You are likely aware that many families, organizations, and agencies in our community are struggling, and you may be wondering how you can help most effectively. Whether increased community needs are triggered by a budget impasse, government shutdown, or other economic factors, the Community Foundation is committed to helping you structure charitable giving plans that make a real difference in the lives of people in Berks County.
Here are a few examples of how our team can help:
Real-time identification of needs.
The program team at the Community Foundation has its finger on the pulse of which organizations are helping families in crisis, and which organizations are hurting the most due to state and federal funding gaps. Nonprofits in our community can be stretched thin by attempting to meet the rising demand for support. The foundation knows where dollars are most needed and how those dollars translate into immediate impact.
Offering fast and flexible charitable solutions.
If you have already established a fund at the Community Foundation, or if you are considering doing so, you can use it to support charities on the front lines in our community.
Leverage important timing.
The urgency of community needs in late 2025 coincides with an important window of opportunity for people who itemize their income tax deductions. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), limits on charitable deductions will tighten in early 2026. That means it may be advantageous for certain donors to give more this year-by establishing or adding to a fund—to maximize both tax benefits and impact.
Plan for the future.
The Community Foundation works with you and other donors and fund holders to strengthen our community’s ability to respond to urgent needs, regardless of when and why they occur.
We encourage you to reach out anytime.
At this moment, when urgent needs and tax opportunities are occurring simultaneously, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. It is our honor to work with our community members who care so deeply about Berks County.
Let us help you help others.
What are your plans? What do you need to get started? We’d love to have a one-on-one conversation with you anytime you want to talk.
“We simply don’t know what to expect,” Garrigan said. “It’s a very uncertain and worrisome time.”
Safe Berks is one of many organizations in Berks County feeling the pinch from the budget impasse, which makes it impossible for the state to make billions of dollars in payments to nonprofits, schools, local governments and other organizations that provide services to residents.
Garrigan explained that about 75% of funding for Safe Berks is dependent on local, state and federal funding, some of which is federal money that passes through the state before getting to the agency.
Due to the budget impasse, which has resulted in a stoppage in funds of between $75,000 and $100,000 a month, Safe Berks has been forced to deplete its cash reserves and rely on a line of credit.
If funding is not soon restored, Garrigan is fearful the agency may have to tap into some investments, risking further harm to its financial future.
“The line of credit is great to have as a backup, but the interest on it is horrible,” Garrigan explained. “What happens if this keeps going and we run out of our reserves?”
Shutting down the agency, she emphasized, is not an option.
“We absolutely cannot close down,” Garrigan said. “There’s just too much need in our community.”
Beth Garrigan, Safe Berks CEO, in her office at the agency’s headquarters.
Work of Safe Berks is ‘Multi-Layered and Complex’
Gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, Safe Berks has served tens of thousands of women, men and children seeking escape from sexual and domestic violence.
The services that Safe Berks offers are tested and proven, Garrigan said, although many people are unaware of the depth of the organization.
“A lot of people think we’re just a shelter, but the work we do is multi-layered and complex,” she said.
A women studies a red silhouette representing a victim of domestic violence.
Looking Ahead with Apprehension
Although it’s nearly impossible to plan programming or anticipate the agency’s capacity to provide services, Garrigan and others are tentatively looking toward the coming year.
“We’ll try to maintain the bare minimum in staffing and we’re looking into how to generate additional streams of revenue,” Garrigan shared.
Nine of the agency’s approximately 60 employees have already been laid off, and others are seeking other employment as they anticipate that further cuts may be necessary.
“To have to let go of people who are doing this work from their hearts is incredibly difficult,” Garrigan said. “Those layoffs were the hardest thing I ever had to do.” Garrigan said shelter residents and other clients are sensing the uncertainty surrounding the agency, resulting in a general sense of unease. “I thought the time during Covid was bad,” she said. “This is worse than Covid.”
Walkers participate in a Silent Witness event sponsored by Safe Berks.
‘This is Just Devasting’
Echoing leaders of other area nonprofits, Garrigan praised the Berks County community for stepping up in times of need to support organizations that serve them and their neighbors.
“Community support is big in Berks County, and we have a strong donor base,” she said.
She remains concerned, however, that many people are unaware of the precarious situation service organizations are facing due to the four-month funding delay.
“We’re fighting so hard, and this is just devastating,” Garrigan said. “A lot of people can ignore the situation because it doesn’t affect them, but this is impacting everything we do.”
Even if the legislature passes a budget tomorrow and the delayed money is released, there will be a lag time until funding reaches community organizations.
“We’re going to keep doing what we do as well as we can,” Garrigan said. “We’ve been working in this community for a long time, and we know that our services are needed. I just hope we don’t get so deep into debt that we can’t get out of it.”
by Susan Shelly McGovern
On any given day, there are hundreds of men, women, teens and children experiencing homelessness in Berks County.
