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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:  

  • 1988: Ferdinand K. Thun and Louis R. Thun  
  • 1989: Gertrude Sternbergh  
  • 1990: H.O. “Mike” Beaver  
  • 1991: Eugene L. Shirk  
  • 1992: Severin Fayerman  
  • 1993: Albert Boscov  
  • 1994: Paul and June Roedel  
  • 1995: Sidney and Barbara Kline  
  • 1996: Samuel A. McCullough  
  • 1997: Dr. Charles A. Carabello  
  • 1998: John F. Horrigan Jr.  
  • 1999: T. Jerome and Carolyn Holleran  
  • 2000: P. Michael Ehlerman
  • 2001: Robert W. Cardy
  • 2003: Thomas P. Handwerk  
  • 2004: Karen A. Rightmire  
  • 2005: David L. Thun  
  • 2007: DeLight E. Breidegam  
  • 2008: Gordon G. Hoodak  
  • 2013: C. Thomas Work  
  • 2014: Irvin and Lois E. Cohen 
  • 2015: The Honorable Arthur E. Grim and Louise C. Grim  
  • 2016: Christ “Chris” G. Kraras  
  • 2017: Carole and Ray Neag  
  • 2018: Carl D. and Kathleen D. Herbein  
  • 2022: Julia Klein and Eric Jenkins

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. 

Part 2 in a 3-part Series Exploring the Impact of Philanthropy   

Thanks to the generosity of our community, Berks County Community Foundation now manages nearly 400 funds totaling over $140 million. Since we were founded in 1994, donors have worked with us to establish these funds to support the causes and organizations that are most important to them. Are you interested in giving back to your community? Sparking change in Berks County starts with defining your charitable goals to create a fund. We can help you achieve those goals, no matter the cause or motivation. Let us help make a difference to what matters most to you. 

One way to spark change is to determine how you want to support the community. What causes interest you most? We have created a short questionnaire to set your journey of generosity in motion. The questionnaire starts by asking, “What do you hope to achieve with your fund?” 

Different funds fulfill different charitable goals. When you create a fund with Berks County Community Foundation, do you want grants from your fund to support: 

Once you’ve narrowed down your goals, it’s time to talk to us. We will work with you to draft a fund agreement which details your wishes and eligibility parameters for future grant recipients from your fund.

In this three-part series, we will explore endowment funds, sparking change, and grantmaking. At Berks County Community Foundation, we do all three. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, philanthropist, or community advocate, this series will provide insight into how strategic funding can shape a better future. 

If you have questions, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org or call 610-685-2223. I look forward to hearing more about you and how you would like to spark change in our community.  

On February 26th, Berks County Community Foundation held a reception at Vintner’s Table in Wyomissing, attended by over thirty-five professional advisors. The event was an opportunity for us to thank the professional advisors who, by introducing the Community Foundation to their clients, allow us to continue our mission of promoting philanthropy and improving the quality of life for Berks County residents.      

Other staff members present included Kevin K. Murphy, President; Monica Reyes, VP for Programs & Initiatives; Molly McCullough Robbins, VP for Philanthropic Services; Erica Caceres, Communication Manager; Vivi Anthony, Executive Assistant, and our team of program officers. 

Cindy Milian, Health and Human Services Program Officer, oversees grants for individuals, public health initiatives, human services initiatives, and animal welfare.   

Emily Smedley, Environment and Energy Program Officer, manages programs and grants related to the environment, sustainable energy, land use, and neighborhood vitality.   

Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer, manages the scholarship and educational grant funds.   

We enjoyed the chance to mingle with our professional advisor friends and provide updates on Community Foundation work in the community. 

Since the Community Foundation was founded over 30 years ago, 50% of the charitable funds we manage have been the direct result of a referral by a professional advisor. In dollar amounts, 76% of our current investment pool is the result of funds referred to us by a professional advisor.  

Details on how you can be a referrer and spark change are available in the Community Foundation’s Giving Guide.   

If you have questions, please email me at frankia@bccf.org. 

As we age, maintaining strength, balance, and flexibility becomes essential for staying active and independent. Recognizing this need, the Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation provided a grant to support older adults in their wellness journeys. Through a grant awarded to the TriCounty Active Adult Center’s Fitness Program, older people in the community now have greater access to a variety of fitness classes designed to improve their overall health, reduce the risks associated with falls, and provide general elder care. 

The TriCounty Active Adult Center, formerly known as the Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, is a nonprofit community center dedicated to serving individuals aged 50 and above across western Montgomery, northern Chester, and eastern Berks counties. With nearly 100 programs each week, many free or at a minimal cost, the center provides ample opportunities for elder care, so older adults can stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others.  

“I decided to go to a class to check it out. It was then that I realized what I had been missing. I’ve met new friendly people and there are many things to do. It filled the void in my life. I felt I had a new life now. Something to look forward to,” one participant mentioned after attending a class.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 falls caused 38,000 deaths among those age 65 and older. The center offers a variety of classes for all abilities to help people over 50 improve their strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance to avoid falls and to reduce the severity of injuries when falls do occur.

