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“I decided that my career was built by the people of Berks County.  My memories were so fond of Reading High in the 1960s that I wanted to help someone else from Reading High.” – July 16, 2024 

The Chris A. Luppold Accounting Scholarship Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was established in 2000. Since inception, 21 students from Reading High School have received this scholarship.  

Luppold Family 

The Luppold family’s roots here in the United States began in 1862 when a group came over from Germany and made their way through Ellis Island right as the Civil War was happening. The Luppolds stayed in the Reading, Bern Township, and Bethel areas from that point on. 

Chris Luppold was born in 1950 at Reading Hospital. His grandfather started Luppold Heating under a company called France and Luppold in 1911. His father, Carl F. Luppold, was born and raised here and graduated from Reading High School in 1942.  After one year in college, he signed up for the war as part of the Army Air Forces.   

Luppold’s parents met in a chance encounter in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Chris’s mom, Charlene, and her two friends were driving her father’s car and picked up two hitchhikers – Chris’s dad and his Air Force buddy, who were trying to get to Alabama for pilot training.   

Chris’s dad came from a small family; he had one sister, and she didn’t have children of her own. Chris’s dad took over his father’s company, Charles F. Luppold Sheet Metal Contractors, one of as many as five companies owned by the family over time, including Luppold Heating. Chris has a sister, Sandra, two years his junior, who lives in Arizona. 

Chris’s Early Years 

Chris started in the family business at age 12, working for his grandfather. As he was growing up, he recalls his dad’s advice: “He said, ‘Chris, become a doctor, lawyer, or CPA.’  I had no idea what a CPA was. My uncle was a doctor in St. Louis. So, I knew what a doctor was. I knew what a lawyer was. I didn’t have any accounting classes in high school.” 

College Years 

After graduating from Reading High in 1968, Chris’s dad suggested that he stay close to home to go to college. “I started at Albright College in August of 1968 and went to school full-time, studying pre-med. That lasted two years. I had a low GPA. I failed history and was struggling with everything, even though I was studying all the time.” 

Against everyone’s advice, Chris dropped out after two years at Albright and got a job at Arrow in their products division. While an expeditor, he learned from some great mentors there, including Dan Herr. A plaque hung over Dan’s office that read “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. Chris recalls, “I’ll never forget it.  I realized then that I needed a college degree to get anywhere. I didn’t know what degree, but I knew it had to be business.” 

Since dropping out of Albright, he decided to go to college and wanted to get out of Pennsylvania. “I found a little school called Richard Bland College which was part of the College of William and Mary. It’s a two-year college in South Petersburg, Virginia.” He was accepted and went there. 

Chris had some catching up to do. He had a lot of science credits from his pre-med days at Albright, but he needed business courses to complete his degree. He took Accounting 101 and 102 along with Economics and English – all requirements for a business administration degree. After a year at Richard Bland, he could matriculate to his choice of three schools: William and Mary, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), or the University of Richmond. “I was doing very well in accounting, even though I’d never had an accounting class in my life. My Principles of Accounting teacher took me aside around the time of finals and said, ‘Do me a favor, change to an accounting degree. You’ll be surprised at what you’re able to do.’ She saw something in me.” 

Chris decided to attend VCU and changed his major two weeks before classes began. His wife got a new job in Richmond, and they moved on to this new chapter.  Chris excelled in his accounting courses, taking every elective offered. He finished in a year and a half. During that time, he helped start an Accounting Club and tutored underclassmen in accounting. “Every year, the Virginia Society of CPAs and the faculty of VCU selected a #1 student in that class, and I was the #1 student in the class of 1974. I was surprised when I got that letter. That’s why I got into accounting – I loved it.” 

Chris got job offers from some of the “Big 8”, the eight largest international accounting and consulting firms at the time, but he and his young wife decided to move back to the Reading area where he was hired by John A. Beard and Company. After working there for a year and a half, he got the itch to get his master’s degree. He used some of the small trust that his grandfather had left him to attend Lehigh University full-time.  

