Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle Awards $30,000 to Three Local Nonprofits

STATE COLLEGE, PA (October 14, 2026) — Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle awarded a total of $30,000 to three local nonprofits at its annual reception held Tuesday evening at Axemann Brewery in Bellefonte. The Giving Circle offers tiered membership opportunities for Centre County residents who want to make a meaningful difference in their communities through collective philanthropy. This year, Centre County United Way, Out of the Cold, and Centre Helps received grants addressing critical community needs, including early childhood literacy, safe shelter, and reliable transportation.

Each organization presented its project to Giving Circle members, who pool their charitable contributions and collectively vote to award grants that make a meaningful difference across Centre County. The event also celebrated the Giving Circle’s 20th anniversary and Centre Foundation’s 45 years of inspiring a community of possibilities.

Centre Helps received $15,000 for Every Mile Matters: A Client Transportation Assistance Initiative, which will provide Uber rides, bus tokens, and essential vehicle repairs to individuals and families facing financial hardship. In rural Centre County, where limited public transportation can create significant barriers, the initiative will help residents maintain employment, attend medical appointments, and access food and other essential services.

Out of the Cold received $10,000 for its Shelter Window Replacement Project, which will replace deteriorating windows to improve safety, comfort, and living conditions for individuals experiencing homelessness. The improvements will also support the shelter’s Code Blue and Code Red programs, which provide critical protection during periods of extreme cold and heat.

Centre County United Way received $5,000 to support its Imagination Library program, which provides one free, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled Centre County children from birth through age five. The grant will help expand access to books, encourage reading and engagement between caregivers and children, and strengthen the early literacy skills that prepare children for success in school.

Since its founding in 2006, the Centre Foundation Giving Circle has brought together individuals committed to strengthening their community through collective philanthropy. With this year’s awards, the Giving Circle has distributed more than $325,000 in grants to Centre County nonprofits supporting a wide range of community needs.

“For 20 years, the Giving Circle has demonstrated how individual generosity can become a powerful force for good when people come together with a shared purpose,” said David Lieb, President and CEO of Centre Foundation. “What makes this program special is that our members don’t just contribute financially. They learn about the challenges facing our community, connect with the nonprofits doing the work, and have a direct voice in where their giving makes an impact. That’s community philanthropy at its best.”

For more information about joining the Giving Circle, visit centrefoundation.org/get-involved/giving-circle contact Kerry Tolton at kerry@centrefoundation.org or 814.237.6229.