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Local Funds
Allegheny Valley Trails Association Endowment
The Allegheny Valley Trails Association established this endowment to strengthen the regions “rails to trails” projects, organizations and programs. The endowment that will enable donors to promote, build and sustain a growing network of recreation trails and provide a permanent and growing endowment for Allegheny Valley Trails Association. The Fund will be used to:
- Provide the opportunity for residents to contribute to a permanent Fund that will support and sustain existing recreation trails in the region;
- Maintain and improve existing recreation trails;
- Acquire new right-of-way or properties for new trails;
- Construction and/or improvements needed to open new trails and
- Promote the use and public support of rails to trails in the Allegheny Valley Region.
Alma T. Weingard Employee Award
The Employee Award was established in the will of Alma T. Weingard. The annual employee award goes to the outstanding employee or employees of the Oil City Presbyterian Home. The award recipient is chosen by the residents and staff of the Presbyterian Home and is presented as recognition to the employee or employees of the year.
Autism Stands
The Autism Stands fund is for holding the financial resources for the Autism Walks project to raise awareness for issues relating to autism in Venango County.
Ben Franklin Trust of the Venango Area Community Foundation
The Ben Franklin Trust Fund was established as a field of interest Fund in the Venango Area Community Foundation by a grant from the Ben Franklin Trust in 1993. The Venango Area Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee is to decide on the use of income from the Ben Franklin Trust Fund based upon current needs in Venango County and Northwest Pennsylvania that would be appropriate to award grants from a Fund in memory of Ben Franklin. Current priorities are:
- Leadership Development
- Emerging Technologies
- Quality and Caring
- History and Heritage
Caring for the Caregiver Jackie’s Chapter
Caring for the Caregiver Jackie’s Chapter is a support organization under the Venango Area Community Foundation. Caring for the Caregiver was created to be a living, active memorial to our beloved Venango County caregiver, Jackie Runge whose life and caring spirit was truly inspirational. Jackie’s Chapter exists to meet the needs of Venango County caregivers by providing funds and other types of support to address their individual and collective needs from the perspective of a “whole” being — physical, emotional and spiritual. The Caregiver Fund is an opportunity for the people of Venango County to contribute to the support of Jackie’s Chapter. The Caregiver Fund will be used to:
- Provide the opportunity for Venango County residents to contribute to the future of and the caring purposes served by Jackie’s Chapter;
- Show community leadership and shared commitment to our caregivers by being there for them in their time of need;
- Enable an expanding number of persons from all walks of life to participate by sharing the concept of Caring for the Caregivers – Jackie’s Chapter;
- Work in cooperation with other agencies and groups which have a kindred purpose and receive, maintain, and accept as assets, any property, whether real, personal or mixed, by way of gift, bequest, devise, or purchase from any person, firm, trust, or corporation to be used for the purposes of Jackie’s Chapter.
Carl L. Trauterman, Jr. Charitable
This donor designated fund was established with two missions:
- To provide aid and assistance to individual(s) residing in Venango County, Pennsylvania; who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces and who have experienced or require one or more of the following: economic distress, natural disaster, catastrophic loss, sudden loss of income, handicapped access, transportation, or emergency dental care; and
- To provide financial assistance to the Shriners Hospital for Children of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Charles & Anna Belle Kinnear
The Charles & Anna Belle Kinnear fund was established to benefit Utica Elementary School Students in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Charles E. and Eleanor T. Stubler Memorial
The Charles E. and Eleanor T, Stubler Memorial Fund is a donor designated fund that will support various charitable cause in Venango County in memory of Charles E. and Eleanor T, Stubler.
Chicken Coop-Studio 306
The Chicken Coop-Studio 306 Fund was established to support the furtherance of the Project’s mission.
The mission of Chicken Coop-Studio 306 is to unify our small towns in the Allegheny-Clarion River Valley by organizing our artistic endeavors and the many talents our residents possess. This non-profit organization will encourage both young and old alike to share their skills and abilities on a small town, family, and community level. To do this the Chicken Coop will promote creativity, critical thinking, education, and any other outlet, within reason, to better enhance the communities. Community outreach would be in the form of workshops open to the public, local and traveling, as well as a yearly event showcasing the previous year’s works and efforts. The core group members will share responsibilities and duties to establish a sense of community with a common goal: to unify.
