Farmers National Bank Presents Check to ECCF

/in /by

Farmers National Bank Presents Check to

Elk County Community Foundation

Recently Farmers National Bank presented a $3,000 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 2014 the Elk County Community Foundation awarded over $52,000 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.

This past year Johnsonburg School District replaced a computer cart with laptops and upgraded the wireless service at their Elementary school. One of the programs they use is “Study Island” which provides a lesson or video that the students are then tested on to see how much they retained. Another program, the students really seemed to like was called “Throw the Teacher” and it dealt mostly with math skills like multiplication and division. All in all, the students love using the laptops, each student has an assigned number for the computer they use and the privilege of using the laptops is reserved for the 6th graders and the cart house in the 6th grade wing of the school.

The Ridgway School District was able to purchase for each of their two buildings, HD video conference equipment, HD screen/projection devise and streaming continent input device. Their goal is to continue to enhance the technology experiences of their students. Students were able with this equipment to go on virtual field trips. There were a number of the virtual field trips/video conferences that their students have participated including a trip to NASA, San Diego Zoo, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Texas State Aquarium, Grand Teton National Park and the Holocaust Memorial Center where our students were able to interact with Holocaust survivors via video conferencing. The school also is utilizing the systems for recording and conferencing with school board meetings and presentations.

At St. Marys Area School District their goal is to continue to infuse 21st century technology into the classrooms for teacher and student access. This year the grant money provided by the EITC dollars provided the opportunity to expand their capacity of affording iPads to the elementary students for use in the classrooms. With the grant, 30iPads minis were purchased with a Powersync cart for the South St. Marys St. Elementary. Along with the iPads, a MacBook Pro 31 was purchased to use to sync all iPads with the same Apps. Finally the remainder of the grant was put towards the purchase of cases for the iPad minis. The iPads are being utilized in the elementary grades to deliver instructional intervention provide access to e-books, and to supplement instructional strategies with the classroom.

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 $750,000 annually. 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): Craig Carrow and Richare Doverspike from Farmers National Bank, Paula Fritz Eddy from the Foundation and Heather Serefini from the Bank.

2014 Ridgway Charitable Fund Grants

/in /by

Ridgway Charitable Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation

Grants $18,750 local agencies

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 Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund (RBCF). The Ridgway Borough 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 $4850 to aid in their Flood Disaster Relief to replace and repair their storage, the items, storage and sump pump in their basement.

As well the Retired citizens Association of Ridgway had flood damage to their Center and they received $3900 towards their repairs.

Finally a $10,000 grant is going to the Ridgway YMCA who is working with Max Dush on his Eagle Scout aware. The project will restore the Frank Clark Memorial Basketball courts. The course was build years ago and is in much need of restoration. The project, when completed, hopes to resurface and paint existing courts, replace old bac boards and hoops, repair existing fences and add landscaping and privacy fencing.

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 $38,175. The Ridgway Charitable Fund only had $18,750 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

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.

Pictured left to right are: Linda White from RBCF with Rose Guth of the Retired Citizens Association of Ridgway; Mary Lynne Bellotti of the YMCA and Boy Scout, Max Dush, Derrick Good from RBCF; and finally Joe Bullers of the RBCF and Paula Fritz Eddy of ECCF with Billie Jo Wyant of CAPSEA.

Committee Planning for Non-Profit Academy

/in /by

Committee Planning for Non-Profit Academy to Occur October 23,

Early Bird Registration extended till Oct 11th

The Elk County Community Foundation and the Leadership Elk County Alumni have joined together to plan a local Non-Profit Academy: Working to Empower Non-Profits and Keep Communities Strong. This half day conference will be held on Oct 23rd at The Highlands, formerly the St. Marys Country Club from 8 to 1:30. Non-profit leaders, executives, front line staff, board members and volunteers from Elk County and the surrounding region are encouraged to attend.

The event is a conference where attendees will network, share and learn. This event will feature keynote speaker Rich Scott a Certified Dale Carnegie Trainer, along with other presenters including: Tish Mogan from the PA Association of Non-profit Organizations; Rev. Paul Taylor, Chief Advancement Officer at St. Vincent College; Matt Checchio, President of Mangus Marketing; and Ann Weidenboerner Mallison, SMEAL MBA Associate Director of Admissions from PSU. Topic for the day will include the 990 Form, Making the Ask, Social Media and Marketing.

Early bird registration has been extended to Oct 11th. For more information and to register, contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125. Pictured from left to right is part of the planning committee: Pam Streich, Greg Stauffer, Kim Kerchinski, Paula Fritz Eddy, Billie Jo Weyant, and Jackie Herbstritt

Calling all Non Profit Agencies

/in /by

Calling all Non Profit Agencies that serve the residents of Ridgway!

The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation

is now accepting Grant Requests.

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announces they are now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Ridgway. 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. ECCF welcomes all applications for funding as part of its mission to promote the betterment of the community and to enhance the quality of the life for all residents.

Funds will be award for such community development initiatives that will enhance the well-being of the Ridgway community. Distribution from the grants can be used to meet special project or program needs of 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. 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. Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2014 and are available via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. Applications are now fillable and should be completed electronically and emailed back to the Foundation at eccf@windstream.net. If you have any question about the application process, feel free contact the Foundation office.

Grants will be reviewed and approved by the end of October. The endowed fund was a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole and is held at the ECCF. Grants approved in 2012 were awarded to the following organizations:

CAPSEA: Phone System $5,000

Dickinson Center Inc: Elkwood Arts Vending project $5,000

Guardian Angels Center 50 Back to School Packs $3,500

Elk County Humane Society Wellness program $3,000

Tricounty Trails to Rails Insurance and Maineniance $1,500

ECCF is a nonprofit organization that manages endowed funds established by donors for area nonprofit organizations. 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.

Attached is a group picture of 2013 recipients and Fund Advisory Committee.

Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship Awarded

/in /by

Recently, the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship for $4400 was awarded to Eric Mastrogiacomo of St. Marys, by the Elk County Community Foundation and affiliate of the Community Foundation of North Central PA. Eric is the son of Mark and Judy Mastrogiacomo of St. Marys. He graduated from Allegheny College in 2012 with a degree in Biochemistry. Eric currently is enrolled at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

Joseph A. Williams (1876-1979) graduated from Penfield High School, DuBois Business College, and Eastman School of Business Administration in Poughkeepsie, NY. 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. Joseph Williams was also president of Eastern Clay Products, which comprised all clay products industries east of the Mississippi River. Mr. Williams retired from industry when he was 93 years old. 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 and the Community Foundation of North Central PA, currently administers 70 scholarship funds. If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund please contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or check out their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Pictured L to R

Eric Mastrogiacomo and Kris Kronenwetter Scholarship Manager