A self-appointed committee established the Foundation after the successful model of the Pittsburgh Foundation. This small group of men and women believed Warren County deserved a foundation to support education and other projects for its residents and the surrounding areas.

Since its modest beginnings, the Foundation has grown into a multi-million dollar organization. This growth has been made possible through the generous donations of numerous Warren County residents and the prudent investments managed by the Board of Directors.

The Community Foundation will hold an open house to celebrate its 75th year of service to Warren County on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at 310 Second Ave. in Warren.

The day will include holiday cookies and hot chocolate, live musical performances, and in the philanthropic spirit, they will be collecting non-perishable food items to benefit local area food pantries.

In the photo above the office of the Community Foundation of Warren County is shown.

Live musical performances include performers from organizations that benefit from the Community Foundation.

The Warren Music Conservatory will have a performance at noon.

Olena Furman, a talented pianist and vocalist who came to Warren from Ukraine, will perform at 2 pm to represent the Warren Area Refugee Relocation Network.

The Warren Summer Music School Ensemble students will play at 4 p.m., with the Warren Philharmonic Ensemble following at 6.

Donated non-perishables will benefit First Nazarene Church, Sheffield Ecumenical, St. Joseph Church, Warren Salvation Army, Youngsville Second Street food pantries, and monetary donations will benefit the Second Harvest backpack program and the Warren County School District Food Pantry.

The Community Foundation of Warren County oversees Warren Gives, which has grown exponentially over the last 10 years. “The foundation covers all the admin costs, including the cost of credit card processing so 100% of every dollar donated goes to the organizations,” said foundation executive director Mark King.

Many non-profits around the county participate and receive match dollars. “The giving from Warren Gives, managed by the Community Foundation of Warren County, grows yearly. The generosity of the matching fund’s donors and the generosity of individuals from all over the country are unsurpassed. We are lucky to live in such a giving community. The Community Foundation of Warren County drives this spirit of generosity,” said Melinda Johnson, executive director of Jefferson Defrees Family Center.

The Community Foundation of Warren County also administers 40 scholarship funds annually and can assist groups establish new scholarships..

Over $10 million has been distributed to local non-profit organizations and scholarships for students attending colleges or trade schools, and over $5 million has been spent on scholarships that benefit several hundred students annually. Most of the scholarships continue over a four-year college career.

Scholarship recipient Lauren Walker said, “The Community Foundation of Warren County significantly impacts my education as I pursue a Nursing (BSN) degree at Penn College.”

Walker, currently receiving a scholarship from the Foundation, will graduate in 2026. She continued, “The support from the Community Foundation has been invaluable. It has eased some of the financial burden and enabled me to fully commit to my nursing education.”

The Community Foundations is open Monday through Friday to provide assistance from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily or by appointment. They can also be contacted by phone or email at (814) 726-9553 or cfwc@westpa.net