STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Dec. 19, 2023 – Centre Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $147,048 to 40 local organizations from its annual Field-of-Interest grant program. The grants will support a variety of programs that focus on health and social services, education, youth development, animal welfare, and the arts.
Each September, organizations are encouraged to apply for funding from these 17 unique endowment funds that were established by donors to support various causes and/or geographical areas in Centre County.
“Field-of-Interest endowment funds are special because donors set them up to support the things they care about the most,” said Molly Kunkel, Centre Foundation’s President and CEO. “We are thankful to steward these funds that make such a strong impact in our community.”
For the first time, the Janet Atwood Fund was eligible to grant as part of the Field-of-Interest program this year. This fund was established through the estate of Janet Atwood to provide support for arts programs of all kinds in Centre County.
Bellefonte Art Museum was awarded one of the first grants from this fund for its 2024 Exhibition Schedule. The Museum aims to provide enrichment to the community through free art shows, classes, and cultural exhibits.
“We are honored to be one of the Field-of-Interest Grant recipients,” said Lori Fisher, Bellefonte Art Museum Director. “Funding from the Janet Atwood Fund will help the Museum offset expenses accrued during our 2024 Exhibition Schedule. These expenses include gallery preparation and installation, advertising, and opening reception costs. Bellefonte Art Museum prides itself on developing professional gallery exhibitions, educational programs, and interactive activities. The 2024 Exhibition Schedule focuses on enriching lives through art, history, education, and culture.”
The funds and recipients of each grant are as follows:
The Andrew and Madaline Rishel Family Fund, which supports Christian churches in Penns Valley, will provide $770 to Penns Valley Community Church for “You are Seen You are Loved,” a community outreach program.
The Ben Franklin Fund supports community projects in Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon, and Mifflin counties that benefit citizens of the Commonwealth and are paid to qualified charities within the region. This year, $2,352 will be divided between three organizations:
- Penn State Remote Area Medical will receive $1,000 for the Remote Area Medical Lewistown Clinic.
- Port Matilda Emergency Medical Services will receive $852 to purchase outdoor security cameras.
- The Community Guidance Center will receive $500 for The Sanctuary Closet at Clearfield Community Guidance Center.
The Carolyn A. Petrus Memorial Seeing Eye Dog Fund supports organizations that raise, train, and match seeing-eye dogs to those who need them. The Seeing Eye will receive $18,444 to provide instruction and training for Pennsylvania Seeing Eye dog recipients.
The Centre Children’s Fund supports organizations that provide programs and services to at-risk children. This year, $1,959 will be divided between two organizations:
- Girls on the Run Mid State PA will receive $759 to support Girls on the Run teams in Centre County.
- Park Forest Preschool will receive $1,200 to provide educational field trips.
The Centre County Medical Society Fund assists nonprofits that are working to promote the health and well-being of Centre County citizens, specifically those that are encouraging active lifestyles for children and/or creating playground equipment or facilities. This year, $1,274 will be divided between two organizations:
- Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania will receive $840 to purchase an accessible playground swing.
- Girls on the Run Mid State PA will receive $434 to support Girls on the Run teams in Centre County.
The Counseling Service, Inc. Fund continues the original mission of Counseling Service, Inc. by supporting the provision of direct behavioral/mental health counseling services to Centre County residents. This year, $11,303 will be divided between two organizations:
- Centre Volunteers in Medicine will receive $5,652 to provide counseling services to Spanish-speaking patients.
- SCASD Education Foundation will receive $5,651 to provide counseling services to English-language learners.
The Donna L. Litke Occupational Horse Therapy Endowment Fund supports the maintenance and upkeep of horses used for occupational therapy in Centre County or in any of the six contiguous counties (Blair, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Union). This year, $5,034
will be divided between two organizations:
- Hands On Therapeutic Riding Program will receive $2,517 for the care and upkeep of therapy horses.
- Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center will receive $2,517 for the care and upkeep of therapy horses.
The Ed and Charlene Friedman Family Fund supports health and human programs that reduce poverty, particularly in emergency situations. This year, $43,568 will be divided between ten organizations:
- American Red Cross will receive $4,268 for disaster services and recovery assistance.
- Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund will receive $2,500 to provide financial support for Centre County cancer patients.
- Centre County Youth Service Bureau will receive $6,000 for the Independent Living program for runaway and homeless youth and youth aging out of foster care.
