Legacy Newsletter - August 2020

Legacy

Wa s h i n g t o n C o u n t y C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n , I n c .

Foundation Celebrates Silver Anniversary through Charity of Excellence Initiative The word “excellence” says it all.

The WCCF has selected 25 local nonprofit organizations as a Charity of Excellence in honor of the Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary in 2020. Each honoree is eligible to vie for the Charity of Excellence top prize of $25,000! All other honorees will receive unrestricted grants of $5,000.

Originally, the awards were to be presented at a November banquet; however, due to COVID-19 the banquet will not be held.

Because many charities are facing cash flow issues related to the virus, we have already issued payments of $5,000 to each of the finalists, and will issue a second payment of $20,000 later this year to the charity selected for the top award.

A People’s Choice Award of $5,000 will also be announced (See page 5 for details). In total, the WCCF will distribute $150,000 through this special grant cycle.

Applicants were evaluated on:  quality and variety of programming;  community impact as gauged by the number of people served relative to the operating budget;  volunteer engagement; and  the organization’s financial improvement over the last five years.

WCCF Charity of Excellence Honorees are designated by this exclusive seal.

The grants are made possible by the Alvin and Carol Berthold Fund.

Lifelong residents of McDonald, the Bertholds were longtime supporters of the WCCF during their lifetimes and provided for very generous testamentary gifts to the WCCF. Their fund, valued at more than $5 million, is the Community Foundation’s largest discretionary grantmaking fund.

Turn to page 4 to see all 25 Charity of Excellence honorees, and visit www.wccf.net to watch the video announcement.

Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund Addresses COVID-19 Since its creation in March 2020, the Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund has already issued grants of $343,000.

The fund was initiated by the WCCF Board to provide grants to human service and other organizations serving Washington County, in response to local disasters and emergencies. Grants are made in a coordinated and strategic manner to address immediate needs, short-term needs, and long-term needs. Currently, the Foundation is focus(Continued on page 3)

Helping You Give . . . Close to Home

Meet the New Officers and Trustees of the WCCF Board

James H. McCune

E. Alex Paris, III

Richard L. White

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the election of its new officers, the return of two former Trustees, and the election of one new Trustee at its Annual Meeting, which was held this past June.

James H. McCune, Chairman, serves as a Special Counsel for the law firm of Bowles Rice. He is a graduate of Kent State University and the West Virginia University College of Law. McCune was one of the incorporators of the WCCF, serving as its Founding Chairman of the Board.

E. Alex Paris III, Vice Chairman, is a returning Trustee to the Board. He is the third generation at the helm of the family business, Alex E. Paris Contracting, in Smith Township. A lifelong resident of Washington County, he graduated from Avella High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Liberty University.

Richard L. White, Secretary, is the retired President of Washington Federal (now Washington Financial) and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. A Founding Trustee and past WCCF Chairman, White was recognized for his exceptional, long-standing commitment to the Foundation in 2012 when the Board of Trustees presented him with the inaugural Richard L. White Excellence Award for Board Service.

Michael S. Anderson

Kurt R. Salvatori

Joseph H. Young

Michael S. Anderson, Treasurer, is a certified public accountant and co-founder of Imperial Tax South Hills as well as a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Washington & Jefferson College and is enrolled in the Quickbooks Pro Advisor Program.

Kurt R. Salvatori is a returning Trustee. He is the Chief Administrative Officer of CONSOL Energy, the largest producer of coal and natural gas in the Eastern United States. He majored in finance/accounting at Penn State University.

Joseph H. Young is newly elected to the Board. He is employed as the Service Center Manager for UPS in the Meadowlands. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology from Fairmont State University and is working towards his Master’s Degree in behavioral health. Born in Alabama, he currently resides in Canonsburg.

Trustees serve a three-year term and may be elected to serve three consecutive terms. The primary criterion in the selection of Trustees is the skillset of the individual. For biographies of all the WCCF Trustees, please visit w w w .w ccf.net.

Washington County Community Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman James H. McCune Vice Chairman E. Alex Paris, III Secretary Richard L. White Treasurer Michael S. Anderson 2

Megan M. Chicone Barbara A. Graham Tammy L. Hardy Geraldine M. Jones Debra E. Keefer William M. Kline, III Cynthia B. Kotowski Ivana G. Liberatore

Andrew M. McIlvaine Thomas P. Northrop Joseph M. Piszczor Elizabeth M. Rogers Kurt R. Salvatori Brian J. Smith Lynne R. Stout Joseph H. Young

The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy.

(Continued from page 1)

ing on grants made in response to COVID-19.

