Elk County Community Foundation Prepares for Granting Cycle

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The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) 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.

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. Applications will be accepted through July 15, 2010 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 August. The funds come from the Foundation’s endowed Community Economic and Development fund and the Fund of the Future general endowment.

In 2009, over $22,000 was awarded to several organizations which include:

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

Johnsonburg Area School District

Ridgway Area School District

St. Marys Area School District

Dickinson Mental Health Center

Guardian Angel Center and Helpmates

St. Marys Little League

The Salvation Army

Ridgway Boy Scouts

Vietnam Veterans Bucktail Chapter 720

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.

Dennis and Deborah Bonanno donor Advised Fund Awards Grants.

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The Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizens recently received a grant for the Dennis and Deborah Bonanno Donor Advised Fund held at the Elk County Community Foundation. Both organizations met with Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director of the Foundation to explain how their organization will use the funds.

The Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department is in the process of building an addition to their current facility. The Department first expanded in 1992, and then was redone after Hurricane Frances flooded the Department in September of 2004. President Richard Gavazzi informed us that the addition will be 2,550 sq. feet. Because of the new addition the Department’s emergency response time will decrease and will also become more efficient. Currently, for two emergency response vehicles to leave the garage, three other vechiles have to first be moved. With the new area, which will be a 2-bay garage, this will no longer be necessary. Also included in the addition will be an office and storage area. Room to clean the firefighter’s protective clothing is also planned. According to Gavazzi, the Department estimated finishing date is July 2010. Elk County Community Foundation granted the Jay Township Volunteer Fire Department $500 for the completion of the building project. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $165,000; they are still raising additional funds to help with the cost.

“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way”, what was first said by Former President Abraham Lincoln is now the mantra for the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizen’s Center. This is exactly what they have done. The Senior Citizens of Bennett’s Valley decided that they needed a better facility for their center. That dream is coming true. The project was started in March of 2007. Due to the age of the current facility, which is located in a 107 year old church, it was determined that a new facility was needed. The new location of the Bennett’s Valley Senior Citizen’s Center will be 149 Plum Street, located next to St. Joe’s Terrace. President Dolores Youngmark stated that the new facility will be roughly 3000 sq. feet, have a commercial kitchen, storage areas, washer/dryer units, and a multipurpose room which can be used for exercise, get-togethers, etc, and a reception area that will carry a capacity of approximately 99 people. Thus far, the Center has accumulated $500,000 for the building project and interior. Contributing to this is a $500 grant from the Elk County Community Foundation. “We are fortunate, in Elk County, to have these people”, stated Youngmark when referencing the Foundation. Also aiding in the project is the USDA and the Agency on Aging. Ground break is still to be announced, however the Center is hoping for sometime in October of 2010. They are also still raising additional funds to help with the project.

Both of these grants were made possible through the Elk County Community Foundation from the Dennis and Deborah Bonanno Donor Advised Fund. Anyone interested in creating their own Donor Advised Fund should contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125 at the Foundation office.

The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Establishes New Fund

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The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 recently established a fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. This new fund will be used to support the work of the Chapters new Youth Outdoor Committee. The Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Youth Outdoor Committee plans to provide a safe and quality outdoor oriented adventure for youth with a life-threatening illness or a severely limiting physical condition. The adventure may include various hunting, fishing, or other suitable and available outdoor event or activity. Candidates will be selected from Elk and surrounding counties. The organization is in the start up phases and hopes to raise enough funding to have their first adventure in 2011. Anyone may donate to this fund to help us reach our goal of $100,000. Send check to the Elk County Community Foundation FBO PF Youth Outdoor Fund, 111 Erie Avenue, PO BOX 934, St. Marys, PA 15857. Contact Jane Bryndel for more information at janebryndel@msn.com.

The Elk County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. For the Pheasant Forever Chapter their cause is youth who love the out of doors but for what ever reason the out of doors opportunities are limited to them. To learn more about establishing a fund or how anyone can support the good works the many organizations in the community contact Paula Fritz Eddy at the Elk County Community Foundation office by calling at 834-2125 or contacting them through their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.com.

Women Who Care Grant Applications Available

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Women Who Care Grant Applications will be available as of May 1, 2010 with a deadline for submission by 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.

Elk County Community Foundation Grants $1,000,000 over the past 10 years!

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Recently, Elk County Community Foundation reported that the grant given to the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of their new tanker’s equipment marked the $1 millionth dollar granted since the Foundation was established 10 year ago. The Ridgway Firemen plan to help host an Open House commemorating the Foundation’s Anniversary. The event will take place at the Central Hose Company on 30 North Broad St., March 24th from 6 to 8 pm. A short presentation will take place at 7 pm. This event is open to the public!

During the 1990’s a group of business and civic leaders worked together to explore and discuss establishing a Community Foundation in the Elk County Area. After thorough research it was determined to establish a Community Foundation. The Foundation was organized in 1999, and a year later was incorporated and classified as a non-profit organization. At the time Bill Conrad of Stackpole-Hall Foundation described the Elk County Community Foundation as something that “provides individuals with an opportunity to financially provide for charitable and community organizations that they believe in and want to see endure in the long term.” Also at the time of inception the founding President of the Foundation was Richard Masson who described the foundation as a “chance for an individual to see their charitable intentions carried on from generation to generation”.

The Elk County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. For the Fire Department the person who cared about them was Sara-Jane Stackpole who, in her estate plans, designated dollars to the Elk County Community Foundation to be use for the special needs of the Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department. This is just one of 68 permanent charitable funds the Foundation manages that improve the quality of life in Elk and surrounding counties. Revenues from these funds provide grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and students, just as the donor intended.

The Foundation is growing with each passing year, and it will continue to help generation after generation. Meanwhile, the Foundation continues to enable individuals to achieve their philanthropic goals intelligently, creatively and effectively. If you have question or want to be a part of the future of our area, contact Paula Fritz Eddy at 814-834-2125 or www.elkcountyfoundation.com.