Investing in Crawford County: Crawford Heritage Community Foundation Awards More Than $100,000 in Grants

MEADVILLE, PA. The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation has awarded $101,588 in discretionary grants to eighteen nonprofit organizations serving Crawford County. These grants will support programs that address food insecurity, expand educational opportunities, improve community spaces, strengthen local arts and recreation, and enhance health and human services throughout the county.

Twenty-five grant proposals were submitted for consideration during the Foundation's 2026 discretionary grant cycle. Following a thorough review process, eighteen organizations were selected to receive funding totaling $101,588.

"These organizations are tackling important challenges and creating meaningful opportunities throughout Crawford County," said Jennifer Mohtashemi, chair of the Foundation's Grantmaking Committee. "We're honored to support projects that strengthen our communities, improve quality of life, and help meet local needs. Most importantly, these grants are possible because of the generosity of donors who established charitable funds with the Foundation, creating a permanent source of support for Crawford County.”

Funding for these grants came from eleven permanent endowments established by people who chose to create a lasting legacy through the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation. Each fund reflects the donor's charitable interests and continues supporting causes they care about year after year.

The Foundation's Community Impact Fund and Titusville Fund are two of the most flexible sources of grant funding available. Through annual fundraising efforts, the Foundation works to grow these community endowments so they can provide even greater support for local organizations in the years ahead. Every contribution helps build a stronger permanent source of funding for the projects and programs that make Crawford County a better place to live, work, learn, and raise a family.

Three grants were funded in an effort to promote food security and good nutrition.

Associated Charities received $10,000 to purchase healthy ingredients for 2,400 meal bundles through its Bundle to Plate program, helping families prepare nutritious meals at home.

Benson Memorial Library received $956 to establish a community seed library focused on home gardening, seed sharing, and nutrition education.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania received $10,000 to support programs that help to ensure at-risk children have access to nutritious food through in-school delivery methods.

Three grants are focused on providing opportunities to empower the region’s young people.

Creating Landscapes received $10,000 to expand youth leadership and mentoring opportunities by training high school students as Summer Parks counselors who also serve as year-round mentors to younger children.

Crawford Christian Academy received $1,000 for site preparation and excavation work for a new sports and recreation field.

Meadville Cooperative Preschool received $10,000 to install a safe, inclusive, nature-inspired playground for preschool-aged children at its new location.

One grant was focused on education & workforce development.

University of Pittsburgh at Titusville received $6,000 to offset tuition and fee costs for machining training programs serving eighteen Crawford County residents and helping meet local workforce needs.

Two grants are helping libraries to expand their efforts to provide space for programming that builds community.

James A. Stone Memorial Library received $6,000 to transform an unused lot into a community mini-park featuring a pavilion and public gathering space.

Meadville Public Library received $6,000 to support installation of a deck overlooking Mill Run, expanding opportunities for outdoor programming and community engagement.

Five grants that will improve arts programming, recreational opportunities and promote civic engagement.

Cambridge Community Radio Association received $750 to purchase new computer equipment and enhance local broadcasting capabilities.

French Creek Recreational Trails received $3,775 for accessibility and trail improvement projects along the Ernst Trail, including improvements at Bean's Trailhead.

Meadville Community Theatre received $5,000 to purchase a stage for the Penny Smith Theatre at Cussewago Square.

The Academy Theatre received $2,000 to restore the operation of its upper balcony lighting grid and expand lighting capabilities through the purchase of additional stage lighting.

Titusville Shade Tree Commission received $4,000 to remove aging boulevard trees and replace them with new flowering trees that will enhance the community's appearance and safety.

Programs to improve the region’s health and human services received three grants.

FCCA (Family Children & Community Association) received $6,000 to upgrade security camera infrastructure at its facility and transportation van, helping provide a safer environment for the children and families it serves.

Titusville Area Health Center Foundation received $14,000 to support the development of a Dental Training Clinic that will expand access to essential dental care while helping train the next generation of providers.

Titusville YMCA received $5,048 to provide professional development opportunities for staff through participation in the NAYDO Conference and YMCA General Assembly.

One animal welfare program received support.

Tamarack Wildlife Center received $1,059 to conduct a feasibility study assessing community support for future expansion and enhanced wildlife rehabilitation services.

The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation accepts discretionary grant applications annually. The next letter of intent cycle will open in November. Nonprofit organizations serving Crawford County are encouraged to visit the Foundation's website for application information and deadlines.

The Crawford Heritage Community Foundation is dedicated to making Crawford County a better place to live, learn, work, and raise a family. The Foundation helps individuals, families, and businesses make the most of their philanthropy through charitable funds that support nonprofits, scholarships, and community initiatives. Since its founding in 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $18 million in grants and scholarships and today manages more than 173 charitable funds benefiting causes throughout Crawford County. For more information about making a gift or seeking grant support for a project, visit www.crawfordheritage.org or contact the Foundation at (814) 336-5206.