Needs will change throughout any emergency, and they will certainly change as we work through this pandemic. We will continue to monitor the situation and

issue grants as needs are identified and contributions are received. Contributions may be made by check or by credit card at w w w .w ccf.net.

The Foundation has waived its normal management fee for the Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund.

Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund Grantees AHN Canonsburg Hospital: $30,000

Literacy Council of SWPA: $40,000

Blueprints: $5,000

Main Street Farmers Market: $5,000

Domestic Violence Services of SWPA: $50,000

Mon Valley Hospital Foundation: $30,000

Genesis of Pittsburgh: $5,000

Presbyterian SeniorCare Foundation: $10,000

Greater Washington County Food Bank: $60,000

Salvation Army: $50,000

Leadership Washington County: $5,000

Washington City Mission: $20,000

LeMoyne Community Center: $2,000

Washington Health System: $31,000

WCCF Receives National Recognition for Philanthropic Excellence The Washington County Community Foundation has received reaccreditation with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® for achieving the highest standard in philanthropic excellence. It was one of the first community foundations in the country to be accredited when the National Standards were adopted in 2000.

To receive accreditation with National Standards, community foundations must meet high and comprehensive standards for accountability, integrity, responsiveness, and engagement.

“Accreditation is the hallmark of achievement by community foundations,” said Betsie Trew, President & CEO. “The rigor of this accreditation process reconfirms our commitment to providing the highest level of service and accountability to our donors and the Washington County community.

Achieving this designation is noteworthy in any year, but particularly meaningful in 2020 as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary.”

Intended both as a blueprint for internal organizational development and as a tangible set of benchmarks for external assessment performance, the

26 National Standards address five key areas of community foundation operations:  Mission, Structure, and Governance, including standards that reflect the independence and integrity of the organization's board and staff in managing the foundation's operations and assets.  Resource Development, including parameters for administration of funds, disclosures to donors, and commitment to building long-term resources for varied community issues and causes.  Stewardship and Accountability, covering prudent investment and management of funds, transparent record-keeping, use of funds for their intended purpose, annual audits, and public availability of financial information, including standards related to due diligence and community responsiveness.  Grant-making, including standards related to broad and open grant-making programs, due diligence, and responsiveness to changing community needs.  Donor Relations, encompassing guidelines for informing, educating, and involving donors in responding to community needs.

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Congratulations to the Charity of Excellence Honorees!

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Charity of Excellence Spotlight: SPHS CARE Center The SPHS CARE Center, building on more than 45 years of experience, provides a unique continuum of quality, recovery based, trauma informed, integrated services including education, intervention, and management, treatment, aftercare, and referrals to individuals and their families.

Its STTARS Program works toward building a community that honors the rights and dignity of sexual violence survivors, encourages diversity, works together in seeking justice for those affected by violent crimes, and promotes education with the goal of ending sexual violence. Services include counseling, legal and medical advocacy, prevention programming, and a 24-hour hotline.

Outpatient Services provides comprehensive and holistic care to those with substance abuse and behav-

ioral health issues including individual, group, and family services, medication management, and psychiatric evaluations.

Behavioral Health Crisis Services is a telephone, walkin, and mobile crisis service that responds aroundthe-clock to those experiencing mental health crisis including suicidal thoughts, self-injury, depression, or aggression, or anxiety. The Crisis team assesses the level of risk, provides support by phone, and may activate a mobile crisis worker directly to the person in crisis to provide intervention.

Center of Excellence helps to ensure that those with opioid-related substance abuse issues are connected to treatment and continue to receive follow up care and support within the community. Trained CARE Navigators promote recovery by assisting clients to find stable housing, employment, and reestablish family and community relationships.

You Can Help Determine Which Charity of Excellence Honoree Will Receive the $5,000 People’s Choice Award Just visit storybook.wccf.net from October 25 through November 25 and click on your favorite charity impact story.

The charity whose impact story receives the most unique pageviews during the contest period will win the $5,000 People’s Choice Award.* *All Charity of Excellence awardees are eligible to receive the People’s Choice Award except for the charity chosen for the top prize of $25,000.

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Four Roles -Four Stories Stepping Up On March 16, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shut down. A few hours later, the Washington County Community Foundation leapt into action.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were rippling through our backyard, and there was no time to lose.

Then, within a few short days, grants of $10,000 each were being issued to help support local feeding programs.

Within a few more days, grants of $30,000 each were being issued to our local hospitals to help secure vital personal protective equipment.

Not long after, challenge grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 were offered to local human service organizations to help them leverage dollars through their own fundraising campaigns.

Because of the Community Foundation’s swift leadership, our community's most critical needs were being addressed through grants of $343,000 from the Quickly assembling by phone, the WCCF Board of Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund.