Child Development Centers Endowment
The Child Development Centers Endowment was established to accept and generate funds to improve and enhance the programs provided by Child Development Centers of Venango County, a non-profit organization. The Child Development Centers Endowment Fund was established to provide a permanent and growing endowment for Child Development Centers located in Venango County, Pennsylvania. The Endowment will be used to:
- Support charitable activities, services and events provided by CDC in Venango County;
- Enhance existing services;
- Support new services or initiatives and
- Preserve the quality of services and facilities operated by CDC
City of Franklin Family of Funds
The City of Franklin Family of Funds was established to support worthy and charitable endeavors of the City of Franklin. The initial funds are:
- Imagine Franklin Legacy
City of Oil City Family of Funds
The Oil City Family of Funds was established to support worthy and charitable endeavors of the City of Oil City. This agreement creates three specific initial funds and provides a framework for the creation of additional funds. The initial funds are:
- Bike Path Completion Fund
- Marina Project Fund
- General Charitable Fund
Community Services of Venango County Endowment
The Community Services of Venango County Endowment was established to accept and generate funds to improve and enhance the programs provided by Community Services of Venango County, a non-profit organization. Community Services of Venango County is dedicated to improving the lives of Venango County residents. The Community Services Endowment Fund was established to provide a permanent and growing endowment for Community Services of Venango County.
Focus on Our Future
The Focus on Our Future Collaborative Board established the Focus on Our Future Fund in 2000 to support the ongoing process to initiate and improve prevention programs and initiatives in Venango County. This Fund is to support the vision that: “We in our community will all work in concert and the capstone value will be the nurture of Families and children.” The purpose of this permanent and growing endowment for children and families will be to:
- Assess community needs and develop a local action plan;
- Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among the various systems that serve families;
- Promote education and understanding designed to shift thinking from treatment to prevention;
- Actively work to build and strengthen the community’s capacity to serve children and families
Frank M. & Eleanor R. Miese
This donor designated fund was established to be devoted to the benefit of underprivileged, orphaned, dependent, neglected, delinquent and disadvantaged children first in the Cooperstown Borough, then in Utica Borough, Jackson Township and Canal Township in Venango County, Pennsylvania; and then within a five (5) mile radius thereo
Franklin Civic Operetta Association
The Franklin Civic Operetta Association Fund was established in 2017 to maintain the operations of the Barrow-Civic Theatre.
Franklin Public Library Association Endowment
The Franklin Public Library Endowment is a Fund within the Foundation to accept and generate funds to insure and to enhance the growth of Library programs and services for the betterment of area communities. The Endowment Fund provides the opportunity for the people of Franklin to contribute to the support and renewal of Franklin Public Library services, programs and facilities. The Fund is used to:
- Provide the opportunity for residents to contribute to the future of the Library and the educational and cultural purposes served by the Library;
- Instill a sense of pride and commitment by Library patrons;
- Enhance existing Library services;
- Support new Library services or initiatives and
- Preserve the quality services and facilities that are our Library heritage.
Friends of Singing Hills Charitable
This donor advised fund was established to provide support for a variety of charitable purposes benefiting the Venango Area Community.
Galena Rew Harrington & Mary E. Rew Endowment
This discretionary Fund, established in June of 1976, was the first Fund created in the Venango Area Community Foundation. Four gifts to the Community Foundation by Galena Rew Harrington and Mary E. Rew inaugurated this discretionary Fund. As a discretionary Fund the Community Foundation Board and Foundation Distribution Committee may decide upon the use of this Fund.
GROW Franklin
GROW Franklin Project mission is to: GROW Franklin by providing green roofs and rooftop gardens in a manner embracing and enhancing community involvement, nurturing health and lifestyle choices, highlighting the area, and fostering eco-tourism.
Hasson Disc Golf
This fund was established in order to provide resources for the Hasson Disc Golf course.
Hope & Healing
Hope and Healing is a support group for families raising children with special needs. We provide events, activities and groups so that we can lean on each other and learn from our collective experiences. We also want to develop community partnerships to foster awareness, understanding and acceptance for our families and children with and among our various stakeholders.
Mission Statement: Hope and Healing, through support, awareness, provides opportunities and options for special needs children regardless of the need.
Jene & Milton Rosen Charitable
The Jene & Milton Rosen Charitable Fund was established by family members of Jene & Milton Rosen, generous community activists. The purpose of the Rosen fund is to promote opportunity in the community, education for those in the community, economic empowerment within the community and scholastic support for those in need, also within the community.
Kenneth H. Messer Charitable Remainder Trust
This discretionary Fund was established within the Foundation pursuant to a charitable trust remainder agreement. The Messer Fund is used for unrestricted purposes. Distributions are made in accordance with the “Allocation Policy” adopted by the Board of Directors for component Funds of the Foundation and the Foundation’s Board of Directors have sole discretion in awarding grants from this Fund. Any other person may make a contribution to the Messer Fund at any time.
