Eighty Four, PA – The Washington County Community Foundation recently awarded $250,000 in capacity-building grants to 23 organizations from a variety of component funds. Capacity-building is defined as any activity that increases the nonprofit’s operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity.
The majority of grants were issued for financial process improvement, which is a focus area of the Foundation. Arc Human Services received $15,000 for advanced accounting software. Burgettstown Area Senior Citizens Center and the Washington County Cultural Trust each received $5,000 for basic accounting software. The Johnson-Shaw Foundation and Washington Area Senior Citizens Center each received $10,000 to purchase basic accounting software and related computer equipment. A $15,000 grant will enable the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts to initiate an independent audit and a $15,000 grant will enable the Washington County Watershed Alliance to contract with a consultant to create a fundraising and financial management plan. The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy received $5,000 to contract with an accountant to develop a financial tracking system.
Communications is another focus area for the Foundation, and two grants were issued in this area. Little Lake Theater received $15,000 to secure a new website, that not only will increase visibility for the charity but will assist with donations and ticket sales. Payne Chapel AME Church will increase its visibility with a $5,000 grant for signage and brochures to help preserve the history of the African American individuals who were buried in the cemetery in the mid-1800s.
Facility improvement grants were issued to four charities. Donora Volunteer Fire Department received $10,000 to purchase a storage unit for specialized rescue equipment that will reduce response time for river-related incidents. Low Cost Spay Neuter Washington County received $15,000 to replace electrical wiring in their new facility, which was recently purchased to increase services. Peters Creek Historical Society received $5,000 for upgrades to their electrical system and to paint the Colonial Room at the Enoch Wright House. Washington County Historical Society received $30,000 to repurpose two areas in the LeMoyne House into a production studio and conference room.
Five program expansion grants were awarded, including $35,000 to Bethlehem-Center School District to create a computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) learning center for all students. Titanium Titans received $5,000 to purchase STEM equipment to help students broaden opportunities in the workforce. The Mon Valley Jeep Emergency Response Team received $5,000 for a thermal imaging camera to improve life-saving search and rescue efforts and the South Hills Children’s Choir received $5,000 for a computer and specialized software to increase accessibility for students with disabilities. SPHS Crisis Intervention Services received $5,000 for keychains with QR codes for ready access to mental health information.
Three grants were awarded for technology. The Fort Cherry Education Foundation received $15,000 to improve internet speed in all school buildings and Southwest Training Services received $10,000 to replace old computers and add a new printer with networking capabilities. Meals on Wheels @ the Crossroads received $5,000 to purchase new office equipment and computers.
A data management grant of $5,000 was awarded to Dress for Success Pittsburgh to contract with a consultant to improve understanding and usage of its new customer relationship management software.
“The impact of our capacity-building grants program, which cumulatively has granted over $5 million to local nonprofits since it was initiated in late 2017, has been transformational for many charities,” remarked Betsie Trew, President & CEO. “With its ongoing success, we remain committed to our capacity-building grants program and will provide two open and competitive cycles in 2024.”
For more information, including the grant application process, please visit the Foundation’s website at wccf.net.