The grant wish list is a simple listing of any granting needs from area nonprofits that are served by the Community Foundation. Submissions to be included are accepted at any time and will be added to the list as we receive them. This list can be especially helpful for our donor advisors so that they can see what immediate needs there are in our community that align with their interests. Not only is this list available to the public here on our website, but we also directly share it with our donor advisors and with local media. Our goal is to help as many nonprofits secure the funding that they need to meet their mission and goals.
Aiden Rupp Memorial Fund (RGS YMCA)
Aiden Rupp Memorial Scholarship Fund on behalf of the Armstrong School District
Requesting: Any Amount: $9,000
The Aiden Rupp Memorial Scholarship Fund is proud to support a new initiative to provide free swimming lessons to all second-grade students in the Armstrong School District, starting with the 2024-2025 school year. While the district has committed to offering these lessons, transportation funding is not currently available to transport students to the lessons for the current school year. Thanks to a generous contribution from the Armstrong County Community Foundation, the Aiden Rupp Memorial Scholarship Fund is able to cover the full cost of the swimming lessons, ensuring they are provided at no charge to students. However, the fund is unable to cover transportation expenses at this time. The district has committed to including transportation costs in its budget beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. To successfully launch this program in 2024-2025 and benefit all second-grade students, funding for transportation is essential. The amount requested would cover transportation for all schools. A grant of $4,000 would cover the cost of the schools in the eastern part of the district. Thank you for your consideration.
Wish updated 01/04/2025
Wish expires: 07/04/2025
Angels Journey Home Animal Rescue
Project #1:
Requesting: $30,000
We are in desperate need of a vehicle to pick up donations, take veterans to appointments, take animals to the vet, pass out socks, shoes, hats, gloves, clothing, toiletries to the homeless and rescue animals from abusive situations, starvation, and neglect
Project #2:
Requesting: $8,000
We are in desperate need of a vehicle to pick up donations, take veterans to appointments, take animals to the vet, pass out socks, shoes, hats, gloves, clothing, toiletries to the homeless and rescue animals from abusive situations, starvation, and neglect
Project #3:
Requesting: $15,000
We need to replace a cat sanctuary that collapsed from a winter storm last month. Funds will be used to rebuild, including materials, electric, water and heat.
Wish updated: 02/27/2025
Wish expires: 08/27/2025
Armstrong River Hawks High School Rifle Team
Project #1:
Requesting: $5,000
Simply put, high school rifle teams are a great way for students to learn marksmanship and how to handle guns properly and safely. High school rifle teams are a lesser-known opportunity that allow students to learn the art of focusing all their mental power on the target in front of them while also learning how to operate guns in a safe and controlled environment. In our program we teach Safety, Mental Control, and Discipline.
The Armstrong River Hawks High School Rifle Team is in their seventh competitive season. As such, we have been utilizing the same equipment for seven years. Precision rifle shooting equipment does not last indefinitely. So, we are in need of some new precision rifle shooting equipment to provide our student athletes with. By incorporating this new precision shooting equipment our student athletes can fire better match scores, build more stable shooting positions, and have a better overall experience while at practice. Some of the precision shooting equipment we are requesting includes: Shooting Jackets, Sweaters, Spotting scopes, Scope/Ammo Stands, Slings and Gloves.
Project #2:
Requesting: $5,000
Ammo! As a precision shooting high school rifle team we use match grade .22 caliber ammunition in our precision Olympic grade rifles. In an average competitive high school rifle season, we will shoot through seven cases of this ammunition. One case of match grade ammo right now, is roughly $750. This item is what we spend the most money on by far, any support you could give us is greatly appreciated!
Project #3:
Requesting: $7,000
We are always looking to improve the Olympic grade precision rifles that we compete with. A brand-new Olympic grade precision rifle will run anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. There are many different variations but the one we are currently looking at is called the Walther KK500 Blacktec. The KK500 Blacktec is designed to be lighter and more compact with smaller stature athletes in mind. These are about $3,500 each, and ideally, we would like to purchase two of them. More detailed specifications upon request.
wish updated 10/21/2024
wish expires: 4/21/2025
Dayton District Volunteer Fire Department
Requesting: $25,000
We are remodeling our banquet hall to update it due to it being the only place in Dayton designated as a warming shelter. It’s really outdated so we needed to update it to accommodate a large amount of people that need to stay a long period of time. The windows needed updated as well as all the insulation and walls. We had numerous amounts of drafts that needed to be taken care of sooner rather than later. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Wish updated 02/12/2025
Wish expires: 08/12/2025
Elderton Elementary PTA - Armstrong School District
Requesting: $1,000
I am writing to formally request a small grant for the Penn State Mobile Agricultural Lab. Our Goal as a PTA is to ensure that our kids, ¾ of them qualifying for free or reduced lunch, experience a hands-on educational opportunity in agriculture and related sciences.
