The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, under the management of the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), recently awarded $18,500 in grants to sin non-profit organizations. The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, (RBCF) an endowed fund, was established from a gift received from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole. The purpose of the fund is to provide support to organizations who contribute to the quality of life of the residents of the Borough of Ridgway. An advisory committee made up of Ridgway community leaders and residents is appointed by the Board of Directors of ECCF to review grant applications and distribute grants each year.  This is the 15^th year of distribution for the RBCF and after tonight it will have given nearly $259,000 back to organizations that serve the Ridgway residents.

The following are the list of grantees:

• Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s Neighbors Feeding Neighbors – Their program provides a bag of food sent home with elementary school children on Fridays, so they can have nourishment over the weekend. $5000

• Project Gifts for Elk County provide eligible children with new toys at Christmas and other times of need such as fires, domestics etc.  Award is $1000

• Ridgway Animal Haven Ridgway Animal Haven was developed to fill a need for successfully protecting/caring for unwanted/stray/abused animals.  A computer system is necessary to maintain the organizations files. Award is $2000.

• Ridgway Free Library Association, the project aims to improve the functionality of one of the most used rooms in the library, the Audiobook room, by purchasing four 84″ steel bookshelves and new seating for our patrons. 84″ shelves will increase floor space for indoor programs, collaborative workshops, and improved accessibility. Award is $3500

• James Zwald Chapter 314 Trout Unlimited’s project is part of an Elk County Park Improvement Project, which involves the Elk County Conservation District, the Jim Zwald Chapter Trout Unlimited, and Ridgway Township. The goal of the project is to install stream habitat structures to compliment an ADA accessible fishing dock. Award is $2000

• Tri-County Rails to Trails is involved with a Feasibility Studies to manage the extension of the Clarion Little Toby Trail to Johnsonburg. Award is $5000

The Elk County Community Foundation encourages local residents and businesses to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help grow this community-oriented fund and increase the granting dollars available each year. Donations to the Ridgway Charitable Fund can be sent in care of the Elk County Community Foundation at PO Box 934 in St. Marys. For more information, visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or contact ECCF at 834-2125. ECCF is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.

For detailed information on the granting process and available grants, visit the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org or contact them at 814.834.2125. The Elk County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that administers over 180 endowed funds that support our communities.