We are pleased to announce that we have awarded grants totaling $287,281 to 72 projects during our Spring 2026 grant round. The grants were announced at a press conference this Wednesday, May 6, at Kimberly Run Natural Area in Somerset. Ranging from $750-$7,500, the grants awarded will help meet a variety of needs for nonprofit organizations across Bedford, Cambria, and Somerset counties.
“We always look forward to our small grant rounds during the spring and fall because it gives us the chance to hear directly from the local nonprofits that are serving our communities daily,” said CFA Program Officer Emily Wood. “Specifically, this round, we are highlighting our parks, trails, greenspace, and environmental grantees, who are receiving a combined total of $42,700, supporting 10 different projects.”
Somerset County Conservancy Charitable Land Trust received $5,000 to support spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to help control an infestation of Fall Cankerworms at Kimberly Run Natural Area (KRNA). The KRNA was first affected by a Fall Cankerworm outbreak in Spring of 2025, which has since caused significant defoliation throughout the park. Bt, the same product used for the Gypsy Moth, is considered effective and environmentally safe due to specifically affecting only caterpillars, having short duration of action, and not being a general insecticide.
“Our volunteer Board works hard and takes great pleasure in putting together and running the open-to-the public 670-acre Kimberly Run Natural Area,” said Somerset County Conservancy Charitable Land Trust Board President Jeff Payne. “When faced with the possibility of losing many of our largest trees to a recurrence of the episodic, defoliating Fall Cankerworm we knew we had to act. Hiring a helicopter to spray nearly 500 acres of forest with the biological control known as Bt was going to be expensive. Fortunately, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies stepped up with a grant covering more than one quarter of the cost. They, along with other generous organizations and many of our helpful members, have made it possible to protect our trees from this year’s expected infestation.”
Also in Somerset County, Boswell Borough received $3,000 for their Community Gathering Space, and Windber Borough Municipal Authority received $6,600 for upgrades to their basketball courts at Windber Recreation Park.
In Bedford County, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy received $7,500 to support the restoration of Bobs Creek, which will stabilize eroding stream banks and improve instream habitat for trout and other aquatic species.
In Cambria County, the Cambria County Conservation District, PA Woods and Forest Inc., Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission, Stackhouse Park, and West End Improvement Group all received funding for their environmental projects, including accessible walkways, invasive plant removal, greenspace improvements, and educational community events.
Additionally, CFA awarded grants to support projects related to health and human services, community and economic development, education, arts and culture, the environment, and heritage throughout the region. For a complete list of the grants and projects for each county, click here.
