Every summer, Immanuel Preschool at Immanuel United Church of Christ (UCC) in Shillington welcomes eager youngsters for three weeks of fun and robust educational activities. This past summer, thanks to a grant from the First United Church of Christ Mission Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, kids could attend the summer camp for free. 

As many families struggle to meet basic needs, let alone afford enrichment activities for their children, the free preschool at Immanuel UCC lessens the financial burden while minimizing “summer slide.”

“The benefits of summer programming are invaluable to preschool aged and other young children. It not only helps to prevent the “summer slide” but provides a structured environment that may not otherwise be accessible for some families,” says Madison Kaley, preschool director at Immanuel Preschool.

Immanuel Preschool is filling a big need in the community by providing a summer camp that keeps kids learning over the summer, so they do not lose skills they developed during the school year. At summer camp, children will grow in confidence in social situations, early education, coordination, and skills.

Immanuel Preschool’s summer camp has been running for several years, and the program continues to grow. With this year’s grant, the camp was able to buy more classroom materials, crafts, and safety supplies, including free books for every student. The grant will also help cover the cost of hiring additional teachers and assistants to make sure all children get the support they need. 

Learn more about the First United Church of Christ Mission Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, here.

On November 6, Berks County Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. More than 100 civic leaders and community members attended the event, which focused on the evolving landscape of local journalism. The event started off with Kevin Murphy, president, and Monica Reyes, vice president for programs and initiatives, addressing the audience before introducing the keynote. 

Reyes said, “I’m proud to say that one of the Community Foundation’s largest philanthropic initiatives to date is our work on increasing local journalism.” Reyes’ remarks included details on how Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom based in Harrisburg that is dedicated to investigative and public service journalism for Pennsylvania, will launch a Berks news bureau in 2025.  

The event’s keynote speaker, Jim Brady, has been vice president of Journalism at John S. and James L. Knight Foundation since 2021 and oversees Knight’s journalism portfolio of more than $200 million. During his tenure, Brady has been instrumental in developing the strategic framework behind Press Forward, a $500 million effort to revitalize local news in the United States.  

Brady highlighted several successful examples of innovation in local journalism, including nonprofit news models, audience engagement strategies, and the rise of local reporting initiatives that cater specifically to each community. He stressed that developing trust between journalists and their audiences is essential for rebuilding the public’s faith in the media. 

Following Brady’s address, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer discussion and shared insights on how Berks County’s news landscape is evolving.  

Overall, the event was a success, sparking meaningful conversations and new ideas for supporting local journalism in Berks County and beyond. To learn more about Spotlight PA, click here.  

Reading, PA – October 9, 2024 – Berks County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the conclusion of its 3rd quarter grant cycle, which has successfully distributed vital funding to local nonprofits and initiatives dedicated to improving our community. 

In this quarter, the foundation awarded grants to a diverse range of projects focusing in areas of environment and energy, education, health and human services, arts and culture, and neighborhoods and economic development; supporting the impactful work of local organizations that improve the lives of Berks County residents.  

These numbers are a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to its mission to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. 

“Grants awarded are made possible by generous donors who give back to the community they love,” stated Molly McCullough Robbins, Vice President for Philanthropic Services. 

Moving forward, community members are invited to join the Community Foundation in sparking change. Here are two ways to get involved: 

  1. Give to an Existing Fund: Your contributions can help sustain the important work of established funds addressing specific needs within Berks County. 
  1. Create Your Own Fund: Whether you want to honor a loved one or support a particular cause or organization, the Foundation can help you to create a fund that reflects your passions and philanthropic goals. 

For more information on how to give or create a fund, please visit www.bccf.org, email Molly McCullough Robbins at mollyr@bccf.org, or call (610) 685-2223. 

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

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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.

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.”

Award applications were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, partnership, economic impact, consideration of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, as well as outcomes achieved.

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.

