Community Advised for Community Benefit
The Community Foundation has partnered with leaders from individual communities in Warren County to establish “Community Funds” that will grow to meet that community’s needs today – and in the future. The Foundation’s goal in establishing these funds is to give local community leaders access to funds for projects that will best benefit their community, strengthening the impact of the Community Foundation across the entire County we serve.
To encourage contributions to these funds, the Community Foundation provides $25,000 in match of the first $25,000 raised in contributions. All donations to the funds are for the exclusive benefit of non-profit organizations serving the Arts, Education, Health, and community-related activities in each community. Each fund has its own community advisory committee who develop the funds growth strategy and goals, and reviews grant requests received from community non-profits.
The funds operate under the same principles as the Community Foundation of Warren County. Each fund seeks to grow its principal market value to generates income which is made available for grants to charitable causes in each community. The principal remains untouched to grow over time. Distributed income is distributed twice a year into perpetuity. For Good…Forever. The Community Foundation is a great example of this principle at work, being established over 75 years ago with an initial investment of $25,000, today has over $100 million in assets distributing millions of dollars each year in support of the arts, education, health and communities in Warren County.
Brokenstraw Valley Fund – A Foundation for Our Future
After a successful revitalization campaign, community leaders in the Youngsville area wanted to begin a new philanthropic endeavor that would assist the entire Brokenstraw Valley area with community-minded projects and improvements. They wanted to create “A Foundation for Our Future” by establishing a fund that was based in the community and would benefit the community forever. For the purpose of grant distribution, the BVF considers the Brokenstraw Valley area to include: Brokenstraw Township, Garland, Irvine, Pittsfield Township,
and the Youngsville Borough area located in rural Northwestern PA.
Sheffield Area Community Fund
The Sheffield Area Community Fund is currently forming a community advisory committee to guide the funds growth, and for the review of grant requests from charitable causes in the Sheffield community. The purpose of the Sheffield Area Community Fund is to make funds available to local fund advisors, placing grant making decisions in the hands of local residents who are closest to the need. Currently, donations to the fund can be made directly to the Community Foundation or on May 14th, 2025 by donating to the fund through Warren Gives. The fund is not currently accepting grant requests.
Sugar Grove Area Community Fund
The Community Foundation’s Distribution Committee recently approved the creation of the Sugar Grove Area Community Fund and work is underway to form a community advisory committee to guide the funds growth, and for the review of grant requests from charitable causes in the Sugar Grove area. The purpose of the Sugar Grove Area Community Fund is to make funds available to local fund advisors, placing grant making decisions in the hands of local residents who are closest to the need. Currently, donations to the fund can be made directly to the Community Foundation or on May 14th, 2025 by donating to the fund through Warren Gives. The fund is not currently accepting grant requests.
Tidioute Area Community Fund – “A Bridge to the Future”
The TACF advisory committee chose the tagline “A Bridge to the Future”, playing off the distinctive bridge that spans the Allegheny River as one enters Tidioute. With a population of about 800, the citizens have demonstrated their loyalty and love for their own community through such initiatives as the Health Center, the Library, the Tidioute Community Charter School, and the annual Fishing Tournament, which brings in thousands of visitors. The Committee is excited about the future of Tidioute, and hopes that the TACF will encourage citizens, visitors and Tidioute natives, wherever they reside, to support the fund through bequests and donations.
Tidioute Area Community Fund Grant Request Form