Our initiative seeks to bridge the gap in access to quality agricultural education, equipping students with valuable skills that will empower them for the future.
wish updated 01/16/2025
Wish expires: 07/16/2025
Experience Armstrong
Requesting: $1,718.45
Requesting a grant match sum that will be used to print 5,000 middle Allegheny water trail maps which will be available for the public. This will increase knowledge of the water trail, water safety, river conservation lock use, and hopefully promote outdoor recreation and tourism within Armstrong County.
Wish Updated: 11/18/2024
Wish Expires: 5/18/2025
Hose Company 6 Kittanning
Project #1:
Requesting: $18,750
Replacement of (2) SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units that have reached their service life and are no longer compliant to pass flow testing as well as the parts to repair are no longer available for repairs. The cylinders for the SCBA units can no longer be hydrostatic tested due to DOT standards for pressure vessels. They are well over 15 years old. The SCBA units are the primary for firefighter's respiratory protection.
Project #2:
Requesting: $5,200
Replacement of a (TIC) Thermal Imaging Camera. We are in need to replace the camera due to age and replacement parts are no longer available for repairs. The Thermal Imaging Camera is a tool that aids firefighter's in searching for victims in heavy smoke conditions as well as detecting heat sources in wall, ceilings, etc. The Thermal Imaging Camera also has numerous functions in the fire and rescue service.
Wish updated: 04/08/2025
Wish expires: 10/08/2025
Kittanning Hose, Hook & Ladder Co. #1
Requesting: $6,218
Given our current location, our department is the primary response agency to the Allegheny River in Kittanning. We also respond on mutual aid calls with other local departments along other parts of the river and various local bodies of water.
The cold weather suits are a similar concept to wet suits used for water acivities, but a re much thicker and water proof to allow wearers to remain fully dressed and better protected in cold water situations. The helmets also provide an extra level of protection for responders.
We are also asking for rope bags, which allow us to secure responders in rescue efforts, as well as provide lifelines to be thrown to victims, from shore or from a boat.
Our department currently only has a boat and lifejackets and basic ropes that are used in water rescue calls and are limited in our capabilities. The additional requested equipment will greatly help us in responding to such calls in all types of weather conditions.
Questions: Contact 724-664-9103 or by email at pshuster110@gmail.com
wish updated 02/06/2025
Expires: 08/06/2025
Kittanning Hose Company #4
Requesting: $20,000
26 pagers to up grade our Fire Fighter Response time to emergency calls and also to come into line with the updates to Armstrong County 911 Center.
wish updated: 03/25/2025
wish expires: 09/25/2025
Kittanning Hose Company #4
Requesting: $127,957.70 - Any amount appreciated
Kittanning Hose Company #4 applied for and received a FEMA GO AFG Fire Grant and was awarded the grant on September 12, 2022. The grant was to replace our 1980 Mack Air Truck which was experiencing major mechanical and safety problems. Lowest bidder on the new truck was KME out of McKees Rocks, Pa.
Total FEMA Grant request was = $490,000.00
FEMA Share of the grant = $ 445,545.54
Hose Company #4 Share cost of the grant = $44,545.46
Total actual cost of the new KME Air Truck = $534,970.00
Less FEMA Grant = $445,545.54
Balance owed by Hose Co. #4 = $89,424.46
Kittanning Hose Co #4 Secured a loan from our local bank to pay for the truck. The loan was in the amount of $90,000.00
Kittanning Hose Company #4 also had to purchase new breathing air equipment for the new truck because the equipment in our old truck was no longer in compliance for the new standards today.
To date, Kittanning Hose Company #4 and incurred costs associated with the new Breathing Air equipment.
These costs total to date: $38,533.25
Total out of pocket costs to Kittanning Hose Co. #4 to date are:
$89,424.45
$38,533.25
$127,957.70
Wish Updated: 03/26/2025
Wish Expires: 09/26/2025
Leechburg Area School District
Requesting: $500
We wish is to have a Cricut Vinyl Cutter for my classroom and for the Science Club that I sponsor here at LASD. We would use the vinyl cutter to create a variety of classroom materials as well as use it in Science Club to help us create our fundraisers to continue to support STEAM motivated students and the events/trips we take.