The grant from the Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation supports programs and organizations that benefit the health of residents in Berks County and surrounding counties.  Since 2019, this fund continues to be a crucial resource for supporting health and wellness efforts across the region, ensuring that older adults have the tools and resources they need to age well. You can read more about the fund by clicking here.  

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all!

There are many ways to support nonprofit organizations. You may make a one-time gift to support an event or program. You may give annually to your favorite organization. Perhaps you volunteer your time and talent to offset costs for a charity that is important to you. You could also establish an endowment fund. An endowment is a fund or group of funds that provides long-term support for a cause or organization. It is established with the intention to live on forever. Establishing an endowment fund with Berks County Community Foundation is a long-term way to support the organizations and causes that matter most to you. The endowed fund is invested, and a portion is given out each year for grantmaking to fulfill the charitable intent set forth by the donor(s). As the invested balance grows, more is available for distribution over time.  

How does it work? 

Why is it important?  

How can I contribute? 

Berks County Community Foundation assesses management fees on the charitable funds it administers. These fees support costs for grant processing, contribution acknowledgment, audits, tax filings, and personnel. These fees are crucial to allowing us to fulfill our mission to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County.  

Effective stewardship of philanthropic assets is key to our mission. The endowment funds we manage will live forever, and so will Berks County Community Foundation. We will never leave the area or go out of business, so we will always be here making the community a better place to live.  

In this three-part series, we will explore endowment funds, sparking change, and grantmaking. At Berks County Community Foundation, we do all three. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, philanthropist, or community advocate, this series will provide insight into how strategic funding can shape a better future. 

To learn more about establishing an endowed fund with Berks County Community Foundation, please download our Giving Guide and feel free to email me at mollyr@bccf.org.  

Police K9 units play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. These hardworking dogs help officers track suspects, find missing people and detect illegal substances. But, maintaining a skilled and effective K9 unit requires continuous funding for training, equipment and proper facilities. That is where the Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund of Berks County Community Foundation can help. 

This fund provides grants to help train, purchase and maintain K9 units for governmental entities in Berks County. Right now, applications are open for organizations that need funding to support their K9 teams. 

How was the fund created? Darrell and Gloria Rank dedicated their lives to making Berks County a safer place. Darrell was the first executive of the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau and took action when his community needed him most. He once rescued a woman from a flooded car in 1972 during Hurricane Agnes and helped bring a dangerous criminal to justice after witnessing an assault.  

When Gloria passed away in 2012, she left most of her estate to Berks County Community Foundation, ensuring that their commitment to public safety would continue. Today, the Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund honors their legacy by providing essential resources for K9 units in the county. 

How is this fund making a difference?  A recent grant was used to update and maintain two K9 facilities where police dogs are housed and trained. These facilities are critical for keeping the unit efficient and ready for duty. The grant covered the cost of materials and labor to complete much-needed improvements, ensuring the facilities are still safe and functional for years to come. 

The project was delayed due to circumstances such as switching contractors. However, the team worked hard to overcome challenges and keep the upgrades on track. Thanks to this funding, K9 handlers and their dogs now have a safer and more effective training environment. 

The Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund of Berks County Community Foundation is currently accepting applications to help provide essential funding for K9 training, equipment, and facility maintenance. To apply, click here.  

Over the past 30 years, we have built strong relationships that form our network of donors, fundholders, grantee organizations, supporters, and community leaders. That network is essential to our ability to operate and fulfill our mission to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. To better serve the community, we want to understand what matters most to our constituents and supporters. With that in mind, we created a short Berks survey to gather insights into the interests of our community.

We asked: 

A total of 72 community members completed the survey. The results revealed a wide range of interests as well as an appetite to learn more about those topics through various communication channels and events. The most popular topics aligned with areas of focus prioritized by our team of program officers. 

We will use the results of the Berks survey to plan future communications and events, including targeted outreach to our constituents to invite them to participate in discussions, lunch & learn events, and other opportunities to engage with us and learn more about the topics that interest them most.  

If you would like to participate in the survey, please email mollyr@bccf.org, and I will send you the link. This information will help shine a light on the things that matter to help spark change in your community. 

Receiving a grant from Berks County Community Foundation marks an exciting milestone in your organization’s journey. It’s more than just funding – it’s a boost of confidence in your vision and the impact you make in our community. Let’s walk through what happens next and how to make the most of this opportunity. 

First Things First: The Grant Agreement 

Before the fund is distributed, there’s one crucial step that must be taken: completing your grant agreement form. This document outlines the responsibilities between your organization and the Community Foundation, ensuring clarity and setting expectations. You’ll need to submit this through our third-party online portal within 30 days of receiving your email offer. 

Sharing Your Success 

Once your grant agreement is squared away, consider sharing your achievement with the community. Here’s how to do it effectively: 

Take a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that brought you here. Your team’s commitment deserves recognition, and this grant validates their efforts. 

