Community Foundation Awards $225,000 in Capacity-Building Grants

The Washington County Community Foundation recently awarded a total of $225,000 in capacity-building grants to 13 organizations. Capacity-building is defined as any activity that increases the nonprofit’s operational, pro-grammatic, financial, or organizational maturity. The grants, which were issued from a variety of component funds and ranged from $5,000 to $60,000, supported equipment purchases, program expansions, communications, financial process improvements, data management, and technology.

Equipment grants were issued to three charities. LeMoyne Community Center received $60,000 to purchase a new van to transport children participating in its Homework and More afterschool program and Camp Challenge summer program. Always B Smiling received $15,000 to purchase an adap-

Music Festival Set to Commemorate Monessen’s 125th Anniversary

tive bike that will help to serve more chil-dren and families with special needs and health challenges. Peters Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 re-ceived $5,000 to purchase specialized equipment that will improve its wildland firefighting capabilities.

Two program expansion grants were awarded. Bentworth School District received a grant of $35,000 to create a makerspace/STEM lab for Bentworth High School, ensuring students will have access to new learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Cornerstone Care received a grant of $35,000 for a mobile dental unit that will provide improved health care access to underserved and rural populations, specifically youth ages one to 17 in need of preventative care. Communication grants of $10,000 each were issued to three charities:

Harmony Life Center, Mon Valley Youth & Teen Association and Transitional Employment Consultants. Each one will use its award to develop a new cutting-edge, accessible website.

A financial process improvement grant of $10,000 was awarded to Clean and Tidy Our County to purchase accounting software and related equipment.

A data management grant of $15,000 was awarded to Washington County History and Landmarks Foundation to hire a part-time director to lead its data management and digitalization project.

Three technology grants were awarded. Church of the Covenant received an award of $10,000 for computers and printers for its preschool program. World Series Tournaments received $5,000 to upgrade the Wi-Fi capabilities at Lew Hayes PONY Field. United Way of Washington County received $5,000 for laptops, phones, and customer relationship management software.

“The Foundation’s capacity-building grants program has already made a significant impact on many local nonprofits, and we look forward to seeing the transformational changes of these 13 organizations once the awards from this cycle have been fully implemented,” remarked Betsie Trew,

WCCF President & CEO. “There is still another opportunity for local nonprofits to secure a capacity-building grant in 2023. In particular, we are seeking to support financial improvement projects for local nonprofits including the purchase of accounting software and financial audits.”

Nonprofit organizations who would like to be considered for a capacitybuilding grant, and who did not receive a capacity-building grant in 2022 or 2023, may submit a preliminary request via the Foundation’s grant-management portal. Requests will be accepted from August 1 through October 1, and may range from $5,000 to $50,000. Additional information about the application process is available in the “For Grant Seekers” section of www.wccf.net.

In addition to capacity-building grants, the Foundation also provides program grants and unrestricted grants. In total more than $3.5 million in grants was awarded in 2022 to over 100 local nonprofits including public charities, school districts and other educational institutions, fire departments, municipalities, etc. The Foundation relies on contributions to provide its charitable services and welcomes gifts via its website or by contacting the Foundation at 724222-6330.

The 10th Annual ‘Raise Your Voice Festival’ will be held on August 19, 2023 from 12:00 noon – 7:00pm. The all day, free event will be held at Monessen City Park. The event is presented by the Monessen Amphitheater Committee. The purpose of the event is to highlight local talent and businesses, and to commemorate Monessen's 125th Anniversary. Throughout the day, there will be vendors, food, activities and an all-day concert. The popular Pittsburgh band Punchline will headline the concert, along with local bands such as, Another Cheetah, Johnny Mase, String Theory, and many more. Organizers are still looking for sponsors and vendors for the event. For more information, please visit the Facebook event page - 10th Annual Raise Your Voice Festival. Vendors and sponsors can contact Matt Shorraw at mshorraw@gmail.com.

Peach Festival Slated for West Newton on August 31

West Newton Church of God will be hosting a “Peach Festival” on Wednesday, August 31 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Lions Field House, Pittsburgh Street in West Newton. Enjoy sandwiches, salads, drinks, and peaches, peaches, peaches! Available for takeout or eat in. Call 724-872-7467.

YOUGHIOGHENY COUNTRY CLUB WOMEN’S GOLF NEWS

Ladies in Red Charity Event

The 2023 Ladies in Red charity golf event at Youghiogheny CC was a huge success raising $2,137.50 for Easterseals of Western & Central Pennsylvania! Special thanks also to benefactor Bob DeTorre, YCC owner Mr. John Goodrum, golf professional Tom Beeler, Events Coordinator Melissa Bingey, all the YCC staff, and Lynn McHolme who made it all possible. The annual event honors JoAnne DeTorre and other deceased YCC lady golfers. Pictured above wearing red, JoAnne's favorite color, are YCC golfers, friends and family of Joanne DeTorre.

Flag Day Event

Petticoat Open

The 18-hole Women's Golf at Youghiogheny Country Club recently hosted the Petticoat Open. Accumulating points for par, birdie, and eagle, winner Vickie McDevitt (pictured at left ) bested runner-up Valerie Wilson (right) by one stroke 21 to 20.

Flag Day Event

Maureen Fiore was the winner of the Flag Day event held at Youghiogheny Country Club. Each lady golfer was given a flag with a number corresponding to her net score, then she planted her flag when she reached that number. Fiore and Lori Duncan played beyond the 18th hole to plant their flags on the number one fairway. Fiore finished with 70, Duncan with 71. In third place, Vickie McDevitt, with 75, planted her flag on the 18th fairway. Fiore was also the "Star of the Day." Pictured above from left are Maureen Fiore, Vickie McDevitt, and Lori Duncan.