Give Now

• Apply For A Scholarship
• Apply For A Grant
• Reserve A Conference Room
• Board Log In
• Contact Us

Give Now

The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) seeks three nominees for its volunteer Advisory Board.

The Met-Ed/Penelec SEF distributes funds to promote the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, energy conservation and efficiency, and projects that improve the environment in the Met-Ed and Penelec service territories. The Met-Ed/Penelec SEF is co-managed by the Berks County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, respectively.

The funds are seeking nominations for the following positions:

• Weatherization 

• Commercial Customer 

• At-Large 

The Advisory Board consists of no fewer than seven and no more than nine positions. Board members can serve six two-year terms. The Advisory Board meets four times per year on a quarterly basis. Meetings are typically held via Zoom, with the possibility of in-person meetings within the Met-Ed and Penelec rate districts.  

For consideration, candidates should meet the following criteria: 

• Be a resident of Pennsylvania that is affiliated with the Met-Ed or Penelec rate district.

• Have interpersonal skills that foster a creative and positive work environment for Board meetings.

• Have the ability to work with fellow board members and fund staff to evaluate incoming projects and programs for their mission-fit, participate in technical and financial due diligence discussions, and determine project impact. 

• Have demonstrated experience in working with Pennsylvania’s sustainable energy sector.

Interested candidates should submit a brief letter of interest and a resume to Emily Smedley (Berks County Community Foundation/Met-Ed) or Mark Keim (Community Foundation for the Alleghenies/Penelec.) Their contact information is below. The letter should provide details on how the candidate fulfills the nomination criteria and the skills they bring to the advisory board. The resume should provide contact information and the candidate’s educational and work experience.  

Nominations should be submitted by Friday, November 7, 2025.  

All candidates will be notified via email upon receipt of their letter of interest and resume. The advisory board will submit the successful nominee(s) to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission for final approval.   

Contact Information 

In the Met-Ed rate district, please contact Emily Smedley:  

Environment and Energy Program Officer, Berks County Community Foundation 
Fund Manager, Met-Ed Sustainable Energy Fund
Emilys@bccf.org  

In the Penelec rate district, please contact Mark Keim:  

Program Officer, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies 
Fund Manager, Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund 
mkeim@cfalleghenies.org  

This announcement is made in keeping with the best practices of the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board (PASEB) and is being distributed on the websites of the Public Utility Commission and the Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, as well as relevant newsletters and other sources. This notice may be forwarded to interested parties. 

Ed Lombardo has a connection to Berks County Community Foundation that goes back many years. A lifelong Berks resident, high school football coach, community volunteer and investment advisor, Ed recognizes the importance of philanthropy.  

Earlier this year, Ed reflected on his history of giving, which includes the Lombardo Family Scholarship Fund and the Lombardo Family Memorial Fund. To learn more about Ed’s connections to Muhlenburg, read his feature in this year’s edition of our annual magazine, 237 Court. Click here to view the magazine; Ed’s story begins on page 3. 

To learn more about establishing a fund at Berks County Community Foundation, click here or email mollyr@bccf.org.  

On Tuesday, July 16^th, 2025, leaders from Bernville Heritage and Cultural Center, Rentschler Arboretum, Bernville Area Community Library, Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church and Christ Little Tulpehocken Church welcomed Berks County Community Foundation team members to their spaces to discuss community programming initiatives.

The Foundation visited these institutions, as some have received gifts from various funds the foundation manages, and others simply enrich the cultural, educational, or religious life of the Tulpehocken area.

The program team of Berks County Community Foundation, comprised of experts in their fields of interest, started their Tulpehocken area tour at the Rentschler Arboretum.
The arboretum is a sprawling 34-acre tract of land, pictured below. Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (BMECC), a grantee of Berks County Community Foundation, owns and maintains the arboretum. BMECC leads hikes on the Appalachian Trail, schedules bike rides and camping trips, and hosts various cultural and educational events throughout the year.  