Juggling Work and School 

Chris promised his dad that he would give him three years of his life to work for him. “I worked part-time in the summers for my dad while at Lehigh. I’d go up to Lehigh for three days, and then come home to work for my dad.” Chris finished his MBA and contacted his neighbor, a gym teacher at Albright, to see if they were hiring part-time. Chris had tutored freshmen accounting students during his time at VCU and was inspired to teach. He found it a great experience and eventually took a part-time evening teaching position in 1976. In 1978, he decided to leave contracting and take a full-time teaching position at Albright College until 1980.  

At the end of 1980, Chris decided to open his own tax practice. I solicited everyone I could – Chamber meetings, lawyers’ offices, Rotary, and lots of networking. I became friends with an attorney who gave me a lot of work. I bought a tax practice in 1981, mostly individuals and partnerships. I left Albright in 1980 and took a job at Alvernia from 1981-85 to teach advanced accounting one night a week – I still had an inkling to teach.” Chris had a strong sense of entrepreneurship. “That’s how my career got started – from scratch.”  

Chris merged his accounting practice with Herbert Gehrke in 1982. They had a small practice on Park Road in Wyomissing called Gehrke Luppold and Company, with four employees. In 1992, Luppold and Gehrke went their separate ways, and Chris approached Kurtz McNaney & Company to join their practice. “The greatest years of my life were from 1992 to 2001. Kurtz McNaney had a great family practice with 22 people, including 5 partners, and I was one of them. Jim Kurtz ran the business and was always honest, open, and trustworthy.” 

Chris is proud of the relationships he developed over his career and credits his diligence in maintaining those relationships to his success. “You build bonds, you build friendships, and you don’t burn bridges. You listen to your clients, and you get back to them within 24 hours.”   

Community Service and Giving Back 
Giving back has always been important to Chris. He has been a Rotarian since 1976 and is a past president and treasurer of the Northeast Reading Club, which closed in 2008. He joined the Spring Township Centennial Rotary Club, where he has also served as president, treasurer, and foundation chair. He is the treasurer of the Yocum Arts Institute for Arts Education and the endowment fund chair at his church.   

In late 1990, Chris helped his father set up a scholarship fund at Muhlenberg College, his father’s alma mater. 

After the family businesses were sold between 1998 and 2001, Chris approached Franki Aitken at Berks County Community Foundation to discuss establishing his own scholarship fund. “I decided that my career was built by the people of Berks County.  I grew up in Reading, and my memories are so fond of Reading High School in the 1960s that I want to help someone else from Reading High.” 

According to Chris, the fund started small, allowing for a scholarship award of $400 per year for four years. Eventually, he’d like to see it grow into bigger awards. “I’d like to get it to $500 per year, or even $500 per semester.” He recognizes that his fund isn’t the biggest, but it will help students going to college for an accounting degree or a business administration degree with an accounting concentration. He lives by Rotary’s mission, service above self. “I believe in giving something back to the community.” 

A Fresh Start 

In 1994, Chris met his best friend, Phyllis, who would later become his wife. He and Phyllis spent many years vacationing in Arizona, where they owned a home until 2023.  Chris works part-time for William Koch & Associates and can travel more now that his career has slowed down. They have explored Avalon and the Outer Banks and have enjoyed many Viking cruises. 

Scholarship Impact 

Chris is touched when he hears from his scholarship recipients. “I enjoy giving back.  For me, I feel rewarded and appreciated. And those thank you notes from students – to know there have been 21 recipients – I don’t know these people, I don’t need to be their friend – but with the cost of college, if this can help with a computer or books or something else, I’m happy to help.” 

The board room at Sinking Spring Public Library (SSPL) was recently transformed into an all-day workshop for anyone interested in learning the traditional Scottish craft of spinning yarn. SSPL Director Wenonah Riegel organized and instructed this unique class that featured a traditional Scottish spindle called a Dealgan.