- Centre Helps will receive $6,000 for the Basic Needs Case Management program, which provides support to individuals who are in crisis.
- Housing Transitions will receive $6,000 for the Centre House Homeless Shelter program.
- Mid-State Literacy Council will receive $2,500 to expand literacy instruction for job readiness.
- Out of the Cold will receive $6,000 to provide supportive services to shelter residents.
- Penns Valley Youth Center will receive $1,800 to purchase equipment for the Penns Valley Food Centre pantry.
- State College Community Land Trust will receive $2,500 for the State College Community Land Trust Emergency Home Repair Fund.
- State College Food Bank will receive $6,000 to provide emergency food and improve food insecurity for individuals in Centre County.
The J. Alvin and Vera E. Knepper Hawbaker Memorial Endowment supports organizations that provide vital health and education services across Centre County. This year, $4,372 will be divided between three organizations:
- Bellefonte Soccer Association will receive $572 to purchase soccer balls.
- Centre LGBT+ Support Network will receive $1,900 to purchase materials for Project Pride, a community LGBT+ library.
- Jana Marie Foundation will receive $1,900 to support Resilience Stories, a traveling exhibit that aims to end feelings of isolation surrounding mental health challenges.
The Janet Atwood Fund supports art programs of all types in Centre County. For its first year of granting, $1,375 will be divided between two organizations:
- Bellefonte Art Museum will receive $688 to support its 2024 gallery exhibitions and programming.
- Ridgelines Language Arts will receive $687 to support Blood Lines, a language arts program that explores diverse reproductive experiences and histories.
The Louis E. and Patricia H. Silvi Fund, which supports early childhood education programs that improve the health, care, and education of young children, will provide $1,190 to Penns Valley Youth Center for its K-5 After School program.
The Mattil Family Fund supports animal welfare causes and this year will provide $1,040 divided between two organizations:
- Centre Wildlife Care will receive $500 for its Summer Internship program.
- Pets Come First will receive $540 for its Community Cat Trap, Neuter, and Release program.
The Patricia Farrell Music Fund supports music programs of all types, especially those focusing on children. This year, $9,792 will be divided between five organizations:
- 3 Dots Downtown (fiscal sponsor for Open Music) will receive $2,000 for Game Pieces, a concert and youth workshop program.
- Acoustic Brew Concert Series will receive $1,900 to present free children’s folk concerts.
- Nittany Knights will receive $1,500 to prepare a local student a cappella group to perform at its annual concert.
- Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra will receive $2,196 for its annual Free Family Concert.
- The Flutopia Initiative will receive $2,196 to provide free Tunes and Tales chamber music concerts at Schlow Centre Region Library.
The Philipsburg Area Fund, which supports Philipsburg-area nonprofit organizations and programs, will provide $2,047 to the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. This grant will support electrical upgrades at Holt Memorial Library.
The Proud to Be An American Fund supports nonprofits that display, encourage, or promote patriotic observances, especially on the 4th of July. This year, $1,662 will be divided between two organizations:
- A Soldier’s Hands will receive $500 to support A Walk to Remember Our Fallen.
- Constitution Day Centre Inc. will receive $1,162 to support the Constitution Day Celebration.
The Ruth E. Rishel Charitable Fund supports nonprofits and projects exclusively in the Penns Valley area. This year, $2,708 will be divided between two organizations:
- Aaronsburg Civic Club will receive $1,213 to repair equipment for the Dutch Fall Festival.
- Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania will receive $1,495 to support the Penns Valley STEMPOWERED program.
The William W. and Helen S. Litke Memorial Fund supports programs for Centre County residents with hearing loss. This year, $38,158 will be divided between three organizations:
- 3 Dots Downtown (fiscal sponsor for The Print Factory) will receive $1,779 to purchase assistive listening devices for public programming.
- Centre Volunteers in Medicine will receive $15,467 for its Hearing Aid Assistance program.
- WPSU Penn State will receive $20,912 to provide closed captioning for Weather World.
For more information about all of Centre Foundation’s grant opportunities, please visit our website, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or contact our Community Impact Director, Rachael Hartman (rachael@centre-foundation.org | 814-237-6229).
To learn more about setting up your own fund to support a passion near to your heart, please contact our Development and Stewardship Director, Kerry Tolton (kerry@centre-foundation.org | 814-237-6229).
Centre Foundation’s mission is to inspire and facilitate a culture of giving and engagement that cultivates a vibrant, equitable, and inclusive community.