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 

Every year, Earth Day is celebrated across the globe with tree plantings, festivals, and various volunteer activities that remind us of our collective responsibility to steward the natural environment and limit impacts on the earth.  

The Berks County Earth Day Committee hosts an Earth Day celebration every year to bring the community together and educate about environmental and conservation subjects while encouraging participants to make sustainable choices. Thousands of people gathered in City Park on April 20 to enjoy live music and food from local vendors and participate in a range of educational activities from planting seeds and trees to litter clean ups to wildlife demonstrations.  

“The pure joy of seeing little ones bouncing from booth to booth, learning about our Earth, made my heart smile. They’re the future of our planet, and their enthusiasm gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow,” said Lazarely Martinez, a first-time attendee of the Earth Day celebration in City Park.  

The Youth Volunteer Corps held a table at the event that promoted planting vegetables in a bag. The bag was recyclable, and dirt was donated from Ridgewood Soils in Birdsboro. Kids of all ages were instructed to scoop dirt into their bags and then were provided with lettuce or spinach seeds to plant in the soil. Participants were encouraged to place the bags in sunlight and watered regularly. When leaves start to sprout, they can be cut and are ready to be eaten.  

“I like spinach because it makes me feel strong and planting it makes me feel like a farmer,” said Avian Robles, an 8-year-old student at Muhlenberg Elementary Center after planting his spinach planted bag.  

At the Community Foundation, our goal is to keep Berks County a beautiful place by supporting projects and programs that recognize the value of our open space and provide education on how to reduce our impact on the planet. The Earth Day celebration was made possible by the Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. This fund makes distributions to improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. This support not only benefits the present generation but also lays the foundation for a more sustainable future for generations to come. 

Berks County is home to hundreds of houses of worship in both the urban and rural areas, many built throughout the 1700s and 1800s. These buildings have been vital cultural vehicles that have helped knit the fabric of our cultural heritage for generations. But these sacred places are at risk, like many others across America. With this threat to Berks County’s sacred places in mind, it’s important to preserve the contributions that are being made in the community. Sacred places are ubiquitous in our communities, forming an integral part of social safety nets. This started the “Sacred Places” project to set out to build an inventory of the purpose-built sacred places within the city.  

Berks County Community Foundation is collaborating with Partners for Sacred Spaces, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that brings people together to find creative ways to maintain and make the most of America’s older and historic houses of worship.   

For more than five years, Partners for Sacred Places and Berks County Community Foundation have collected the history of local houses of worship, assessed the condition of the buildings and the stability of their congregations, and encouraged partnerships to preserve these sacred places. 

As a result, the Community Foundation will continue its partnership with Partners for Sacred Places in 2024 to provide its New Dollars/New Partners program. Several congregations spanning across denominations, locations, sizes, and missions – will have the opportunity to focus on building capacity to better serve their communities as anchor institutions, nurture transformation, and shape vibrant, creative communities.   

If you lead or volunteer with a congregation in Berks County, we invite you to a free informational session on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Berks Nature (575 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, PA 19607). 

You can register for the informational session by clicking here. In the months that follow, the New Dollars/New Partners training program will be available for congregations interested in participating.   

Funding for this project came from James P. Born, Sr. Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. The fund supports local houses of worship, interfaith dialogue, and inclusive programs for all children, including those who are underprivileged.  

We look forward to seeing you at the session and collaborating with places of worship in Berks County.  

READING (December 7, 2023) — Berks County Community Foundation recently approved $62,369 in grants to nine Boyertown area organizations through its Boyertown Area Charitable Program. 

These grants are distributed from the Boyertown Area Community Fund, which supports a variety of programs and organizations within the geographic area served by the Boyertown Area School District, and the Boyer Foundation Fund, which also supports Boyertown area health, social, recreational, and safety organizations. 

Since 1997, the program has granted more than $1,000,000 to over 60 Boyertown area organizations, providing much-needed support for a variety of causes. 