Riegel enjoys spinning, knitting, and crocheting, and has been honing her craft for 34 years. She started spinning when she worked at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, where she was responsible for costume interpretation in one of the tenant houses. She has also demonstrated various traditional crafts including spinning and natural dyeing at Daniel Boone Homestead, Warwick Park, Hay Creek Festival, the Mouns Jones House, and the Birdsboro Community Center.

The recent workshop at SSPL began with a demonstration of how to properly wash wool from two different Scottish breeds of sheep. Each participant was encouraged to get their hands dirty for an authentic experience as they were reminded to stay mindful of water temperature to prevent felting of the wool. Participants then learned how to brush the clean wool to prepare it for the spinning wheel before actually attaching it. Then everyone had the chance to use a spinning wheel equipped with a Dealgan. During the workshop, participants also learned about historic Scottish sheep breeds and the efforts to conserve them.

This program was funded by the Juniper Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. The Juniper Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was established in 2010 by The Murray Clan Society of North America to support the education, promotion, and preservation of the history, heritage, and traditions of Scotland. Learn more about The Juniper Fund by clicking here.

Program attendees had access to spinning wheels, a spinning book for beginners, and fiber they could take home with them. The hope is that the class will inspire participants to keep this traditional craft alive. SSPL encourages crafters to stick with their projects by hosting craft nights every Wednesday from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.  During these programs, attendees can ask follow-up questions, connect with one another, and continue working on their projects. Additionally, two spinning wheels are available to check out from SSPL’s “Library of Things” for individuals to try their hand at spinning from the comfort of their own home.

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, find a creative outlet, or simply connect with others, spinning offers a wonderful opportunity to weave new stories into the fabric of your life. For more information about programming at SSPL, please click here.

Exciting changes are on the horizon for the Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) as it welcomes a new executive director! This moment in the organization’s journey was celebrated on Thursday, September 19th at a welcome reception in our lobby at Third and Court. The event not only marked the beginning of a fresh chapter for the orchestra but also served as a networking opportunity for local leaders and community members. 

Attendees included business leaders, philanthropists, and community advocates—all eager to connect and support the new executive director as he takes on this exciting journey. 

The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter, lively conversation, and the buzz of possibility. Guests mingled, sharing their visions for the future of the RSO and exploring how they could collaborate to enrich the cultural fabric of Berks County. David brought Hershey’s Symphony Chocolate paired with two tickets to see the orchestra, doubling as a fun treat for guests. 

David says, “I am really grateful to be here at this time and to do this work with you. We are excited about the upcoming new season, and we hope it brings some air back into the arts because the arts are vital to the health and vitality of our community.”   

David Whitehill, Executive Director, Reading Symphony Orchestra

Prior to David’s recent appointment, he served as president and CEO of ArtsinStark, a Stark County-wide arts council, in Canton, Ohio. Additionally, David served as the executive director for both the Asheville Symphony Orchestra in North Carolina and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in Maine. During his time in Asheville, David developed and oversaw the implementation of several signature Asheville Symphony programs, including the Asheville Amadeus festival. 

David also worked in Orange County, California, as an arts administrator with the Pacific Symphony, Laguna Beach Music Festival, and the Philharmonic Society. Read more about David’s bio originally published here. 

If you couldn’t attend the welcome party, there are still plenty of ways to get involved with the Reading Symphony Orchestra. Whether through attending performances, volunteering, or becoming a member, your support is invaluable. Click here to learn more about RSO. 

Here’s to a bright future for the Reading Symphony Orchestra, and to all the incredible opportunities that await in Berks County! 

READING, PA (September 11, 2024) – The 20 members of the 2024-25 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 on September 18th.

Monica Reyes, Vice President for Programs and Initiatives at the Community Foundation, explained, “The certificate program is designed to enhance or refresh the management and leadership skills of local nonprofit leaders right here in the community. It offers expert instruction from faculty at The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University, combined with valuable peer learning opportunities, allowing cohort members to connect and learn from one another.”

