Grant Opportunities available now at Elk County Community Foundation

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Photo: In 2023, the Johnsonburg Senior Center needed new basement doors to replace the old doors that were in very poor condition. With $3,000 in grant awards from the Johnsonburg Area Endowment Fund they were able to install new weather efficient, safe entry doors for their facility that is utilized by many seniors from the Johnsonburg area.

Grant opportunities are available at the Elk County Community Foundation

St. Marys, PA: Grant opportunities are currently available from three of the open grant funds held at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF).

The Johnsonburg Area Endowment Fund is now accepting applications for the current granting cycle. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2024. Grants are awarded through an open, competitive grant process open to any 501c3 organization, school, municipality, or organized religion that benefits the residents of the Johnsonburg Area School District. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

The Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Fund and the Elk County Development Fund welcome grant applications for 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 Elk County. The deadline to apply for this round of grant funding is July 15, 2024.

Applicants can access information on the funds, instructions on how to apply, and the grant application on the Elk County Community Foundation website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. If you have questions about the application process, whether or not your organization qualifies, or would like to speak to someone about your project, please call the Foundation office at 814-834-2125.

The Elk County Community Foundation provides administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes, while improving the quality of life 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.

Elk Co Humane Society creates agency fund at ECCF

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Photo: Bob Ordiway, Jeff Marzella, and Tom Wagner, Elk County Community Foundation Board Officers accept a check for $5,000 from Elk County Humane Society representatives Marge Wegemer and Elizabeth Erich. The check represents an initial investment to establish an Agency Endowment Fund in the name of the Elk County Humane Society at the Community Foundation.

Elk County Humane Society creates agency fund at Community Foundation

St. Marys: The Elk County Humane Society recently established its own fund at the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF). The Elk County Humane Society Agency Endowment Fund will serve to protect their charitable dollars for the future of their work and mission. A portion of the fund is made available to them annually while the remaining assets are retained in the fund to provide for growth over time.

Through this type of fund, the Humane Society will build endowment guaranteed to receive prudent stewardship, while providing a lasting source of income. Nonprofit agencies that build an endowment fund with the ECCF benefit from reduced overhead and administrative costs, with the Foundation managing all gift processing, record keeping, tax reporting, administrative services, and audits, along with professional investment management.

This endowment fund is open-ended so once it was established other donors may contribute to the fund. An agency endowment is a perfect vehicle to accept charitable bequests and donations from area residents. Donations to help build this fund can be made to the Elk County Humane Society Agency Endowment Fund in care of the Elk County Community Foundation. A check can be mailed to ECCF, or a donation can be made online at www.elkcountyfoundation.org by clicking on the Donate Now button.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. Our affiliate Foundations are making an impact in the Northern Alleghenies by providing the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to establish funds that accomplish their charitable wishes. For more information contact the Foundation at 1- 844-238-2289.

Bob Esch welcomes Jim Evans as CFNA Board President

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Bob Esch welcomes Jim Evans as CFNA Board President

Photo: Bob Esch, outgoing Board President of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies (CFNA), welcomes Dr. Jim Evans, on right, to the Board President position for the 2024-2026 term of office. CFNA is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation.

St. Marys, PA: The Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies (CFNA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jim Evans to the position of Board President. Bob Esch, outgoing President, welcomed Evans as the new President at the February meeting of CFNA.

Mr. Esch spearheaded the establishment of the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF), working with area business and civic leaders to explore the establishment of a community foundation in the McKean County area. As a result, MCCF was established in 2017. The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, became the parent company of both the McKean County Community Foundation and the Elk County Community Foundation, which was established in 2000. Esch will remain on the Board of Trustees, continuing to inspire philanthropy and contribute to the growth of our communities.

