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Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund

The Power of the Purse (POP) in Berks County Fund awards grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek the education they need to do so. For many women, employment is not only a matter of empowerment; it’s a matter of survival. Barriers such as the ability to afford adequate childcare, a lack of transportation, a gap in skills, limited access to dental care or healthcare, or a lack of information about their options keep some women and girls from reaching their full potential.

If your organization makes a difference in the lives of women and girls in Berks County by helping them discover or navigate their way to gainful employment, and ultimately, self-sufficiency, we encourage you to apply for a grant from the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund.

All proposals will be reviewed by members of the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund committee, who will conduct site visits as appropriate (and virtually as necessary) in March and April. Final grant decisions will be made in late April, with funds available after May 15. 

The Power of the Purse (POP) committee is a women’s giving circle. The dedicated group of women meet several times a year to learn about barriers women and girls face in Berks County. They have visited local organizations that work to break down those barriers, listened to expert speakers, and made thoughtful decisions about how best to help using their own resources.

Four meetings per year:

Meeting 1 – Learn. Listen to a local expert who works directly with women and girls who are working to rise from poverty.

Meeting 2 – Review. Read reports from the previous year’s grants and begin the application review process for the current year.

Meeting 3 – Give. Hear feedback from each site visit leader, get questions answered, and vote to see which organizations will receive grants that year.

Meeting 4 – Celebrate. Gather with other members as well as representatives from the organizations that were awarded grants to honor the impact those grants will have.

7 Reasons to Join Power of the Purse

Improve the Lives of Women and Girls in Berks County

Women have a huge impact on our families, community and the next generation of both women and men.

The Power of the Purse has focused on funding programs that help break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek the education they need to do so.

Just scroll down to see the list of grants we’ve given to organizations that are doing important work.

Participate in Research-Based Philanthropy

With Power of the Purse, you can rest easy knowing your dollars are spent in a responsible, effective way. Our funding process starts with a discussion of local issues affecting women and girls and continues with an evaluation of and site visits to programs aimed at improving their lives.

Magnify Your Impact

Through the power of collective giving, your annual gift has the added impact of gifts from dozens of other women. Nowhere else can a relatively modest gift do so much to assist organizations and the women and girls they serve.

Tailor Your Involvement

Whether you prefer just writing a check or also becoming deeply involved, you’re free to do as much or as little as you like, and you can evaluate your involvement every year.

Learn About Issues and Philanthropy

Power of the Purse is an opportunity to learn about the needs of our community and how to effectively address them.

Meet Like-Minded Women

Whether you’re a newcomer or a Berks County native, Power of the Purse helps you connect with women in our community and beyond. Share your expertise, learn about pressing issues and build lasting relationships with new friends.

Leverage Operating Costs and Expertise

As an initiative of Berks County Community Foundation, Power of the Purse benefits from their years of experience and financial stewardship.

Get Involved In This Initiative

Donate to This Fund

If you would like to donate via Credit Card, click below to donate now. You can also check out our Ways to Give page to review other methods for donating.

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To Apply

The Power of the Purse in Berks County accepts applications from late November until late January. Specific dates vary from year to year.

To Apply

Current Funding Opportunities

Description

Deadline & Cycle

Region Served

Interest

Field of Interest Fund

Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund

Grants support programs that improve the quality of life for women and girls in Berks County.

November 23 - January 27

Region Served

Berks County

Interest

Individuals in Need, Healthcare and Public Health

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

The Power of the Purse has focused on funding programs that help break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek the education they need to do so.

2025: $70,000

  • $15,000 to Safe Berks to help eliminate barriers that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault face in obtaining and/or maintaining employment by providing direct support and financial assistance for education and employment needs.
  • $15,000 to Helping Harvest to focus support on low-income women during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum to provide a box of healthy, vitamin-rich foods.
  • $15,000 to Reading Science Center to provide access to a wide spectrum of hands-on science investigations, professional female role models and field trips that inspire young women with the confidence and skills to prepare for careers in the sciences.
  • $8,000 to Literacy Council of Reading-Berks to help female residents of the community participate in the Gateway to Citizenship Program.
  • $8,000 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries to provide career guidance, skills training, and mentorship and to introduce women to industries and roles that align with their interests and abilities.
  • $6,399 to Co-County Wellness to help educate teens to make healthy and informed choices to postpone pregnancy and plan their futures.
  • $3,500 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning to provide female students ages 10-45 with any disability category a safe space to talk about their bodies, rights, safety, and self-advocacy with staff and community experts.

2024: $75,000

  • $10,000 to Connections Work for a program to provide transportation, ID’s, and work-related clothing to remove any barriers to employment for individuals with justice involvement.
  • $8,500 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries for staff training in Trauma Informed Care.
  • $3,000 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for their Girl Talk 101 program that creates a safe space for female students ages 10-45 with any disability to talk about their bodies, rights, safety, and self-advocacy with staff and community experts.
  • $5,000 to Literacy Council of Reading to supply resources such as bus passes to enable female participants the opportunity to participate in Literacy Council classes.
  • $3,750 to Mary’s Shelter to provide housing and supportive services to homeless unaccompanied youth.
  • $15,000 to Opportunity House to offer financial assistance to empower women and ensure entry into permanent housing.
  • $10,000 to Reading Science Center to provide STEM opportunities through hands-on programming for girls in Berks County.
  • $15,000 to Safe Berks to help eliminate barriers that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault face in obtaining and/or maintaining employment by providing direct support and financial assistance for education and employment needs.

