WOMEN WHO CARE GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

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Women Who Care Grant Applications are currently available with a deadline for submission by August 14th, 2015. The granting dollars available for this granting cycle will be $21,000. With this year’s grants the organization will reach a milestone of giving over $100,000 back to the community. Over the past six years they have made grants to area agencies to enhance programs that provide valuable services to our local families. Again this year, Women Who Care will be reserving a portion of our grant dollars specifically for Arts and Recreation projects.

Pictured are children displaying their projects at the Wilcox Library after attending their weekly story hour. WWC 2014 granted dollars to support the Library’s weekly program. Other projects funded in 2014 were: Elk County Catholic School System’s Drop Shot Basket Ball Funnel; the Boys and Girls Club’s Homework Club; Community Nurses Inc.’s Auto Medication Dispensers; Dickinson Center’s Cross Roads Meal Program; LIFT for assisted Technology projects; a new color printer for Johnsonburg Public Library; and funds to support the Elk County Historical Society projects.

The purpose of the Women Who Care (WWC) organization is to strengthen the local communities by engaging and educating women in philanthropy and issues that are important to families. This year, the Women Who Care organiztion has 188 members and is growing steady. WWC will distribute dollars to various local charitable organizations through a grant application process. Eligible awards will be limited to nonprofit organizations with current 501 (c) (3) status, schools or municipalities who serve the residents of Elk County. Requests must not duplicate the work of other local organizations, and must reflect sustainability and/or other ongoing support. Award amounts will be given up to $6,000. Top grant applications will be presented to the full members at its annual meeting in the fall where the membership will vote on the projects.

Inquiries/questions and requests for applications can be directed to Paula Fritz Eddy of the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or by email at eccf@windstream.net or by visiting their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com . The Women Who Care organization was established as a project of the Elk County Community Foundation.

Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship

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Recently, the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship for $4425 was awarded to Emily Detsch of St. Marys, by the Elk County Community Foundation. Emily is the daughter of Daniel and Lisa Detsch of St. Marys. She graduated from Penn State Behrend with a degree in Biology. Emily currently is enrolled at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.

In his estate plans Joseph A. Williams (1876-1979) was interested in the education of local students perusing a medical degree and established this scholarship. Mr. Williams was a very hard and dedicated worker who was employed by the Kaul and Hall lumber company for over 67 years. He later became president of various lumber and clay industries. Mr. Williams was president of Eastern Clay Products, which comprised all clay products industries east of the Mississippi River. As one of the founders of the Industrial Council of St. Marys, Joseph Williams was always interested in civic matters. He held leadership positions with the American Red Cross; United Fund; Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital and the Historical Society of St. Marys and Benzinger Township.

The Elk County Community Foundation currently administers 74 scholarship funds. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund please contact the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or check out their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Pictured L to R

Emily Detsch and Jake Meyer, Board President of the Elk County Community Foundation.

Ole Bull Violin and Inez Bull Piano Scholarships

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Ole Bull Violin and Inez Bull Piano Scholarships

Two new scholarships with the North Central Community Foundation of PA are the Ole Bull Violin and the Inez Bull Piano Scholarships that were established by the Spunky Norwegian Foundation. Two students who were selected to be awarded $2,250 each in the form of a scholarship. The 2015 recipients are, Brent Bartlett, the recipient of the Ole Bull Violin scholarship is a student at IUP and Shiqun Ou the recipient of the Inez Bull Scholarship attends PSU.

The student must have graduated from a high school in Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron or Clinton county and be majoring in music. The scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation who will distribute over $170,000 in 2015. These scholarships recognize high school seniors who have displayed outstanding qualities in academic achievement, leadership, and community service. In addition to this award the Community Foundation is involved with the Partnership for Access to Higher Educations (PATH) and will nominate all students who receive a scholarship from them to the PATH program. This program is administered through PHEAA which provides matching dollars to qualified candidates. Last year the Foundation had nearly $61,000 matched to 54 students in our area.

The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to The Spunky Norwegian Foundation who has seen a need and believes in the youth of today. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125 or get more information from the website, www.elkcountyfoundation.com

Michelle A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship

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The Michelle A. Campbell Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, administered by The Elk County Community Foundation, recently awarded $1,600 to Rhianon Fowler, a 2013 graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School. Rhianon is heading into her sophomore year at Clarion University and is proud to say she is part of the first to graduate from the new nursing degree program at Clarion. Rhianon has maintained excellent grades while also playing on the Clarion University Woman’s Soccer Team. Michelle Campbell, the number one student in her nursing class, was dedicated to helping other and learning to be the best nurse she could be. Pictured with Rhianon are Michelle’s parents, Joyce and Jim Campbell, who have established this scholarship in her memory. If you have questions about he Foundations or are interested in establishing a fund, please contact us at 814-834-2125 or check out our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Grant

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Application for Elk County Community Foundation

 The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), announces their annual granting cycle applications are now available to area nonprofit organizations. The ECCF welcomes applications for funding as part of its mission to promote the betterment of Elk County and to enhance the quality of the life for all residents. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2015 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. All grant will need to be submitted electronically.

Funds will be award for such community development initiatives that will enhance the economic and community well-being of Elk County.  Distribution from the grants can be used to meet special project or program needs of organizations serving the people of Elk County. The Foundation encourages organizations that will serve a particular need of the community and will make a lasting impact on the overall community to apply.  The Foundation seeks to fund projects or activities that will serve the needs of many in the community rather than the needs of a few individuals.  Projects should include activities that are innovative and have a plan to be sustained themselves.   In addition, grants are made to support programs serving all persons regardless of race, religion or creed and are made only to tax-exempt, charitable organizations.

Organizations that feel they meet the above criteria of the economic and community development are invited to submit their application to the foundation. Grants will be reviewed and approved by the end of August.  The funds come from the Foundation’s endowed Community Economic and Development fund and the Fund of the Future general endowment.  The form now must be completed electronically and returned via email.

With the grants given in 2014 totaling nearly $30,000 the Community Foundation celebrated yet another major milestone. The total dollars given to the community since their inception in 2000 surpassed the $2million mark. Grants awarded last year included:

Elk County Catholic School Systems for purchase of new Elementary School blinds

  • Highland Twp. Recreation purchased new Park equipment
  • Historical Society of St. Marys partially funded their new parking lot
  • St. Marys Area Economic Development Corp. for support of their Revolving Loans
  • St. Marys Rotary Club community clock project
  • Shade Tree Commission’s completed their Erie Ave. project
  • Jay Township Volunteer Fire Co.Rescue Utility Vehicle

The Foundation also administers a number of other funds that grant throughout the year.  Check out the other Grant application on their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. ECCF is a non-profit organization that manages endowed funds established by donors for area non-profit organizations.  Donor gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.