Koos Endowment
The Koos unrestricted endowment was established from the proceeds from a charitable trust established by Marietta “Mayme” Koos in memory of her parents, Daniel and Carolyn Weyman Grimm. The endowment is intended for any charitable purpose in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Kopchak Family Charitable Fund, in Memory of Myron and Tillie Kopchak and their daughters, Jeraldine and Virginia Kopchak
The Kopchak Family Charitable Fund was established to provide funds for various nonprofits that serve in and around Franklin, Pennsylvania. Specifically, this fund will help to support the following organizations: Oil Region Library Association (Franklin Branch), Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Community Services of Venango County, Franklin Civic Operetta Association, St. Patrick Church (Food Pantry and Building Fund), Venango Region Catholic School, Young Men’s Christian Association of Franklin & Grove City, American Red Cross, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
Kugler Legacy Endowment
The Kugler Legacy Fund was established by Mr. William Bowen for various capital projects for 501(c)(3) human service organizations serving the Oil City community.
Larry Neely Memorial Trust
The Larry Neely Memorial Trust is a donor designated fund established for annual scholarships awarded to Venango County high school graduates who have chosen their post-high school study and education chosen; the other component of the Trust is to be used for the benefit of individuals whom are mentally handicapped and are residents of Venango County.
Lois and Carl Heinz Donor Advised
The Lois and Carl Heinz Donor Advised Fund may be used for grants made to Venango County schools, non-profit corporations or other deserving and qualified charitable organizations. As a donor advised Fund, the Heinz Family advises the Venango Community Foundation at least annually about the award of grants from the Heinz Fund.
Margaret Feldman Foundation
The Feldman Foundation was established by friends and associates, in memory of Margaret Feldman, a teacher and community leader in the Franklin area. The Foundation’s purpose is to improve education and develop the potential of youth in Venango County by creating an endowment that will enable donors to promote, sustain and strengthen literary education through the pursuit of excellence in the language arts by teachers and youth. The Foundation provides a permanent and growing endowment for literary education.
The Feldman Foundation is used to:
- Conduct an annual writing competition – The winning essays entries to receive a cash award;
- Provide tutorial services – College preparatory tutoring in the language arts for students desirous of expanded knowledge of classic works of literature or of concentrated writing skills and
- Award a Scholarship to pursue a college degree – To a deserving Venango County student who has achieved excellence in the language arts.
Mary Louise Brown Whiting Memorial
Mr. Gifford E. Whiting created the Mary Louise Brown Whiting Memorial Fund within the Foundation in memory of his wife, a long-time teacher. The Whiting Memorial Fund was established to accept and generate funds to insure and enhance the teaching knowledge of Franklin Area School District teachers. The Fund will support the opportunity for the teachers of the Franklin Area School District to take collegiate courses in mathematics or science and will be used to provide the opportunity for Franklin School District secondary school teachers to improve their talents and ability to provide instruction in mathematics or science by:
- Providing stipends as an incentive to take advanced college courses and
- Providing awards for the incidental expenses related to taking college courses.
Michael & Marie Zacherl Outstanding Diesel Technology Senior Award
The Fund has been established by (Zacherl Motor Truck Sales Inc.) or (Donald Kahle, Rose Marie Kahle, Christina Rhoades, Stephen Kahle and Patrick Kahle of (Clarion) or Sligo, PA to honor Michael and Marie Zacherl, founders of Zacherl Motor Truck Sales. The purpose of the Fund shall be:
- The following shall be the eligibility criteria for persons being considered for this award:
- Must be attending Clarion County Career Center
- Must be matriculated in the Diesel Technology Program
- Must be nominated by the Director of Diesel Technology as the most outstanding senior
Mike & Nancy Baker Charitable
This donor designated fund was established with the following missions:
- To provide aid and assistance to individuals residing in Venango County, Pennsylvania, who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces and who have experienced or require one or more of the following: economic distress, natural disaster, catastrophic loss, sudden loss of income, handicapped access, transportation, or emergency dental care; and
- To provide financial assistance to the Shriners Hospital for Children of Erie, Pennsylvania; and
- To provide financial assistance to the Venango County Humane Society; and
- To provide financial assistance to the Kirtland Foundation of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Nazareth Foundation (Nazareth in the Woods)
The Nazareth in the Woods Fund was established by the Nazareth in the Woods Corporation desires to unite Catholic Christians concerned with current and future directions of Eucharistic practice in the Church; and to work for spiritual renewal, particularly as it incorporates vision and direction of Eucharistic practices in the Church. This mission is premised upon the Second Vatican Council that defines the Church as a visible structure and as a spiritual community. The purposes of the Nazareth Foundation: “Refounding” of the church shall mean entering into a collaborative process of returning to the original founding experience of Catholic Christianity, and reowning the primary purpose/vision of the original founding. The Nazareth Foundation can make grants to:
- Those renewal and refounding entities who are inspired by the directives of the Vatican Council II which encourage and empower involvement of all baptized adults in the modern life of the Church.
