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for
donors who love our region
for
dreamers and doers
for
the Alleghenies, for always
for
the Alleghenies, for always
Creating an Impact

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies has been helping people in our community help each other for more than 30 years. We put our donors’ generosity to work through strategic grantmaking and connect individuals with opportunities to make an impact. We support grassroots efforts, collaborate with community partners, and facilitate philanthropy across the region. We can help you design a lasting legacy aligned with your particular passion: the arts, education, economic development, or any cause close to your heart. 

Mike Rockwood Veterans Memorial REV
944
Total Funds
$148.7 Million
In Cumulative Grants & Charitable Distributions
$123 Million
In Assets
$9.9 Million
In Cumulative Scholarships

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Open Waters for All Creates Accessibility for Everyone

On a sunny day in late July 2023, dozens of people gathered at the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area for the dedication of the region’s newest asset for outdoor adventures. The Adaptive Kayak Launch allows mobility-challenged kayakers to enter and exit kayaks by themselves or with minimal assistance. The project was inspired by Shelly Kerchner, an outdoor enthusiast who wanted to kayak independently despite being paralyzed from the chest down. She organized a committee to oversee the project and contacted the Community Foundation to establish a fund to help support the entire effort. “Having a disability is not the problem–lack of accessibility is the problem,” said Kerchner, who founded the Open Waters for All project with a goal to raise $60,000 to purchase the launcher. Dedicated fundraising efforts resulted in her achieving her goal. Funding included $7,500 from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Fall 2022 Grant Round. The Open Waters for All ...

Strategic Grantmaking

The Community Foundation supports hundreds of local nonprofits, awarding more than $116 million in grant awards so far. From special initiatives like the Early Childhood Education Fund to regular fall and spring grant rounds, we provide local nonprofits with resources and funding to make the greatest possible impact in our communities, today and for future generations.

the Fund for the future

The Fund for the Future was established at the Community Foundation to address the needs of our region today, tomorrow, and forever. Because it’s one of our endowments, only earnings are used to make grants. The principal is invested and designed to grow in perpetuity. That means that any gift you make will be there for future grantmaking, forever.

The Fund for the Future is also one of the funds that our Distribution Committee uses to make grants twice each year to local nonprofits. A gift to the Fund for the Future is a unique way to care for our community no matter what the future may hold.

Legacy creation

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies can work with you to create permanent funding for whatever causes you’d like to empower. We’ll walk you through every step of starting a fund or help you explore established efforts you may want to support. No matter what you choose, we will ensure that your charitable intent is always honored. We can also work with your wealth advisor to help you design a giving strategy that is tax-efficient and tailored to your needs and desires.

Our Legacy Society is our way of acknowledging your commitment to the future—today. Becoming a member is simple: Include the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies as a beneficiary of a gift from your estate and notify us of your plan.

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