TOWANDA - In 2012, the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers awarded the largest amount of funding since its inception 10 years ago, continuing to put money back into communities.
A total of $65,333 was distributed among the five counties the organization serves - Bradford, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga counties in Pennsylvania and Tioga County in New York.
The foundation started giving out grants in 2005 with $500 in total funding, but the annual award amounts began to grow.
By 2009 the total was $22,291, and in 2012 it reached $65,333, according to foundation CEO Angela Klopf.
The foundation also celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the years have been spent successfully carrying out its mission.
The board of directors, county advisory board members and committees consist of 42 volunteers who work to build stronger communities.
The organization establishes endowment funds from contributions from citizens, corporations, other foundations, other charitable organizations and government agencies and uses the interest earned from these funds to make grants to the community.
The impact is not only immediate, but will benefit the communities as donors personalize visions through long-term fund building that provides long term support.
During its Sullivan County 10-year anniversary banquet in December, Klopf said a new scholarship was created in honor of a long-time school librarian at Sullivan High School.
The Stefana "Stevie" Shoemaker Scholarship Fund was recently established by Dr. Thomas Shoemaker in memory of his wife, who valued the importance of an education and also was an owner of the Sullivan Review.
The fund will be awarded to a student going on to pursue a post-secondary degree in library science or journalism. If no applicants are pursuing those degrees then a student pursuing a Biology degree can be considered.
According to Klopf, among the $500 grants awarded at the banquet from a $5,000 donation were Sullivan County Recreation Association, Sullivan County Library, Sullivan County Victim Services, Eagles Mere Laporte Lions Club, Sullivan County Kiwanis, Sullivan County Action, Sullivan County Fair Association, Seeds of Hope and Sullivan County discretionary fund.
Burton Adams, Seeds of Hope treasurer, said the grant will help "pay the bills" of the organization which was started three years ago following widespread flooding in the area.
The Foundation encourages community philanthropy to enhance the quality of life for those who reside in Bradford, Potter, Sullivan and the two Tioga counties.
The foundation is one of over 700 community foundations in the United States.
The foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Tioga County with a banquet at the Tioga County Fairgrounds in Whitneyville on May 2.
During the event Wanda Shirk, a retired school teacher from Potter County will share her experience on the hit television show "Survivor." Shirk also serves on the foundation's board of directors.
Grants of $500 each will be given to non-profits.
Tickets for the banquet can be obtained by calling 888-4759, visiting the foundation website at twintierscf.org or going to its offices at 104 W. Lockhart St. Sayre, PA, 18840.
In 2012 grants were awarded by the foundation to te following:
Angels Over Iraq and Afghanistan - $1,148.42
Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
Jordan Wilcox Endowment Fund - $2,892.49
Families with children with cancer
Innovative Educational Grant Funds - $3,600
Sullivan County Teachers
Katherine Kerrigan Rural Ministries - $3,877
Tioga County (N.Y.) Rural Ministries
Canton Area School District Activities Fund - $10,277
Canton School Accelerated Reader Program & Activities
Finkle Rosenberg Scholarship Fund - $2,000
Graduate Owego Free Academy
Katherine Kerrigan Scholarship - $8,000
Four $2K scholarships to Waverly H.S. graduates
French Azilum Fund- $425
French Azilum
Ulysses Library Fund - $9,865
Ulysses Library
Ben Franklin Trust Fund - $570
Boys & Girls Club of Potter County
Carantouan Greenway Endowment Fund - $799
Carantouan Greenway
Sullivan County Discretionary Fund - $500
Sullivan County Food Pantry
Southern Tioga School District - $488.99
Sothern Tioga School District Activities
Canton Area School District Fund - $3,545
Scholarships/awards to 2011 graduate of CAHS
Athens Area School District Achievement Fund - $3,433
Scholarships/awards to 2011 graduates of AAHS
Babe & George Tymoski -Rockman's Apparel Scholarship - $500
Graduate Sayre High School
Elizabeth Alamo Scholarship - $500
Graduate of Waverly High School
Towanda Musical Society - $500
Graduate of Sayre High School
Troy Lions - Huck Scholarship - $500
Graduate Troy High School
Tioga Tae Kwon Do Scholarship - $500
Graduate of Waverly High School
Floyd Hooker Estate Fund - $912
Zion Lutheran Church
Don & Linda Jayne Scholarship Fund - $500
Graduate of Waverly High School
Bradford County Discretionary Fund - $500
Sayre Area School District Teacher
Potter County CFTT Ten Year Anniversary Grants - $3,000
Historical Society, PA Parks-Friends of Lyman Run, Genesee Library,
Ulysses Library, Coudersport Library, & Northern Potter Scholarship Fund
Bradford County CFTT Ten Year Anniversary Grants - $6,500
Memorial Hospital, Bradford County Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, New Beginnings, Wyalusing Library, Guthrie New Troy Hospital, Bradford County Historical Society and Area Agency on Aging
