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More than $995,000 has been donated or pledged to the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund since it was established on Saturday, March 25. Donations and pledges have been made by thousands of individuals, families, and businesses across Berks County and the country.

To assist with urgent, immediate needs, more than $450,000 has already been distributed to the families of those who died and to those displaced from their homes.

“Out of respect for the families, we will not be providing specific details regarding those distributions,” said Kevin K. Murphy, president of Berks County Community Foundation, which created the fund in partnership with the United Way of Berks County at the request of West Reading Borough Council. “Our hope is that the funding will ease their burden as they cope with their loss.”


The West Reading Disaster Relief Fund will continue to accept donations until May 31, 2023, at which time it will sunset, with all remaining funding to be held for immediate and future needs related to the following priorities:

  1. Support to the families of individuals killed in the explosion for immediate financial losses.
  2. Support to individuals displaced from their homes as a result of the explosion.
  3. Support to organizations helping individuals displaced from employment as a result of the explosion.
  4. Support to the Borough of West Reading for planning and/or implementation of historical commemoration of the explosion (including, but not limited to the creation of a memorial to those lost).

“We are grateful to everyone who has given to the fund, including so many of our local businesses,” said Tammy White, president of the United Way of Berks County. “The outpouring of support of neighbor helping neighbor has been inspiring. We continue to thank everyone for the kind generosity.”

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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.

Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231, Email address: ericac@bccf.org

Local Youth Hope to Unite Community on MLK Day

Reading, PA–Local teens involved in a youth-driven initiative for social justice called Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) are coming together on Martin Luther King Day to host a community event sure to leave an impact. The S.T.A.R. initiative was born through the support of Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading and VOiCEup Berks. These motivated high school students are providing an opportunity for families to learn, unite as a community, and pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King.

In honor of MLK Day on January 16, S.T.A.R. students will host a drop-in event at Berks County Community Foundation, 237 Court Street in Reading, from 1-4 pm. Throughout the entirety of the event, there will be a student-created art exhibit, mini-service projects for youth ages 8+, and storytime for ages 4-7. Additionally, there will be a screening of the student-directed documentary, created by S.T.A.R. members, entitled ‘Stand Together’ at 2 pm (recommended for ages 11+). Following the film screening, there will be a youth-led  discussion on racism and youth activism. This event will be fulfilling for all community members. More information can be found at www.voiceupberks.org/opportunity. This is a drop-in event and registration is not required but appreciated.

Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading focuses on promoting a lifetime commitment to service among youth by offering volunteer projects for youth ages 11 to 18 on Saturdays, after school, during school, virtually, and during the summer. YVC of Reading, hosted by VOiCEup, is one of over 30 affiliates of Youth Volunteer Corps, headquartered in Kansas City. YVC of Reading has engaged hundreds of young people from diverse backgrounds in over 24,000 hours of service to help this community over the past 6 years. Find more information at www.voiceupberks.org/yvc. VOiCEup Berks is a fund of Berks County Community Foundation.

Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading MLK Family Full Event Schedule

READING, PA (January 3, 2023)–Berks County Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for over 100 scholarship funds. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2023. Students must complete a single online application to be matched to a qualifying scholarship. Many of the scholarships are for Berks County high-school seniors, while others support non-traditional students and students already in higher education. Criteria, details, and scholarship information can be found at http://bccf.link/scholarships.

“Scholarships help to relieve the financial burden of and increase access to continuing education opportunities for students throughout Berks County and beyond,” said Kim Sheffer, Community Foundation Lifelong Learning Program Officer.

The Community Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to local students since its founding in 1994.

“Awarding scholarships is an impactful way to acknowledge students’ current achievements and potential, while also encouraging their future growth and success,” Sheffer said.

To review all the scholarships that the Community Foundation has available, visit https://bccf.org/search-for-scholarships/.

Applicants with questions can email Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer, at kims@bccf.org. Students can apply through March 1, 2023.

Most of these scholarships were created by Berks County residents to support local students in continuing their education.

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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.

READING (December 2022) — Berks County Community Foundation recently approved $41,600 in grants to five Boyertown area organizations through its Boyertown Area Charitable Program.