Dr. Jim Evans is a philanthropic advocate for the McKean County area. Dr. Evans retired from Pitt Bradford in 2018 as the longest-serving administrator in the college’s 54-year history and the longest-serving chief student affairs officer in the history of the University of Pittsburgh. He has made an impact at the university and throughout the community through service to many organizations including United Way, Futures Rehabilitation Center, the Guidance Center, Bradford Ecumenical Home, the Friendship Table, and Bradford Rotary Club, as well as the McKean County Community Foundation. His expertise in community leadership will provide expert guidance to the CFNA Board of Trustees.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. With a shared vision to inspire philanthropy and strengthen our unique communities, our affiliate Foundations are making an impact in the Northern Alleghenies by providing the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to establish funds that accomplish their charitable wishes. For more information contact the Foundation at 1- 844-238-2289.

Community Foundation announces Executive Director Transition

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PHOTO:  Tiffany Boschert will assume the position of Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies upon the retirement of current Executive Director, Paula Fritz Eddy.

Community Foundation announces Executive Director Transition

The Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is pleased to welcome new leadership. Tiffany Boschert is coming aboard as the new Executive Director, while we wish all the best to Paula Fritz Eddy, current Executive Director, who will be retiring in the coming months. The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation.

Tiffany comes to the Executive Director position with a strong background in philanthropy, leadership, management, and community development. As the past Director of Development at Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services, Erie, PA, Tiffany brings with her a wealth of experience in donor relations, grant writing, and budget management, along with a passion for positive change within our communities. Her professional expertise includes Family Development Specialist at The Guidance Center, Pregnancy and Parenting Counselor at Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services, and Executive Director at the Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys.

The board initiated a comprehensive search process to find an individual with the experience, dedication, and vision to effectively manage and grow the Community Foundation well into the future. “Our Board of Trustees is thrilled to introduce a leader of Tiffany’s caliber into our community to guide our Community Foundation,” said parent Board President, Jim Evans. “It was evident to the committee almost immediately that Tiffany’s ability to perform at the highest level along with her experience in development and philanthropic leadership would align very well with the work of the Community Foundation.”

Evans continued, “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paula for her excellent leadership of the Community Foundation. She will be retiring after a tremendous 19-year career as Executive Director. She has grown the Foundation to great heights and leaves us well positioned for success into the future.”

Tiffany stated, “This commitment perfectly mirrors my own passion for philanthropy and community betterment. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of leading the Elk and McKean County Community Foundation to new heights of community impact.”

Paula Fritz Eddy added, “I could not be happier to welcome Tiffany as the new Executive Director. She is well suited to lead our well-loved organization that consists of an extremely talented team and a long history of dedicated donors and nonprofit partners. She will continue to build on the Foundation’s achievements of the past 24 years and expand our impact in our communities.”

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 844-238-2289.

Women Who Care Member Nancy Hoffman awards grant to Senior Junction of Ridgway

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PHOTO: Women Who Care member Nancy Hoffman awarded a $250 grant to the Senior Junction of Ridgway (SJR). Pictured left to right: Mary McGrath, SJR Treasurer; Michelle Bogacki, SJR Secretary; Nancy Hoffman, SJR Vice President and WWC Donor for a Day; Ray Imhof, SJR Board Member and Ridgway Mayor; Deb Imhof, SJR Steering Committee; Donna Bjorkquist, SJR Steering Committee; Jane Bryndel, SJR Steering Committee and WWC Board Member.

Members of Women Who Care (WWC), a project of the Elk County Community Foundation, have the opportunity to qualify each year for the chance to award a special Donor-for-a-Day grant to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

Four lucky members were able to award $250 to a favorite organization during the WWC holiday membership drive. Nancy Hoffman awarded a grant to the Senior Junction of Ridgway; Lisa Salter provided funding to the St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group; Debby Bressler awarded her grant to the Johnsonburg Senior Center; and Andrea Allegretto awarded to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Johnsonburg. Women Who Care has given $391,580 to area non-profits since 2010.

Women Who Care brings women from diverse backgrounds together to combine their philanthropic donations and strengthen the Elk County community through the power of collective giving. More than 280 women make up the membership of Women Who Care. WWC is looking to grow its membership to make an even greater impact in the Elk County area. For a minimal donation you can make a difference for our communities. Find out all about Women Who Care on our website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org.

The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in our geographic area by working with philanthropic donors to help them meet their charitable goals. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.