The “Attend, Achieve, and Be a Champ” program, funded by the Berks Initiative for School Attendance (BISA) Improvement Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, is focusing on student tardiness and attendance at Northeast Middle School.
Launched in early 2024, this program helps students who may have issues with punctuality. Natalie Smith, the program coordinator, states, “Students were chosen for the Attend, Achieve, and Be a Champ program based on their overall tardy rates. They were invited to the program when they were tardy at least twice per week and prioritized by their arrival time.”
On Wednesdays, students gather to learn about attendance laws, school policies, and practical tips for arriving on time. The program’s approach is multifaceted, focusing on education, personalized planning, and incentives. A key component of the program is the Attendance Improvement Plan. Natalie notes that this plan allowed each student to consider their own barriers to getting to school on time and improve their attendance. The students were expected to share the plan with their parents/guardians and return the plan to the school social workers.
The results have been encouraging. Natalie explains, “A total of seventy-seven students were invited to the program. Fifty-eight of those students invited attended the program, with an attendance rate of 75%. With the fifty-eight students attending the Tardy Program, there was a 31% improvement rate.”
Incentives played a crucial role in motivating students. The BISA Improvement Fund allowed the school to purchase various rewards, including bracelet-making kits, door basketball hoops, gift cards, and fidget toys. They even addressed specific barriers, stating, “We also purchased alarm clocks to be given to students who specifically stated that not having an alarm was a barrier to getting to school in time.”
The program didn’t stop at student engagement. Parents and guardians were brought into the loop, often learning about their child’s tardiness for the first time. As Natalie mentions, “Prior to each weekly program, we would contact the parents/guardians to gain their approval for students to participate in the program. This was also our opportunity to engage each family to inform them of the number of days students were tardy and any barriers that need to be addressed.”
The “Attend, Achieve, and Be a Champ” program is possible thanks to the BISA Attendance Improvement Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. This fund is dedicated to supporting initiatives at Berks County’s public schools that improve attendance.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 school year, the team at Northeast Middle School is eager to build on their success. They plan to identify at-risk students earlier and provide more intensive support where needed. Natalie states, “Our goal for the school year will be to identify students with consistent tardies in the first thirty to sixty days (about two months) of school. We will enroll them in the afternoon program, and if attendance is not improved within ten school days, we will engage the students through case management, provided by the school social workers, and offer incentives.”
By tackling tardiness head-on, Northeast Middle School is setting its students up for success. If you have a program that can set up students for success, please apply for the BISA Attendance Improvement Fund. Click here to learn more about the fund and how you can apply.
READING, PA (July 29, 2024) – Berks County Community Foundation has elected two new members to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024.
Dr. D. Michael Baxter is a graduate of the Temple University School of Medicine. After nearly 30 years, he retired from his position as Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Reading Hospital in 2019. Since then, he has served on numerous community non-profit boards and currently volunteers as a physician at the Berks Free Medical Clinic and Faith Care Medical Clinic.
Tricia Ludgate is a Certified Financial Planner with 34 years of experience. She has established a reputation for expertise and dedication in guiding individuals and families toward their financial goals. Tricia received her BS in Business Management from Kutztown University, complemented by Masters-level courses at American University of Financial Planning. Her volunteer and board service work includes Co-County Wellness Services (Past-President); Power of the Purse Fund of Berks County Community Foundation (Past-Steering Committee member); Berks County Elder Abuse Task Force; Immediate Past-President of Estate Planning Council; and Financial Planning Association (FPA) – Tri-State Chapter. Her passion for helping others extends beyond finances, as evidenced by her active involvement and dedication to community and financial literacy.
Board members may serve three, three-year terms.
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.
The Community Foundation manages more than 380 charitable funds. Each year, those funds distribute scholarships and grants to support local students and assist a variety of nonprofit organizations and causes. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford received one of 22 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence for a rooftop solar array on the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.
This project was funded in part by support from the Metropolitan Edison/Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund, which is managed by Berks County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies respectively. Since its inception in 2000, this fund has awarded more than $33.9 million to sustainable energy projects in the area served by the Met-Ed and Penelec service territories in Pennsylvania.
The Metropolitan Edison/Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund granted $230,000 to support the installation of a 100 kilowatt-plus solar array on the rooftop of the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.
“Pitt-Bradford is committed to environmental and economic sustainability as well as providing leadership and service to our local and regional communities,” said Richard Esch, president of Pitt-Bradford. “This project not only generates energy to help supplement the power needs of the Duke Building, it also provides an educational tool for our campus and the community about the importance of sustainability and renewable energy.”
