Celebrating 30 Years
of Promoting Philanthropy and Improving the Lives of the Residents of Berks County.
30 Milestones for 30 years at
Berks County Community Foundation
Looking back, it is difficult to pick one grant, one event, or one initiative that makes us most proud. We have compiled some highlights from the past 30 years. You can find more highlights on the timeline featured in the center spread (pages 12-13) of 237 Court magazine.
View the magazineHighlights that make us proud.
1994 – Founding of Berks County Community Foundation
Berks County Community Foundation was founded on June 7th, with Al Hemmerich serving as first Board Chair.
2000 – Metropolitan Edison Sustainable Energy Fund & Capital Campaign for SPAC
Metropolitan Edison Sustainable Energy Fund was established, providing significant funding for environment and energy projects.
The Community Foundation raised $3 million in the capital campaign for Santander Performing Arts Center to restore the historic Rajah Theater on 6th Street in Reading, now called the Santander Performing Arts Theater.
2009 – New Headquarters and Conference Center building & Quier Fund established
LEED certified headquarters building opened in downtown Reading.
Hawley and Myrtle Quier bequest – the foundation’s largest gift to date – provided significant discretionary funds.
2023 – RM Palmer Crisis Response
West Reading Disaster Fund was established in partnership with United Way to provide grants in response to the explosion at RM Palmer chocolate factory.
A History
In commemoration of 30 years of philanthropy, (1994-2024), an organizational memoir written by Heidi Williamson, based on a series of interviews conducted with Kevin K. Murphy between January 2023 and June 2023 is now available. For three decades, we have been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in Berks County through philanthropy and community engagement. As we engage in this milestone, we reflect on the impactful partnerships and generous contributions that have shaped our journey, and we look forward to continuing our mission of sparking change for the future for our community. Thank you for being a part of our story.
A reflection of impact.
We now manage about $140 million in assets and nearly 400 funds that award grants and scholarships.
Thousands of grants and scholarships have been awarded, totaling over $79 million, since our founding in June of 1994.
Our knowledge is your power.
We’ve been creating change since 1994. The Community Foundation team works hard to bring organizations and individuals together to collaborate and spark positive change, to provide more opportunities for nonprofits to thrive, and to inspire our residents to give to the causes about which they care about the most.
