Ridgway Charitable Fund Grants $18,000 Locally

/in /by

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) brought together non profit organizations that serve the residents of Ridgway, who where chosen to receive a grant from the Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund. The Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund’s purpose is to provide financial support to those non-profit organizations whose application reflects a purpose or project that will benefit the residents of the Borough of Ridgway. The endowed fund was a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole and is held at the ECCF. As directed by Sara-Jane, the ECCF board of directors appointed an advisory committee made up of Ridgway community leaders and resident to review and distribute those grants that will enhance the quality of the life for all residents. This year’s Advisory Committee included Joe Bullers, Linda White, Mike Renaud, Derrick Goode, and Mary Jane Oknefski.

This year’s recipients are:

CAPSEA, Inc. requested and received $5000 to purchase a new phone system to make certain that victims of abuse and their children have access to services and shelter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The current system is over 15 years old and in of constant repair.

Dickinson Center Inc., Elkwood Arts program received $5000 and will be purchasing a snack/drink combination Vending Machine that will be operated at Dickinson’s location on Servadia Drive. The machine will not only serve the staff and clients but provide a new training opportunity for the Elkwood Arts consumers with intellectual/developmental disabilities. They will be stocking, inventorying, and tracking the sales of the machine as part of their program.

Guardian Angel received $3500 toward their 2014 back to school packs they give to Ridgway students. This past year they served 131 children from 51 families from the Ridgway community.

The Elk County Humane Society is the only shelter in Elk County, it is imperative that we remain open to care for abused, abandoned, and stray animals that are not protected by any other agency. They received a grant of $3000 to help with their wellness care of animals entering the shelter. They are receive flea/tick treatment and are spayed /neutered before they are adopted.

The final award of $1,500 went to the Tri-county Rails to Trails for the upkeep and maintenance of the trails that are heavily used by residents of Ridgway, Elk County and by many visitors from outside the area. People of all ages enjoy these trails.

Funds distributed were awarded for these community development initiatives that will enhance the well being of the Ridgway community. This year applications requests totaled over $30,000. The Ridgway Charitable Fund only had $18,000 to distribute this year. Donations are encouraged to grow the fund and to increase the amount of granting dollars available. Individuals, along with groups and business can make a tax deductible contribution by sending it to the Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, c/o Elk County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 934, St. Marys, PA 15857

Annually grants from the Ridgway Charitable Fund are distributed and can be used to meet special project or program needs of non profit organizations. 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 in August of each year. 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 self sustaining. In addition, grants are made to support programs serving all persons regardless of race, religion or creed and are made only to charitable organizations.

Organizations that feel they meet the above criteria are invited to submit their application to the foundation for the 2014 round of grants by Aug 15, 2013. ECCF is a non profit organization that manages endowed funds established by donors for area non profit organizations or student scholarships. Donor gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. For more information about opportunities at the Foundation please contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125 or visit our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Northwest Savings Bank Presents Check

/in /by

Recently Northwest Savings Bank presented a $40,000 check to the Elk County Community Foundation. These funds will be included in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) which then will make grants available to area public schools to support innovative educational programs that do not fall within the typical academic program. The funds for these innovative programs are administered and distributed through the foundation, which has been designated to serve as an Educational Improvement Organization by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. During 2012 the Elk County Community Foundation spent $26,300 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program . St. Marys, Johnsonburg and Ridgway Area School Districts were able to apply for grants for programming. These grants impacted nearly 3,500 students throughout the county.

At St. Marys Area School District their goal is to continue to infuse 21st century technology into the classrooms for teacher and student access. They added two interactive whiteboards for the Middle school along with two laptop and three ipads. The interactive white board will enable the teachers and students to maximize the on-line resources.

The Johnsonburg Area School District has used the grant money to replace equipment in the area of technology which will benefit our teachers and students with 15 HP probook laptop computers with Windows 7 for their Middle School classes.

The Ridgway Area School District has used the grant money to purchase an IPad mobile lab containing 20 Ipads. Digital Streaming and applications can be accessed to enhance individual learning.

Any entity authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and subject to certain taxes is eligible to apply. Tax Credits are limited to 75% of the businesses contribution with a maximum of $100,000annually. If a business agrees to make the same contribution for two consecutive tax years, it may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of its contribution.

If businesses wish to participate, they must submit a brief application to the DCED. The application can be found at www.inventpa.com. The Foundation also has applications and further information available to assist with the business application process.

Pictures are in Front(left to right): Don Valone, Foundation Board President and Kevin Oknefski, SVP, District manager from Northwest Savings Bank(NWS)

In back(left to right) Linda Decker, NWS Branch Manager; Paula Fritz Eddy, Foundation Executive Director; Lori Nussbaum; NWS Administrative Support; Barbie Cummings NWS Trust Officer

Non Profit Networking Academy

/in /by

The Non-Profit Academy is a partnership between the Elk County Community Foundation and a network of Leadership Elk County Alumni. In this 6-hour conference, attendees will network, share and learn. This event will feature a keynote speaker and workshops on recruiting and retaining volunteers, time management, fundraising and marketing strategies and more.

WHO: Non-profit leaders, executives, front line staff, board members and volunteers from Elk County and the surrounding region are encouraged to attend. There will be a minimal registration fee (continental breakfast and lunch provided).