This solar array was installed and working in March 2023 and to date has generated over 60 megawatt hours of green electricity for Pitt-Bradford. In addition, the solar array is the largest rooftop solar array in the University of Pittsburgh system, and it provides over 40% of the Duke Building’s electricity.
More details on the project are available here.
Over our 30-year history, we have had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of people who wanted to make a difference in their community – to give back in support of a cause about which they cared deeply or in honor or memory of someone they loved or admired. Thousands of grants representing millions of dollars have been distributed in Berks County thanks to the foresight of those donors who trusted Berks County Community Foundation with their charitable gifts. Every year or two, we update the Funds for Grants and Scholarships brochure, which lists the funds currently available for grantmaking and scholarship awards.
Feel free to browse the funds brochure to learn more about how donors have supported individuals and organizations in our community – everything including animals, arts & culture, education, environment & energy, health & human services, neighborhoods & economic development, public safety, scholarships, and youth sports. You may find an opportunity for funding or inspiration for establishing your own fund.
Change starts with a spark. Your spark. We’re here to help – please reach out with any questions or ideas.
Thanks to the DentaQuest Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, an elementary day care center was able to provide a dental care program for their students.
The grant will provide reimbursement to a dental professional for providing oral health services, on-site, to children enrolled in Riverview Christian Early Learning Center (RCELC) as part of an Oral Health Story Kit pilot program. While the Oral Health Story Kit provides oral health education to childcare staff, children, and families, there is a need for direct services and for families to obtain a dental home for ongoing oral care. A dental professional has agreed to provide the direct services described.
Jenn Angstadt, Executive Director and Minister of Mentoring and Outreach of RCELC says, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide exceptional dentistry at our school through generous funding. We are overjoyed through faith and community partnerships that this was able to be accomplished and provide so many little ones with quality care. We owe it all to God who has paved the way for our success and growth.”
The benefits of this program extend far beyond the immediate provision of dental care. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to better nutrition. Moreover, the presence of a dentist at the day care center opens opportunities for community engagement and education. Parents and caregivers receive valuable information on maintaining oral health at home, and the day care center becomes a hub of health and wellness in the community.
Berks County Community Foundation, Berks Community Health Center and the Early Childhood Resource Center are working together to make this program available to other early learning facilities, but we need dental professionals. If you are a dental professional and would like to be part of the program, please email me at cindym@bccf.org.
Providing opportunities for nonprofit organizations to thrive is a big part of what we do at Berks County Community Foundation. One great example is the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program that the Foundation hosts in partnership with The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University. This fall, join the Community Foundation and instructors from The Nonprofit Center at LaSalle University for a ten-month professional development opportunity designed exclusively for Berks County’s nonprofit executive directors and high-potential staff members who are serving in full-time, paid positions.
The program includes:
This will be the third cohort of nonprofit executives to experience this program, which runs every other year.
Molly McCullough Robbins, Berks County Community Foundation’s Vice President for Philanthropic Services, was a member of the 2020 cohort while serving as Executive Director of Wyomissing Area Education Foundation. “Participating in this cohort was incredibly beneficial for me as a nonprofit leader. Not only did I learn valuable skills and best practices for the field, but I made connections with other nonprofit professionals in our community that I value to this day,” Molly said.
Applicants must be employed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The cohort is limited to 20 participants.
To receive the certificate at the end of the program, attendance of all nine classes is required.
Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is July 22, 2024. Decisions will be made by August 9, 2024. The cost of the program is $500; scholarships or grants toward the cost are not available. Payments are due by August 30, 2024. Please click here for the full schedule.
*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.
Here is a summary of the curriculum for this professional development opportunity: Unless otherwise noted, these sessions will be in-person and 6 hours in length (9am-4pm).
Building the Board Your Organization Needs (bring a board member session)
If a board can make or break a nonprofit, what makes or breaks a nonprofit board? There are countless tales of triumph and terror on the topic of nonprofit boards and board members. With surprisingly few legal guidelines to follow, boards can look, feel, and function very differently from one another, even when they have the same assumed purpose. This class aims to explore what your nonprofit board’s role must be, what your board’s goals could be, and what it means for board members to be effective, both collectively and individually. Whether you are a long serving, aspiring, new, or simply curious board member, this course will give you a contextual view of nonprofit boards, governance, and a fresh look through an equity lens at the balance of power between boards, executive leadership, and the people and communities they impact.