The 2024-2025 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 much of the cost of the program; however, each nonprofit contributes $500 for each participant. 

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. 

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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. More information is available at www.bccf.org. 

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

Here at the Community Foundation, we believe that every student deserves to participate in fun activities that also improve their lives. By making a grant to Muhlenberg School District’s Weightlifting Club, also referred to as the “Swole Club”, the foundation was able to provide funding to do just that.  

The Weightlifting Club, in collaboration with the Aevidum Club, was started to provide students with access to a new sport, a positive school culture of sportsmanship, and healthy habits. Engaging in weightlifting provides more than just physical benefits. Students learn to set goals, persevere through challenges, and celebrate their progress individually and as a team. The Aevidum club helps students to adopt cultures of care and advocacy, encouraging all members to have their friends’ backs.  

“We are very excited and grateful for these funds and look forward to supporting our students in our Aevidum Club and Weightlifting Club,” says Zachariah Milch M Ed., Licensed Behavior Specialist at Muhlenberg School District. 

The grant specifically provided funding for lifting equipment, tournament fees, and culture-building trips.  

By providing funds for weightlifting equipment, this grant lifts the weight off the shoulders of students who lack access due to financial constraints to weightlifting. The funding was made possible by the First United Church of Christ Mission Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. This fund supports organizations and causes that were important to the mission of the First United Church of Christ in Reading, PA. One of the church’s causes that was important to them was to support programs and initiatives that help children from Berks County participate in activities that their families would not otherwise be able to afford. To learn more about the First United Church of Christ Mission Fund what other causes are important to this fund, click here.

Congratulations! You’ve received a grant from Berks County Community Foundation. This is an acknowledgment of your project’s potential and a testament to your hard work. This is a significant milestone, and we are excited to support you on your journey. What comes next?

Before you receive the funding from us, you are required to submit a grant agreement form. This agreement details the responsibilities of Berks County Community Foundation and your organization (grantee). This form must be completed within 30 days of the date of the initial offer email. This form can be submitted through our online portal.

After successfully submitting your grant agreement form, you have the option to share your results with the community. If you decided that you’d like to share on your website or social platforms, be sure to take the time to celebrate, share your results, and acknowledge the funding source.

You can find more information about this by following our guide. You can download a copy of the guide by clicking here. There are guidelines on how to correctly write the name of our organization and use our logo. Click here to find templates and download our logo.

Receiving a grant is a great achievement and an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in our community. By understanding the terms of your grant, effectively managing your project/program, and reporting on your progress, you set the stage for a successful outcome. We are here to support you every step of the way. Here’s to sparking positive change that your project is bound to bring!

If you would like more information on the specific funding you received, contact Jen Heydt, Communication Manager.

Did you know that August is Make-a-Will month in the United States? While preparing a will might be a task that most dread, it is important for those left behind. A will is a document usually prepared by your attorney to ensure your final wishes are established. Preparing a will can provide peace of mind for you and for your family.  

Berks County Community Foundation can help to ensure that your charitable goals are met after you’re gone. Working with the Community Foundation offers a unique and powerful way for individuals to make a lasting impact in their community by creating a charitable fund through their will. 

For three decades, staff members of the Community Foundation have had the honor of meeting with individuals and families as they prepare their wills. Participating in these discussions includes learning about each person or family and the causes most important to them.    

An easy and meaningful way to support those causes and organizations that align with your values and passions is by establishing a fund with the foundation. This can be done by including a provision in the will that directs a specific asset or portion of your estate to the Community Foundation, which will be used to establish a named fund in your memory or in honor of a loved one. 

The process of creating a fund through a will is simple. You can work with your attorney to include language in your will that directs assets to the Community Foundation. You can also consult with our staff to determine the most appropriate type of fund for your charitable interests and goals. Once the will is executed, we will work with your executor or personal representative to establish the fund according to the instructions provided in the will. 

