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Community Foundation for the Alleghenies

Annual Giving
$6.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
69%

Community Foundation for the Alleghenies

Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,879,943 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $146 million (2025)
  • Success Rate: ~69% (based on available data from recent grant round)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $93,000
  • Geographic Focus: Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and Indiana counties, Pennsylvania
  • Number of Awards: 172 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Website: www.cfalleghenies.org
Phone: 814-536-7741
Email: info@cfalleghenies.org
Address: 216 Franklin St Ste 400, Johnstown, PA 15901-1911

Grant Program Contact:
Emily Wood, Program Officer
Email: ewood@cfalleghenies.org
Phone: 814-208-8448

Overview

The Community Foundation of Greater Johnstown operates as the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), established in January 1991. With total assets growing from $13 million in 2001 to $146 million in 2025—a 46% increase in recent years—the foundation has distributed more than $213 million in grants to date. The foundation's mission is "to serve the best interest of our donors in perpetuating their philanthropic interest in financially supporting our community," with a vision of "an inclusive and engaged culture of philanthropy that grows an abundance of resources, achieving perpetual impact in a thriving region." The CFA supports hundreds of local nonprofits through strategic grantmaking, direct donor grants, and nonprofit capacity-building initiatives. Under the leadership of President Mike Kane since 2001, the foundation operates competitive spring and fall grant rounds, awarding between 138-172 grants annually ranging from $5,000 to $93,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Spring and Fall Grants (Competitive Distribution Committee Grants)

  • Two competitive grant rounds per year
  • Spring applications typically open in November and close in January
  • Fall applications follow later in the year
  • Note: Indiana County organizations should apply only during the Fall Grant Round
  • Note: Portage community (Cambria County) applications reviewed by Portage Funds Committee during Spring Round only
  • Fall 2024: $412,841 awarded to 94 recipients (record-setting amount)
  • Organizations eligible to receive more than one grant per calendar year

Special Initiative Grants

  • Early Childhood Education Fund: Supports early childhood programs
  • Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator: Funding for artists and creative entrepreneurs
  • Creative Sector Flex Fund: Supports creative industries
  • PA Arts and Culture Recovery Grant: Statewide arts recovery initiative
  • Vision Together 2025 Fund: Community strategic initiatives

Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund

  • Program-related investments (PRIs) in the form of low-interest loans, subordinated debt, and equity investments
  • Financing for businesses developing sustainable energy technology, using renewable energy, or enhancing energy efficiency

Scholarship Programs

  • Hundreds of scholarships administered for students throughout the region
  • 97 scholarship opportunities available for students in Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset counties

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a broad range of community needs including:

  • Early childhood care and education
  • Arts and culture initiatives
  • Creative entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable energy and environmental projects
  • Grassroots community efforts
  • Nonprofit capacity building (through Bosler Academy)
  • Community development across Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and Indiana counties

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly excluded from funding:

  • Debt retirement or past activities
  • Grants to individuals (except scholarships)
  • Religious purposes
  • Basic government services
  • Projects that discriminate based on protected characteristics

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Mike Kane - President
President and Executive Director since 2001, Mike Kane has overseen the foundation's growth from $13 million to $146 million in assets. Under his leadership, the foundation has distributed more than $213 million in grants. As of January 1, 2025, Kane continues as president while transitioning toward retirement within the next couple of years.

Angie Berzonski - Executive Director
Named Executive Director as of January 1, 2025, Berzonski previously served as Associate Director. She noted the Fall 2024 grant round "sets a record for our spring and fall grant rounds."

Emily Wood - Program Officer
Primary contact for grant eligibility questions, application support, and required documents. Also handles Creative Industries programs, Creative Sector Flex Fund, and Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program.