Trustees enthusiastically approved the creation of the Through all that we do, the Community Foundation Close to Home Disaster and Emergency Fund to provide remains committed to serving as a Community Leadgrants to human service organizations and other non- er, identifying and addressing critical needs close to profits serving Washington County in response to lo- home. cal disasters and emergencies.

Washington City Mission has received After this giving vehicle was in $20,000 from the Close to Home Disaster place, WCCF staff began reachand Emergency Fund fo r its Po p-Up Paning out to donors with calls and try Program. Anne Wightman, Volunteer emails, asking them to rally beSupport Assistant with City Mission, waits with supplies slated for the Pop-Up Pantries. hind our community in crisis.

Within only eight weeks, this program disIn response to this heartfelt aptributed over 4,000 repacked bags of essential peal, the WCCF began receiving supplies such as non-perishable food and gifts from donors of all stripes paper products. who wanted to help.

Community Leader

Unlocking Their Potential There are many wonderful charities in Washington County helping disadvantaged children, preserving our history and heritage, as well as providing services that enhance our quality of life. The need for their work is great; however, the WCCF realized that these organizations would not be able to grow as they should without a significant financial boost aimed at taking them to the next level.

Recognizing the importance of capacity-building, the WCCF launched a special, record-breaking competitive grant cycle in 2018 (2018) Ken Baker accepts a $50,000 capacity- that would result in a total of $500,000 in awards to local charities from the Community CARE Fund. building grant to Washington Jazz Society from WCCF Immediate Past Chairman The objective of the grants was to strengthen the infrastructure, manLynne Stout. The grant implemented a music agement, and governance of local charities so that they may more education program for disadvantaged youth effectively fulfill their charitable missions. and an instrument recycling program.

Through all that we do, the Community Foundation remains committed to serving as an impactful GrantMaker, funding meaningful projects close to home.

Grant-Maker

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Reaching New Heights “We can do better!” These words were at the core of a 2007 fundraising campaign designed to enhance the Community Foundation’s support of disadvantaged women and children tenfold.

At the time, the Mother’s Fund, was valued at approximately $20,000. However, if the WCCF could raise enough to take the fund to $250,000, annual grantmaking would increase from $1,000 to $10,000 and help more people.

Raising $230,000 in only two short years was an ambitious goal for the WCCF at that point in time; however, inspired by the vulnerable population who would receive this support, the Foundation began making strategic requests and developing partnerships.

As one of the WCCF’s pooled funds, the Mother’s Fund was created to accept contributions from different individuals at different levels.

And thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community, a few wonderful corporate sponsorships, as well as several creative fundraising strategies, it took only 11 months to reach the fundraising goal! Today, the Mother’s Fund is valued at approximately $400,000.

Through all that we do, the Community Foundation remains committed to serving as a successful Fundraiser, diligently pursuing opportunities to raise funds close to home.

Fundraiser

Donor Service Organization Promoting a Win-Win Strategy Are you in the know?

Donors who are 70 1/2 or older have the opportunity to support their favorite charities in a tax-wise manner with a Charitable IRA Distribution.

Since individuals may exclude the amount distributed to the WCCF from their gross income and they can also support all of their favorite charitable causes with a single gift, WCCF donors who use this giving strategy love it!

"IRAs can play a significant By partnering with local role in estate planning. When financial advisors, the determining what assets to WCCF has been working to give to whom, it is important increase awareness about to consider that heirs will onthis fantastic giving vehicle. ly receive a small fraction of Through all that we do, the the value of an IRA, while a charity would be Community Foundation re- able to receive 100 percent of that gift. This mains committed to serving can make IRAs ideal giving vehicles for clients with heirs and charitable intent." as a knowledgeable Donor Service Organization, help- -Susan Mondik Key, Partner, Peacock Keller ing those with generous hearts to support their favorite causes close to home.

Your Help Is Needed!

Support the WCCF through WCCF Gives Since our inception 25 years ago, the Washington County Community Foundation has awarded approximately $18 million in grants to local charities and scholarships to local students. This includes some significant grantmaking activity in 2020, as detailed elsewhere in this publication.

As the WCCF has grown, much of our activity has focused on supporting the financial needs of others. Yet, we must also be mindful of the financial needs of the WCCF itself.

Normally, at this time of year we would be soliciting your financial support for the Philanthro py Banquet, which helps to secure operational support for the WCCF. But, as you know, this is not a normal year, and we will not be hosting the banquet in 2020.

Instead, we ask that you consider supporting our charitable activities through WCCF Gives, our community-wide day of giving.