Creating a fund at the Community Foundation through your will not only provides a way for you to make a lasting impact in your community, but also offers a range of giving options. Funds may be established to respond to the most pressing needs in the community, to support a general field of interest, or to benefit a specific organization or multiple organizations.  

Knowing that you have a plan in place can provide significant peace of mind. Creating a fund ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It can also be a way for you to make a difference in the lives of others, even after you are gone.  

In honor of Make-a-Will month, feel free to contact us with any questions about your estate plans by emailing give@bccf.org.   

Berks Teens’ pregnancy prevention initiative, a program of Co-County Wellness Services, announced a significant decrease in teen birth rates in Berks County. Carolyn Bazik, Executive Director, recently shared the exciting news with funders in the community. This announcement is based on the newest data that has just been received from the Department of Health, from 2022. 

A community health needs assessment done in 2012 clearly outlined the need to do something impactful. Berks Teens, formerly Berks Teens Matter, was formed in 2014 to reduce teen pregnancy by 40% by 2022. Modeled as a collective of private and public stakeholders and as an initiative of Co-County Wellness Services, the goal was to develop and implement a plan, programs, and practices to reduce teen pregnancy. Many community partners lent support to the initiative from its inception including Berks County Community Foundation, United Way, Wyomissing Foundation, The Kindness Coalition, and Senator Judy Schwank. 

Since the program began in 2014, the teen birth rate has declined by 60.3% in the city of Reading and 56.5% in the county.  

“There had never been any programs in our community aimed at primary teen pregnancy prevention,” said Bazik, “or programs that taught youth the importance of postponing pregnancy until they were emotionally and financially capable. But there were a lot of programs that assisted teens after the birth of their child.”  

Berks Teens created a peer education group at Reading High School and a virtual group throughout the county. The Youth Ambassador program focuses on educating teen volunteers on things like consent, healthy relationships, birth control, and sexual health and follows the principles of comprehensive sex education. The Youth Ambassadors educate their peers and other youth throughout the community. They work with adolescents at programs like the Olivet Boys and Girls Club and create health campaigns at school.  

Berks Teens also started a Health Resource Center, funded by Access Matters, and based in Reading High School. They also conduct educational training in the community on things like “Giving the Talk”, “Supporting LGBTQ Youth”, and “Being an Askable Adult”. 

These numbers show that the investments that have been made and continue to be made are paying off!  Through increased education and awareness, birth rates are impacted, and for the first time in 12 years, the county’s rate is better than that of the United States. 

Carolyn Bazik said, “We knew when we began that the results would be slow in coming, but with continued efforts at raising awareness, the support of other community organizations, and the growing success of the Health Resource Center at the high school, we are making a difference.” 

This initiative was funded in part by support from multiple funds, including Arrow International Scholarship Fund, Bill Woolworth Memorial Fund for Berks Teens, Community General Hospital Fund, Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund, Home Health Care Foundation Fund, Kim and Kevin Murphy Fund, and the Power of the Purse Fund, all managed by Berks County Community Foundation. For more information on Berks Teens or Co-County Wellness Services, contact info@cocounty.org.

Imagine the daily challenges faced by a mother trying to provide the best for her child with disabilities. Accessibility issues can turn simple tasks into daunting obstacles. For one local mother, the dream of a reliable vehicle and a lift hoyer* seemed out of reach, but thanks to the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, this dream has become a reality.  

The purpose of the fund is to help to defray the costs of treating and correcting physical differences in children residing in Berks County who are either without parents or whose parents are unable financially to meet such expenses. Clara M. Schlegel originally established a trust fund in 1984 which required using an Advisory Board to award grants. The structure of the fund made it difficult to administer; at that time, prior to the creation of Berks County Community Foundation in 1994, there was no well-known charitable organization model in Berks County with an affiliated group to identify community needs.   