Other Staff Members:

  • Katrina Perkosky - Director of Donor Services
  • Amy [Last Name] - Operations and Accounting Associate, SHRM-CP
  • Lladel Lichty - Somerset County Director

Board of Directors

The foundation is governed by an active volunteer Board of Directors and various committees, including the Distribution Committee which evaluates grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board for final approval. Specific board member names were not available in current public sources.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online grant portal at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfalleghenies

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Nonprofit organizations serving Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and/or Indiana counties
  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS
  • Governmental entities
  • Volunteer fire companies with 501(c)(4) status
  • Churches with IRS tax-exempt determination

Application Process:

  1. Applications screened for eligibility and completeness by CFA staff
  2. Eligible applications evaluated by the Distribution Committee
  3. Committee forwards grant recommendations to Board of Directors for final approval
  4. Applications may be forwarded to other funders if appropriate

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Indiana County applicants: Apply ONLY during Fall Grant Round
  • Portage community (Cambria County): Reviewed by Portage Funds Committee during Spring Round only for potential additional funding

Decision Timeline

Spring Grant Round:

  • Applications open: Late November
  • Deadline: Late January (e.g., January 31, 2025)
  • Decisions announced: Several months after deadline

Fall Grant Round:

  • Timeline follows similar pattern with applications opening mid-year
  • Decisions announced several months after deadline

Notification Method: Both declinations and awards are communicated via email. Applicants can check application status through their online grantee dashboard.

Success Rates

Based on available data from a recent grant round: approximately 69% success rate (74 awards from 107 applications). However, success rates may vary by grant round.

The Distribution Committee grant application process is described as "the most competitive grant application process within the Foundation."

Recent Grant Activity:

  • 2024: 172 awards totaling $6,879,943
  • 2023: 157 awards
  • 2022: 138 awards
  • Fall 2024 alone: $412,841 to 94 recipients (record for semi-annual rounds)

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are eligible to receive more than one grant in a calendar year, suggesting that unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent grant rounds. Specific waiting periods or restrictions for declined applicants were not documented in available sources.

Application Success Factors

While specific advice from the foundation about what makes applications stand out was limited in public sources, the following factors appear important based on their structure and stated priorities:

Alignment with Foundation Values:

  • Projects that create "perpetual impact in a thriving region"
  • Initiatives supporting an "inclusive and engaged culture of philanthropy"
  • Grassroots efforts that strengthen local communities

Geographic Considerations:

  • Clear demonstration of how project serves Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and/or Indiana counties
  • Understanding of county-specific application requirements (Indiana County Fall only; Portage community Spring potential)

Strategic Approach:

  • Competitive nature of Distribution Committee grants means applications must demonstrate clear community impact
  • Nonprofit capacity-building focus suggests they value organizational sustainability
  • Foundation's emphasis on "strategic grantmaking to fund strategic change" indicates preference for transformative projects

Pre-Application Contact:

  • Emily Wood (Program Officer) available at ewood@cfalleghenies.org or 814-208-8448 for questions about eligibility, applications, and required documents
  • Foundation encourages scheduling visits to discuss grant opportunities

Application Quality:

  • Completeness is essential—applications screened for completeness by staff before committee review
  • Applications must clearly meet eligibility requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing matters: Pay close attention to geographic restrictions—Indiana County organizations can only apply in Fall; Portage community applications get additional review in Spring only
  • High success rate: With approximately 69% success rate in competitive rounds and 172 total grants awarded in 2024, this foundation is relatively accessible compared to many funders
  • Multiple chances: Organizations can receive more than one grant per year, allowing for multiple project funding
  • Pre-application support available: Don't hesitate to contact Emily Wood before applying—the foundation welcomes questions and site visits
  • Rapid growth: The foundation's assets have grown 46% to $146 million, with record-setting grant rounds—they're expanding their impact
  • Complete applications critical: Applications are screened for completeness before committee review, so ensure all required documents are included
  • Strategic focus valued: The foundation emphasizes "strategic change" and "perpetual impact"—frame your project in transformational terms

References

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