Carbon County Community Foundation announces four new charitable funds have been created and contributions to existing funds have increased markedly.

To support the causes that matter most to them, area businessmen and foundation board members Steve Ohl and Joe Bennett have each created their own donor-advised funds.

These funds allow donors to give in strategic ways, similar to a private foundation, but with greater efficiency and less administrative expense.

There is no minimum contribution required to start a donor-advised fund and it can be set up at the community foundation in under an hour.

Contributions to a donor-advised fund are eligible for tax-deduction immediately.

Funds created earlier this year, such as the Tyler Strong Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Vahnne’s Piggybank Fund, have also seen increased giving. Carbon Career & Technical Institute’s graphic design instructor Michele Klock and her students volunteered to create print materials for Vahnne’s Piggybank Fund in time for fund-founder Julie Gower to have an outreach table at the annual Snowflake 5K hosted by Dylan and Gavin’s Rainbow in Lehighton on Dec 7.

In Jim Thorpe on Dec. 3, Union Publick House hosted a “Tithing Tuesday” dine-in fundraiser organized by the family of Tyler Kowatch, who passed away last year at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia while awaiting a heart transplant.

“When it really matters, the community rallies for their neighbors,” said Melissa Kowatch of Jim Thorpe.

The new Scouting Support Fund includes more than $47,800 donated to establish a permanent endowment fund to support activities of Boy and Girl Scout groups in the region.

The foundation will accept applications for grants from this fund, along with the new Orioles Scouting Scholarship, as part of its regular grant cycle in spring of 2020.

The Scouting Support Fund will offer support beyond the boundaries of Carbon County to reach the greater Hazleton area, including parts of northern Schuylkill and southern Luzerne counties in the targeted geographic region to serve.

“I am humbled by the spirit of generosity embodied in this gift,” said CCCF President Amber Breiner.

Community members have given to funds such as the 20/20 Circle, Lehigh River Watershed Fund, and Carbon Creative Arts Fund either as part of their personal or corporate year-end giving or as a gift made on behalf (or in memory of) a loved one.

The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed in 2015 with the mission to improve the quality of life for residents of the Carbon County region.

The foundation is a philanthropic leader, a community resource and a financial steward.

Learn more about CCCF at cccfoundpa.org or by calling 855-545-1311.