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WCCF Board Chairman Jim McCune is flanked by representatives of the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce in the Front Parlor of the Samuel T. Brownlee House. From left to right: Heidi Hoffman, George Eckert, Karen Langol, Jim McCu-ne, Cecelia Fraser, Donald Fraser, and Jeff Vitale.

Anyone can be a philanthropist, and helping donors give “close to home” has been the Washington County Community Foundation’s focus for more than 25 years.

The WCCF promotes and facilitates local philanthropy in an effort to improve the quality of life in Washington County by assuming four roles: Fundraiser, Grant-Maker, Community Leader, and Donor Service Organization.

The Community Foundation has issued more than $25 million in grants and scholarships to date. Among its many noteworthy activities, the WCCF hosts WCCF Gives, a community-wide day of giving that has awarded more than $8 million since its inception in 2013. Thousands of donors from different walks of life look forward to supporting their favorite local charities through this annual event.

Additionally, the WCCF took a lead role at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the creation of the Close to Home Disaster & Emergency Fund. Through swift, focused fundraising efforts, the Foundation has been able to award nearly $1 million to attend to the specific needs of local non-profits during the different phases of this crisis.

Although grant-making is a core activity, the WCCF is also committed to strengthening the local charitable community through education. It frequently coordinates and hosts a broad range of trainings on important topics specific to the charitable sector, and in special circumstances, Foundation staff will provide intensive one-on-one technical support on subjects such as marketing, development, financial management, and strategic growth.

The Community Foundation is located in the historic Samuel T. Brownlee House in Eighty Four, PA, which was built in 1848. In addition to being included on the National Register of Historic Places, the large, stately building is home to the WCCF’s offices, the CARE Education Center, as well as an entire floor of Heritage Rooms that capture the essence of life in Washington County during the time in which the house was built.

Representatives from the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce came to tour the facility earlier this month, and those in attendance were delighted to explore the Brownlee House and gain greater insight into the impact the WCCF is having across Washington County.

To learn more about the Foundation’s activities, please visit www.wccf.net.

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