ECCF grant helps Historical Society preserve history of St. Marys

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Photo: The Doris E. Stackpole Donor Advised Fund administered by the Elk County Community Foundation presented representatives of the Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township with a grant to help them safely preserve memorabilia and historical records. Seated are Ann Vollmer and Marcia Bleggi, standing are Jill Cyphert, ECCF Executive Director Tiffany Boschert, Lyle Garner, and Barb Samick.

ECCF GRANT HELPS HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAFELY PRESERVE HISTORY OF ST MARYS

The Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township was founded in 1960 to provide individuals with local history and knowledge about the origins and traditions of St. Marys and its surrounding communities. As the historical society accumulates more items that require both physical and electronic storage it is important to provide storage that will enhance the longevity of the items. The Doris E. Stackpole Donor Advised Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation was pleased to award a $5,802 grant to help them meet their storage needs.

The grant will assist with increased needs for maintaining electronic records including computer upgrades, back-up drive, software, and installation of more computers for public use. To protect the historical value of physical items the historical society needed additional archival storage containers that will help maximize the space in the display areas and preserve the integrity of the items.

The St. Marys and Benzinger Township Historical Society provides the opportunity for anyone to dig deeper into events that structured and shaped our community. There are a variety of displays that are open to the public that show the rich culture here in our rural town. They also have an extensive file of St. Marys families with pictures and obituaries and can help with genealogical research of your local family.

The public is invited to visit on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. or call the Historical Society at 814-834-6525 to set up a tour for individuals or groups.

The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax-deductible donations. Through our donors we provide grants that improve the quality of life in our communities.

Apply by September 15 for ECCF’s Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund Grants

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PHOTO: In 2024, Square One Community, Inc. replaced a railing at their Ridgway House to Home location with a $5,000 grant from the Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation. Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 granting cycle. Deadline to submit is September 15.

Apply by September 15 for ECCF’s Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund grants

The Elk County Community Foundation is accepting applications through September 15 for Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund grants. 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.

Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and churches that benefit the Ridgway area. Awards may be considered for start-up funds, new projects, or to enhance well-established programs. The deadline for submission of a grant application is September 15.

The Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund was established through a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole in 2006. With the awarding of the 2024 grants, the fund has given over $330,000 back to organizations that serve the residents of Ridgway.

For instructions on how to apply for a grant, go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. Please call our office at 814-834-2125 with any questions.

Michelle A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, 22 years of giving

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Photo: The 2025 recipient of the Michele A. Campbell Nursing Scholarship was Rosa DePrater, second from left. Presenting the scholarship were Tiffany Boschert, ECCF Executive Director, and Michele’s family members, Joyce Campbell and Candice Frey.

THE MICHELE A. CAMPBELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, 22 YEARS OF GIVING

The Michele A. Campbell Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the Elk County Community Foundation in November 2002 by Michele’s parents, Joyce and Theodore Campbell. The scholarship has now been awarded for 22 years, gifting thousands of dollars to students from the Elk County area who have gone on to honor Michele’s passion for nursing.

Michele Campbell was a hardworking and dedicated nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. As the number one student in her class, she was dedicated to helping others and learning to be the best nurse she could be. Michelle was fatally injured in an automobile accident on February 6, 1996, while traveling to attend classes at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Her parents chose to establish a scholarship in her memory to assist other students who were also enthusiastic about a career in nursing.

The Michele A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship is among the 190 scholarship funds administered by the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. To learn more about scholarship funds, donor advised funds, and other philanthropic tools visit www. elkcountyfoundation.com or call 814.834.2125.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation.

Women Who Care grant money available for local organizations

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Photo: Linda Johnson and Faye Whitmer from St. Marys Methodist Church display the double-door refrigerator and freezer purchased from a $4,142 grant from Women Who Care in 2024. The refrigerator and  freezer are used to support their Bowls of Love community outreach program. Does your group have a project in need of funding? All nonprofit organizations in Elk County are eligible to apply.

WWC grant applications open until August 15

If your Elk County organization has been looking for a way to fund a new project or enhance an existing program, consider applying for a Women Who Care grant. Women Who Care (WWC), a project of the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), is pleased to announce that grant applications for the 2025 granting cycle are now available, with a submission deadline of August 15, 2025. WWC will award the grants at their October annual meeting.

All nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and churches that benefit the public in Elk County are eligible to apply for grant funding. Awards may be considered for start-up funds, new projects or to enhance well-established programs.

The grant application is available on the ECCF website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. The maximum grant award is $5,000. The grant application process is simple. If an organization needs guidance in completing the application, they can call the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 for assistance.

Since its first granting year in 2010, WWC has awarded over $440,000 in grants. Women Who Care brings women from diverse backgrounds together to combine their charitable donations to strengthen the Elk County community through the power of collective giving.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by collaborating with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals.

Elk County Cruisers create fund at the Community Foundation

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Photo: The Elk County Cruisers recently established the Elk County Cruisers Car Club Fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. From left to right are Tim Robinson, Communications; Andy Hoy, Treasurer; Tiffany Boschert, ECCF Executive Director; and Joe Walker, President.

Elk County Cruisers establish fund at the Community Foundation

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is pleased to administer a new fund that was recently established at the Foundation by the Elk County Cruisers Club. The Elk County Cruisers Car Club Fund is a donor-advised fund with the goal of supporting their communities for years to come.

The Cruisers were founded in 2010 by a group of friends who love cars. To date, they have donated over $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys, the Crystal Fire Department, and the St. Marys Area Municipal Airport. This past year, the club has raised funds toward the construction of a flagpole and monument at Shawmut Park in St. Marys to hold activities such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day ceremonies.

The club hosts several car events and activities in the area including cruise-ins at the Elk Country Visitor Center, Dairy Queen, Rick’s Doughboys, and the Fall Fest. They are hoping to do more throughout Elk County. Members also participate in car shows, events, and parades throughout the region.

Their biggest fundraiser is the Annual Car Show in August at the American Spirit Aviation Festival at the St. Marys Area Municipal Airport. This year is their 15th annual car show, and they also sponsor the “Pistons, Planes and Pinups” contest at the Aviation Festival. They hold a monthly Cruise-In at the Straub Brewery Visitor Center & Tap Room from May through October. The next one is July 17th, rain or shine.

Donations to help support the charitable goals of the Cruisers and grow this fund and can be made online at www.elkcountyfoundation.org by clicking on the Donate Now button, or checks can be mailed to ECCF, PO Box 934, St. Marys, PA 15857. Please put the name of the fund in the memo line.

The Elk County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies. Contact ECCF for more information at 814-834-2125.

Photo: The Elk County Cruisers recently established the Elk County Cruisers Car Club Fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. From left to right are Tim Robinson, Communications; Andy Hoy, Treasurer; Tiffany Boschert, ECCF Executive Director; and Joe Walker, President.