The Community Foundation Awards Annual Designated Grants to ECCSS
The vision of the Elk County Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter. The Harold and Midge Lenze Tuition Assistance Fund; the Tom and Mary Rita Valentine Fund; and the Edna Geitner Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund are all a testament to that vision. These ECCF permanent funds that designated monies to support Catholic education in the Elk County area were established by the donors in their estate plans. In addition, Elk County Catholic School System (ECCSS) created an agency endowment fund with the foundation years ago which provides them with an annual unrestricted disbursement. This year’s combined award for all of these individual funds was $77,896.
Each family chose a specific way to support the ECCSS. Both Harold and Midge were long time supporters of Catholic education in our community. Harold made provisions in his estate plan to provide funding for this purpose. They chose to come to the Elk County Community Foundation to ensure that funds will be available to the schools for tuition assistance for generations to come.
Tom and Mary Rita Valentine included the creation of a charitable fund in their estate plans also. Their fund supports Catholic education at Elk County Catholic School System through tuition assistance and funding for general operational needs. Their strong faith led the couple to believe that by supporting Catholic education they could share their faith with the next generation. We honor their belief in catholic education by administering this fund exactly how they wished.
The Edna Geitner Bennett Scholarship fund has a twofold purpose: to provide a scholarship to a student for college, and to provide an annual award to the school for general operations. This fund was established by Larry Geitner in memory of his sister Edna.
The Elk County Catholic School System, an educational ministry of the Diocese of Erie, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. With God as their constant source of inspiration, their mission is to develop the whole student in mind, body, and spirit while nurturing the values of knowledge, peace, and holiness.
“It is critical for ECCSS to ensure that Catholic education remains affordable for the families we serve,” said ECCSS president Sam MacDonald. “The funds managed by the Community Foundation help us provide first-rate programming in academics, extracurriculars and faith formation while minimizing tuition increases. Along with other endowments held at the school, many of these dollars help all students while keeping the cost of tuition low.”
The Elk County Community Foundation is known for giving scholarships and grants to non-profits in Elk County and surrounding communities. The heart of the foundation’s business is helping people, families, groups, and businesses to be philanthropic or charitable. ECCF provides the administrative and investment management services that make it easy for donors to accomplish their charitable wishes with their tax deductible donations while improving the quality of life in our communities.
The Elk County Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages over 186 endowed funds. For more information, call ECCF at 814- 834-2125 or visit their website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. Questions can also be directed to Sue Jansen at the ECCSS Advancement Office at 814-834-1480 x 232 or email jansenj@eccss.org.
Pictured L to R from ECCF is Tom Jesberger, Board President and Paula Fritz Eddy Executive Director, and from ECCSS, Sam MacDonald President, and Director of Advancement, Sue Jansen.