When Berks County Community Foundation team members arrived at the Rentschler Arboretum, Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (BMECC) member Linda Enders greeted the team and led them on a tour of the grounds.
Linda highlighted the club’s non-native flower planting initiative that encourages biodiversity, as well as their kestrel nest box, which helps protect the small falcon’s declining population. A source of pride for the club is its youth camp offerings that allow kids to camp in tents on the Rentschler Arboretum land, learn about environmental protection, and form healthy connections to nature.

A grant from the Conservation Equity Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was awarded to BMECC in 2022. The club used the money to install a new Wayfinding Mural, pictured below.

To learn more about the climbing club and Rentschler Arboretum, visit BMECC’s website. 

The next stop on the Tulpehocken tour was the Bernville Area Community Library. The director of the library, Jen Franklin, gave a presentation on the library’s history and its position as a vital public institution.
Residents can visit the library for resources beyond books and media. The foyer features a food pantry, the technology section boasts public computers and hotspot rentals, and the library itself hosts over 200 programs each year. Franklin and the library’s website commit to creating a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. To learn more about the programs and resources available at the library, visit their website. 

Then, Marisa and Tom Vanzin, members of the Bernville Heritage and Cultural Society, gave a detailed presentation on Bernville’s history. Nestled in rural Berks County, Stephanus Umbenhauer founded Bernville; the borough was officially incorporated in 1851. Stephanus’ children were laid to rest in the Evangelical Lutheran Friedens Church’s graveyard, a historical site in Bernville. Impressive stained-glass windows adorn the inside of the church. Much like Bernville Area Community Library, Friedens Church offers public resources and lends its basement to other organizations to congregate. To learn more about Friedens Church, visit their website. 

The Tulpehocken tour concluded at Christ Little Tulpehocken Church, another religious institution that dates to the 18^th century.
Despite fire damage and other structural issues, congregants have rebuilt and maintained the historic site for more than 250 years. On the upstairs balcony, a Kantner organ extends to the ceiling. This is where Christ Church member Carol Dieffenbach Kantner played hymns for the foundation and other visitors. To learn more about the storied history of Christ Little Tulpehocken Church, visit their website.  

Berks County Community Foundation extends their gratitude to all the organizations, volunteers, and congregations that hosted us for our first Tulpehocken area tour.
Meeting our community friends and partners strengthens our connections and provides learning opportunities to expand our knowledge of various parts of Berks County.

To learn more about our areas of focus and grantmaking, visit our website: Community Initiatives

### 

Have a charitable spark? Create your own fund to put your charitable vision into action.  

Maggie Lewis does not currently live in Berks County, but her connections to home run deep. Maggie grew up here and now returns regularly to participate as a member of the Power of the Purse (POP) women’s giving circle.  As a working mother living outside Philadelphia who is busy with her husband and twin toddlers, Maggie makes time to come to Berks County regularly for POP meetings and events, because she believes the mission of POP and the grantmaking facilitated by the Community Foundation is a meaningful way to give back to the community in which she was raised. While she lives in Aston, PA with her family, her connections to her home stay strong.

The Power of the Purse (POP) Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was established in 2012 and currently boasts over 60 members. POP members meet four times per year and attend optional site visits to determine recipients of grant funding through an application and review process. The Community Foundations manages the application and review process.

To read more about Maggie, click here to view the 2025 edition of 237 Court, the official magazine of Berks County Community Foundation. Her donor highlight story is on page 14. 

To learn more about the Power of the Purse Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, please click here. 

Berks County Community Foundation hosted our annual scholarship luncheon on May 21^st, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading. Members of our team welcomed students and their families, donors and scholarship fund representatives, and community leaders to gather in recognition of the impressive achievements of local students and the generosity of donors who enable students to pursue their dreams. 

At the 2025 Scholarship Luncheon, the Community Foundation will award over $700,000, bringing the total amount disbursed since its inception in 1994 to over $14,700,000! Thousands of recipients have benefited from these scholarships over the years as they continue to pursue higher education. 

The annual scholarship luncheon highlights the strength of community support. Each scholarship offers essential resources and inspiration for students to forge their own paths, making a difference in Berks County and beyond. 

Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer, welcomed guests and highlighted the significance of the Berks’ Best Award recipients’ accomplishments. Berk’s Best awards are a partnership between Berks County Community Foundation and the Reading Eagle, with coordination support from BCIU. Kim also congratulated all of the 2025 scholarship recipients and commended the dozens of volunteers who spent countless hours reviewing hundreds of scholarship applications.  

Dr. Radha Pyati, Chancellor and Dean of Penn State Berks, shared advice and personal stories about the impact of relationships in her keynote address.  

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of local students through educational support, please consider giving to one of our many scholarship funds today! 

In November 2024, Kevin K. Murphy wrote a blog post about Spotlight PA and the importance of local news. He detailed the path taken by the Community Foundation to support the launch of a Berks County news bureau and highlighted the opportunity for in-depth reporting that Spotlight PA would provide for our residents.

We have watched with anticipation as Spotlight PA hired first-class journalists to join the team led by CEO and President, Chris Baxter and Managing Editor, Lisa Scheid.  

This week, Spotlight PA announced the upcoming launch of their daily e-newsletter, Good Day, Berks, which will debut on May 5, 2025; It will provide important news about Berks County all in one place, provide a unique perspective into what’s happening in our communities, and highlight it’s local reporting. Readers can expect news about business, events, municipal and school board meetings, and news from across the state.

Berks County Community Foundation was at the very forefront of the national effort to address the need for local news.  We are delighted to see that Spotlight PA is taking this next step. To sign up to receive the newsletter, click here.

To learn more about Spotlight PA’s Berks news bureau, please join us for an in-person Community Forum on June 5, 2025. Registration information can be found here.

Before Grantmaking, Let’s Understand Community Foundations 

Community foundations pool resources from individuals, families, and businesses to support nonprofits within their communities. It all starts with a donor or donors working with us to establish a fund to support their charitable goals. We currently manage nearly 400 different funds totaling approximately $140 million. Most of those funds are restricted to support specific organizations or areas of interest. 

Our Grantmaking Process 

1. Identifying Community Needs: Our team of program officers, each of whom is an expert in her area of focus, starts by identifying the most pressing needs within the community and managing their related portfolio of funds. This involves engaging with local stakeholders and analyzing data to understand where support is most needed.  

2. Establishing Grant Programs: Based on identified needs, our team established five areas of focus: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Energy, Health & Human Services, and Neighborhood Vitality. 

3. Endowments: To support our grantmaking activities, the Community Foundation relies on donations from the public. Most of the funds that we manage are endowed funds, which are invested to generate income for long-term grantmaking. This ensures a sustainable source of funding for future grants. 

4. Grant Application and Review: Nonprofit organizations seeking funding submit grant applications detailing their projects and how they align with the foundation’s priorities. Applications are reviewed by a committee and/or foundation staff to assess their potential impact and feasibility. Committee members are selected because they have a connection to the fund or expertise in the area it supports. 

5. Awarding Grants: Once the review process is complete, the foundation awards grants to selected nonprofits. These grants can be unrestricted, allowing organizations to use the funds as needed, or restricted to specific projects or programs. 

6. Monitoring and Evaluation: After grants are awarded, our program officers monitor the progress of funded projects. This involves regular reporting from grantees and site visits to ensure that the funds are being used effectively and that the projects are achieving their intended outcomes. 
7. Community Engagement and Feedback: Continuous engagement with the community is crucial. Foundation staff often holds meetings, site visits, and forums to gather feedback and ensure that our grantmaking strategies remain aligned with community needs and our mission.

Our grantmaking is made possible by the funds that have been established over our 31-year history. Each fund was established based on the interests and passions of the donor(s), and it is our honor and obligation to abide by the parameters set forth by our fund holders. 

There are different types of funds that donors can establish with the Community Foundation:

1. Undesignated: Want to meet the most pressing needs in Berks County? Grants from undesignated funds are determined by our board of directors to address ever-changing community needs. This type of fund supports initiative work such as our support of Spotlight PA, student retention work, rural initiatives, and new arts funding. We strategize to use unrestricted funding to create systemic change and address big issues. 

