Donors Leave a Legacy Through Their Estate Plans

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future.  This is the 13th in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

Donors Leave a Legacy Through Their Estate Plans

ST. MARYS: Taking care of their family is usually the first priority when people think about estate planning. After that, they look to the things that are important in their lives, such as a charity that has touched their lives in a meaningful way, loyalty to a school that helped them succeed, or a worthy organization they strongly believe in. The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) strives to help individuals who care about this community to fulfill their charitable wishes by leaving a lasting legacy.

A number of area residents have left their legacy by incorporating a portion of their estate into a fund established in their name at the Foundation. Funds like those established through the estates of Sara-Jane Stackpole, Tom and Mary Rita Valentine, Harold and Midge Fritz Lenze, Gloria and Jim Straub, and Frank and Josephine Sicheri, are still making a difference in the communities they loved.

Sara-Jane Stackpole was an avid supporter of her community and an on-going contributor to the Foundation who left a lasting gift to her friends and neighbors by establishing two funds as part of her estate plan: The Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department Fund and The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund. These funds have provided many thousands of dollars in grants to support projects and non-profit organizations in the Ridgway area. The Sara-Jane Stackpole Legacy Society at ECCF was named after Sara-Jane in 2007 in appreciation for her deep commitment to philanthropy and to honor her memory.

In 2013, Tom and Mary Rita Valentine included the creation of a charitable fund in their estate plans. Their fund supports Catholic education at Elk County Catholic School System through scholarships and funding for general operational needs. Northwest Saving Bank (NSB), as well as local attorney Tom Wagner, played a large role in giving guidance to the couple as they completed their charitable plans. NSB representatives described Tom and Rita as “a very loving, sweet couple that lived for each other and their faith. The couple believed that by supporting Catholic education they could share their faith with the next generation. We honor their belief in Catholic education by administering this fund exactly how they wished.”

Harold C. Lenze was a longtime supporter of Catholic education in our community. Throughout Harold’s lifetime he and his wife Marguerite “Midge” would contribute to the education of many students in the area attending local Catholic schools. Provisions were made by Harold in his estate plans to establish a fund for the purpose of supporting Catholic education after his death. Upon Mr. Lenze’s passing the “Harold C. and Marguerite M. Lenze Tuition Assistance Fund for the St. Marys Catholic Elementary and Middle Schools” was created. The fund will provide tuition assistance for generations to come.

Gloria Straub left her imprint on the community she loved when she passed away in May of 2018. Her husband, Jim, preceded her in death in 2002. As part of her estate plan, Gloria provided for the establishment of three separate funds with ECCF. The James & Gloria Straub Benedictine Sister Fund provides for the special needs of the Benedictine Sisters who formerly resided at the St. Joseph Monastery in St. Marys. The James & Gloria Straub Memorial Fund will provide charitable funds to non-profit organizations recommended by the designated advisors for the fund. The James & Gloria Straub Pinecrest Manor Activities Fund will support the activities of the local nursing home where Gloria spent so many hours as a volunteer.

In 2017 ECCF received a large estate gift from the Zita Sicheri Estate. Jake Meyer and Brad Kraus of Meyer, Wagner, Brown and Krause Law firm helped to administer the estate. Zita donated a good portion of her assets to the Foundation to establish the Frank and Josephine Sicheri Family Fund in honor of her parents. The Fund will be for the sole purpose of support to the St. Boniface Catholic Church and School in her community. Her and her sisters’ years of labor and frugality will reap abundant benefits for the St. Boniface parish family whose lives will be touched by her generosity.

The Elk County Community Foundation has been helping individuals and families realize their charitable goals for over 20 years. Through the Foundation, donors can create funds to support causes they care about. It’s like having your own private foundation – but a lot easier. Funds can be started with just a minimal donation. Most can be set up in just one meeting, and your gifts are tax deductible. ECCF provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes. For more information, visit ECCF’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or call the office at 834.2125.

Photo: Sara-Jane Stackpole, Mary Rita & Tom Valentine, Harold & Midge Fritz Lenze, Gloria & Jim Straub.  Local residents left a legacy by establishing a fund at the Community Foundation which ensure their wishes will continue beyond their lifetime. Their funds recognize and support the charitable organizations and philanthropic causes that made an impact on their lives.

