Womens’s Giving Circle of McKean County Grant Applications Available

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Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County Grant Applications Available

Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County grant applications will be available as of September 1, with a deadline for submission by October 1, 2020. Applications can be found on McKean County Community Foundation’s website at https//mckeancountyfoundation.org.

The Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County (WGC) is a group of local women committed to volunteerism and sharing who have formed a philanthropic women’s organization to strengthen their community. Each of the women pay annual membership dues that are pooled together to create a fund that grants needed dollars to local nonprofit organizations. The women will gather at their annual meeting this fall where they will vote on which projects are important to them to enhance the needs of families in McKean County.

The funds that are collected for the WGC will be distributed to various local charitable organizations through an annual 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. In this first year, the Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County has 75 members. The granting dollars available for this granting cycle will be $9,500. McKean County organizations are encouraged to apply for these grants.

Eligible awards will be limited to nonprofit organizations with current 501 (c) (3) status, and schools or municipalities who serve the residents of McKean 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 $2,000.  Some grants that are awarded may be less than the amount requested.

Top grant applications will be presented to the full membership at its annual meeting in the fall.  Since the venue will be virtual this year, we are asking applicants for a brief three (3) minute video to be prepared and submitted with their application. The Women’s Giving Circle members will have the opportunity to vote for the project(s) to be funded.

Inquiries/questions and requests for grant applications and membership information can be directed to Paula Fritz Eddy of the McKean County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125 or by email at mccf@mckeancountyfoundation.org.  The Women’s Giving Circle of McKean County organization was established last year as a project of the McKean County Community Foundation. Membership for 2020-21 is now open.

Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition Fund Established

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Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition Fund Established

The “Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition Fund” has been established at the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) to fund the future of the recently publicized Bradford Business Competition. The Bradford Area Alliance has announced the re-igniting of this brand new business competition for startups and new business ventures of existing businesses. The McKean County Community Foundation 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. With plans for futures awards and competitions the Community Foundation is accepting donation to grow the fund.

Contributions of any amount can be mailed to the MCCF, PO Box 708, Bradford, PA, 16701 (checks payable to the McKean County Community Foundation, with the “Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition Fund” in the memo line). All contributions have maximum tax deductibility. With dedicated effort, the potential income from the fund will secure future competitions for many years.

The naming of its new competition the “Harvey L. Golubock Bradford Business Competition” in honor of and in recognition of the illustrious career and tremendous impact Harvey Golubock had in the Bradford (PA) region.  The competition will distribute a monetary award in seed capital and may also may include in-kind services to the winner. The plan is for an annual business competition looking to entice aspiring or budding entrepreneurs to move from idea-to-vision-to-market.

For more information about making a donation to the MCCF visit their website at www.mckcountyfoundation.org or by calling  the Community Foundation at 844-238-2289.   When donating on line, be sure to put the Fund name section of the Donation form.

Picture:  Harvey Golubock

 

Tuna Valley Trail Association Fund

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Tuna Valley Trail Association Fund

The McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) announces the establishment of a new designated fund to benefit the Tuna Valley Trail Association (TVTA).  A designated fund allows the donor to name a particular charity or field of interest to benefit from the fund in perpetuity. The Foundation provides oversight to ensure that the gift is used exactly as the donor intended.

Recently, a very generous donor established a fund to help provide the TVTA with funding to be used for annual maintenance and upkeep of the trails.   At this time, the trails are very busy. The trails provide a safe place for families and individuals to get outdoors, exercise and enjoy nature while keeping safe by following mandated social distancing guidelines.  Anyone who enjoys the trails and wants to support the TVTA can make a tax-deductible contribution directly to the TVTA Fund. This will generate income for the organization to help with the annual cost of maintenance materials such as crushed limestone, lumber, mowing equipment and asphalt needed to keep the trails in good condition or that can be invested to help the fund grow.

“The goal of this fund is to grow it to a point where it would cover all of the annual costs of maintaining the entire TVTA trail system,” said Rick Esch, President of the board of the Tuna Valley Trail Association. “From this day forward and in perpetuity, trail enthusiasts will benefit from the establishment of this very important fund for ongoing upkeep and development of the trails.”  Anyone who enjoys the trails and wants to support the TVTA can make a tax-deductible contribution directly to the TVTA Fund.

Gifts to the Tuna Valley Trail Association Fund can be made in any number of ways. For example, people can make a direct financial contribution; they can talk with their estate planner about a planned gift; or name the TVTA Fund as beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Memorials are accepted in honor or in memory of someone designated to the TVTA Fund, and an acknowledgment will be sent according to the donor’s direction.

