Field-of-Interest Grants

Field-of-Interest Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Centre County Community Foundation Inc.
Last Updated: January 03, 2026

Summary

The Field-of-Interest Grants by Centre Foundation support a variety of causes aligned with donor passions. These grants focus on specific programs, populations, and geographic areas, ensuring that funds are directed where they can make the most impact. From funding mental health services to supporting educational initiatives for children, these grants foster community growth and address critical needs across Centre County. Each fund reflects the legacy and motivation of its donor, enhancing the quality of life for many.

Overview

Field-of-Interest Funds At Centre Foundation, funds begin with a donor’s legacy and a story of personal motivation to make a difference. The Field-of-Interest Funds are no different and compose our annual competitive granting cycle, a more traditional granting program. Each Field-of-Interest Fund is specified for particular types of programs, populations served, and geographic areas, corresponding to donors’ passions. Field-of-Interest grants are awarded through a competitive granting process. Each Field-of-Interest fund is designed to support a particular cause, program, population, or geographic area, reflecting the passions or interests of the donor who created the fund. The Andrew and Madaline Rishel Family Fund - This fund will support an annual grant via the Field-of-Interest granting cycle that occurs each Fall. Distributions from this fund will support Penns Valley churches that are working in areas, such as mission programs, church camps, cemetery preservation, and community outreach projects for the elderly, handicapped, and/or low-income individuals. Ben Franklin Fund - Distributions from the Ben Franklin Fund at Centre Foundation are used to make grants to Centre, Clearfield, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, benefiting Citizens of the Commonwealth and paid to qualified charities within the region. Grants from this fund are currently distributed as part of our competitive grants process. Carolyn A. Petrus Memorial Seeing Eye Dog Fund - The fund provides funding for organizations which raise, train, and match seeing-eye dogs to the people who need them. Seeing-eye dogs can provide independence to people who are blind or visually impaired and greatly enhance by their daily experiences. Centre Children's Fund - This field of interest fund supports organizations which provide programs and services to at risk children. Centre County Medical Society Fund - The Centre County Medical Society provides local physicians an opportunity to work together on local and regional health care issues. To further that mission, they opened this fund to assist nonprofits that support the health and well-being of the residents of Centre County, particularly children. Special consideration is given to those that are fighting obesity in children and/or creating playground equipment or facilities. Counseling Service, Inc. Fund - Founded in 1962 by a group of local citizens, Counseling Services, Inc. was established to meet the need for mental health services in Centre County. For over 35 years, the organization provided a range of services including outpatient counseling, partial programs, case management, social rehabilitation, drug and alcohol rehab, and referral. When Counseling Services was sold in 1999, the proceeds were used to create this fund to assure that mental health services would continue to be available. Continuing the original mission of Counseling Services, Inc. this fund supports behavioral and mental health services for Centre County residents. J. Alvin and Vera E. Knepper Hawbaker Memorial Fund - Through Centre Foundations competitive grants, this fund will support organizations which provide vital health and education services across Centre County. Donna L. Litke Occupational Horse Therapy Endowment- supports the maintenance and upkeep of horses used for occupational therapy in Centre County or in any of the six contiguous counties (Blair, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Union)The Donna L. Litke Occupational Horse Therapy Endowment Fund was created to recognize Donna's commitment to horses and to support therapeutic equestrian activities. This fund supports the maintenance and upkeep of horses for occupational therapy in Centre County or in any of the six contiguous counties. Ed and Charlene Friedman Family Fund - health and human service programs that reduce poverty through physical & mental health, food, shelter, clothing, and/or education, particularly in emergency situations Janet Atwood Fund - Arts programs of all types Louis E. and Patricia H. Silvi Fund - This fund is part of Centre Foundation's annual Field of Interest grants process and supports early childhood education programs that improve the health, care, and education of young children. Support from the community is critical to helping maintain the many valuable services and resources provided to families, professionals, early childhood programs, and elementary schools in Centre County. Mattil Family Fund - Half the distributions from the Mattil Family Fund are to be used at the discretion of the Foundation, 30% go to Schlow Memorial Library for the children's department and 20% are to be used for animal welfare. Patricia Farrell Music Fund - Supporting music programs of all types, but particularly those focusing on children, this fund enhances the availability of music programs across the county. Philipsburg Area Fund - A group of Philipsburg residents, wanted to create a fund which would focus on supporting the Philipsburg area but not be restricted to just one organization. All grants from the fund support Philipsburg-area nonprofits and programs. Organizations who have received grants from the fund include several local fire companies, food and clothing projects, the Cold Stream Recreation project, fire victims, and elementary school projects, just to name a few. Proud to Be An American Fund - This fund supports nonprofit organizations that display, encourage, or promote patriotic observances, especially on the 4th of July. Ruth E. Rishel Charitable Fund - This fund supports non profit organizations and projects exclusively in the Penns Valley area. It is currently part of our competitive granting process and is used to fund applications that come from Penns Valley. In recent years it has supported an environmental education program held by the Penns Valley Conservation Association and Community Action's Centre County Home Heating Savings Account Program. In the past it has also helped fund projects for the Penns Valley Area Historical Museum Association, including a climate controlled storage area and the Antiques Appraisal Fair. William W. and Helen S. Litke Memorial Fund - The fund supports programs which support residents with hearing loss from across Centre County. In addition to providing support for the local chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, the fund has provided assistive listening devices for OLLI classes, assisted Easter Seals providing services to children with hearing loss, and assisted clients with hearing loss at Centre Volunteers in Medicine.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.