Acorn Fund


Acorn Fund

Initiated in 1999 with a modest $50 contribution, the Acorn Fund has become a focal point of the Foundation’s grant-making activity. With both permanent and pass-through assets, the Acorn Fund has provided grants in excess of $4,700,000, which includes unrestricted grants to local charities made possible through our annual day of giving.

The Acorn Fund also awards restricted grants to local charities for designated programs which are having an impact in our community. Grants are awarded from each of the Foundation’s funding areas of arts & humanities, community improvement, education, environment & animal welfare, health & fitness, human needs, and religion and faith-based.

Grants from the Acorn Fund have helped to provide:

  • Nourishing meals to the elderly and working poor
  • Safe shelter and spiritual guidance to homeless families
  • Educational live arts performances to elementary school students
  • Equal access to worship services for the handicapped
  • Loving shelter, food and medical attention to stray and abandoned pets
  • Low-cost prescription assistance to the underinsured
  • Smile-enhancing dental services to the uninsured
  • Large print reading materials and other services to senior citizens
  • Earth-conscious water conservation efforts
  • Life-saving medical care to fragile infants
  • Historically significant film documentary celebrating a local community
  • Entertaining orchestral, choral and live theater performances
  • Confidential training programs for the functionally illiterate

Recent grants awarded from this fund:

  • 2021 WCCF Gives Charities - $1,500,000
  • 2021 Charleroi Library - $10,000
  • 2020 WCCF Gives Charities - $1,300,000
  • 2019 WCCF Gives Charities - $1,058,581
  • 2019 Washington Community Theatre - $10,000
  • 2018 WCCF Gives Charities - $960,000
  • 2018 Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation - $10,000
  • 2017 WCCF Gives Charities - $820,927
  • 2017 Shekinah Ranch of the Mon Valley - $10,000
  • 2016 WCCF Gives Charities - $726,931
  • 2016 Washington City Mission - $25,000
  • 2016 Highland Ridge Community Development Corporation - $10,000
  • 2016 Independence Conservancy - $10,000
  • 2015 WCCF Gives Charities - $735,252
  • 2015 CASA for Kids - $10,000