Community Foundation of Westmoreland County

The Visionaries

Bruce Corna (left) and Jordan Pallitto (right) are committed to philanthropy and the future of Westmoreland County.
Bruce Corna (left) and Jordan Pallitto (right) are committed to philanthropy and the future of Westmoreland County.

Next Visionaries cohort begins in April 2024
 

 
Deadline to sign up for the 2024 cohort is March 25, 2024, by 5 p.m.
 
 

Established in 2010, the Visionaries are a group of young professional leaders committed to making the Westmoreland community a better place. The Visionaries strive to inspire other young professionals to become philanthropists who are engaged in their communities. 

Every other year, a cohort of 10 early and mid-career professionals, ages 25-40, dedicate their time and resources to improve Westmoreland County through philanthropy. The Visionaries make a donation of $500, $750 or $1,000 to the Visionaries Fund, and with professional guidance and financial support from The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, embark on a 4-month philanthropic learning journey, focused on the following goals:

  1. UNDERSTANDING WESTMORELAND           
    Understand the challenges facing our county and learn about local nonprofit organizations addressing these challenges.
  2. REDEFINING YOUR PHILANTHROPY            
    Learn about new best practices in philanthropy and how they might intersect with your personal giving to inform your community involvement, now and in the future. 
  3. COLLECTIVE GIVING         
    Pool your Visionaries donation with other Visionaries, your community and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County to amplify the impact of your grantmaking. 
  4. RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND NETWORKING            
    Network and build relationships with a diverse group of professionals, motivated to make a difference in Westmoreland County.
  5. GETTING OUT THERE            
    Visit new neighborhoods, nonprofits and spaces around the county to see philanthropy and community work-in-action.  

Visionaries 2024 has been designed to accommodate both alumni and new participants through a curriculum that combines content that is current and applicable to both groups. Alumni and new Visionaries will have the opportunity to explore our county’s data and nonprofit sector, best practices in grantmaking and exercises that will help to define their personal philanthropy.   

The program culminates in an inspiring "pitch-in" party. Visionaries select local nonprofit organizations, based on community need, to receive the pooled funds and attend a “pitch-in” party to share their mission. Visionaries invite family, friends and colleagues to attend the party and donate $20 to cast a vote for the nonprofit finalist of their choice. At the end of the night, votes are tallied. Each nonprofit gets to keep the amount donated through the voting process and is also awarded a grant from the Visionaries.   

The Visionaries is an opportunity for participants to do more than write a check. Members bring their own experiences and expertise to the conversation, where they learn about critical community needs and then partner with nonprofits working on the issues that affect our region. 

A match to amplify the impact of your gift.

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County is proud to provide a match to the Visionaries cohort so that your giving goes even further. In addition, your gift is fully tax deductible. The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County has waived its typical fund fee to ensure that every penny of your donation reaches the nonprofits.  

Members may receive sponsorship from their employer. If you are interested in being sponsored, or sponsoring a group of your employees, contact us.  Please note, this program does not accept participation from nonprofit professionals due to the potential for conflicts of interest.  

Donor-advised fundholders may donate to the Visionaries cohort directly from their donor-advised fund to participate themselves or to sponsor another individual’s participation.   

If you are a young professional living in Allegheny County, consider joining our sister organization, the New Philanthropic Leaders at The Pittsburgh Foundation.      
 

Deadline to sign up for the 2024 cohort is March 25, 2024, by 5 p.m.
 
 
If you have questions, please contact McCrae Martino at martinom@cfwestmoreland.org.