These grants are distributed from the Boyertown Area Community Fund, which supports charitable causes within the geographic area served by the Boyertown Area School District, and the Boyer Foundation Fund, which also supports Boyertown area health, social, recreational, and safety organizations.

Since 1997, the program has granted more than $1,000,000 to over 60 Boyertown area organizations, providing much-needed support for a variety of charitable causes.

It awarded the following grants in 2022:

Boyertown Area Historical Society received $3,910 for a project dedicated to cataloging and digitizing approximately 10,000 three-dimensional and archival items. This will make the collection of items more accessible to the public and prepare for new exhibits on racial justice, indigenous populations, and the PA250 celebration.

Boyertown Midget Baseball League received $15,000 for construction to update the facility to today’s standards, including the addition of ADA-compliant restrooms, and safe spectator seating. The facility has served the community since 1963.

General Carl Spaatz Regional Army Air Corps Museum received $10,000 to upgrade the HVAC system. This will help keep the exhibit preserved with climate control. The Museum offers a fully interactive educational opportunity to learn about the history of the Boyertown community during WWII and beyond.

Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities received $6,000 for the purchase of personal care and cleaning products to distribute to low-income households seeking help through its food pantry and housing programs.

Studio B Art Gallery received $6,690 for a variety of projects, including a fine art exhibit with a virtual tour; publication of the studio’s 10th book of poetry, prose, and art; podcast conversations with Boyertown community members; and opportunities to share memories and goals.

To support future grants provided by the Boyertown Area Charitable Program, donations are always accepted. To learn more, contact the Community Foundation at 610.685.2223 or click here for more details.

About Berks County Community Foundation

Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org. Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231,Email address: ericac@bccf.org

The Power of the Purse in Berks County (POP) in Berks County held its 2022-2023 kickoff meeting at Berks County Community Foundation. POP is a women’s giving circle where donations are pooled to create an impact in the Berks County community. In the meeting, there was a discussion on how to improve the lives of women and girls that included explaining The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s XX Factor Framework. Based on this framework, there are five dimensions that women look to thrive in their community: health, education, economic empowerment, personal safety, and legal rights.  

“Collectively, if there is not an impact on all five, women cannot thrive. Progress in one will create a domino effect with the other dimensions,” explains Katherina M. Rosqueta, Founding Executive Director for the Center for High Impact Philanthropy, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania. 

The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awards grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek education they need to do so.  

The deadline to apply is January 24, 2023. 

This funding is made possible by the generous women who are members of the Power of the Purse in Berks County, which was started in 2012 to improve the lives of local women and children. 

You can learn more about POP, how to apply for a grant, how to donate to the group, and what grants have been previously awarded at https://bccf.org/pop/. 

 Apply for a grant directly at http://bccf.link/grants. The deadline to apply for funding is January 24, 2023. 

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a program of VOiCeup Berks and Berks County Community Foundation that provides young people with the opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities. YAB members work together to identify community needs and recommend grants from the Youth and Philanthropy Fund. 

This fund provides grants to organizations that address issues that impact young people in Berks County. From 1998 to 2021, the Youth and Philanthropy Fund of Berks County Community Foundation distributed 117 grants totaling $368,258. 

This year, YAB will provide grants to programs that address youth homelessness in Berks County with preference given to programs that also address substance use disorder for those experiencing homelessness. 

The application for this fund is now open. You can submit your application by visiting http://bccf.link/grants. If it is your first time visiting our site, you would need to create a username and password to access the application.

The deadline to apply for the fund is 1/23/2023.

Berks County Community Foundation is proud to support the Youth Advisory Board and is committed to providing young people with the opportunities and resources they need to thrive and make a positive impact in their communities. 

The YAB program has been successful in fostering the next generation of leaders and creating positive change in Berks County.

READING (December 1, 2022) — Berks County Community Foundation announced this month that one new employee has joined the organization. Erica Caceres is the Communication Manager.

As the Communication Manager, Caceres will tell the Community Foundation’s story through a variety of platforms, including the website. She will monitor advertisements and all types of media, assist other staff members with reports and presentations, and create story packages that put the written word, audio, photography, video, and other materials to their best use.