$4,750 to VOiCEup Berks to send Berks County youth to a national youth leadership conference to foster leadership skills.

2023: $56,000

  • $11,000 to Clare of Assisi House to support a grief counselor, nutrition/wellness/yoga instructor, and to purchase program supplies.
  • $15,000 to Safe Berks to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with education and employment needs.
  • $8,000 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries to support transportation and childcare to eliminate barriers to education, healthcare access, and employment.
  • $10,000 to Berks Connections Pretrial Services for programs to help women with criminal records in Berks County get jobs and housing.
  • $2,000 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for its Girl Talk 101 program.
  • $3,500 to Mary’s Shelter for the STRONG program, which helps youth develop independent living skills.

$6,500 to VOiCEup Berks toward its Stand Together Against Racism (STAR) program, which addresses racism and injustice through education, dialogue, and projects which are started, supported, and facilitated by youth.

2022: $55,400

  • $12,000 to Safe Berks for the “Education, Employment, and Empowerment Program,” which helps eliminate barriers that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault face in obtaining and/or maintaining employment. Direct costs to be covered for education and employment needs include program or application fees, books and supplies, childcare, transportation, and employment prerequisites such as photo identification, birth certificates, physicals/health-related costs, tools, uniforms, and technology to obtain education goals.
  • $10,000 to Berks Connections/Pretrial Services to remove obstacles to employment and education for women who were formerly incarcerated. Direct costs to be covered include bus passes, money for ride-hailing services, work boots, tools, and mobile phone minutes.
  • $10,000 to Opportunity House for the “Mom and Me Moving Forward through Education and Employment” program, which will have a social worker begin facilitating a Career Education & Exploration Program for girls who attend Opportunity House’s Learning Center. The program will include field trips and first-hand experiences. The social worker will also offer a financial counseling program to parents of children who attend the center (primarily single mothers).
  • $7,439 to Reading Science Center to expand its offering of female-focused STEM work with specialized programming to reach girls from underserved and underrepresented families.
  • $6,561 to Clare of Assisi House for its Workforce Development Program for non-violent women who are transitioning into the community from incarceration. In its application for a grant, Clare of Assisi House included research showing women who were formerly incarcerated have much higher rates of unemployment and are less likely to have a high school education than men in a similar situation.
  • $5,400 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries to run the Pathway to Progress program that helps mothers who are single and homeless overcome barriers to employment and financial stability by providing assistance with transportation, childcare, and education and training fees.
  • $2,000 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for its Girl Talk 101 club for girls ages 10 to 21 with any disability category. The club will be a safe space where the girls will talk about anything related to their bodies, rights, safety, and self-advocacy with staff and community members who are subject matter experts.

$2,000 to Literacy Council of Reading-Berks to increase literacy skills among women, who will then be more employable and better able to advocate for their children with schools and other public institutions/systems.

2021: $44,680

  • $12,200 to VOiCEup Berks for its Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading In-School Leadership and Service Program. The program provides opportunities for middle school girls in Reading to be involved in community service projects that are combined with an educational aspect. The program demonstrates to students their capacity to change their lives and their community through their choices and actions. Projects the program has previously completed include a school-wide anti-drug meme contest, a school-wide PSA on teen suicide, and an initiative to provide feminine hygiene products to girls in need.
  • $10,000 to Safe Berks to run the Education, Empowerment, Employment program, which provides survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with support and financial assistance for education, transportation, childcare, job searches and more.
  • $6,880 to Clare of Assisi House to run an assistance program for non-violent women who are coming out of prison. The program purchases laptops, funds a 12-week financial education workshop, produces marketing brochures for local employers, and provides access to an employment specialist.
  • $6,000 to Grey Muzzle Manor Sanctuary, Inc. for girls participating in the organization’s new Stable Moments program. Grey Muzzle Manor is a nonprofit sanctuary for senior animals and animals with special needs. The organization started the new Stable Moments program to provide mentorship and equine-assisted learning to children in foster care and those adopted from foster care.
  • $5,000 to Girls on the Run of Berks County to help girls in grades 3 through 8 in schools around Berks County to be joyful, healthy, and confident by using a fun, experience-based curriculum, which integrates running and other physical activity.
  • $4,600 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries for the Empowered for Life Financial Program, which provides financial literacy training and individualized financial plans for residents of the transitional housing program for homeless mothers.

 

For information about previous grants, please email grants@bccf.org.

We're here for you.

Want to make a positive difference in your community? Need to know more about giving back, starting a fund, or getting funding? Contact Cindy Milian, Health & Human Services Program officer.

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