By August of 2000, an advisory board was created, including Kevin Murphy, president of Berks County Community Foundation, as a member. Kevin’s involvement on the advisory board included transferring the fund over to the foundation to start facilitating the distribution of grants. Since the time the Foundation has been managing the fund, the Arthur O. and Clara Schlegel Memorial Fund has distributed over 1.1 million dollars in grants in Berks County, overseen by the advisory group and Community Foundation staff members, myself included.   

Recently, a mother submitted an application to request an electric lift hoyer and assistance with purchasing a reliable vehicle. Jayvien, a 13-year-old male diagnosed with sickle cell anemia and Lowe syndrome, travels to Philadelphia every 3-6 months to see a specialist.  Due to recent car problems, appointments were missed and/or rescheduled. Jayvien also requires total assistance with transportation transfers and daily life activities. Jayvien’s mother and his grandmother have been helping, but using a manual lift is unsafe.   

After reviewing the request, I knew that this application should be presented to the advisory board for consideration. The Community Foundation has a solemn obligation to honor the donor’s intentions set forth when establishing their fund. I knew this fund could make an impact on this family.  

The committee approved the grant with the instructions to find a car through a dealership rather than a private owner and send the funds directly to the dealership towards the purchase of a reliable car, so that Jayvien can safely and reliably make his appointments in Philadelphia. The committee also approved the grant request for the electric lift hoyer.   

I met with Jayvien’s mother at the dealership, and she was grateful for the funding that was available to help her family. She said, “I truly appreciate all that you guys do. It has left a huge imprint in my heart, not so much the material things, but the root core of what the foundation stands for. The fact that this will help Jayvien as well as my family means the world to me, and I hope to be able to give back to the foundation to forward the help to families like mine. My family and I are forever grateful. Thank you so much!”   

The recent funding provided to the mother in need for her son with disabilities is a powerful testament to the ongoing impact of the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund. It’s a story of compassion and sparking change in the community.   

You can spark change in the community by creating a fund. Learn how you can do this by clicking here. To give to the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund, click here.   

  * A hoyer lift is a patient lift used by caregivers to safely transfer patients. It can be used for lifting patients from the floor or onto a healthcare bed. The lift also can assist in other surface-to-surface patient transfers, such as moving from a bed to a bath or chair.  

PITTSBURGH –  (July 23, 2024) – Green Building Alliance (GBA) will launch its newest program, Resilient Communities, in Meadville and Reading, Pa., providing both communities with a range of services to help reduce energy demand, cut utility costs, and increase energy efficiency and resiliency for the municipal buildings, commercial facilities, and nonprofit and educational institutions within each region.

The Resilient Communities program is made possible through support from the Metropolitan Edison/Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund (Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund).

Offered at no cost to participating community partners, the three-year Resilient Communities program of services will augment larger community and economic goals by enabling buildings, infrastructure, and the entire communities of Meadville and Reading to be more resilient to the effects of extreme weather and emergency events; reduce energy and water utility costs; and facilitate making each community safer, more affordable, and attractive to residents, business owners, and prospective investment.

Working with Meadville and Reading project partners, GBA will:

“We are grateful to the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund for making this expansion of GBA’s work into the communities of Meadville and Reading possible,” says GBA COO Chris Cieslak. “By investing in building infrastructure, this project will equip both communities for energy and resource stability in the face of unforeseen emergency events and market volatility. It will also facilitate modifications to reduce utility costs and make each community’s buildings safer, more affordable and more attractive to residents, business owners, and to capital investment.”

GBA will work with community partners, including Generation180 who also was awarded 2024 support under this fund. Generation180 inspires and equips K-12 schools in PA communities to adopt clean, renewable energy and improve energy reliability. With support from the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, Generation180 offers free technical assistance to schools in PA communities interested in exploring solar energy. Schools can utilize solar energy systems with battery storage to create resilient campuses that can keep schools operating and support community needs during grid outages and extreme weather events.    

