Penn Soil RC and D Council

Goal: $5,000.00

Specific Need

Penn Soil RC&D is in need of funding to assist with projects that we help commuinty groups with and new programming we have created for the public that we plan to bring to each county in northwest PA we serve in addition to funding to cover operational costs. New programming includes planning and hosting free water/outdoor safety events, assisting counties with planning river cleanups, events to promote recreation and tourism, we are the new lead organizer of the Women's Outdoor Workshops and we have taken on several more community groups to act as their fiscal agent and assist with their projects. We are currently working with local partners and stakeholders to bring free water safety events and the Women's Outdoor Workshops to Crawford County in 2027!

Mission

The mission of this organization, since its creation in 1964 as one of the first RC&D Councils established when Congress created the program, has been to provide the local leadership necessary to develop and implement plans that will improve the economy, environmental and social well-being of the people of northwest Pennsylvania. We provide technical and/or financial assistance to community groups who would like to do community improvement projects, but who may not have sufficient legal structure to conduct business or enter into contracts to procure necessary resources, services, and manpower to complete a project, as well as partnering with many other agencies on community projects. Our primary areas of interest are in improving the quality of life in four areas: Water Management, Agricultural Land Management, Forest Land Management, and Community Development including education and recreation/tourism projects in 8 counties in Northwest PA including Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties.

Profile

Penn Soil RC&D restructured as a 501c3 non-profit in 2011 when Federal funding for the 375+ RC&D Councils nationwide were cut from the Federal budget with one days notice. Since that time, Penn Soil has secured over 4.35 million dollars in grants and donations for community projects in the 8 counties we serve. We have not historically received much in the way of direct funding support as most funding has historically come from federal grants which have become very restricted and fewer in number over the last few years. Penn Soil RC&D hired a new Executive Director, Sue Nielsen, two years ago to train with Wes Ramsey as he prepared to retire. This increased the personnel costs for Penn Soil during the training and transition period. The Executive Director position is a part-time position to assist with and create new programming and projects in the 8 counties of the northwest corner of PA. We also employ one part-time program assistant for 11 hours a week.  

Following is a partial list of projects within Crawford County that Penn Soil RC&D Council has lead or supported:

$283.69 received
in 8 gifts 5.67%  of  $5,000.00 Goal