WHERE: The Red Fern Conference & Banquet Center, 421 Old Kersey Rd., Kersey, PA 15846

WHEN: October 8th, 2013 from 8:00 AM- 1:30 PM

REGISTER TODAY: Download this registration form, complete form and email to eccf@windstream.net or mail to the Elk County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 934 Saint Marys, PA 15857

LAYOUT OF EVENTS:

Break-Out Session Description

Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers of All Ages

With Natalie Aiello and Brandi Hanes

Understanding the important role your volunteers play for your organization and learning how to keep them happy and engaged. Showing the impact for longevity with volunteers.

Fundraising Fundamentals

With Karen Buchheit, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

An Overview of fundraising principles and programs – covers the gamut of fundraising programs and explains how the different types of programs work together, the development process, stewardship, and more. This session will also touch on some tips for getting your board more engaged in fundraising for your organization.

Finding the “Hot Spots” on the Form 990

(Be sure to bring your organization’s 990 with you!)

With Tish Mogan, PANO Standard of Excellence Officer

Now more than ever, the IRS Form 990 has become one of the most important public relations documents for nonprofits. With renewed debate over the value of rating charities based solely on percentage spent on program activities and the recent “Help End the Overhead Myth” campaign, there is increased reliance on the Form 990 for a complete picture of an organization’s financial health and community value. This workshop approaches the long Form 990 from the perspectives of donors, funders and regulators. In this session you will learn to :1) Recognize components of the Form 990 schedules that are critical and could be overlooked. 2)Explore and discuss the Form 990 from the perspectives of a donor, funder and regulator. 3) Learn best practices for using the Form 990 as a tool to provide transparency on a charity’s operations.

Meeting Management: Practices to Keep Board Meetings Energized and Productive

With Tish Mogan, PANO Standard of Excellence Officer

“I can’t wait until the next board meetingJ!” or “Oh no… another board meeting to go toL .” Which comes closest to your experience of board meetings? Board members need on-going education and review of the most effective ways they can exercise their roles to achieve mission. At the same time, a few “tips” to keep board members engaged will also promote a board meeting that we want to attend and that focuses on achieving mission. In this session you will learn to: 1)Recognize appropriate roles for board and staff.2) Explore strategies for conducting high quality meetings. 3) Identify good behaviors and bad behaviors for board chairs.

Marketing Today : The Basics

With John Salter, Owner/General Manager of Salter Communications

In this workshop simple and effective market strategies will be discussed. A mix of traditional and social mediums highlighting what works and what doesn’t!

Time Management Tips for Home and Work

With Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director of the Elk County Community Foundation

This workshop is based on the book Time Management for Dummies by Dirk Zeller. Explore tips, techniques and helpful hints on how to make the most of your day. You may not have the power to get yourself more time, but you do have the power to make the most of it.

For more infomation:

Contact Paula Fritz Eddy at the Elk County Community Foundation

Phone: 814-834-2125, Email: eccf@windstream.net

WOMEN WHO CARE GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

/in /by

Women Who Care Grant Applications are currently available with a deadline for submission by August 15th, 2013. The granting dollars available for this granting cycle will be $16,000. The organization has given $43,800 back to the community over the past three years to area agencies to enhance programs that provide valuable services to our local families. In 2013, Women Who Care will be reserving a portion of our grant dollars specifically for Arts and Recreation projects.

Pictured are children enjoying a new piece of equipment that was funded by WWC’s 2012 grants given to Johnsonburg Borough for its East End Playground. Other projects funded in 2012 were: Elk County Children and Youth Services provided children with a needs a bed and bed linens;

Guardian Angel Center piloted a disposable diaper program; and the Penn State Cooperative Extension office and the 4-H program instituted a Robotics Club in the community.

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 has 135 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. Awards 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.

Pictured are children from King’s Daycare.

2013 Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Grant Presentation

/in /by

The Elk County Community Foundation’s

Presents Four Grants to local Organizations.

Recently, the Elk County Community Foundation Board of Directed approved grants to be distributed from the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund. The Advisors for that Fund recommended four organizations to receive $22,170. These organizations are the Community Education Council, Elkland Search and Rescue, City of St. Marys Police Department, and the Elk County Catholic High School.

The Community Education Council received $4,500 for the installation of a new and expanded security system. The new system will provide more protection for all of the learners that attend classes at the CEC, as well as the employees and professors.

Elkland Search and Rescue received $12,970 for the use of building the new training facility. Once finished the training facility will be the only training building solely devoted to search and rescue in Pennsylvania. The courses and trainers will instruct the members in the latest techniques and technology.

The City of St. Marys Police Department received $3,200 to assist with their D.A.R.E. programs in the local schools. D.A.R.E. is a program that raises awareness of the effects of Drug and Alcohol usage to children in schools. This grant will allow the policemen more classroom time to teach.

The Elk County Catholic High School received $1,500 to fund the startup costs of the Future Business Leaders of America Program. The program teaches students how to become leaders, how business works, gaining software skills, and developing career awareness.

The Advisors of the Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund goal is to continue to support the philanthropic causes that were important to both Harrison and Muriel. Ted Schneider, one of the Fund Advisory was on hand to present the checks to each organization’s representative. “Their interests varied included educating youth, literacy, care of the elderly, along with the true volunteer organizations doing work within the community” said Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director for the Foundation.

The Foundation accepts request for grants quarterly for this Fund. If anyone would like to get more information about receiving a grant or establishing a fund of their own, please contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125 or visit our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.