Farmers National Bank Presents Check to Community Foundation

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Farmers National Bank Presents Check to Elk County Community Foundation

Recently Famers National Bank presented a $3,500 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 2011 the Elk County Community Foundation spent $32,400 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.

TheJohnsonburg Area School District has used the grant money to update and purchase equipment that included whiteboards, LCD projectors, laptops and numerous other pieces of equipment. It supplied many of their teachers with updated equipment and also it provided some of their teacher’s technology equipment for the first time.

The Ridgway School District was able to purchase a total of four smart classrooms and on smart response system. Their goal is to outfit all of the classrooms with smart technology in order for the students to have the knowledge they need to compete in our changing world. These responders work with existing technology in the classroom to allow students to respond instantaneously to questions from the teacher. The results are then graphed on the SmartBoard in the classroom which allows the teacher to effectively assess student performance.

At St. Marys Area School District their goal is to continue to provide the teachers and students the resources to be competitive in the 21st
century. The grant monies were used to purchase technology for the district. An additional four interactive whiteboards and accessories were purchased and installed in the Middle School. The interactive white board will enable the teachers and students to maximize the
on-line resources. An additional laptop was also purchased for use in the training for the District staff.

Inaddition to Farmers National Bank, other businesses that contributed though the State EITC program this year was PNC
Bank, EQT Productions, Highmark Casualty Insurance and Open Flow. 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 aximum of $100,000 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.

Foundation Moves to New Location

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ST. MARYS – Two area organizations that have provided support to Elk County communities over
the years held a ribbon-cutting Thursday afternoon to celebrate their new
shared space in the Franklin Center in downtown St. Marys.

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) and St. Marys Area Economic
Development Corp. (EDC) will now make their headquarters inside the center.

ECCF is a nonprofit organization which manages endowed funds established by
donors and then awards that funding locally to individuals, nonprofit
organizations and others.

The Elk County Community Foundation also took this
opportunity to present 10 grants recently approved by the Foundation
Board.  These grants are funded by the
Elk County Economic and Community Development fund and the general unrestricted
granting dollars Fund.  This year they
had a total of $32,000 to grant from these funds with request of over
$82,000.  We had 17 agency request money
and we were able to grant to 13.  A few
if these grants were given in the spring but they presented $26,000 at the open
house to the following organiztions:

  • City of St.
    Marys     is receiving a grant for $3,500 to assist with the
    St. Mary’s Heritage Preservation Group who plans to enhance the downtown area.
  • ECCHS Band
    Boosters     is receiving $500 to expand their 4th  Musical Instrument program to St. Bonifac and
    St. Leo’s that proved to be very successful in the St. Marys Catholic
    Elementary School.
  • Elk County Catholic School
    System     is receiving a check for $1000 to support their ne IPad
    initiative they launched this school year.
  • Elk
    Regional Health Center     is receiving a check for $4000 towards their
    renovation and expansion project.
  • Dickinson
    Center Inc.      will be receiving
    a $4000 for the Elkwood Arts Division to purchase a spark detection system that
    will help them comply with the current OSHA standards as well as provide safest
    setting possible for their consumers and staff.
  • The
    Johsnonburg Borough     will receive $3000 towards the resurfacing of
    their downtown playground that needs to comply with ADA and accessible
    standards
  • Mt. Zion
    Historical Society     is receiving a grant for $1000 to support the installation
    and dedication of the Civil War Memorial.
  • Elk County
    Community Recycling Center     is receiving a check for $3000 to  install a heating system into the expansion
    area needed accommodate their growing needs.
  • Community
    Nurses Incorporated     is receiving a grant for $2,000 that will
    purchase GPRS units that will assist their telahealth program.
  • St. Marys
    EDC     is receiving a check for $4000 to assist with their revolving
    loan program that helps recreate jobs and business for local industry

2012 Scholarships Winners

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The Elk County Community Foundation awarded a total of 87 scholarships to local students this year totaling over $100,600 in scholarship funds. Graduating seniors from area high schools were the recipients. Seventeen scholarships went Elk County Catholic, twenty four to St. Marys Area, twelve to Johnsonburg Area, twenty-two to Ridgway Area, and four went to Kane Area High School. Another six scholarships were given to students at DuBois and Brockway Area High Schools totaling three at each school. Also, three additional scholarships were awarded to students who were already in attendance at a post-secondary institution.

The dollars given to these students will impact generations to come as these young adults begin to shape our communities. Donors who have established these scholarships are contributing to our future leaders. The Elk County Community Foundation Board extends their gratitude to those who have seen the need and believe in the youth of today. Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact the Foundation at 814-834-2125.

Grant Applications are now available

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Application for Elk County Community Foundation

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of North Central Pennsylvania, 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 15, 2012 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com. The form is now must completed electronically and returned via email.

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.

In 2011, over $31,500 was awarded to several organizations which include:

The St. Marys Economic Development Corporation (EDC) for their Revolving Loan Program

Vietnam Vets #720

ECCOTA

Elk Regional Medical Center

ECCHS Band Boosters

St. Marys Sportsmen’s

Johnsonburg Fire Department

Oak Manor Inc.

Flying Dove Ranch Inc.

Dickinson Center Inc. Crossroads Program (Picture attached of their new classroom facility that was partially funded with this grant.)

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.

GrafTech USA LLC Scholarship

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Graf Tech USA LLC Scholarship

The Graf Tech USA LLC Scholarship, administered by the Elk County Community Foundation, awarded $20,000 over 4 years to Jessica Franco. Jessica is the first recipient of this scholarship. She is the daughter of Linda Franco, and they reside in Ridgway. Jessica is a 2012 graduate from Elk County Catholic High School, and her post-secondary education plans are to attend Duquesne University with a major in Occupational Therapy and Psychology. Graf Tech USA LLC, located in St. Marys, is part of the GrafTech International Ltd. Family of companies. The GrafTech organization has more than 125 years of experience in graphite material science. The GrafTech team is committed to giving back the communities where they operate. Their focus is on encouraging youth education. GrafTech is proud to administer a scholarship to an Elk County Catholic graduate in hopes of contributing support to their continued pursuit of academic excellence. The Elk County Community Foundation currently administers 46 scholarship funds and 37 agency and donor advised fund. If you are interested in establishing a fund please contact the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or check out our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com