2. Designated: Support a specific organization year after year, even after you are gone. Organizations benefit from consistent support, and you can be confident the money in your fund is professionally managed. 

3. Field of Interest: Whatever your cause, our team of program experts will do the legwork to ensure grants from your fund make a difference for your cause now and for years to come. 

4. Donor Advised: Make decisions about where grants from your fund go each year while you are alive, with the option to name a successor advisor after you are gone. 

5. Scholarships: Help students pay for their education through a scholarship fund. Or use a designated fund or more flexible field-of-interest fund to support a specific school or area of education. 

6. Giving Circle: The Power of the Purse (POP) committee is a women’s giving circle. The dedicated group of women meets several times a year to learn about barriers women and girls face in Berks County. They visit local organizations, listen to expert speakers, and make thoughtful decisions about how best to help, using their pooled resources. 

The vision for the Program Team is to:  

• Move the needle in priority areas where donors and/or the community have asked us to shine a light.  

• Develop deep expertise in these priority areas and make strategic investments of time, effort, and money to improve the quality of life in Berks County in those areas.  

• Be impeccable in the stewarding of grants to ensure donor intent is met and data and feedback are collected and put to good use. 

I lead the team of expert program officers, ensuring their grantmaking work and management align with donor intent. Together, we seek local and national partnerships and opportunities to amplify the impact of our programs.  

The mission of Berks County Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. We play a pivotal role by providing financial support to various nonprofit organizations and individuals in need through our grantmaking. If you have questions, please email me at monicar@bccf.org. To learn more about myself and the team at Berks County Community Foundation, visit the Our Team page.

One of the most pressing issues facing Berks County – and many communities across the country – is poverty. Poverty is not just an individual struggle–it is a community-wide concern. While poverty is often viewed as a stand-alone issue, the reality is that it’s deeply interconnected with many aspects of our lives, including physical and mental health, family relationships, cognitive development in children, and the risk of homelessness and violence. 

To address these complex issues and spark meaningful conversation, we invite you to a Poverty Simulation. This unique, interactive workshop is designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by families living in poverty, and more importantly, to inspire action toward solutions. 

What is a Poverty Simulation? 

The Poverty Simulation is a role-playing exercise where participants are assigned a new persona and family profile that reflects the realities of low-income families. Over the course of the simulation, participants navigate through daily tasks—tasks that many of us take for granted, such as paying bills, buying groceries, and finding transportation. 

However, the experience isn’t just about completing these tasks—it’s about realizing how hard it can be to meet even the most basic needs when financial resources are limited. The outcomes of the simulation are unpredictable, and participants are often surprised by how difficult it is to make ends meet.  

According to the 2020 Census, over 11.1% of Americans live in poverty while in Berks County, over 11.9% of our residents face this daily challenge.  

The Poverty Simulation offers participants a rare opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone facing these challenges. It helps participants see firsthand how factors like limited access to resources, transportation, and support networks can impact the ability to thrive. The hope is that by experiencing this, individuals will gain empathy and a deeper understanding of the barriers that many in our community face. 

After the simulation, participants engage in meaningful discussions about how our community can address these challenges. They are prompted to think critically about the systems in place and explore how we can all work together to create solutions that lift people out of poverty and support families in need. Participating in the Poverty Simulation is an opportunity to not only gain insight into the realities of living in poverty, but also to be part of a larger movement toward change.  

Whether you’re a business leader, educator, healthcare professional, or simply a concerned citizen, your involvement in these discussions can help make Berks County a more equitable place for everyone. After participating in the poverty simulation, community leaders will be equipped to make decisions in their work while keeping the barriers faced by the people they serve in mind. Join us in this vital effort to make a difference. You can stay up to date on all the foundation’s events by clicking here.

