The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation recently distributed discretionary grants totaling $32,150 from several permanent endowments. The foundation awards discretionary grants twice each year. Eighteen 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.
“Our donors empower us to use the money they give to respond to our community’s needs in a caring and helpful way. We honor their trust by supporting projects that improve people’s lives in direct and indirect ways,” says Christian Maher, Executive Director. “As the only community foundation serving Crawford County, we permanently invest what is given to us. Each and every year, forever, we make grants with a percentage of that endowment.”
Bethesda Lutheran Services provides individualized mental and behavioral health services to young people in residential, school and community settings. They received $1,500 to provide pro-social activity programming for residents.
The Shade Tree Commission of the City of Meadville will use $1,220 to reinvigorate the urban forest by planting trees.
Beds will be purchased for low-income families who lack adequate furniture by the Crawford County Coalition on Housing Needs.
The Crawford County Historical Society is working to conserve and restore the Tarr Mansion, built in 1867, on Meadville’s Diamond Park. Restoration of a fireplace hearth will be subsidized with $1,000.
Creating Landscapes for Families operates a community garden and after school program, which provides homework help and nutritious meals. They received $1,014 to purchase a refrigerator.
Denny Cemetery, located in Vernon Township, will use $2,063 to repair and restore damaged headstones.
Ducks Unlimited will use $1,500 to restore a 4-acre wetland adjacent to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s forthcoming Wildlife Learning Center at Pymatuning Lake.
Family Service & Children’s Aid Society of Venango County received $3,000 to support the Youth Connection mentoring program in the greater Titusville area.
French Creek Recreational Trails was given $1,500 towards their expansion of the Ernst Trail. They will purchase erosion control material to use along the creekside extension of the trail.
Rich in historical significance, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities, the French Creek watershed is considered a community treasure. French Creek Valley Conservancy was granted $1,500 for materials for the French Creek Cleanup.
Crawford County Mental Health Awareness Program (CHAPS) supports and advocates and provides emotional support for people who use mental health services. Their Journey Center Clubhouse will use $1,500 to establish a transition age youth program (ages 16-17).
The Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation was given $1,393 towards their Career Exploration Fair. The program offers middle school students exploration opportunities to help them identify their skills and interests to make better educated decisions about their future career path.
Meadville Area Recreation Complex is working to increase use of the rink during the off-season. They will use $1,000 to purchase roller skates to be used as rentals for open skating and roller hockey.
The historic Tarbell House is used to educate about the oil industry and journalism of Ida Tarbell. The Oil Region Alliance will use $974 to design and print historic interpretation materials.
Saint James Memorial Episcopal Church will use $3,000 towards the rehabilitation of the church building.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy manages the 552-acre Katz Natural Area, located in Vernon and Hayfield Townships. They will use $1,300 to purchase a field and brush mower to maintain trails and parking lots, prepare and sustain tree planting sites and complete other land management tasks.
WiNS Project, Inc. received $2,500 to provide food for students in First District and Second District Elementary Schools who are at risk of being hungry on the weekends.
The United Way of the Titusville Region received $3,000 for Titusville High School students to spend a week in Ecuador providing service to residents in-need.
The Young Men’s Christian Association of Titusville will use $3,000 to replace outdated and damaged free weight training equipment.
