For some projects and partnerships, the Beaver Falls CDC operates as an “umbrella” organization. This means that we invite people to kick off their project under our 501(c)(3) and we will provide them with connections, support, and resources as much as we are able.

Once the project is stable and ready, it can emerge out from under our “umbrella” and become its own 501(c)(3). While some projects may always stay under the CDC, we hope to be a resource to help kick-start many others.

Below are the projects that have benefited from the CDC’s umbrella and are now moving forward on their own.

2nd Ave Playground and the Beaver Falls Reunion Committee

While the Beaver Falls CDC is proud to have sponsored the improvements made at the 2nd Ave Playgroud, all of the credit belongs to the Beaver Falls Reunion Committee (BFRC). The reunion committee had a vision, energized community members, raised funds, and reclaimed this space for events and play. This effort was truly by the community for the community. We are amazed by their commitment to and pride for this place.

The Beaver Falls Reunion Committee were able to establish their own non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining Beaver Falls Tiger Pride and relationships amongst Beaver Falls graduates, as well as fostering supportive efforts for the current students and future graduates of Beaver Falls.

In addition to reuniting Beaver Falls graduates from all over for fellowshipping and networking every other year over Labor Day weekend, it is the goal of the BFRC to establish scholarships for Beaver Falls High School seniors. Beginning with the Class of 2019, awardees of this scholarship have been seniors who exhibit Tiger Pride through leadership, academics and civic engagement, and have a financial need in their endeavor to attend a 2-year or 4-year college.

Neighborhood North: Museum of Play

The first project launched from under the CDC was Neighborhood North.

Neighborhood North Founder and Director, Christine Kroger, who also served as a board member for the CDC, brought it up under the CDC umbrella for a little over a year before it officially became its own 501(c)(3) in the fall of 2019.

The Beaver Falls CDC, with the help of the Suhr, Frey and Whelpley families, purchased the News Tribune Building with the intention of saving and restoring this historical building. Through our partnership with Neighborhood North, it was decided it should become the fully realized Museum of Play.

We gutted and stabilized the Trib building, as well as provided a new roof. In the summer of 2024, we officially leased it to Neighborhood North for them to begin the next phase of revitalization. See our “News Tribune Building Revitalization” page for more information on the story of the Trib.

While they continue to work towards their goal of creating a full-scale Children’s Museum in Beaver County, via the Trib renovations, Neighborhood North has become a beacon in the community, both to Beaver Falls and the County at large. They partner with many organizations now, including the Big Beaver Falls Area School District in providing after school programing and support.

You can learn more about what Neighborhood North is doing these days, and what is available at their current location on their website:

www.neighborhoodnorth.org

We continue to be Neighborhood North’s biggest cheerleaders, as we are so excited for Beaver Falls to have its own Museum of Play for our kids.