Elk County Community Foundation Announces New Scholarship

/in /by

Recently the Elk County Community Foundation, (ECCF) awarded nearly $63,000 in scholarships to area students. Each scholarship is unique to the field of study, eligibility and community it serves. This year the Foundation has a new scholarship from Ridgway Area School District, which they have just turned over to the Foundation to administer. The Josh Launer Memorial Scholarship has been awarded in the past, but the School District decided to transfer the funds to the Foundation because it was the most cost effective way to manage these funds and would produce the most available dollars to the students.

The Josh Launer Memorial Scholarship was established in Josh’s memory and is a tribute to his life by his family and friends. Josh was a student at Ridgway Area High School. He enjoyed both the outdoors and anything with motors. Josh faced many challenges while in school, mainly health related, but he found that he could still manage to do, try and work hard in school. He overcame these challenges to reach his graduation in 2005 from Ridgway Area High School. Shortly after graduation, Josh underwent a heart transplant. Unfortunately, after a long battle with his health problems, Josh passed away in the fall of 2005. He is greatly missed by many. This scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating senior from RAHS that has demonstrated an ability to overcome challenges handed to them and wishes to continue their education at the college level. This year’s recipient of the Josh Launer Memorial Scholarship is Shane Munson.
In addition to the dollars these students will receive from these scholarship funds, they may receive matching dollars from PHEAA through the PATH (Partners for Access To Higher Education) program. As one of only 35 approved organizations that are PATH partners, the Elk County Community Foundation will submit each student who receives one of the scholarships that they administer to PHEAA for additional matching funding. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in an approved Pennsylvania College or career school and be PHEAA approved. Last year, students that received ECCF scholarships received nearly $27,500 in additional grants. This is one of the reasons that many donors come to the Foundation to establish their scholarships. This program can potentially double their scholarship award through the PATH program.

The Community Foundation also assists donors who have an interest in starting a scholarship fund, whether as a general purpose or in the memory of a deceased family member or friend. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the foundation for further information on the matter.

32 South St Marys Street, Suite 4, P.O. Box 934 – Saint Marys, PA 15857 – Phone: 814-834-2125 – Fax: 814-834-2126 – Email: eccf@windstream.net

Women Who Care Grant Applications Available

/in /by

www-news.pngThe 2010 Women Who Care Grant Application will be available starting May 1, 2010 with a deadline for submission of July 15th, 2010.

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. The funds that were collected for the WWC will be distributed to various local charitable organizations through a grant application process. Eighty-five percent of the funds collected will be awarded each year, ten percent of the funds will become part of an endowment and five percent will cover the administrative expenses. This first year the Women Who Care realized or $14,000 with 97 members. The granting dollars available for this granting cycle will be $12,000.

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 will be given up to $6,000. The awards may be less than the amount requested, and may consider providing matching or challenge grants.

Top grant applications will be presented to the full members at its annual meeting in the fall. At that time each Women Who Care member will have the opportunity to vote for the project(s) to be funded. A short presentation by the agency will be required at that time.

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. The Women Who Care organization was established last year as a project of the Elk County Community Foundation.

Ridgway Charitable Fund is now accepting Grant Requests.

/in /by

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announces they are now accepting grant applications from non profit 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 have been revised to make it easier for organizations to apply. New applications will be accepted through September 17, 2009 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

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 2009 were awarded to the following organizations:

Dickinson Mental Health

WRC

Elk County Concert Choir

Guardian Angel Center

Salvation Army

Ridgway Boy Scout Troops

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. For more information about opportunities at the Foundation please contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125.

Ridgway Charitable Fund is now accepting Grant Requests.

/in /by

The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announces they are now accepting grant applications from non profit 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 have been revised to make it easier for organizations to apply. New applications will be accepted through September 17, 2009 and are available by calling the ECCF’s office at 834-2125 or via their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

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 2009 were awarded to the following organizations:

  • Dickinson Mental Health
  • WRC
  • Elk County Concert Choir
  • Guardian Angel Center
  • Salvation Army
  • Ridgway Boy Scout Troops

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. For more information about opportunities at the Foundation please contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125.

Sashy and Gladys Kane Perpetual Scholarship Awarded

/in /by

Each year, two students from Kane Area High School are awarded the Sashy and Gladys Kane Perpetual Scholarship, through the Elk County Community Foundation. These students must play an active role in their school and community in order to be selected for the scholarship. This year DeForest Long and Emelie Kerek were awarded the scholarship.

DeForest Long is the son of Kathy Long of Kane, Chuck and Lt. Col. Jill Long of Germany. While he was in high school DeForest was involved in marching band, concert band, drumline, the school newspaper, his church drama group, and the Handbell Choir. He has also participated in the 30 hour famine, Vacation Bible School, the Roadside Litter Pickup and the Loren B. Wright Festival of Bands. DeForest is currently employed at Allegheny Ice Company. This fall he is headed to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to major in Cinematography with a minor in Advertising. While at Edinboro DeForest hopes to be a part of the Bagpipe Band.

Emelie Kerek, the daughter of Thomas and Linda Kerek, of Kane Area High School graduated valedictorian for the class of 2010. While in high school Emelie was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in History, Mathematics, and English, and was a member of the National Honor Society and Enrichment program. She was also consistently on the merit honor roll. Ms. Kerek was on the staff of her school newspaper, a peer mediator, and a tutor. Emelie also volunteered for the Allegheny Friends of the NRA and the Kane Winter Carnival. This fall Emelie will be attending Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Applied Media Arts. Upon her college graduation, Emelie plans to work as an animator in Video Game Development or Cinematic Animation.

The Sashy and Gladys Kane Permanent Memorial Scholarship Fund provides two scholarships to Kane Area High School seniors who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution of higher learning. Sashy Kane was the eldest grandchild of General Thomas L. Kane, the town’s founder. He was a veteran of both World Wars, twice receiving the bronze star and retiring with the rank of the Colonel. He received a Ph.D. from Harvard University, was a professor at the University of North Carolina and was head of the Language Department at the University of Tennessee. Gladys was a registered nurse and the head nurse at the Kane Hospital. Together with her husband Sashy, they established and operated the Kane Manor until moving to Florida in 1954. Tom, son of Sash and Gladys along with his wife Dottie established this scholarship in memory of his parents and their family roots in Kane, PA

The Elk County Community Foundation serves Elk and surrounding counties connecting people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation manages permanent charitable funds to improve the quality of life in our communities. Revenues from these funds provide grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students in the area, just as the donor intends. If anyone is interested in learning how to establish a scholarship or donating to an existing scholarship, they can contact Paula Fritz Eddy at the Elk County Community Foundation office at 814-834-2125.