FOUNDATION NEWS 2024
Greater Pike Names 2024 Honorees for Community Service, Business Leadership, and Nonprofit Excellence
April 8, 2024
MILFORD, PA – The founder of GAIT Equine Assisted Services, the family behind a historic Milford restaurant, and a nonprofit organization that has improved and beautified the streets of Milford for the past 25 years are the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s 2024 honorees. GAIT’s founder, Martha Dubensky, the Jorgenson family of The Historic Dimmick Inn, and the Milford Enhancement Committee will be honored at Greater Pike’s 9th Annual Awards Dinner on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Silver Birches Resort in Hawley.
“These three honorees exemplify the spirit of community engagement and service that lies at the heart of Greater Pike Community Foundation’s mission, and we hope you’ll join us in honoring them and their contributions to our community,” said Luke Turano, Greater Pike Board Chair.
These community members will receive their awards at Greater Pike’s annual dinner event, planned for Sunday, Sept. 8, at Silver Birches. The event is open to all, and sponsorships are now available.
As part of the awards, Greater Pike will provide a donation to the nonprofit organization of the honorees’ choosing, to be announced at the dinner.
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2024 Spring Newsletter
| March 28, 2024 |
Nonprofit Workshop: April 11Greater Pike’s annual nonprofit workshop is coming up on April 11. Representatives from attending nonprofits will have an opportunity to speak about their organization’s programs and activities, learn about upcoming events and grant opportunities at Greater Pike, and ask questions about funding and other topics. |
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Buchanan Fund Grants Go to Four Local Nonprofits
March 19, 2024
MILFORD, PA – Four area nonprofits will receive $425 apiece in grants newly awarded through the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund of the Greater Pike Community Foundation. The recipients are Grey Towers Heritage Association, Pike Autism Support Services of Northeast Pennsylvania, Pike County Public Library and Pike County Historical Society.
The Barbara J. Buchanan Fund has supported a wide range of organizations in human services, the arts, historic preservation and civic improvement since its inception in 2014 as Greater Pike’s first donor-sponsored fund. Mrs. Buchanan, who died in 2018 at the age of 95, was a lifelong volunteer, patron, philanthropist and community activist whose work supported many Pike County agencies and activities.
“Barbara Buchanan was an inspiring model of generosity and community philanthropy, and we are honored to continue her legacy of bringing our community together by making these awards in her memory,” said Greater Pike’s Executive Director, Rick Little.
Greater Pike to Host Nonprofit Workshop
March 11, 2024
MILFORD, PA – Leaders of area nonprofit organizations will gather to network, exchange information and learn about funding opportunities at Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Annual Nonprofit Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at the Tom Quick Inn in Milford. The event will begin with a light breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The program commences at 9:30 a.m. sharp and will end at noon.
“This workshop is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about your nonprofit, learn what other organizations are doing and gain a better understanding of ways in which we can work together to benefit our community,” said Rick Little, Greater Pike’s Executive Director.
Representatives from each participating nonprofit will have an opportunity to speak about their organization’s programs and activities. Participants also will learn about upcoming events and grant opportunities at Greater Pike and will get a chance to ask questions about funding and other topics.
The event is free, but space is limited. Participants are asked to register online. For additional information, contact Tammy Savarese or call (570) 832-4686.
DV Music Department Gets a Boost from Walt Edwards Ashenfelter Fund for Performing Arts at Greater Pike
February 27, 2024
Delaware Valley High School – The Delaware Valley Music Department Booster Club was the recipient of the very first grant from the Walt Edwards Ashenfelter Fund for Performing Arts, administered by the Greater Pike Community Foundation. This grant underscores the commitment of both organizations to support the development of young, aspiring musicians within the Delaware Valley School District and our community.
Established by Kathryn Wolf-Ashenfelter and Michael Zimmerman, the Walt Edwards Ashenfelter Fund for Performing Arts honors the legacy of Milford’s Walt Edwards Ashenfelter (1943-2020), a beloved music artist and advocate for live performing arts. The fund’s mission is to provide grants to nonprofit organizations presenting performance arts and scholarships to young musicians, thereby fostering the growth of artistic talent in our region.