STEM Fund Benefits Area Schools

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future.  This is the 12th in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

STEM Fund Benefits Area Schools

ST. MARYS: The need for competency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills is not only increasingly important for success in the workforce but also to navigate the modern world. A new STEM Education Fund was established in 2016 at the Elk County Community Foundation. Arlan Clayton from Sarasota Florida initiated the idea for the fund, as he had been involved with the STEM program through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Clayton had operated a successful manufacturing business in our community and wanted to provide meaningful, educational assistance in the communities where he had operated his businesses. Tom Jesberger, a new ECCF board member at that time, now current Board President, took an interest in the fund and spear headed working with the schools, as well as making a donation.

Local county schools received $100,000 of grant funding for STEM education. The $25,000 given to each school was intended to enhance or create a STEM lab at the middle schools level. Mr. Clayton felt strongly that this age level is when students begin to explore their career choices. He wanted to see more students exposed to the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that involved critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, self-direction and career development.

Johnsonburg Area School District used the grant money to purchase a TI-Nspire teacher pack and user system, equipment such as software, probes, and sensors, tables, chairs a projector and a teacher computer. Ridgway Area School District used the grant to purchase movable tables, chairs, cabinets, SmartBoards, Chromebooks and

TI-NSPIRES calculators to enhance the school’s new STEM lab. St. Marys Catholic Middle School’s STEM initiatives included upgrading lab space in a classroom and purchasing new iPads, the TI-Nspire App for the iPads, Vernier Equipment, establishing a Robotics Elective Class and curricular materials. St. Marys Area School District redesigned existing labs to support them with sustainable STEM tools and also purchased Chromebooks, calculators and numerous aps including a health monitoring program that student study their physical health and well-being.

Tragically, Arlan Clayton passed away as a result of an accident shortly after starting his fund. Mr. Clayton left a lasting legacy in Elk County with his investment in STEM education. Tom Jesberger has continued his interest in promoting STEM education in our schools, and serves as the current President of the Elk County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Elk County Community Foundation Board of Directors is made up of a broad-based group of dedicated volunteers who lead the foundation through their expertise, their knowledge of our communities, and their passionate belief in the power of philanthropy to change lives. ECCF provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax deductible donations while they improve the quality of life in our communities. For more information, visit ECCF’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or call the office at 834.2125.

Photo: Tom Jesberger and Paula Eddy gratefully accept STEM funds from the late Arlan Clayton.

Ridgway Fire Department Charitable Fund Offers Long-Term Security

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future

This is the 11th in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

Ridgway Fire Department Charitable Fund Offers Long-Term Security

ST. MARYS: In 2009, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) Board of Directors approved a grant to the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department for $18,500 for hose and equipment for their new tanker. This grant was funded by the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department Charitable Fund, a Designated Fund that was established in 2006 by Sara-Jane Stackpole. Sara-Jane was a generous philanthropist who looked to support important organizations serving the community she cared about. Her purpose with this charitable contribution was to help ensure the long-term security of the fire department that provides such a vital service to her community.

When a donor sets up a new fund they have a choice of various types of funds to best meet their philanthropic goals. A Designated Fund allows a donor to direct their gift to a specific agency or purpose. Almost any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization may be designated to receive support for its mission. With a designated fund, the donor identifies the recipient(s) they wish to benefit through their gift, and our staff manages the annual distribution of funds from the endowment. A designated recipient may request a percentage distribution of their fund each year if they desire, but may also choose to accumulate this amount from year to year to build up funding for larger projects. Most funds are designed to allow the organization to receive a gift annually, forever.

Over the years, the fire department has benefited from $190,671 in grants from the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department Charitable Fund for various projects including dollars to assist with a rescue-pumper truck, hose replacements, roof repairs, carnival grounds restrooms, and the purchase of additional air packs. The Community Foundation administers the fund with all grants approved by ECCF’s Board of Directors.

Along with generous support from the community, the Ridgway Fire Department has also benefited from a 2019 grant for $3,250 from the Jeff and Sonya Marzella Donor Advised Fund for the purchase of Class D fire extinguishers.

Elk County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization that provides grantmaking support for the needs of our local communities from 172 funds that it maintains and administers on behalf of multiple donors. As a public charity, the Community Foundation also seeks support from the general public to help grow and maintain general community development funds. For more information visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or call the office at 834.2125.

Photo: In 2009, Mike Plaster of the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department accepted a $18,500 distribution from the organization’s charitable fund from Paula Fritz Eddy, ECCF Executive Director.