- Those entities who may be formed in conjunction with or independently of any present ecclesiastical office or structure so long as they: reflect prayerfully on the inspirations of the Holy Spirit in their own lives; study, observe and listen to the Magisterium of the Church (the teaching office of the Church) with a collaborative attitude, always ready to introduce new questions or issues, and discern collectively decisions or actions that will preserve and deepen the mystery of the Eucharist in Christian lives.
- Those entities who through open, prayerful, and enlightened discussion of pertinent issues and through dialogue with other Catholics locally and globally, attempt to participate in formulating and expressing what is historically and theologically referred to as the “Sensus Fidelium” (the Spirit-inspired beliefs of the faithful) with respect to Eucharistic practice.
- Those entities whose work focuses on aiding Christians in developing practical spiritualties in their daily lives.
- Those apostolates that are facilitating authentic renewal; i.e., that help people grow in the interior life.
- Those entities whose Ministry helps meet the particular growth needs of the person by taking a Christian Holistic approach with the individual, especially for those who are seeking deeper intimacy and a renewed spirituality.
Oil City Area School District Endowment
This Fund is established in cooperation between the Venango Area Community Foundation and the Oil City Area School District to accept and generate the resources to insure, enhance and grow the educational goals and purposes of the Oil City Area School District. The OCASD endowment will create the opportunity for people to contribute to the support and renewal of Oil City Area School District educational programs and facilities. The initial funds are:
- General Scholarship Fund
- Athletic Fund
- Science & Technology Fund
- Arts & Humanities Fund
- Undesignated Fund
This Fund also allows for the creation of additional funds such as the OCMS/OCHS Food Pantry Fund.
Oil City Arts & Cultural Endowment
A volunteer group of interested citizens created the Oil City Arts and Cultural Endowment with the mission of strengthening the city’s Arts and Cultural Commissions programming and the revitalization of the city by creating an endowment that will enable donors, organizations, and groups to promote, sustain, enrich, and revitalize the City of Oil City through the arts and cultural endeavors. The purpose of the fund is to provide a permanent and growing endowment for the Oil City Arts and Cultural Commission and to:
- Provide the opportunity for individuals, corporations, and non-profits to contribute to the revitalization of the City through the arts and cultural endeavors
- Build the bridges needed to strengthen the City’s arts and cultural community
- Enhance existing programs
- Encourage the development of new programs
- Support and sustain the Arts and Cultural Commission and its current and future programs
- Initiate new programs that promote arts education or broaden participation in existing programs
- Augment, support, or continue Oil City Area School District, Elementary, Middle, or High School programs that promote interactions between students and adult/senior artists in the Oil City Area
- Enable Oil City Area non-profits to build capacities through arts and cultural initiative
Oil City Civic Center Endowment
The Oil City Civic Center Endowment was created to accept and generate funds to improve and enhance the Oil City Civic Center, a non-profit facility housing artists, charitable, civic, and public service organizations. The Civic Center located in the National Transit Building, a national historic landmark, will be dedicated to improving the lives of Oil City Area residents. The Fund will be used to:
- Provide the opportunity for residents to contribute to a permanent Endowment that will support the operation of and improvements to the buildings and facilities of the Oil City Civic Center
- Support the National Transit Building facility as a hub for civic, charitable and cultural activity in the Oil City area
- Preserve the historic and architectural structure of the National Transit Building as a significant part of our heritage
Oil City Library Endowment
The Oil City Library Commission asked the Foundation to create the Library Endowment as a Fund within the Foundation to accept and generate funds to insure and to enhance the growth of Library programs and services for the betterment of area communities. The Endowment Fund provides the opportunity for the people of Oil City to contribute to the support and renewal of Oil City Library services, programs and facilities. The Fund is used to:
- Provide the opportunity for residents to contribute to the future of the Library and the educational and cultural purposes served by the Library;
- Instill a sense of pride and commitment by Library patrons;
- Enhance existing Library services;
- Support new Library services or initiatives and
- Preserve the quality services and facilities that are our Library heritage.