On March 29, 2025, approximately 145 guests gathered at the Berkshire Country Club to honor Ramona Turner Turpin with the 2025 Thun Award. The Thun Award was created in 1988 to honor Louis R. Thun and Ferdinand K. Thun, local industrialists and philanthropists, in recognition of their long-standing record of civic and community service. The award is presented to Berks County residents whose commitment of time, leadership, and philanthropy exhibits the enduring sense of community reflected by the high ideals of the Thun family.  

Fulton Bank and Berks County Community Foundation proudly presented the 2025 Thun Award to Ramona Turner Turpin for her extraordinary community contributions, engagement, and philanthropy in Berks County. Ramona is an Instructor at the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks. Early in her career, Ramona was employed by Berks County Intermediate Unit – first as a teacher, then as an early childhood education coordinator. She served as the Dean of Leadership and Director of Funds Development for the I-LEAD Charter School in Reading. Ramona’s banking career began as the Community Reinvestment Act Director for Bank of Pennsylvania before she was named Community Relations manager for Sovereign Bank in 1999, a position she held for almost ten years. In addition, she held the role of Small Business Specialist for three years.  

Ramona has served on numerous boards, including Berks County Community Foundation, Reading Musical Foundation, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, BCTV and United Way of Berks County. She has volunteered her time with Berks Intercultural Alliance. Ramona is a long-time member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she has shared her time and talents as a teacher, choir member, and Christian education director; she presently sits on the steward board. Ramona has received numerous awards, including the Athena Award, the Outstanding Woman award from Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Amiga Award from the Latina Gathering, and the NAACP Image Award. 

Previous Recipients of the Thun Award:  

Thun Award recipients are community advocates who are leaders in commerce and industry. This year’s award recipient embodies the passion for and investment in this community, qualities that are found in all the recipients of the Thun Award. 

Berks County Community Foundation established the Thun Award Fund from which honorees recommend grants to organizations of their choice. Ramona selected The Sisterhood of Reading to receive this year’s grant. The Sisterhood of Reading strives to foster a kindred and caring spirit among African American women. Their goal is to mentor young women for the betterment of our community. 

Click here to view event photos from the Celebration of Giving and Thun Award presentation. To view the video which highlights Ramona’s contributions to the community, visit our YouTube page here. For more information about the Thun Award, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org.

Bill Woolworth’s commitment to the well-being of young people in Berks County was more than just a passion, it was a mission he actively pursued throughout his life. As a dedicated advocate, volunteer, and leader, Bill played an integral role in supporting Co-County Wellness Services (CCWS) and its Berks Teens initiative. 

Bill’s journey with CCWS began as a volunteer and fundraiser, using his platform as a co-owner of Dans at Green Hills restaurant to raise thousands of dollars for the organization through the annual Good Thyme for Life (GTFL) dine-out event. His commitment grew as he joined the board of directors, eventually serving as Board President. 

When a 2014 community needs assessment highlighted the high teen birth rates in Berks County, Bill didn’t hesitate to step up. He was among the first board members to join the Berks Teens Leadership Team, bringing business insight, legal expertise, and a deep commitment to the youth of our community. Bill firmly believed that all young people deserve access to accurate sexual health information, and he saw CCWS as the perfect organization to lead the charge, given its long-standing reputation for providing free, confidential HIV and STD services. 

Bill Woolworth passed away March 30, 2022. At the time of his death, he was the board chair of Co-County Wellness and was still very much passionate about the Berks Teens program. 

An anonymous donor established the Bill Woolworth Memorial Fund for Berks Teens of Berks County Community Foundation to honor Bill’s memory and help support the program ensure that Bill’s vision continues, supporting initiatives that empower and educate young people in Berks County. Thanks to partnerships and programming, teen birth rates have declined by 60.3% in the city of Reading and 56.5% in the county. Read more about those partnerships by clicking here. 

Bill’s impact can still be felt today, but the work is far from over. You can give to the Bill Woolworth Memorial Fund for Berks Teens of Berks County Community Foundation by visiting:  bccf.org/funds/bill-woolworth-memorial-fund-for-berks-teens/ 

Together, we can honor Bill’s dedication by ensuring that all young people in Berks County have the resources they need to make informed, healthy choices. 

For more information about this fund, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org.