The enclosed flyer will provide additional information, including a schedule of the participating charities.

In the giving spirit of the day, donations to the WCCF via the day of giving are not eligible for the bonus pool, but will help to ensure that we can continue our charitable work in Washington County.

Thank you for your support!

September 10 www.wccfgives.org 7

Making an Impact: Recent Grants to Community Organizations

For the past 25 years, the WCCF has been working to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. Libraries such as the Charleroi Area Public Library (formerly the John K. Tener Library), play vital roles in helping to improve the quality of life in the communities that they serve. The WCCF was thrilled to assist the Charleroi Area Public Library in its rebranding initiative, which includes a name change and $300,000 in facility rehabilitation. We commend the Library for so quickly securing $100,000 in contributions, which was a condition of our $200,000 grant.

In the photo above, WCCF Chairman James McCune (far left) and WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew (fourth from left) present a ceremonial check to Charleroi Area Public Library Board members Carol Bob-

Through their Here to Help initiative, State Farm agents Megan Chicone, Bob Hollick, and Britney Hollick, matched $15,000 for donations to six charitable organizations made through the WCCF. The charities include: Domestic 8

by, President Barbara Pepper, Tim Landrin, Tammy Greco, Mary Oler, and Adele Pireaux.

This $200,000 grant is part of the Community Foundation’s multi-year effort to assist small communitybased libraries in Washington County in their transitions to vibrant community centers.

In total $415,000 has been awarded to communitybased libraries in the past three years, with the Charleroi Area Public Library receiving more than 50 percent of this amount. A $25,000 grant awarded in 2019 to the Library was used to improve building safety by upgrading the electrical system and replacing damaged flooring. This latest grant will help to provide a more welcoming experience to Library patrons, in addition to helping to preserve a grand historic structure in the center of downtown Charleroi.

WCCF Chairman James McCune (second from left) poses with State Farm agents Megan Chicone (also a WCCF Trustee), Bob Hollick, and Britney Hollick.

Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Genesis of Pittsburgh, Greater Washington County Food Bank, LeMoyne Community Center, Presbyterian SeniorCare, and the Washington Hospital Foundation.

Making an Impact: Recent Grants to Community Organizations Thirty-five local first responder organizations received grants totaling more than $130,000 from the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund at the WCCF. The grants will help purchase a variety of items including rescue tools, personal protective equipment, and firearms, as well as support critical facility upgrades.

Range Resources Community Relations Specialist Christina Kramer remarked, “Helping our first responders has been an important initiative of Range’s charitable giving program, and COVID-19 has put their immediate needs sharply into focus.

Every day, with every response, emergency services providers show courage, commitment, and sacrifice in our community, and the Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund has provided us with the opportunity to show our commitment to them.”

Cumulatively, the fund has awarded $330,000 to local first responder organizations.

*Chartiers VFD Assistant Chief Fred Simpson (center right provides an eForce combination tool demonstration for Chartiers VFD Secretary Sara Kunselman (center left), WCCF Immediate Past Chairman Lynne Stout (left), and Cole Saffell (right). This piece of equipment is used for emergency rescues.

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) has been providing safe shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence, their children, and their significant others continuously since 1984. Its mission is to increase awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to work for social change designed to eliminate domestic violence.

Earlier this year DVSSP took steps to relocate its administrative offices to the center of its service area that encompasses Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties.

But before they could move in to their new facility at 371 Low Hill Road, Brownsville, *WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew poses with Hartman & Hartman the DVSSP needed to secure funding to employees Raymond Vancuff, Rich Soltesz and John Bird, and convert the former consignment shop into DVSSP President Lisa Hannum, during a tour of offices and meeting rooms. The total cost the new DVSSP administrative office in Brownsville. of the project was $126,000.

The WCCF was very pleased to support this project with a $100,000 grant, which was combined with inkind support that DVSSP received from Hartman & Hartman Construction, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Crossroads Church of Christ, and Waste Management to finalize the renovation. *Photos taken prior to the national health emergency.

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$314,000 in Post-Secondary Scholarships Awarded The graduating class of 2020 may not have had the scholarships totaling a record-breaking $314,000. final year of high school that they envisioned, but that This would not have been possible without the supdidn’t stop them from thinking about the future. port of our generous donors who place a high value The WCCF was proud to be a part of many of those on education. These are just a few of the recipients. students’ plans, as we awarded 75 post-secondary

Training the Next Generation of Nurses Nicole Durbin, a Burgettstown Area Middle/High School graduate, has been preparing for her planned nursing career since tenth grade, when she was accepted into Western Area Career & Technology Center’s health assistance program. Nicole received $2,000 from the Three Oaks Scholarship Fund and $1,000 from the Washington Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Fund. She plans to attend the Washington Hospital School of Nursing.

