814.336.5206
executive@crawfordheritage.org

News

2018 Winter Discretionary Grant Awards

Foundation Helps Fund Projects Within the Nonprofit Community

The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation recently distributed discretionary grants totaling $22,389.45 from several permanent endowments. The foundation awards discretionary grants twice each year. Seventeen local organizations received grants for their projects. They prioritize 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.

Grants from their Unrestricted Fund and Ben Franklin Trust support projects in all parts of Crawford County. Programs for children and youth receive support from the Bernadene R. and John B. Cooley Fund. Grants from the Marian and Vincent Barsch Fund support cemetery preservation projects county-wide. Titusville-area projects are financed from the Titusville Fund and Fred Lintner Fund. Faith-based and religious programs in the Titusville-area receive funding from the Albert L. Carlson Fund.

“We hope our grants are helping to improve lives. The changes are as simple as helping a library buy books and as technological as the purchase of a drone. This money will help children and adults to become better educated, enhance the work of health and social service providers and support historical and arts programs,” says Christian Maher, Executive Director.

The next cycle of grant funding will be in the summer. Organizations requesting funding should complete the foundation’s online form and submit it before June 15.

Benson Memorial Library received $1,000 to purchase supplies for local history workshops and historical outreach programming.

Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System, Inc. (ACES) received $1,000 to implement the Pennsylvania Business Week program at high schools in PENNCREST School District. The program educates students about the benefits of the free enterprise system.

Common Roots received $1,500 to purchase building materials for renovations of planned transitional housing.

Family & Community Christian Association will implement a “Blessing Box” program to provide non-perishable food and toiletries to those in need with $1,000.

French Creek Recreational Trails was given $2,000 to defray costs associated with extension of the Ernst Trail into the city of Meadville.

Friends of Drake Well, Inc. received $500 to subsidize the Petroleum Program Series.

EmergyCare was given $1,064 to defray the cost of four Crawford County students to attend Camp EMS at Allegheny College.

Hydetown Volunteer Fire Department will purchase hand lights for firefighters to replace outdated and damaged units with $1,000.
Meadville Council on the Arts received $1,544 to install a lift chair to provide access to the second floor of the Meadville Market House for people with disabilities.

The Meadville Family YMCA received $2,300 for renovation of restrooms in the child care area of their downtown location.

Meadville Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Foundation will use $665.45 to support the art infusion curriculum of their after-school program at Meadville Area Middle School.

Pymatuning State Park will purchase of a quadcopter drone to be used for resource management, as well as search and rescue, with $898.

Saegertown Public Library was given $1,168 to purchase children’s books and publication subscriptions.

St. Brigid Catholic Church was given $1,750 to repair and preserve some of the oldest monuments in St. Brigid Cemetery.

Saint James Haven will use $1,400 to improve energy efficiency through the replacement of five damaged windows in the men’s homeless shelter.

West Mead Township received $1,000 to purchase materials to construct accessible ramps for the disabled as part of construction of a restroom in Oakgrove Park.

The YWCA of Titusville received funding for two projects. First, the purchase of new gym mats with $1,600 will help to ensure a safe play environment. Second, costs for a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for young women at Pitt-Titusville will be underwritten with $1,000.

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. They make grants totaling more than $600,000 each year. 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.