SHARON, Pa. – Thanks to the generosity of citizens across the region, the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio is celebrating another year of growth and transformative impact.
“Your contributions have helped our most vulnerable neighbors while creating opportunities for a brighter future,” says Kyle English, executive director of the Sharon, Pa.-based foundation.
In 2024, the foundation received over $22 million in donations.
“Remarkably, 88% of these gifts were under $1,000, underscoring how every contribution – no matter the size – makes a difference,” English notes.
Fund advisers awarded more than $15 million in grants, with 53% of awards under $1,000, directly supporting projects and organizations aligned with donors’ visions for their communities. Additionally, 31 new funds were established, ensuring sustained support for vital local needs.
The foundation achieved several milestones in 2024:
• Giving Week saw 77 organizations raise over $1 million for local causes.
• Karen Winner Sed was honored for eight years of leadership and Bill Strimbu was installed as president. Strimbu has over 30 years of dedication to the organization. His father, Nick, co-founded the foundation organization in 1981.
• The LIFT Program (Lifting Individuals for the Trades) continued to bridge labor gaps by connecting employers with a workforce trained in the trades, creating career pathways, and addressing workforce shortages.
“As we step into a new year, we are reminded that the challenges across our region remain significant and complex,” English says. “Sustained effort, innovation, and collaboration are essential to achieving lasting change.”
Photo: The Mercer County Courthouse in Mercer, Pa. Mr. Matté, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