Communication to Build Relationships, Engagement & Understanding
Communication is one of the most essential skills for individuals at every level of an
organization, from entry-level through senior management. As we learn to communicate more effectively, we create and maintain a more open and productive work environment. Effective communication can help enhance engagement, foster understanding, and build constructive relationships with co-workers, donors, volunteers, board members, and
supervisors/supervisees. This class will expand your understanding of communication and teach you how to put this knowledge into practice. You’ll learn about different communication styles and how you can communicate and work more effectively with others, including those who have different approaches to communication, are from a different generation, or are resistant to change/new ideas. We’ll also provide a framework for how to engage in difficult conversations to address challenges and pursue opportunities to improve your outcomes.
Effective Strategic Planning for Today’s Nonprofits (bring a board member session)
How does a nonprofit plan effectively during changing and uncertain times? In this class, you will learn modern approaches to strategic planning that will strengthen your nonprofit’s ability to pursue its mission in rapidly changing conditions. We’ll explore techniques for assessing your environment, gaining clarity on changing community needs, and developing strategies that can be adapted to meet new opportunities or challenges over time. This class will show you how to build a plan that will drive strategic thinking across your organization, helping your plan to stand up to unexpected changes both inside and outside your organization.
Fundamentals of Human Resources
Too few nonprofits have a dedicated human resource professional on staff. Yet, the minute you have a staff member, or are even thinking of hiring your first staff member, it is imperative that someone in the organization understands the essential human resource responsibilities, regulations, and laws. Because workplace laws guide and control much of what we must do with employees, this class covers the major workplace laws and the legal principles that govern the employment relationship. It will explore the importance of good policies and procedures in creating an effective working environment and introduce some of the most common and challenging HR responsibilities: the performance management cycle; development and management of compensation strategies; and effective guidelines for hiring the right people.
Understanding and Growing Leadership Capacity (online session, 9am-3pm)
Effective leadership doesn’t happen by chance or accident; it comes from thoughtfulness, intention, effort, and more. It is a journey, not a destination. Nor is it manifested in one form or in one personal style – it’s present in many. Leadership starts with the personal. Everyone loves to talk about their own or someone else’s “leadership style,” but the reality is if you have just one way to demonstrate leadership you will never be an effective leader. Effective leaders have a toolbox filled with styles and strategies for success. This class will take you through a series of reflective exercises to help you understand what leadership is—and what it is not—and where you see yourself as a leader—or not. Leadership is also a culture, and an abundant resource! This class will provide a tour of different approaches to leadership to help you identify the tools your organization needs to empower
leadership, at every level.
Basic Budgeting and Beyond (session is 3 hours, 9am-12pm)
Do you struggle to prepare your annual budget, lack 100% confidence in it when submitting it to the board, consistently approve it after the fiscal year begins and regularly have actual-to-budget results that you didn’t anticipate? Then this class is for you and your team. Budgeting is a complex, dynamic process that takes a team to effectively prepare, present and perform to. In this class you will learn the seven things you should do to create an annual budget and how to successfully fulfill its promise. From planning a process to presenting your budget, you’ll have it covered after attending Basic Budgeting and Beyond.
Financial Forecasting: Informed By the Past; Built for the Future (session is 3 hours, 1pm-4pm)
A strong financial management process is essential to a nonprofit’s well-being. In times of
concern and uncertainty about the economy and the prospects for funding, the ability to perform accurate and timely financial forecasting becomes indispensable. Day to day challenges, such as gift restrictions, adherence to mission, fixed and variable expenses, call for the skill to accurately forecast cash flow, while being adaptable to changing conditions. The result is a stronger and more resilient organization. This class will explore the basic inputs required to develop and evaluate financial projections for your organization. Understanding how and when resources are available to your organization will not only enable you to guide policy and programmatic decisions but also assist you in strategically planning your organization’s growth and sustainability.
For more information, please contact Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer: kims@bccf.org.
When I started at the Community Foundation 27 years ago, I spent 60% of my time marketing the foundation to professional advisors – attorneys, accountants, trust officers, and financial advisors.
The foundation was only three years old, so no one knew much about what a community foundation was or the fact that there were already 32 community foundations in Pennsylvania and 800 nationwide.
Many of the advisors thanked me for the introduction to the Community Foundation but made it clear that their professional practice did not include estate planning, and they would probably never be able to refer someone. Even so, over the past 27 years, many of those advisors who thought they would never have a client who would be able to work with the Foundation have since helped their clients establish funds with us.
