Best Ford County Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

Armstrong County Community Foundation (The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania)

In 1997 Merchants National Bank, an Armstrong County community bank, marked its 100th anniversary. The centennial celebration included a unique expression of gratitude to the community in the form of $100,000 to be used as a seed fund to initiate a community foundation for Armstrong County. The bank challenged the community to keep the principal balance of the endowed funds intact and spend only a portion of the interest earnings to ensure a lasting legacy.

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Klingensmith Scholarship

In October of 1983, the Trustees and various Klingensmith Trusts created a scholarship to further the higher education of working high school students residing in Ford City who chose to study in the field of pharmacy. Trustees funded the scholarship with $40,000, designated it as "The Klingensmith Fund," and authorized representatives of the Armstrong School District to invest and reinvest said principal sum and use the income to benefit any eligible student selected by the School District Representatives.

The Trustees further directed that in February of 2007, the School District was to use the Klingensmith Fund's principal and income in its sole discretion to further the interests of the "high school in Ford City" and giving adequate consideration to pharmacological education.

The Klingensmith Trusts that established the Klingensmith Fund no longer existed; and there no longer being a high school in Ford City, the CEO of Klingensmith Drug Stores, David J. Cippel, requested that the School District transfer the balance of the Klingensmith Fund to The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania (the Armstrong County Community Foundation), a public nonprofit corporation, for the purpose of establishing student scholarships.

The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania (the Armstrong County Community Foundation) willingly accepted. The Armstrong School District transferred the remaining principal and income of the Klingensmith Fund to The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania (the Armstrong County Community Foundation) for the purpose of establishing college scholarships.

Armstrong County Community Foundation (The Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania)

In 1997 Merchants National Bank, an Armstrong County community bank, marked its 100th anniversary. The centennial celebration included a unique expression of gratitude to the community in the form of $100,000 to be used as a seed fund to initiate a community foundation for Armstrong County. The bank challenged the community to keep the principal balance of the endowed funds intact and spend only a portion of the interest earnings to ensure a lasting legacy.

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Leo S. Kijowski Memorial Scholarship

Leo S. Kijowski was a lifelong resident of Armstrong County who fought in the Korean War. While on patrol in Korea in October, 1951, a bomb exploded near him and burnt over 55% of his body, 30% of which were 3rd degree burns. Leo spent a total of two years at the Fort Sam Houston Burn Center and had his weight drop to as little as 75 lbs. He then spent two more years at the Aspinwall VA Hospital where he went through painful physical therapy and numerous plastic surgeries. At times during his hospitalization he came close to death.

Leo received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart for his service. Upon returning home, Leo spent much time recuperating in veteran’s hospitals, but he furthered his education by attending St. Vincent’s College, and was involved in citizen efforts to improve Ford City. He joined the Ford City Lion’s Club and became one of its most active and productive leaders. Leo was a Lion for over thirty five years, serving as the Club president and chairman of numerous committees. Not only was he instrumental in activities that raised money for building and maintaining the Ford City Public Library, but he also guided the efforts involving the design and the raising of funds to erect the monument to our nation’s veterans in Ford Park. He was an active promoter of the annual Candlelight Service each Memorial Day, the Meals on Wheels Program, and the Youth Work Referral Service. The Lions presented him with the Achievement Award in 1970, the District Service Award for Lionism in 1981, and the Outstanding Humanitarian Award to Lionism and Community in 1983. Leo was a member of the Ford City Planning and Zoning Commission for six years, he helped to formulate the Comprehensive Master Plan that made possible the renewal of Ford City during its Renaissance and was also involved in the planning and construction of the Ford Park gazebo. In 1995, he was inducted into the Ford City Hall of Fame. 

Leo lived to the age of 91 and found a way to continually selflessly volunteer in the local community in spite of all of his injuries. 

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship Fund

Mike Petronchek was a well known musician in our community. During the 40′s Mike played trombone in Angie Sgro and Johnny Murphy’s Dance Band. He loved the Big Band sound and attended many of the formal dances that were held at Laube Hall in Freeport to benefit charity. Mike served as a radio operator with the 8th Air Force during World War II because of his great “ear”. He received his bachelor’s degree from IUP and his master’s from Penn State.

For nearly four decades Mike shared his love of music with children here in Armstrong County. He was the Ford City High School music director from 1958 through 1984 and organized the county’s first elementary school band at Lenape Elementary. In his honor, the Michael Petronchek Musical Scholarship Fund was established for Ford City High School graduates pursuing an education in music.

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.