Fund for Science Research Institutes
This fund supports Science Research Institutes serving students in Berks County schools.
St. John’s UCC Reading Fund
The St. John’s UCC Reading Fund supports organizations and causes that were important to the mission of the church. Grants support programs and initiatives that reduce hunger, offer shelter or improve housing, meet a pressing need for youth, or create or maintain open space.
Distributions are made in the following order of preference:
• Religious organizations or causes within a one-mile radius of 149 S. 9th Street, Reading, PA.
• Organizations or causes within a one-mile radius of 149 S. 9th Street, Reading, PA.
• Religious organizations or causes in the City of Reading.
• Organizations or causes in the City of Reading.
• Religious organizations or causes in Berks County.
• Organizations or causes in Berks County.
St. John’s was located at 149 S. Ninth St. in Reading. It was formed in 1871 as St. John’s Reformed Church of Reading.
In 2017, a majority of its remaining members voted to dissolve St. John’s United Church of Christ as a legal entity.
In 2019, the church filed with Berks County Court to transfer much of its assets to the Community Foundation and to give its building and some assets to Open Door Mennonite Church, Lancaster County, to establish the South 9th Street Mennonite Church in the building.
In 2020, the St. John’s UCC Reading Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was created to continue the church’s mission.
Albany Township Tomorrow Fund
The Albany Township Tomorrow Fund was created in honor of Pauline Levan Hamm and Gloria Longenberger Hamm and their lifelong efforts to support and improve the Albany Township community. The Fund provides grants to support community-minded organizations and initiatives that benefit the general population of Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The fund awards grants each year using the following considerations:
- Grant funding is to be for the general benefit of the Albany Township community and not for programs/activities restricted to members or beneficiaries of a single organization.
- Grants may not be made for the benefit of pre-identified individual residents.
- Grants benefiting youth education and advancement will be given priority.
- Activity-based programs will be preferred over facility/material support.
- Community enhancement/improvement programs will be preferred over support of existing programs/activities.
- Funding shall be used only for secular purposes. While religious organizations may be eligible for grants, the grant funding shall be used for the benefit of the general community, and not to advance religion-focused organizational goals.
- The activities funded by a grant must be completed and a grant report submitted within one year from the date of award notification.
Marlene L. Driscoll Fund
The Marlene L. Driscoll Fund was established to support programs that benefit residents of the Boyertown Area School District.
Military Assistance Fund
This fund supports charitable and educational programs and organizations that help those who served in any of the branches of the United States of America’s Armed Forces, National Guard, or Military Reserves. Questions? Email our Health and Human Services Program Officer, Cindy Milian, for details at cindym@bccf.org
Mount Penn Preserve Partnership Fund
Distributions from the Mount Penn Preserve Partnership Fund are for capital improvements that protect, promote and enhance the natural beauty, heritage and attractions of the Mount Penn Preserve.
The Mount Penn Preserve is a partnership of the governments of Berks County, the City of Reading, and the Borough of Mount Penn, and the townships of Alsace and Lower Alsace.
Explore the Mount Penn Preserve through an interactive map of points of interest and eateries. The map will be enhanced periodically, so check back! Once the page loads, use the arrow at the bottom of the screen to navigate through the points of interest.
Friends of the Berks County Emergency Response Team Fund
The Friends of the Berks County Emergency Response Team Fund was established in 2022 to support the mission of the team through the purchasing of specialized equipment and the funding of additional training for team members.
The Berks County Emergency Response Team (BCERT) was formed in 2007 and is comprised of highly-trained and skilled officers from throughout Berks County. BCERT has a tactical unit and a crisis negotiation unit. The team serves as a resource for local, state, and federal agencies in the management and resolution of special threats and high-risk incidents, including hostage situations, barricaded subjects, sniper situations, high-risk warrant service and apprehensions, special assignments, and active shooters.
Marian S. Snyder Fund
This fund provides grants to charitable organizations in Berks County that were important to Mrs. Snyder, including Kutztown University, the American Cancer Society, the Reading Public Museum, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, the Humane Society of Berks County, and Vision Resource Center of Berks County.
Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County
The Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County provides grants to support the needs of individuals who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
To qualify, an individual must:
- Be a Berks County resident.
- Be diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
- Be unable to pay for the costs of required treatment/equipment/expenses.
- Obtain confirmation of diagnosis from a medical provider.
- Obtain confirmation of need of requested item/service from social worker or specialist.
- Provide explanation of how the requested item/service will enhance or improve the quality of life.
Expenses that may be covered include both direct and indirect medical expenses and necessary, but ancillary, expenses related to cystic fibrosis treatment.
Gilmore | Henne Community Fund
The Gilmore | Henne Community Fund supports recreational park programs, improvements and maintenance in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Pools are not eligible. Wilson High graduates and NFL players John Gilmore and Chad Henne established the fund in 2010 to improve the community and the lives of children through the revitalization of parks and recreational facilities.
The Gilmore | Henne Community Fund was incubated at Berks County Community Foundation in 2010 and then became a full-fledged nonprofit with its own programs.
During its time as an independent nonprofit, Gilmore | Henne provided funding for programs at area parks and also renovated eight park facilities.
In 2017, the organization dissolved back into a fund of the Community Foundation. Becoming an endowed fund at the Community Foundation ensures the stability of the Gilmore | Henne Community Fund for generations to come. Only a portion of the endowment is drawn every year to fund programs at local parks. The rest of the endowment is invested to grow indefinitely as a community resource.