I was not raised here, but one of the things I love about Berks County is the philanthropic nature of the community. I have witnessed firsthand people rallying to support a nonprofit organization that was struggling financially or a family or individual in need of help. The people I see helping are not high wealth individuals. They are regular folks who want to make people’s lives easier. You don’t see that in every community.
What I have found even more special is the inconspicuous nature of giving in this community. We established the Franklin Society over 15 years ago, – a legacy society to recognize those who have considered the Community Foundation in their estate plan. When we work with individuals on setting up a testamentary fund (one that will be funded upon their passing), we always ask if they would like to join the Franklin Society.
Since the Community Foundation was founded 30 years ago, 55 funds have been established as an estate bequest. We have worked with 90 other individuals who have named the Foundation in their estate plans.
Of those donors, we still only have twenty members of the Franklin Society. Berks Countians don’t give for recognition; they give to make sure something happens to benefit their community.
Even through economic downturns like 2008, the community did not stop giving. Those that could give gave more because they knew others were struggling.
It is that kind of philanthropic spirit that makes Berks County a special place.
Reading, PA (June 14, 2024) – The Innovation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation supports collaborative projects focused on improving environmental health and climate resiliency in Berks County. Projects that include collaboration across sectors and opportunities for partnership building were prioritized.
The first grants have been awarded from The Innovation Fund, which was established in 2023 with support from the Conservation Equity Fund and the Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund of Berks County Community Foundation:
“The grants awarded will provide essential resources to support local projects that address critical environmental challenges, promote sustainable practices, and enhance the overall resilience of our communities to the impacts of climate change,” said Emily Smedley, environment and energy program officer at Berks County Community Foundation. “The Innovation Fund was the result of group meetings and one-on-one interviews with community members, and review of several trusted local reports. Those conversations and research determined where grant funding should be focused to maximize community impact.”
To learn more about The Innovation Fund, please visit https://bccf.org/funds/the-innovation-fund/.
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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, ericac@bccf.org / 610-685-2231
In June 1994, I was hired as the first employee of Berks County Community Foundation. The foundation was a scrappy startup when it was founded 30 years ago. In its first full fiscal year, we were able to award four grants. Berks County and the Community Foundation have come a long way since then.
The idea of a community foundation for Berks County came from the Wyomissing Foundation. One of their board members was involved with the Triangle Community Foundation in North Carolina and asked why Berks County didn’t have a community Foundation. Alfred Hemmerich, a board member of Wyomissing Foundation, was particularly excited by the idea of a community foundation when asked why one did not exist in Berks County. Alfred took it upon himself to explore how community foundations worked and whether it would be possible to start one here.
And so, in June of 1994, Berks County Community Foundation began. The original board included members who were well-respected in Berks County. Although the Community Foundation was a brand-new organization with no track record, the board members’ reputations, along with the blessing of the Wyomissing Foundation, gave the community confidence in this new endeavor. People began to give money because they respected the civic leaders who were involved.
Fast forward to 2024. We now manage about $140 million in assets and nearly 400 funds that award grants and scholarships. Thousands of grants and scholarships have been distributed, totaling over $79 million, since our founding 30 years ago. Looking back, it is difficult to pick one grant, one event, or one initiative that makes me most proud.
The Community Foundation team works hard to bring organizations and individuals together to collaborate and create positive change, to provide more opportunities for nonprofits to thrive, and to inspire our residents to give to the causes about which they care the most.
A lot has changed in 30 years. But, for the Community Foundation, our mission to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County remains our North Star.
Want to stay up to date on the next 30 years at the foundation? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
In March 2023, the Berks County Commissioners released a study about public health in our community. The report had four recommendations on how Berks County can support a healthier community. Leading the conversation are T.J. Huckleberry and Dr. Michael Baxter. I sat down with the two and had questions for them about the report’s recommendations. Get ready for insightful answers from experts in their field.
Q: The commissioners released a report that provided four recommendations on how to create a healthier Berks County. What were your initial reactions to the report?
T.J.: This is the first tangible approach our county leadership has made towards addressing public health and wellness. It’s a great first step!
Dr. Baxter: The authors, Health Management Associates (HMA) of Philadelphia, did outstanding work reviewing the health problems and needs of Berks County. Their review and comparison of major health issues confronting Berks and five neighboring counties as well as comparing Berks with Pennsylvania and U.S. data was particularly enlightening.
Four recommendations:
1. Create a Berks County Health Director position to lead public health collective action and coordination and serve as a trusted communicator about public health information.
