814.336.5206
executive@crawfordheritage.org

News

Foundation Helps Fund Projects With Area Nonprofit Organizations

The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation recently distributed discretionary grants totaling $23,325.00 from four permanent endowments. The Ben Franklin Trust and their Unrestricted Fund support projects in all parts of Crawford County. The Bernadene R. and John B. Cooley Fund supports programs for children and youth. The Fred Lintner Fund supports projects in the Titusville area.

Nineteen organizations received grants for their projects. The Foundation prioritizes giving to improve upon the effectiveness of existing programs and support projects that incorporate preventive or curative approaches to the problems and challenges of our community.

“We are excited to help uplift children, protect the environment and make other improvements to our region with this funding,” says Christian Maher, Executive Director.

The Academy Theatre will purchase a computer system with $1,000 to complement their ability to present high quality performing arts events.

Bloomfield Township Volunteer Fire Department will reinforce their firefighting capability through the purchase of helmets and flame-resistant clothing and gloves with $1,8000.

The Shade Tree Commission of the City of Titusville will use $2,200 to reinvigorate the urban forest by removing ash trees that have been killed by emerald ash borer infestation to make way for new trees.

The Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort (CARE) will use $2,000 to purchase playground equipment and surfacing material to provide new recreation opportunities for children in the borough.

Second District Elementary School in Crawford Central School District will acquire children’s books with $842 to promote student literacy.

Family Service & Children’s Aid Society of Venango County received $1,900 to support the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program in Eastern Crawford County. They provide adult mentors to improve children’s self-esteem, keep them active in school and away from alcohol and illegal drugs.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests will use $410 to erect signs that highlight conservation options and raise awareness about environmental issues on forested property they manage.

Rich in historical significance, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities, the French Creek Watershed is considered a community treasure. French Creek Valley Conservancy was granted $1,000 for signs and promotional items for the French Creek Cleanup.

Love In the Name of Christ of Titusville sponsors a program to teach people money management and financial literacy skills to help alleviate poverty. They will use $2,829 to provide volunteer training and purchase materials.

New Beginnings Church of God in Titusville will use $850 for playground equipment to be used by children attending church and those in the neighborhood.

The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism, Inc. is preserving the childhood home of journalist and author Ida Tarbell. They will used $894 to defray a portion of the cost to convert a root cellar into secure storage.

Oil Region Ballet Company provides dance training and performance opportunities to young people across the region. They will use $1,500 to defray costs for a performance at the Academy Theatre in Meadville.

The  Saegertown Area Library promotes lifelong learning, self-improvement, and self-expression through their collection of books, movies, music and technology. They will use $1,000 to purchase young adult, juvenile and other fiction books to supplement their collection.

Titusville Area School District was given two grants. Main Street Elementary school will improve the safety of the playground area with $500 for rubber mulch. Titusville Area High School will purchase software with $300 to improve athletic training for students.

The Titusville Historical Society works to preserve and share the area’s history. They will use $500 to defray the costs of a security system.

Titusville Woodlawn Corporation provides the upkeep and management of the Woodlawn Cemetery. Replacement of pillar caps at the cemetery entrance will be subsidized with $500.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy manages the 552-acre Katz Natural Area, located in Vernon and Hayfield Townships. Landscape improvements will be made to the environmentally significant site with $1,300.

WiNS Project, Inc. received $2,000 to provide food for students in First District and Second District Elementary Schools who are at risk of being hungry on the weekends.

The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation is dedicated to making Crawford County a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family. The Foundation helps people make the most of their philanthropy by giving to endowed funds. Grant awards are made from these funds to support the causes donors care about as well as worthwhile programs selected by the Foundation. The Foundation manages more than 100 funds, which benefit more than 100 different organizations, scholarships and charitable purposes. More than $6 million has been awarded since the organization was established in 1998. For more information about making a gift or seeking grant support for a project, write the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, PO Box 933, Meadville, PA 16335, phone (814) 336-5206 or visit them on-line at www.crawfordheritage.org.