Before joining the Community Foundation, Caceres held a variety of marketing positions, including with Naylor Association Solutions, the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, and The Yocum Institute. She is a visionary storyteller with an eye for detail who is always ready to learn new things to ensure she is savvy with the latest trends.

Caceres is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University Berks Campus with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Science degree and a minor in Professional Writing. In her college career, she was published twice in a local magazine, At Home in Berks.

Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.

READING (November 1, 2022) — Berks County Community Foundation announced today that it has promoted Monica Reyes to Vice President for Programs and Initiatives. Reyes previously served as the Community Foundation’s Health and Human Services Program Officer.

As Vice President, Reyes will manage the Community Foundation’s team of program officers and oversee grant distributions from more than 370 charitable funds.

“Since Monica joined us in 2017 as our first specialized program officer, she’s demonstrated a keen understanding of the Berks County community and its needs,” said Kevin K. Murphy, Community Foundation president. “Through her health and human services portfolio, she’s emerged as a trusted leader on key local initiatives, including the Berks County Government COVID-19 Health Advisory Panel. As the Community Foundation continues to grow, this promotion reflects her role as a key member of our management team.”

Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Reyes worked for State Senator Judy Schwank’s office, where she specialized in health and human service issues, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies. In this role, she participated in community boards and social change initiatives in Pennsylvania’s 11th senatorial district. She also maintained a supervisory position with a national research company.

Reyes earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in French from Kutztown University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from West Chester University.

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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.

READING, PA (September 2, 2022) – The 20 members of the 2022-23 cohort for Berks County Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Management Certificate program have been selected. The executive directors and high-potential staff members begin the professional development program at the community foundation’s headquarters in Reading this week.

“The certificate program helps local nonprofit leaders improve or renew their management and leadership skills close to home,” said Kim Sheffer, lifelong learning program officer at the Community Foundation. “It combines expert instruction from faculty from The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University with peer learning so cohort members get to know and learn from each other.”

The 2022-2023 class members:

The program

The program includes group lunches, nonprofit management webinars, and daylong in-person nonprofit management classes led by faculty members from The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University.

The Community Foundation covers the majority of the cost of the program, however, each nonprofit contributes $500 for each participant. The program will next be offered in 2024, Sheffer said.

This professional development opportunity was designed exclusively for Berks County’s nonprofit executive directors and high-potential staff members. Note that Berks County Community Foundation is not an accredited educational institution, but rather a nonprofit that seeks to bring professional development opportunities to the community for local leaders.

Check out this Community Foundation spotlight video, where Kim discusses the program:

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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County.

READING, PA (August 10, 2022) – Reading Pride Celebration (RPC) has created the Reading Pride Celebration Gives Back Fund at Berks County Community Foundation to support projects and programs that affirm and enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in Berks County.

The charitable fund, created with a portion of the proceeds from the Reading Pride Celebration Festival, will provide educators and community organizations with grants to develop or expand programming that improves the lives of LGBTQ+ students in Berks.

“Our youth are the future leaders of our community, and programs geared toward LGBTQ+ youth often receive very little, yet much needed funding. These grants will make it easier for educators to expand or establish their Gay Straight Alliances and other LGBTQ+ youth programming,” said Enrique Castro, President of Reading Pride Celebration. “We believe these programs can improve the quality of life and educational experiences for our youth and create more inclusive environments and communities for all.”

Nonprofit organizations and schools, including student programs and clubs, are eligible to apply. Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded.

The application period runs from September 1st through December 1, 2022, with decisions announced in January 2023. Click here to create an account or log-in.

The Reading Pride Celebration Gives Back Fund is accepting donations. To give online, click “give now.” Donations can also be mailed to Berks County Community Foundation at 237 Court St., Reading, PA 19601. Make checks payable to Berks County Community Foundation and write “Reading Pride Celebration Gives Back Fund” in the memo line.

To learn more about the Reading Pride Celebration, visit www.readingpridecelebration.org/about.

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About Reading Pride Celebration
Reading Pride Celebration is an all-volunteer organization that has the mission of promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by building a community that embraces and supports differences and seeks to eliminate racial oppression, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other oppression. Every dollar raise through our Pride festival or other fundraising initiatives, goes directly back to support our mission and programs.

About the Berks County Community Foundation
Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County.