2. Establish a Public Health Advisory Panel and appoint members who can advise on public health assessment, assurance, and policy activities.
3. Support the establishment of a “Healthy Berks” coalition to serve as a coordinating body for public health efforts in the county.
4. Create a Berks County Health Data Analyst position to improve Berks County-specific public health data completeness and accuracy
Q: Why do you think it is important to educate the community on the report and its recommendations?
T.J.: These four pillars provide a blueprint for how we as a community can address and take control of our public health issues.
Q: If you had a magic wand, what are the top three wishes you would fulfill for Berks County to make it healthier?
Dr. Baxter: If I had to only choose three, I would like to see:
T.J.: In addition to what Dr. Baxter mentioned, I’d also like to see increased avenues for mental health awareness and services.
Q: What initiatives can be implemented to improve healthcare access for individuals in Berks County?
Dr. Baxter: Access for all health services is a top priority. Increase the number of primary care and mental health providers as previously noted, and implement approaches (involving our health care institutions, schools, and others) to make such access available and affordable. Explore school-based clinics as a high priority for the physical and mental health challenges, especially facing children and youth.
Q: In what ways can we address healthcare disparities among different communities within Berks County?
Dr. Baxter: One way we can address the disparity is to use the data available through this study and the Hospital Community Health Needs Assessments to address identified problems throughout the county. This would be a priority for a County Health Director and a County Health Data analyst.
Q: How can we promote preventive healthcare measures to ensure better health outcomes for all Berks County residents?
Dr. Baxter: Health disparities which include the Social Determinants of Health must be a priority for any successful efforts to improve the health/public health of all the people of Berks County. Resources need to be coordinated between health care institutions, educational and religious groups, and the media to shine light on issues, the people most in need and the resources to meet those needs.
Q: What collaborative efforts can be made to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Berks County?
Dr. Baxter: A top priority would be to see our major health care institutions truly work together to improve the health of our people, but I have been waiting over 30 years for that to happen. I would hope a County Health Director, if not the full impact of a County Health Department, could help achieve that. In addition, we have many excellent organizations including the United Way and the Berks Community Health Center that could join forces to address many of our health and social determinants issues.
Q: One of the county health report’s recommendations is to create a Berks County Health Director position. We were introduced to the functions and responsibilities of local health directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. When they aren’t addressing emergency public health issues, what are some of their day-to-day responsibilities?
Dr. Baxter: A County Health Director would collect and organize data (with the assistance of the Data Coordinator), set priorities based on needs, coordinate efforts, and energize support (including political advocacy) to get things done that make a true impact.
Q: How could the recommendations in the county’s report supplement the work of local hospitals and the community health center? How do they differ?
Dr. Baxter: Our local “not for profit” hospitals are required by law to conduct their Community Health Needs Assessments every 3 years. They take this process seriously and perform a very valuable service. However, they are not government bodies with the resources to change policy, invest in public funding or change the dynamics of our community. While they are responsible for improving health, much of their effort is focused on the emergency and acute care needs readily addressed by a hospital. They can assist in these public health efforts but that is generally not their primary function.
Q: About half of Pennsylvanians are served by a local or municipal health department. Why is it important for the county to have taken on the issue of public health in Berks County, when they commissioned this study?
T.J.: A public health structure in Berks County would place a magnifying glass towards the preventative health concerns facing our friends and neighbors while creating an advocate for state funding and support from Harrisburg and Washington to address these issues. Public health not only prevents and educates against the spread of diseases but promotes healthy living among our community.
Dr. Baxter: Although there are only 7 County and 4 Municipal Health Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, these departments cover a large proportion of the residents of Pennsylvania and, I argue, represent, in general, the economic hubs in PA. There is a direct link between health and economic success–healthy people in general are more economically successful and their communities are also more successful and vice versa. It is a responsibility of government then not only to promote the economic well-being of their communities but also the health of the residents of those communities. Government, with the support of the many resources that exist in their communities, is best poised to address the disparities and promote the policies that will build stronger healthier lives for all.
“Gaining insight into why it is important to have a County Health Department is the first step. Our goal is to educate the community on the benefits of a public health department. Fortunately, because of the Community General Hospital Healthcare Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, we were able to support a community conversation that our friends at Berks County Medical Society hosted. The conversation was held in September 2023 and gave residents a chance to ask questions about the four recommendations that resulted from the study. The study was released by Berks County Commissioners and conducted by Health Management Associates in March 2023. You can access the report by clicking here.”
Cindy Milian, Health & Human Services Program Officer