Wish updated 10/08/2024
Wish expires 04/08/2025
Leechburg Area High School
Memorial Day Flag Project
Requesting $500
Funds to purchase t-shirts, lunches, drinks and rain gear (if needed) for students who place flags in 11 local cemeteries for Memorial Day. Yearly, a small group of students and staff place over 1500 flags over a two-day period.
wish updated: 11/01/2024
wish expires: 05/01/2025
Lower Kiski Ambulance Service Water Rescue Team
Requesting: Any portion of $10,000 still needed
We have been working on a Capital Fund to replace our 11-year-old inflatable rescue boat which has suffered a failure in one of the glued seams on the boat. While it has been re-glued on two occasions, it is a safety concern of a catastrophic failure while in use during an emergency or a response. We are looking at replacing the inflatable with a completely different style of boat, a Whaly, which is a PVC plastic which is a rigid hull but replicates the shape and purpose of inflatable boats. We have been successful in procuring $5,500 towards the $15,300 purchase price. Any donation towards the unfunded portion would be greatly appreciated.
Wish updated 03/24/2025
Wish expires: 09/24/2025
Plane Wellness
Requesting: $150
$150 pays for one seat for a mission student to attend one of our woodworking courses and receive lumber or tools to participate. We’re aiming to provide 300 seats in 2025. Any amount will help us improve the mental wellness of individuals with a mental health diagnosis or physical disability, including veterans with a disability rating.
Requesting: $1
$150 pays for one seat for a mission student to attend one of our woodworking courses and receive lumber or tools to participate. We’re aiming to provide 300 seats in 2025. Any amount will help us improve the mental wellness of individuals with a mental health diagnosis or physical disability, including veterans with a disability rating.
Requesting: Hand Tools
In addition to providing free seats to our mission students we also provide free tools. So, if you have any hand tools doing nothing, please send them to us and we will give them a new lease of life. The tools we are looking for include:
• Planes
• Saws
• Chisels
• Mallets
• Layout Tools
Please no power tools. Instead, sell your unwanted power tools on eBay or Facebook Marketplace and donate the money via our website. If you do have tools to donate, please email our Founder: jamie.harpster@planewellness.org.
Wish updated: 12/6/2024
Wish expires: 6/1/2025
Shannock Valley Elementary
Requesting: $38,000
This Wish seeks funding to create an Outdoor Classroom at Shannock Valley Elementary. This request is aimed at enhancing student learning and engagement through nature-based educational experiences. The Outdoor Classroom will provide a safe and stimulating environment for students. Funds will be used for the purchase of seating, a sturdy pavilion for shade, a concrete floor, and to pay for materials and labor. This initiative will foster creativity, collaboration, and support interdisciplinary lessons in a natural setting. An Outdoor Classroom would enrich the overall educational experience of students in Kindergarten through sixth grade at Shannock Valley Elementary.
Wish Updated: 02/06/2025
Wish Expires: 08/06/2025
Sugarcreek Township Volunteer Fire Department
Requesting: Any amount
Project #1:
We are trying to up-date our radios to bring them up to date with county systems, we have 3 different counties with which we serve-Armstrong, Butler and Clarion.
Project #2:
Requesting: $9,000
The purchase of an electronic sign to inform community of what we have going on at the firehall
Project #3:
$15,000
Put a portico addition entry way into our social hall.
Contact: station230@stvfd.com
wish updated: 02/27/2025
wish expires: 09/27/2025
Team Friends of Armstrong County
Requesting: $4,000
Team Friends in a nonprofit organization that serves adults with disabilities after high school by providing social events, opportunities to serve in their community, and support to their caregivers. The Team Friends Armstrong County chapter serves over 100 adults at each monthly event. A donation of $5000 would cover costs of our events for a year and allow us to provide our services and events at no charge to our individuals for an entire year!
Wish Updated: 11/05/2024
Wish expires: 05/5/2025
West Shamokin Wrestling Team
Requesting: $18,000
The West Shamokin Wrestling Team is seeking financial support to acquire a new Resilite wrestling mat for our expanding program. After being reinstated in 2022 following a seven-year hiatus, we are committed to providing our athletes with the best possible environment for their development.
Currently, we utilize a 20-year-old mat, which we inherited from Elderton High School, now closed since 2009. While it has served us, a new mat would not only enhance the visual appeal of our home matches but also incorporate advanced safety technology, significantly reducing the risk of injuries and ensuring a safer wrestling experience for our young men and women.
We appreciate your consideration of our request and the potential impact it could have on our program and athlete.
wish updated 03/01/2025
Wish expires: 09/01/2025
YMCA of Indiana County
Requesting: $50,000
We are looking to purchase a refrigerated van or box truck to distribute meals via a mobile route to food insecure kids. Last year we served 80% of the meals to children in our county, serving just under 50,000 meals. To expand our reach, we need a mobile route to reach the most rural areas of our community.
Wish updated 03/26/2025
Wish Expires 09/26/2025
If you are a nonprofit interested in submitting information for the grant wish list, please complete the Grant Wish List Request Form and email to jodi@servingtheheart.org or call 724-548-5897 for more information.