The fund awarded the following grants in 2023: 

Douglass Township Police Department received $2,439 to purchase medical kits for each patrol vehicle.  The supplies funded through this program will ensure the Douglass Township Police Department is equipped to aid residents of the Boyertown Area School District. 

Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue Company received $6,030 to purchase materials that will allow the regional fire chiefs a stationary area that can be out of the elements to operate at an emergency scene safely and effectively. 

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia received $5,000 to fund a trip to Disney World for an eight-year-old Boyertown resident. 

Greater Philadelphia YMCA received $10,000 to support programs at the Boyertown YMCA, including   the Youth and Government teen civic engagement program, the Special Olympics swim team, and the Active Older Adults programming for seniors. 

Reading Hospital Foundation received $1,000 for Gwen’s Closet at Reading Hospital. Through Gwen’s Closet, Reading Hospital staff provide new clothing at no cost to patients who need new clothes at the time of discharge and during their stays.  

Second Wind Bicycles received $12,000 for the Give a Bike, Change a Life project. Through this project, bicycles are fixed and distributed for free to those who need them the most, such as financially at-risk families, refugees, individuals in recovery, those struggling with homelessness, and children within the community. 

The S.P.A.R.K.S Foundation received $5,000 to bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programming to students across the Boyertown Area School District. This program will benefit youth through academic enrichment, providing future career opportunities and allowing youth to explore the realms of STEM while having fun.  

General Carl Spaatz Regional Army Air Corps Museum received $6,500 to preserve irreplaceable historical items and to provide Boyertown Area School District students with free guided tours of the museum. 

Studio B Art Gallery received $7,900 for its I Am: Proud of You and Me! project. This project will provide opportunities during community events for students and adults to create artistic responses to the sentence starter “I Am: Proud of You and Me because…” and culminate in an art exhibit, podcast episodes, and booklet of episode notes, news articles, activities, and a mural. 

To support future grants provided by the Boyertown Area Charitable Program, donations are always accepted. To learn more, contact Emily Smedley, Environment and Energy Program Officer, at emilys@bccf.org. or click here for more details. 

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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.  

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

Six-year-old Timothy begged his mother to let him take skating lessons after seeing one of the Reading Royals ice hockey games. Observing the players skate so quickly excited him. Timothy’s mother requested help paying for the skating lessons from the Royals Youth Hockey Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. Timothy started participating in the Royal’s Learn to Skate program not long after.  

The Royals Youth Hockey Fund of Berks County Community Foundation was started in 2023 by the Reading Royals Hockey Club to provide financial support to youth who want to participate in hockey lessons, camps, or leagues. 

“Hockey is a special kind of sport in which success depends on every single player pulling in the same direction and supporting one another,” says Dakota Procyk, Vice President of Operations at the Reading Royals Hockey Club. “This fund is a great opportunity to invest in the Berks County community and offers a chance for our local youth to get involved with hockey.”  

Young people’s development and well-being are greatly impacted by youth sports. Their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development is aided by them, and they provide a number of positive aspects, such as health and wellness, confidence, teamwork, and skill development. 

Recipients of the fund explained how the fund made a difference and gave them a spark of hope.  

“Receiving this grant has shown me we can still help each other. Cutting ice hockey out of our budget would have left a void in my son’s winter.”  

“This fund helped allow my son to continue to play the game he loves so much while allowing me a little breathing room with inflation.”    

Since the fund opened in July 2023, the Community Foundation has granted $12,535 to 18 children. The grants assisted with registration fees for several of the Royals’ youth programs, including Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, Youth League, and Selects Team programs. 

Funding can cover registration fees and equipment. Applicants can request a Slapshot Starter Kit, which includes hockey skates, pads, and a stick. Applications are open year-round.  

To learn more, click: Learn More 

To give to the Royals Youth Hockey Fund, visit: bccf.org/fund