The entire community is invited to Back Road Brewery on Thursday, March 21st, 2024 5:30-8:30PM to celebrate Walt Edwards Ashenfelter’s legacy and love of live music. The event is free and open to the public with optional donations to Walt’s fund accepted onsite. The evening will feature performances by local music artists including John Curtin, Dan Engvaldsen, Mark Ferguson, Matthew King, Eric Langberg, Lenny Miller, Scott Palermo, and Marc Von Em! Each artist will entertain the crowd with a set of Walt’s favorite pop, folk, rock and Irish songs and ballads.
Grants Available from the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund at Greater Pike
February 1, 2024
MILFORD, PA – Greater Pike Community Foundation recently announced the availability of grants up to $500 from the Barbara J. Buchanan Fund for eligible nonprofits beginning February 1.
The deadline for applying is midnight on March 6. This annual program funds eligible local nonprofit community organizations in the arts and culture, basic human needs, health, families, education, and the environment with innovative ideas for improving our community’s quality of life.
Greater Pike has an online application process. Organizations that have received a grant in previous grant cycles must be current with all reporting requirements to be eligible for a new grant. To apply, visit greaterpike.org/bjb-grant.
The Barbara J. Buchanan Fund has provided financial support to dozens of local organizations since it was established as Greater Pike’s first fund a decade ago. The foundation’s Executive Director Rick Little said, “Barbara Buchanan exemplified philanthropic commitment to the community she loved and it is because of that we are able to help deserving nonprofits continue their work in the areas that meant so much to her.”
Greater Pike Community Foundation Announces New Appointments
January 24, 2024
MILFORD, PA – Greater Pike Community Foundation recently announced that Rick Little will be the new executive director and Luke Turano will be the new board chair.
Little, who has worked for the past few years as a principal at a nonprofit consulting firm, has extensive experience in the nonprofit world covering administrative operations, fundraising, fiscal management, strategic planning, board relations, community engagement, communications, and more. He also worked on the High Line project in New York City for over 13 years, helping it grow and eventually rose to become its COO. Little is enthusiastic about his role at Greater Pike, and says, “I’m excited to partner with the board and fund holders to advance the foundation’s work and contribute to our wonderful community.” Little is also on the board of Pike Opera. He and his partner Nick have a home in Milford which they share with Bruiser, their cat.
Turano, of Turano Insurance & Financial, has been a board member since 2021. He succeeds Gail Shuttleworth, who has served on the board of Greater Pike for nine years. Turano said he’s looking forward to his new position as Greater Pike’s Board Chair. “I hope to accomplish four things,” he said. “I’d like to help the foundation become financially self-sustaining, create a broad network by reaching out to other community nonprofit foundations regionally, become more involved with the nonprofit organizations that we serve, and move Greater Pike forward into future growth.”
Local Philanthropist Grants Funds to Area Nonprofits
January 10, 2024
MILFORD, PA – Nine area nonprofits each received an early Christmas present this year in the form of a generous grant from the Petersheim Fund, a donor-advised fund established in 2019 at the Greater Pike Community Foundation. Chuck Petersheim, a Pike County resident, set up the fund with a goal, “…to make the annual round of giving more like a celebration of well-deserving entities and not an exercise of check writing,” and no one can argue he hasn’t met that goal with great success. Petersheim, who designs and builds homes in the Catskills, has supported food pantries, emergency services, animal rescue, health services, educational and environmental causes, and more.
“We’re proud to support these hard-working institutions… and give back to the community,” Petersheim said. He underscored the importance of a commitment to generosity and gave a nod to Greater Pike for helping to develop a community of givers.
The generosity hasn’t gone unrecognized. Pike County Emergency Management Director Tim Knapp said, “The grant allows us to take somebody who otherwise couldn’t afford to become an emergency medical technician and help them.” But that’s not all, Knapp pointed out, “There will be stable jobs in the community and our children can work here.”
