Mary McGrath.

ECCF welcomes new board members and slate of officers for 2023

At their February meeting, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announced the appointment of three new board members and a new slate of officers to their Board of Directors. The ECCF Board consists of 14 community-minded individuals representing many areas of expertise and community involvement.

Individuals appointed to serve as officers are Thomas Wagner, President; Jeff Marzella, Vice-President; Judy Allegretto, Secretary; and Robert Ordiway, Treasurer, each of whom offers the proficiency and knowledge to lead the Community Foundation forward in its mission to connect donors who care with causes that matter to them.

The Elk County Community Foundation congratulates and welcomes new board members Denise Cuneo, Mary DaCanal, and Mary McGrath. The Foundation is grateful and excited to have this group of individuals join the board and bring their unique talents, expertise and perspectives to the work of the organization.

The Community Foundation is grateful to all who serve on the board, and as they look forward to working together to advance the mission of the Elk County Community Foundation. 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.

ECCF outgoing board members recognized at meeting

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Elk County Community Foundation outgoing board members, Chris Imbrogno and Nancy Hoffman, receive a recognition plaque from Tom Jesberger, outgoing board president, on left, and Tom Wagner, newly appointed board president on right. Missing from photo was Denny Bonnano, outgoing board member.

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is a non-profit community organization governed by a Board of Directors. At their February board meeting, the Foundation recognized three outgoing board members who have volunteered their time to guide ECCF, dedicating significant time and energy to help grow the Foundation as a sustainable and community-oriented organization.

Nancy Hoffman, a resident of Ridgway, joined the Board in 2014. She chaired the Marketing Committee and served on the Grants Committee for many years. As a graphic designer, Nancy shared her time and talents while she helped with many of our projects including many years as the Foundation’s annual report designer.

Chris Imbrogno joined the ECCF Board in 2014. As an RN working for Penn Highland Community Nurses for many years, she brought not only her community involvement, but also her perspective on community health needs to the table. Chris served on the Grants Committee for many years. Chris was fortunate to gain knowledge of and commitment to the Foundation from her father, John Kojancic, who was a founding member of the Elk County Community Foundation.

Dennis Bonnano served as a member of the Board since 2017. Prior to that time he served on the Investment Committee since the early days of the Foundation. Denny also reviewed the Foundation’s quarterly Board Reports and helped ECCF’s first director set up the Quickbooks system prior to 2005. He served on the Grants Committee, Scholarship Committee, and as Vice President from 2019 to 2022.

The Elk County Community Foundation is grateful to these outgoing members who have volunteered their time to guide ECCF and help chart our past, present and future.

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.

March 7 is deadline for students to apply for Community Foundation scholarships

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Students have until March 7 at midnight to submit scholarship applications

The Elk Community Foundation (ECCF) and the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) remind students that the deadline for applying for 2023 scholarships is fast approaching. Students must submit their online applications by midnight on Tuesday, March 7. Over 170 scholarship opportunities are available to area students who are attending colleges, universities or vocational schools.

Students can access applications on the Foundation websites: www.elkcountyfoundation.org for ECCF and www.mckeancountyfoundation.org for MCCF. Students should go to the “Scholarships/Information for Students” section on the website for detailed information on the wide variety of scholarships available. Here they can begin the application process through an online portal. There are opportunities for everyone who is attending a post-secondary education or vocational school, including non-traditional students.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 statewide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program if they attend a PA school. In 2022, 58 students received a total of nearly $75,000 in matching funds.

Visit the Foundation websites to see what is available. For further details, contact your guidance counselor or the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or 1-844-238-2289.