“Generation180 is thrilled to work with GBA and Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund to help K-12 schools in Reading, Meadville, and throughout Pennsylvania access the benefits of clean, affordable energy,” stated Shannon Crooker, Generation180 Pennsylvania Director. “There’s never been a better time for schools to take advantage of the historic federal grants and incentives to install clean energy technologies that support healthy, resilient communities.”

The Resilient Communities program builds on GBA’s successful work in Erie, which has logged a shared utility savings of over $17 million across 20 public-private partners since partnering with GBA. GBA provided technical guidance and support for the development of the City of Erie Central Fire Station’s solar grid and battery project, allowing the fire station to serve as a community resilience hub in the event of climate disaster or grid outages. The fire station’s on-site solar array produces over 100% of the station’s energy needs, while battery storage guarantees uninterrupted emergency management operations during an outage. GBA has also partnered with Forest Hills Borough, which enacted a net-zero ordinance for their community. Forest Hills is leading the way for other communities by conducting wide-scale energy retrofits in its eight-property portfolio and recently completed one of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s first net-zero buildings.

“We’re excited to support GBA and Generation180’s work to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout Pennsylvania,” says Davitt Woodwell, chair of the advisory committee for the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund and former president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. “The committee wanted to drive sustainable energy solutions that will leave a positive impact on our communities and saw no better way than to make grants to two organizations that are already making huge impacts across the state.”

“The City of Meadville is excited to be named a Resilient Community and for the good work that is sure to result from the partnership with GBA,” says Autumn Vogel, City of Meadville Councilmember and liaison to the City’s Environmental Advisory Committee. “This program will help us achieve goals set in our Climate Action Plan for a safer, healthier, more resilient Meadville. Through this partnership, we’ll get much needed support to make improvements to our aging building stock, making the people of Meadville safer and more comfortable in their homes and buildings, while helping residents, community partners, and local businesses save money. It’s a win-win-win. We’re eager to get started and grateful for the opportunity.”

“I’m very excited to partner with the Green Building Alliance. This partnership will increase our capacity and provide critical technical assistance to our community partners, businesses, schools, and our staff as we are working towards our Reading for 100 goal of 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050,” says Reading Mayor Eddie Morán. “The City of Reading and many of our community partners have begun the transition process, and working with GBA will help facilitate and expedite a just transition. We are big fans of Erie’s success and are looking to duplicating it in Reading.”

Media Contacts:

Laura Ellis, Green Building Alliance, 412.952.7844, laurae@gba.org

Erica Caceres, Berks County Community Foundation, 610.685.2231, ericac@bccf.org

About Green Building Alliance:

Green Building Alliance (GBA) positively transforms the world through the built environment to create a sustainable, healthy, and just future for everyone. As Western Pennsylvania’s authority on sustainable design, GBA drives the market for healthy communities while equipping designers, manufacturers, developers, and policymakers to catalyze systemic change. GBA manages the largest 2030 District in North America (the Pittsburgh 2030 District), and in 2019, established Pittsburgh as the 2nd International Center of Excellence on High Performance Building in the world. GBA partners across Western Pennsylvania, with strategic alliances including the 2030 District Network, United Nations and International Living Future Institute.

About The Metropolitan Edison/Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund

The Sustainable Energy Funds were created as a result of electric utility deregulation and subsequent settlement agreements by Pennsylvania Electric Utilities. The funds are designed to promote the development of sustainable and renewable energy programs and clean-air technologies on both a regional and statewide basis. Two of those funds, the Metropolitan Edison Company Sustainable Energy Fund (Met-Ed Sustainable Energy Fund) and the Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund), began distributing money in the form of grants, loans, and equity investments for a variety of projects within the territories originally served by the two electric companies. The two funds share an advisory committee and are commonly referred to in the singular as the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund. Since inception in 2000, the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund has approved 279 grants totaling $7,209,518; 51 loans totaling $25,161,087; and three equity investments totaling $1,600,000. Total funding since inception is more than $33.9 million.

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.