Community Foundation’s HMDS Fund awards $12,000 to Christian Food Bank

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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

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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.

Grants for Pre-K programs available until January 15

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Photo: The Ridgway YMCA received an Elk County Society for Special Services grant in 2024 to purchase additional iPads for their recently expanded preschool program.

Grants for Pre-K programs available at ECCF

Does your organization serve the Pre-K community in Elk County? The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is accepting grant applications through January 15 from non-profit organizations and schools that provide educational services for the Pre-K community. The grants are made available through the Elk County Society for Special Services Fund (ECSSS) which is administered by the Foundation.

The ECCSS fund was established to assist any nonprofit agency that provides services that offer Pre-K education. The purpose of the grant is to improve programs that are already established or to develop new programs. This fund does not cover direct operating expenses of an agency, rather it hopes to enhance an organization’s programs that serve young children.

For instructions on how to apply for a grant, go to the Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. A link to the fund under Open Grants will connect you with our new online application process. Contact our office at 814-834-2125 to determine if your organization qualifies and for further instructions on how to proceed with the grant application.

The Elk County Community Foundation 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.

New Name: The Elk County Community Fund

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New Name: The Elk County Community Fund

The Elk County Community Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a name change to its general granting fund. The Elk County Development Fund is now The Elk County Community Fund. This simple but meaningful name change is more than just a new title. It is a renewed commitment to the people, places, and potential that defines Elk County.

The Elk County Community Fund is a flexible charitable fund that supports the community’s most pressing and changing needs, as determined by the foundation’s board and staff. Unlike restricted funds for specific causes, unrestricted funds allow the foundation to provide grants for urgent issues, long-term solutions, and future opportunities that may not be anticipated when the fund is established. We evaluate all aspects of community well-being: arts and culture, economic development, education, environment, health and human services, neighborhood revitalization, and more. The next round of grants for this fund is now open. Applications are due January 15.

The support of our communities through their generous donations helps to grow the fund to continue to respond to requests from non-profit organizations for important programs that enhance the lives of our residents. Donations of any size are gratefully accepted at the Elk County Community Foundation, PO Box 934. St. Marys, PA, 15857.

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.

Women Who Care awards $47,000 in grant funding to local organizations

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Photo: Members of the Women Who Care (WWC) Steering Committee gathered to present grant checks to representatives of the eleven organizations chosen for 2025 grants by the members of WWC. Front row: Ann Bauer, Steering Committee member; Sarah Grunthaner, Johnsonburg Area School District; Steering Committee members, Paula Eddy, Kris Kronenwetter, Paula Micale, Beth Constable; and Tiffany Boschert, Elk County Community Foundation Executive Director. Middle row: Leslie Bauer and Elizabeth Erich, Elk County Humane Society; Mary Ann Glover and Deb Shaffer, Johnsonburg United Methodist Church. Back row: Jeff Smith and Bill Kraus, Crystal Fire Department; Tyler Bender, Bender Safety & Training. Recipients Missing from photo: Special Olympics – Elk & Cameron; Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys; St. Marys Public Library; St. Leo School; Community Education Center; and Elk County Catholic School System.

Women Who Care awards $40,000 in grant funding to local organizations

Women Who Care (WWC), a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, granted a total of $47,000 to eleven nonprofit organizations at their Annual Business Meeting held on October 15 at the Johnsonburg Firehall. Along with video grant presentations, voting, and awarding of grants, the women enjoyed appetizers, a delicious meal, basket raffles, and a fun evening socializing with friends old and new.

Women Who Care is a donor advised fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation. The fund was established in 2009 by a group of community-minded women who have grown to over 260 members that continue to work together to address and support issues that are important to women and their families. This philanthropic women’s group has donated over $487,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations that serve Elk County.

Women Who Care members and their guests gather twice a year, in the spring for a social event, and in the fall for their Annual Business Meeting. It is an exceptional opportunity for the women to network, socialize, and make a huge impact in their community with a modest investment. WWC extends an invitation to all area women to join their organization. Members each donate $100 or more annually. All donations are pooled together each year to determine the amount available for granting that year. Detailed information on Women Who Care and how to become a member is available on our website, www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

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