$35,000 in Women Who Care Grants Now Available to Nonprofits

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$35,000 in Women Who Care Grants Now Available to Nonprofits

Does your 501 (c) 3 organization have a project in need of funding? Grant applications for Women Who Care (WWC) grants are now open. WWC will award $35,000 in grants at their annual meeting in October. The deadline for grant applications is August 3, 2020. This year, many nonprofits have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. WWC encourages organizations to apply for funding to assist with their programs and projects. A maximum request amount per grant is $5,000.

Women Who Care, a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, is a women’s giving circle that is a pooled fund where the members decide what projects are important to them to enhance the needs of families in Elk County. The Women Who Care membership consists of 255 women from Elk County who are committed to supporting projects that will benefit women and their families.

The grants will be awarded by a competitive grant-making process. For granting guidelines and an application please download the WWC Grant Application at www.elkcountyfoundation.org and follow the instructions to apply. Inquiries can be directed to Paula Fritz Eddy of the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or by email at eccf@elkcountyfoundation.org.

Awards may be considered for new projects, or to enhance well-established programs. Awards may also be considered for start-up funds. Organizations may apply for funding annually but the same project will not be considered more than once, unless unusual circumstances exist, as in this COVID-19 year. Requests must not duplicate the work of other local organizations, and must reflect sustainability and/or other ongoing support.

Since its inception in 2009, WWC has granted over $223,000 to provide assistance to important projects in Elk County. All women are invited to join this philanthropic women’s giving circle!

PHOTO:

A 2019 Women Who Care $4,000 grant helped fund the St Marys Area Middle School Grade 6-8 Self-Care and Empathy project. The WWC grant was used to help purchase Care Closet shelving and clothing rack systems, two washer/dryer sets, and the additional kits to launch the grade 6 self-care and self-worth lessons during the first quarter of the school year. The Care Closet is stocked with donated clothing and personal care items and is available to all students.

ECCF Helps Ridgway YMCA Pave Their Way to Success

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ECCF: 20 Years: celebrating our past ~ inspiring our future

This is the 10th in a series of articles on the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) during its 20th anniversary year, highlighting its history and impact in the community

ECCF helps Ridgway YMCA pave their way to success

ST. MARYS: Over it’s more than 100-year history, the Ridgway YMCA has provided a safe, caring environment, positive role models, creative activities, and opportunities to serve all ages, incomes, and abilities. Since 2005, the Elk County Community Foundation has helped to grow the mission of the YMCA by awarding 19 grants totaling $74,436. The $8,000 grant in 2010 from the Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund was used for to resurface the parking lot, add handicap accessible spots and painted lines to bring order to the parking situation, and enhance the area with some landscaping.

Other projects funded over the years include IPads for child care programs, gym floor remodeling project, room restorations, daycare playground, teen obesity feasibility study, capital campaign assistance, and beautification projects. These projects were made possible through grants from the Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, the Elk County Society for Special Services Fund, the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund, the Jeff and Sonya Marzella Donor Advised Fund, the Doug & Charlotte Dobson Fund, the Elk County Community Development Fund, and the Fund for the Future.

The Elk County Community Foundation works with generous individuals, organizations, and corporations to establish funds like these, administer the business aspects of the funds, and award grants on behalf of each individual fund. Together, local philanthropists and the Community Foundation help answer the needs of our communities by providing funding for worthy projects that make a difference.

The mission of the YMCA is to provide a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential. This is achieved through programs that put Christian principles into practice that challenge us to build a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

Today, the local YMCA is used by over 1,000 members from Ridgway and surrounding towns. The YMCA offers many programs to benefit the community including a wide variety of fitness programs, boot camp, yoga, gymnastics, Silver Sneakers, water aerobics, summer camp, child care, preschool, before & after school program, cheerleading, and an indoor play area. Community support and fundraising programs are vital to the organization’s ability to offer these recreational and educational activities. Mary Lynne Bellotti, YMCA Director, stated, “the Ridgway YMCA is very thankful to ECCF for all their help with many of our projects over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are without the continued support of the Foundation.”

Elk County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization that provides grantmaking support for the needs of our local communities from funds that it maintains and administers on behalf of multiple donors. As a public charity, the Community Foundations also seeks support from the general public to help grow and maintain general community development funds. For more information visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or call the office at 834.2125.

Photo: In 2010, an $8,000 grant from the Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund helped resurface the parking lot across from the Ridgway YMCA to increase access and provide a safe parking area for the members of the YMCA.