TVTA maintains approximately 50 miles of trails throughout the scenic Tuna Valley, provides accessible recreational opportunities to residents and visitors, and links Tuna Valley trails with neighboring trail networks and communities. The TVTA board of directors represents the Tuna Valley Community.  The members bring with them a wide diversity of professions and skills that have proved to be valuable in accomplishing the goals of the TVTA. For more information, check out  their new blog on their website at http://tunavalleytrail.com

The McKean County Community Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the region through development, stewardship and grantmaking as donors achieve their philanthropic goals. MCCF will help to grow the endowment dollars with sound investment policies while TVTA continues to take care of the local trails. Contributions of any amount can be mailed to the MCCF, PO Box 708, Bradford, PA, 16701 (checks payable to the McKean County Community Foundation, with “Tuna Valley Trail Association” in the memo line) or donate through the Community Foundations website at www.mckeancountyfoundation.org . All contributions have maximum tax deductibility.

The foundation will also assist donors who have an interest in starting a fund to benefit nearly any charitable organization or cause in which they have a vested interest, whether as a named fund or in memory of a deceased family member or friend. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the MCCF for more information either by calling (844) 238-2289 or e-mailing us at mccf@mckeancountyfoundation.org

Picture:  local trail

Ardagh Group donates to McKean County Community Foundation COVID-19 Assistance Fund

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The McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) has established the COVID-19 Assistance Fund to support local non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic. We are excited to announce a generous donation of $25,000 to the fund by Ardagh Group, Glass – Port Allegany. The Foundation is extremely grateful to the Ardagh Group for their concern for our communities and for their financial support in this effort to help non-profits who need assistance during this unprecedented time.

The COVID-19 Assistance Fund is made up of public donations. All individuals, corporate donors, and organizations are encouraged to join in this effort. By pooling our funds, we can collectively support our community nonprofits and make a bigger impact on their needs. The McKean County Community Foundation will waive administrative fees on all donations and will distribute 100% of all donations to those agencies in need by an open grant process.

The Community Foundation will administer grants from the COVID-19 Assistance Fund to nonprofit organizations in McKean County that are serving our vulnerable populations. With stay-at-home orders and the closure of businesses across the state, non-profits have not been able to hold the fundraising events that keep their doors open. Grants of any size from the Community Foundation will help them through this unusual time. Support can be given to nonprofits who have seen detrimental impacts to their fiscal and administrative operation as a result of a loss of revenue, fundraising, or staffing, with focus on education and health care throughout McKean County.  Click here for COVID-19 grant application.

The McKean County Community Foundation has identified some high priority needs in the communities across McKean County and can distribute funds to the agencies that may provide the service to help with those needs. During this challenging time for our county and our communities as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying loss of employment, many of our residents face tremendous needs in the areas of food support, rent and utility assistance, and child care.

MCCF is asking for community support to build the fund and assist our non-profits. Donations to this new fund can be mailed to the McKean County Community Foundation at P.O. Box 708, Bradford, PA, 16701, with check made payable to the MCCF COVID-19 Assistance Fund. Online donations will also be accepted through our website at www.mckeancountyfoundation.org. Use the Donate Now button on the top of the page and please indicate the COVID-19 Assistance Fund as the fund name. For more information, contact the Foundation toll-free at 1-844-238-2289.

PHOTO: Ardagh representatives, Shannon Roys, Manager of Human Resources, and Jesse Azzato, Plant Manager, present a donation of $25,000 to Paula Fritz Eddy, Executive Director, and Bob Esch, Board President of the McKean County Community Foundation to help establish the MCCF COVID-19 Assistance Fund. This fund, made up of public donations, will benefit local non-profit organizations that have been impacted by the pandemic.

McKean County Scholarship Applications Are Now Available

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McKean County Scholarship Applications Are Now Available 

Bradford, PA: Attention All those attending Colleges, Universities or Vocational schools! The McKean County Community Foundation, (MCCF) is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies added twenty new scholarships this year.  This will increase the total scholarship awards by the Foundation to nearly $250,000 available for students across seven counties. The Community Foundation has distributed all post-secondary or vocational school scholarship applications to the high school guidance departments throughout the area and also have information on their websites.   Please visit: www.mckeancountyfoundation.org, look for the Scholarship page and the “Information for Students” tab!

Each scholarship that is available has a different focus, so check each one out and see if it is right for you. Some of the new scholarships are the Andrew Taylor Recognition Award, Samuel F. Heffner, Garrick S. Anderson, BAHS Class of 1960 Scholarship, the BAHS & BCCHS Class of 1964 Scholarship, and the Bradford Area Fire Department Scholarship in Bradford and Kristie Chase Memorial Scholarship in Otto Eldred.

Post-secondary music students and high school seniors are also eligible to apply for the Inez Bull Piano or the Ole Bull Violin Scholarships as long as they graduated from a high school in Potter, Tioga, Elk, McKean, Cameron or Clinton County.

The Community Foundation is one of 40 state wide partners with PATH (Partners for Access to Higher Education). Students who receive a scholarship award from the Community Foundation may qualify for matching dollars through PHEAA and the PATH program. In 2019 over $50,000 was matched to our local students.

Visit the websites to see what is available! For further details and deadlines, contact your guidance counselor or the Community Foundation at 844 238-2289.

Pictured 2019 scholarship winners