News & Events

Explore news, upcoming events, and highlights of our work in scholarships, grants, and community engagement across Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Why Local Giving Has a Different Kind of Impact

When people think about charitable giving, large national organizations often come to mind. Those organizations do meaningful work. But giving locally operates differently — and in many cases, the...

What Does a Community Foundation Actually Do?

If you stopped someone in Northwestern Pennsylvania and asked them what a community foundation is, chances are they wouldn’t have a clear answer. Many people have heard the term, but few can explain...

Stronger Together: A Community Conversation on Food Insecurity in Venango County

Food insecurity isn’t always visible — but in Venango County, it’s very real. Nearly 50,000 people call this county home. More than 1,200 families live below the poverty line, and over 1,600...

How to Navigate Local Scholarship Opportunities: A Guide for Students and Families

Applying for scholarships can feel complicated, especially if this is your first time going through the process. Between schoolwork, activities, jobs, and deadlines, it is not always obvious where to...
BBCF supports students through a centralized scholarship application connecting local donors to educational opportunities.

How BBCF Supports Students Through More Than 70 Local Scholarships

Each year, students across our region take a major step toward their future by applying for scholarships. For some, that support makes higher education possible. For others, it reduces financial...
Forest County Community Foundation Giving Tree Celebrates Loved Ones & Generosity

Forest County Community Foundation Giving Tree Celebrates Loved Ones and Generosity

The Forest County Community Foundation’s Giving Tree held special meaning for many Forest County residents this holiday season. Through this annual initiative, community members were invited to honor...

Bridge Builders Community Foundations Receives READY Appalachia Award to Strengthen Community Impact Across Northwestern Pennsylvania

Bridge Builders Community Foundations (BBCF) is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of the 23 community foundations across Appalachia to receive a 2025 READY Appalachia...

Pennsylvania Passes Historic HB 1176

This week marks a transformative moment for communities across Pennsylvania — and for community foundations like Bridge Builders Community Foundations. Governor Josh Shapiro has officially signed HB...
Small Rural church helped by Rural Impact Fund

The Rural Impact Fund | New Grant Program to Strengthen Rural Churches and Communities

Venango, Clarion, & Forest Counties, PA – Bridge Builders Community Foundations, in partnership with the Center for Rural Ministry at Grove City College, is launching the application for the...

McElhattan Impact Fund for the Knox Area: Creating a Legacy of Empowerment and Access

In 2021, the McElhattan Foundation established the McElhattan Impact Fund for the Knox Area, a dedicated resource for supporting programs and projects that benefit the communities of Knox and Clarion...

Honoring a Legacy of Compassion: The Alfreda Kurtich Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Established in 2022, the Alfreda Kurtich Memorial Nursing Scholarship was created by John Kurtich to honor the memory of his late wife, Alfreda Kurtich—a woman of deep faith, kindness, and unwavering...

Bridge Builders Community Foundations Announces 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients

Venango, Forest and Clarion Counties, PA — Bridge Builders Community Foundations is proud to announce the recipients of scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Each year, the Foundation...

Our 2025 Annual Report is Now Available!