Consider sharing your journey and plans across your communication channels. Whether that is through your website, social media, or newsletter, let your supporters know about this exciting program. It’s about inspiring others and showing the positive changes happening in our community. 

When sharing news about your grant, please include proper acknowledgment of the funding source. Use the following format: 

“Support for this project was provided by the [XYZ Fund] of Berks County Community Foundation.” 

Click here to download a comprehensive resource to help you navigate this journey. Click here to find detailed guidelines for using our organization’s name and logo, templates for various communications and more! 

This grant is just the beginning. We’re excited to see how your project develops and the positive change it brings to our community. Remember, our team is here to support your success every step of the way. 

Have specific questions about promoting your funding? Email me at ericac@bccf.org. 

The Community Foundation expanded its team in recent years to include expert program officers who manage grantmaking in each of our community initiatives. Cindy Milian is the Health and Human Services Program Officer. Cindy oversees grants for individuals, public health initiatives, and human services initiatives. Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and over 25 years of experience in roles related to family support and intervention. Before joining the Community Foundation, she worked at Berks County Children and Youth Services for two decades. As a first-generation American-born Latina with a diverse life experience and a strong background in community involvement, Cindy is well-equipped for her work in health and human services.   

Some of Cindy’s initiative work includes support for rural communities in Berks County. The United Way’s ALICE Report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) shows that 41% of Berks County households are one paycheck away from a financial crisis. In analyzing the data further, Cindy found that 49% of households in the Hamburg Area School District met the ALICE report’s criteria for living in poverty. This information led her to reach out to community leaders in the Hamburg School District Area to discuss the needs in the community. Many leaders noted the lack of social services in rural communities like Hamburg. These conversations, along with supporting data from the United Way’s ALICE Report, led to Cindy’s new initiative work. This work will focus on helping community leaders work together to develop a strategic plan with action steps to meet the community’s needs. 

To help us build a collective strategy of and by the community, the Foundation will work with Dianne Russell from the Institute for Conservation Leadership (ICL). During ICL’s 30-year history, they have assisted organizations with community building and community engagement, specializing in building coalitions, alliances, partnerships, and strengthening communities. Community leaders who would like to participate but have not yet connected with Cindy are encouraged to contact her.

To learn more about Cindy, view the video below.

For more information about Cindy’s grantmaking and initiative work, please reach out to her directly: cindym@bccf.org. 

Who is Berks County Community Foundation? 

Berks County Community Foundation was founded in 1994 to help individuals, families, organizations, and businesses achieve their charitable objectives. Our mission is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing funds to meet existing and emerging community needs. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is run by professional staff with expertise in identifying the community’s needs. Today, more than 900 community foundations serve towns, cities, and geographic regions across the United States.  

Berks County Community Foundation currently manages nearly $142 million in charitable assets, which provided more than $6 million in grants and scholarships in our last fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Our program officers specialize in their areas of focus and oversee our grantmaking, ensuring that the grants we award meet the needs of the community while honoring the intentions of the donors who established funds with the Community Foundation.   

What do we do?  

We help Berks Countians structure their charitable giving. The Community Foundation helps individuals, families, and their professional advisors determine the best way to meet their charitable goals. This often includes honoring the memory of a loved one or supporting a cause about which the individual or family cares deeply. In either case, a member of the Community Foundation’s staff works with the people involved to determine the best way to meet their charitable objectives.  

We professionally manage charitable dollars.  

The Community Foundation manages the money in the charitable funds. Funds are created after a simple fund agreement is completed and an initial donation is received. The money is then pooled with the foundation’s other funds and professionally invested to ensure grants or scholarships – and the  individual’s or family’s legacy – continue in perpetuity.  

We distribute grants and scholarships and measure their results.  

Our program officers are experts in their fields. The program team conducts site visits and researches pressing issues not only at the county level, but also regionally, nationally, and internationally to ensure grants and scholarships are improving the quality of life in Berks County.   

Though donor-driven, much of our grantmaking falls within the following areas of expertise:  

Arts, Culture, and Humanities  

Our funds and programs celebrate the humanities and connect residents to the many artistic and  

cultural activities that take place in our community.  

Environment and Energy  

Our funds support projects and programs that recognize the value of climate resiliency, which include  

promoting energy efficiency, caring for farmland and open space, and reducing our impact on the planet.  

Health and Human Services  

We work to ensure our community members have access to the health information and quality of life services they need to function at their best.  

Lifelong Learning  

We are here to help build a community of life-long learners through a variety of professional development programs and scholarships.  

Neighborhoods and Economic Development  

We manage funds to enhance the places people care about in Berks County.  

Types of Charitable Funds  

Berks County Community Foundation helps people determine the type of fund that best suits their charitable goals. Nearly all our funds are customized in some way to help our donors achieve their philanthropic vision.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we distribute millions of dollars in grants and scholarships each year to nonprofits and individuals in our community. If you are interested in learning more about starting a fund with the Community Foundation, please reach out to give@bccf.org.