Eighty Four, PA – The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) is currently seeking applications for its Presidential Awards, which are presented at two levels: the Silver level that includes a $25,000 grant and the Crystal level that includes a $10,000 grant. The deadline for both levels is July 1.
Eligibility requirements for the President’s Silver Award
include an annual audit, strategic plan, annual operating budget, Board member financial support to the charity at 100% on an annual basis, established and enforced Board term limits, defined recruitment process to secure new Board members, policy on Board member responsibilities, annual CEO (or highest-ranking employee) performance review, and annual registration in WCCF Gives. The evaluation criteria are the impact of the program to the targeted audience, and the impact of the program to the general community.
The President’s Crystal Award eligibility requires charities to have an operating budget of less than $250,000, to have existed for at least three years, and provide programming in at least one of the eight funding areas of the Foundation (animal welfare, arts & humanities, community improvement & economic development, conservation & environment, education, health & fitness, human needs, and religion & faith). The evaluation criteria are the quality of programming, community impact as gauged by the number of people served, programs offered or other measurable component; and improvement in the organization’s financial position since inception or over the last five years.
“The Presidential Awards serve to incentivize or reward charities for proper governance issues, congruent with a strategic plan goal to strengthen charitable governance practices in Washington County,” stated WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew. “The Foundation provides free educational opportunities to help charities to improve their governance practices, and charities may apply for a capacity building grant to address their deficiencies such as a grant to initiate an annual audit.”
The creation of the President’s Crystal Award (formerly the President's Choice Award) in 2008 recognized the 10th anniversary of then Executive Director Betsie Trew. The creation of the President's Silver Award in 2023 commemorated Trew's 25th anniversary at the Community Foundation.
More information about the awards may be found on the Foundation’s website at www.wccf.net along with the applications. Questions may be directed to 724-222-6330 or allocations@wccf.net.