CAMBRIA COUNTY—Just released – tickets now discounted 50 percent, thanks to Somerset Trust Bank. The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are proud to announce the creation of the Bosler Academy, a series of capacity-building workshops available at a reduced cost to local non-profit and governmental agencies to aid them in becoming more effective, sustainable, and strategic organizations.

Any nonprofit from Bedford, Cambria or Somerset Counties can send up to 2 people to take all 7 courses for the cost of just $150.

Here’s how it works:

1. Somerset Trust will reimburse up to a total of two (2) people from any non-profit in Somerset, Cambria or Bedford Counties (all of the counties in our service area) one-half of the cost of the series ($150.00)  if the non-profit’s participants attend all seven (7) of the sessions.

2. Non-profits applying for the reimbursement must provide signed documentation on the organization’s letterhead, which includes the names of the participants and proof of payment for all seven (7) sessions. The documentation must also include a copy of an attendance verification form signed by the instructor at the conclusion of each session.

“We think this is a really important tool for our community. The work nonprofits do is critical to the well-being of a community and to the kind of community development being focused on in the Vision 2025 framework,” said Foundation President Mike Kane. “Creating these courses with Penn Highlands is a great collaboration.”

Led by instructors from Penn Highlands and the Nonprofit Resource Center in Pittsburgh with extensive background in the subjects, the workshops will cover leadership development, grant writing, board development and governance, fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, and ethics and social responsibility. (Click Bosler Academy Workshops for a more detailed description of course offerings.) Courses are just $50 each; organizations can register for all seven workshops for $300, a $50 savings.

“These partnerships call to mind the collaborative spirit that is such an integral part of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich, PHCC President. “Working with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies on this project provides the College with an opportunity to reach additional learners and impact the overall capacity of local nonprofit organizations.”

The Bosler Academy is funded, in part, by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Benjamin Bosler Fund. Mr. Bosler started his career with Cambria Iron Works in 1898 and later became a founder and president of Moxham National Bank, where he served until his death in 1956. He strongly believed in supporting the Greater Johnstown community and served a number of local nonprofits. Mr. Bosler and his wife Anna had one daughter, Charlotte Ellis, who was generous throughout her lifetime, but preferred to give quietly. She created the Benjamin Bosler Fund with a gift of about $1.5 million to honor her father’s memory and provide ongoing support to local charitable organizations.

For more details on the Bosler Academy, including how to register, contact Penn Highlands at 814-262-3813.