Oil City Take Pride
This fund was established in 2009 by a volunteer group of citizens including the North Side Business and Neighborhood Associations, the South Side Neighborhood and Business Associations, and the Siverly Neighborhood Association in order to support the initiatives, activities, and events of Oil City Take Pride, to help meet the needs identified by volunteer neighborhood and business associations in Oil City, and provide a means for residents and those who live or work in Oil City to improve their neighborhood and the business environment in Oil City. The Oil City Take Pride Board decides distributions at least yearly from the fund.
Oil City Town Square Endowment
The Oil City Town Square Endowment was created to provide a way for individuals to contribute to the ongoing expenses of the Oil City Town Square in Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Oil City Tree of Life Cemetery Association
The Oil City Tree of Life Cemetery Association Fund was established to provide for the following charitable benefits or purposes:
- To provide for the maintenance, repair, and restoration of monuments, headstones, and grave markers in the cemeteries or burial places of the Association in Cherrytree and Cranberry Townships of Venango Country which are of historical or architectural significance to the communities in which they are located
To provide funds for the preservation, beautification, and maintenance of abandoned or deteriorating graves of said cemeteries or burial grounds
To provide for the maintenance of semipublic areas in and about said cemeteries and burial grounds whose maintenance would otherwise devolve upon government, thereby lessening the burdens of government
To provide for the preservation of Jewish history in Venango County in a suitable repository
Oil Creek Railway Historical Society
The Oil Creek Railway Historical Society Fund was created to further carry out the educational and charitable uses and purposes of The Community Foundation. This Fund will promote growth and betterment within the Venango County Region and to further the charitable mission of the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society.
Oil Region Astronomy Education Endowment
Oil Region Astronomy Education Endowment Board, a volunteer committee of the Oil Region Astronomical Society, created this Endowment as a Fund within the Foundation to inspire the understanding of our universe through the promotion of the astronomical sciences. The Endowment Fund is an opportunity for individuals, businesses and community groups to contribute to the support of the Oil Region Astronomical Society services, programs and facilities. The Fund will be used to:
- Provide the opportunity for residents to contribute to the future of the Oil Region Astronomical Observatory and the educational purposes served by the Observatory;
- Instill a sense of pride and commitment by Observatory patrons;
- Enhance existing Oil Region Astronomical Society programs;
- Support new Oil Region Astronomical Society services or initiatives and
- Preserve the quality of Astronomical Society programs and facilities.
Oil Valley Center for the Arts Endowment
This donor advised fund was established to promote and strengthen the knowledge, practice and appreciation of the arts in our communities buy enabling donors to sustain and enrich activities, classes, programs, exhibits and facilities provided by the Oil Valley Center for the Arts.
Paul & Ellen Flickner Charitable
The Paul & Ellen Flickner Charitable Fund was established to support Oakland United Methodist Church of Venango County, PA; Saint Stephens Church of Oil City, PA; Oil City YMCA; Oil City Salvation Army; the Venango County Humane Society and other charitable organizations and programs in Venango County.
Presbyterian Homes Endowment
Presbyterian Homes Endowment Fund was established to support the Presbyterian Homes facility and programs at its Oil City, Pennsylvania Facility know as Oakwood Heights.
Seneca Hills Bible Camp & Retreat Center
The Seneca Hills Bible Camp & Retreat Center Fund was established to assist the mission of Seneca Hills Bible Camp & Retreat Center:
Transforming lives by leading people, especially youth, to a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a life of dedicated service to Him.
Shelly Lynn Wice and Jessica Ann Hart Memorial
The Wice and Hart Families created the Shelly Lynn Wice and Jessica Ann Hart Memorial Fund within the Foundation. The Wice family sponsors an annual soft ball tournament to raise funds that are added to the Memorial Fund. The Fund is used to increase the opportunities for girls to participate in sports. The purpose is to provide a permanent and growing Memorial Fund dedicated to helping girls whose families are unable to afford the costs associated with participation in girls’ sports sponsored by the Oil City Area School District or the Cooperstown Athletic Association.
Smedley Flower
The Smedley Flower fund was established to create a perpetual flower fund to cover the cost of placing flowers upon the graves in the Smedley Family Lot in Grove Hill Cemetery on each Memorial Day.
Terry Peterson Teacher Support
The purpose of the Fund shall be: Honor the memory of Mr. Terry M. Peterson and to provide financial assistance and support to the teachers and students of the Franklin Area School District in Franklin, Pennsylvania or successor Provide for the betterment of students of the Franklin Area School District in Franklin, Pennsylvania or successor.