Jefferson Regional Foundation

10/09/2026

🍂 Celebrating the fall harvest at Braddock Farms! 🌱

Last Saturday, October 3, our Grants, Evaluation, and Data Manager, Steve Ankney, joined the community at the 9th annual Braddock Farms Fall Festival for a day filled with free food, face painting, farm activity demonstrations, and more.

As a current Mon Valley Clean Air Fund grantee, Grow Pittsburgh is helping to increase community access to fresh, healthy food, and teach sustainable agriculture practices at Braddock Farms.

We celebrate the work of partners like Grow Pittsburgh and the positive impact they’re making throughout the Mon Valley. 💚



Grow Pittsburgh, Grow Pittsburgh Farms

10/08/2026

The Jefferson Community Collaborative will meet Thursday, October 22, from 9:00–11:00 AM at the Brentwood Civic Center (118 Park Drive, Brentwood, PA 15227) to explore capacity-building resources designed to help strengthen your organization.

We will hear from representatives of Elevate NP of Southwestern PA, Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE), and The Forbes Funds about the programs, training, resources, and support they offer.

Networking and refreshments at 8:45 AM. The meeting will commence from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the meeting



The Forbes Funds, Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise

10/06/2026

At the invitation of Evan Frazier, the CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), our President & CEO, Dr. Trisha Gadson, was a guest panelist during TALI’s THRIVE Conference. She joined with colleagues William Generett, President & CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Richard Taylor, President of the Eden Hall Foundation, to share leadership insights. The panel was facilitated by Lara Washington, President & CEO of Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Corporation.

Trisha Mason Gadson, The Advanced Leadership Institute, Eden Hall Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation,

10/02/2026

Our Board of Directors recently gathered for a retreat to reflect on our progress, evaluate our priorities, and strategize about the work ahead.

As we reach the midpoint of our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, our Board continues to ensure that Jefferson Regional Foundation continues its focus to promote health and well-being throughout the communities we serve. The process included updates from our partners at AHN Jefferson Hospital John Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Joy Peters, Chief Nursing Officer.

The retreat provided an opportunity to pause, assess, celebrate progress, and thoughtfully consider areas for improvement and deeper engagement as we forge ahead to make a measurable impact.

AHN Jefferson Hospital

09/30/2026

Last week, Danny Vereb, JRF’s Community Engagement Manager, volunteered with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania at one of its annual meal kit packing event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Together, volunteers packed 1,750 meal kits to help families across our region access nutritious meals.

We recognize that access to nutritious food is an important part of community health and well-being. We support efforts that help families and strengthen communities.



United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

09/29/2026

📚 Celebrating community connection during Love Your Library Month!

JRF team members Danny Vereb, Community Engagement Manager, and Isaiah Warfield, Communications Coordinator, recently attended Murder in the Stacks: A Night at the Library at Whitehall Public Library. Isaiah also attended Baldwin Borough Public Library’s first-ever Fundraising Carnival a week later.

Events like these are a great reminder of the important role libraries play in bringing people together. Libraries help create spaces where neighbors can engage, connect, and build stronger communities.

Thank you to Whitehall Public Library and Baldwin Borough Public Library for hosting fun, engaging events and creating opportunities for our communities to come together! 💙



Whitehall Public Library, Baldwin Borough Public Library, Isaiah Warfield

09/23/2026

Last week, our Community Engagement Manager Danny Vereb attended the 2026 Highmark Bright Blue Futures Awards Ceremony and Thought Leadership Forum, celebrating organizations and leaders working to break down barriers and advance community health.

The event brought together inspiring organizations, community leaders, and experts to recognize innovative approaches and explore strategies for building stronger, healthier communities.

Danny is pictured with Kenya Boswell, Senior Vice President of Community Affairs at Highmark Health, President of Highmark Foundation and JRF Board Member.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,

09/22/2026

🖤 During Su***de Prevention Month, we are proud to share this important reflection from our esteemed JRF colleague Kelleigh Boland, the Director of Grantmaking & Strategy.

Kelleigh shares five truths rooted in her lived experience as a su***de loss survivor and work with other survivors.

Read her full reflection from Staunton Farm Foundation: stauntonfarm.org/when-su***de-happens/

In addition, she was on a recent podcast. The information is listed here to listen or watch:

▶️ YouTube: https://ow.ly/9oZU50ZQhob
🎧 Spotify: https://ow.ly/khQK50ZQhoi
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://ow.ly/w7A550ZQhoe
🌐 Website: https://ow.ly/OU3T50ZQhoj

***dePreventionMonth

Staunton Farm Foundation, NC Bulger Solutions, Our Black Rose

My youngest brother, Pat, died by su***de. There aren’t words to convey the enormity of the impact Pat’s death has had on my life. There is only Before I lost Pat and After I lost Pat. A dark, boldly drawn line between who I was before I lost him and who I am today. I am a su***de loss survivor.

09/18/2026

🏆 The 2026 Unified Voices Awards Winners & Runners-Up Have Been Revealed! 🎉

Congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up voted by their peers of nonprofit partners!

Want to learn more about the people and organizations behind this year’s awards? Watch the full video featuring the nominees and finalists’ stories on the Jefferson Regional Foundation YouTube channel.

▶️ Watch the Full Stories:
https://youtu.be/SOJ4qknDQ0k

Discover their stories, initiatives, and impact. 💙

Global Links, Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, Pittsburgh Area Community Schools, Duquesne City School District, STEM Coding Lab, Will Allen Foundation, Clairton Middle/High School, Beverly's PGH, Allegheny County Family Centers

09/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined the Safe Space Café hosted by the Jefferson Community Collaborative’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice Action Team on September 15.

Facilitated by Damon Bethea, Building Success in School and Life Manager & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the conversation explored strategies for building diverse nonprofit boards while creating space for nonprofit partners to connect, exchange perspectives, and learn from one another in an environment grounded in trust and respect.

We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to this meaningful conversation and look forward to continuing to create opportunities for connection, learning, and dialogue across our nonprofit community.