Ever since she was a child, Trinity Area High School graduate Akira Durbin Wheeler Wheeler has been inspired by her mother’s dedication to nursing.

“I watched my mother return to school for her RN and again for her BSN, so I was taught the importance of education and continuing education,” she explained in her application essay.

Akira received a $4,000 scholarship from the Washington County Visiting Nurses’ Association Scholarship Fund and is attending Wheeling University.

Assisting Children of First Responders

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Silassy

Wolfe

Simpson

Powell

Codeluppi

Codeluppi

Cregut

Bukovinsky

Keelon

The John & Sophie Choratch Scholarship Fund provides educational scholarships to deserving students of Washington County whose parents either work or volunteer as a first responder. There is no requirement as to the educational institution or field of study.

Elizabeth Silassy, a Canon-McMillan High School graduate, received $2,000 and will attend Rosedale Technical College.

Scholarships of $4,000 each were awarded to: Sarah Wolfe, a Fort Cherry High School graduate, who will attend Gannon University; Shane Simpson, a Ringgold High School graduate, who will attend Seton Hill University; Zachary Powell, a Ringgold High School graduate, who will attend Kent State University; Ethan Codeluppi, a Charleroi Area High School graduate, who will attend Alderson Broaddus University; Madison Codeluppi, a Charleroi Area High School graduate, who will attend Alderson Broaddus University; Christopher Cregut, a Trinity Area High School graduate, who will attend Penn State University; Dylan Bukovinsky, a Canon-McMillan High School graduate, who will attend the Heritage Valley Hospital Kennedy School of Nursing; and Stephanie Keelon, a Canon-McMillan High School graduate, who will attend Slippery Rock University.

Delivering Life-Changing News by Zoom: This Year’s $72,000 EQT Scholarship In this COVID-19 world, video calls are becoming rather routine; however, WCCF Chairman James McCune recently had the privilege of participating in a Zoom meeting that was simply extraordinary.

Nora O’Toole, a Peters Township High School graduating senior, shed tears of joy upon learning she was the recipient of this year’s $72,000 award from the EQT Scholarship Fund.

In high school, Nora volunteered with various community service organizations and participated in track and cross-country. She spent the summer of 2019 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Summer Academy of Math and Science in the field of forensic chemistry, which sparked her interest in a STEM career. Nora will be attending Penn State University this fall. She plans to study engineering.

The EQT Scholarship Fund also presented awards of $1,000 each to: Anna Harris, a Canon-McMillan High School graduate, who will study chemical engineering at the University of Virginia; Rachael Hiltz, a Canon-McMillan High School graduate, who will study chemical engineering at Bucknell University; Elliott Salvatori, a Trinity Area High School graduate, who will study computer science at Penn State University; Gregory Westfall, a McGuffey High School graduate, who will study electrical engineering at Penn State University; and Luke Zwicker, a graduate of the Linsly School, who will study petroleum and natural gas engineering at Penn State University.

Visit the WCCF Facebook page to see Nora’s video call.

In stills taken from the video call this past July, WCCF Board Chairman James McCune delivers the good news to Nora O’Toole, who is overjoyed by her $72,000 award from the EQT Scholarship Fund.

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the WCCF cumulatively has awarded over $3,000,000 in scholarships to local students!

Sharing A Love of Dance Carol Berthold loved to dance, and so by bequest she created the Carol L. Berthold Scholarship Fund for Dance to help students who share her passion to study dance at any accredited post-secondary educational institution.

Tomás Balk, a graduating senior from Trinity High School, was selected as the inaugural scholarship recipient from this fund and will use the $18,000 award to major in dance at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

A dancer since the age of three, Tomás studied at Mochetta’s Performing Arts Studio in Washington. He has won many regional titles with both Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Chapter 10 and Dance Makers. He also won top score in modern and jazz dance in Dance Masters’ national competition and won a national title with Dance Makers.

After college, he hopes to one day dance on Broadway.

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Helping You Give . . . Close to Home 1253 Route 519 PO Box 308 Eighty Four, PA 15330

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Legacy is published by the Washington County Community Foundation, Inc. 1253 Route 519, PO Box 308, Eighty Four, PA 15330 Betsie Trew, President & CEO Aliesha Walz, Chief Operating Officer - Emily Fox, Communications Associate Circulation of 11,500+ www.wccf.net * 724-222-6330 * info@wccf.net 12

The Washington County Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization under section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. The official registration and financial information of the WCCF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.