Marking fifty years as a resident and successful businessman, Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Board Chair James Pedranti has established a new fund: The Pedranti Family Charitable Fund.  It is a long-term commitment of giving—not that he hasn’t been giving for a long time already. Back in 2010, Pedranti began floating the idea of a community foundation, which granted him two titles when Greater Pike was established in February 2012: Co-Founder and Board Chair. “I raised two children here,” said Pedranti, “and...

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Those words from Helen Keller underscore the benefit of charitable giving in a community. Greater Pike Community Foundation is pleased to highlight end-of-year giving from the Petersheim Fund and The Kontizas Fund.  Greater Pike Executive Director Jenni Hamill noted, “From these two donor-advised funds, eight nonprofit organizations received a total of $10,500. A donor-advised fund is a perfect way to make an end-of-year gift.” The Petersheim Fund, established by...

“From the time she was little,” said Regina Thoenig, “Amanda loved to draw, she loved painting, she loved photography—telling adults that when she grew up she wanted to be a ‘picture-taker’”. On December 20, 2019, Amanda was killed in a car accident at the age of 21 but Regina, Amanda’s mother, is turning her grief into a chance to help other young people realize their dreams.  In collaboration with Greater Pike Community Foundation, Regina established the Amanda Nicole Thoenig Memorial...

A free and informative webinar for nonprofits, the second in 2020 co-sponsored by Greater Pike Community Foundation and Penn State Extension, will answer questions that have new levels of importance amid the COVID-19 crisis. The November 17th workshop, “Staying Engaged with your Donors and Volunteers” will focus on how to keep donors and volunteers engaged and examine what kind of outreach is appreciated and appropriate, especially during a health crisis. The hour-long webinar begins at 8:30am. Peter Wulfhorst, Penn State Extension’s...

Nonprofit organizations have an opportunity to meet some of the most philanthropic funders in the area to learn about grant opportunities and the best ways to apply for them.  Co-sponsored by Greater Pike Community Foundation and Penn State Extension, “Meet the Funders” is a free hour-long webinar at 8:30am on November 10th. Representatives from the Moses Taylor Foundation, the Weinberg Foundation, the Nonprofit Community Assistance Center, the federal government and Greater Pike Community Foundation will be available following the panel presentation...

The second round of grants from the Richard L. Snyder Fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation totals more than $47,000 and benefits nonprofit organizations that support maintaining and enhancing the public areas of the Borough of Milford; sponsorship of local arts, culture, festivals, and events; and medical research. This latest round follows grants of $22,000 issued in June to six area nonprofits—grants dedicated to helping address the COVID crisis in the greater Pike County area. Grant Committee Chair Maryanne Monte said,...

Greater Pike Community Foundation awarded over $20,000 through five grants to area nonprofits in the final round of funding from the Greater Pike Covid Relief Fund. Pike Autism Support Services of NEPA was among the recipients. Executive Director Jeannemarie Passaro said the grant “will help keep our doors open” and provide services to families and individuals with autism in northeast Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Passaro explained her organization seeks to inform and educate the public on many fronts, working with law...

Circumstances may have required Greater Pike Community Foundation to postpone its annual dinner until 2021, but certainly not the recognition due to its extraordinary honorees, Centa Quinn and Junior Dabashi. Centa Quinn was unanimously selected to receive the Barbara J. Buchanan Community Service Award, given to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and giving back to the community. Her friends will tell you Centa is modest, and that was evident by her reaction when told she was chosen as...

The death of a loved one is an emotionally difficult time. Often important decisions must be made, including how to honor a loved one’s memory in a personally meaningful way. A new program through Greater Pike Community Foundation can help alleviate some of this burden by allowing families to choose how to direct contributions made in memoriam up to one year after a loved one’s passing. With very little paperwork, Greater Pike will establish a memorial fund to accept contributions in...