Some have been without homes for months – even years – while others are homelessness for the first time.
They are teenagers who have aged out of foster care, and parents who have lost their jobs and ability to provide for their families.
They are veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, and mothers with children who have fled abusive relationships.
They are men and women battling substance abuse and its surrounding issues, and working families desperate to stay together, but unable to afford the high cost of housing.
Sixteen percent of those identified were under the age of 18, 25% were 55 or older and 38 individuals were U.S. veterans. They were sleeping in tents, cars, emergency shelters, transitional housing, under bridges and on city benches.
The tent of someone staying in a local homeless encampment.
Berks Coalition to End Homelessness (BCEH) “At a Stalemate”
Jack Williams, executive director of BCEH, said major uncertainty regarding how much federal funding may be available, and when, makes it impossible to plan for 2026 or beyond.
“We’ve basically come to a stalemate,” Williams said. “We can’t make decisions or enter into contracts, because we don’t know what’s happening with the funding we rely on.”
BCEH is an umbrella agency that oversees services to Berks County residents and works with a network of area nonprofits that receive federal funds for a variety of projects.
While federal funding has increased in recent years, officials worry that proposed cuts and conditions placed on funding may badly jeopardize the work they’re able to do in the future.
A problem this year, Williams explained, is that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has not yet released guidelines for next year’s grant applications, which normally are due at the end of September.
Unable to even complete an application for funding leaves agencies completely in the dark, unable to know what to expect. Most agencies, however, are anticipating funding cuts.
Volunteers cut children’s hair during a back-to-school community event sponsored by Family Promise of Berks County.
Reading Housing Authority “Preparing for Changes”
Lorena Keely, chairwoman of the board of commissioners for the Reading Housing Authority, which works to assist individuals and families find permanent housing, agreed that future funding and policies are uncertain, and cuts may be imminent.
“We’re trying to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s happening at the federal level, and we share the concerns of other agencies,” Keely said. “If what we’re hearing is being discussed comes to fruition, we need to figure out what that means for the people we serve.”
Specifically, representatives of the housing authority are concerned about a federal threat to end support for Housing First programs, which enable people to attain permanent housing without having to first meet certain conditions, such as employment or mental health treatment.
That would disproportionately affect people struggling with chronic, long-term homelessness, Keely explained, placing additional strain on agencies addressing housing issues.
There also is talk of instituting a two-year voucher program, which would put a time limit on assistance for eligible participants. While Reading Housing Authority has received no notification of such a limit, officials are working to stay on top of reports.
“We’re preparing ourselves as much as possible for any potential changes,” Keely said.
Tents provide shelter for unhoused people in Berks County.
Family Promise of Berks County Facing Severe Cuts to Operating Budget
Anticipating its 20th anniversary next year, Family Promise of Berks County’s future is uncertain as it faces the possibility of severe cuts in federal funding.
“Unfortunately, 70% of our budget comes from federal funding,” said Jill Glose, executive director. “It’s absolutely critical to what we do.”
Family Promise provides housing for families in crisis for 90 days while also providing crucial case management services and assistance in finding jobs and permanent housing. It also runs a program for homeless youth and supplies rent and utility assistance for eligible applicants.
Glose remains hopeful that federal funding will come through for next year. If it does not, she said, Family Promise’s ability to serve clients will certainly be impacted.
“The amount of need has absolutely increased, and it’s harder and harder to keep up with the support we can provide,” Glose said.
Luis Ruiz Lopez, a former caseworker for Family Promise of Berks County’s U Turn program, poses with a client who’s just been given a bicycle to use for transportation. The U Turn program serves teens who are experiencing homelessness.
Determined to Continue Serving Clients
While it’s difficult to remain optimistic in the face of looming budget cuts likely to adversely affect a large number of individuals and families, leaders of local agencies addressing housing and homelessness are determined to keep working for those they serve.
“We can’t give up,” Williams said. “We have to be prepared to pivot and do what we can to make sure the least number of people possible get hurt by all this.”
Keely said Berks County has a long history of agencies with common goals working together – something that will benefit everyone.
“We’ll put our heads together and seek solutions the best we can,” she said. “Our commitment to the people we serve is not going to change.”
The council helps clients improve reading skills and language proficiency, prepares them for employment, helps students achieve high school equivalency certification, provides workforce development and works with permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
Suddenly, however, the future of the organization appears uncertain as it anticipates federal funding cuts for its next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
“I never thought we’d be in this position,” said Ryan Breisch, executive director. “We’ve relied on federal funding since it was authorized in 1987.”
WIOA funds account for about 20% of the literacy council’s total budget of $760,000, with other funding coming from the United Way of Berks County, the state, private donations, fee-for-service work with area businesses and an annual fundraising event.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA funds are intended to improve the nation’s workforce system by helping people attain high-quality jobs and careers while also assisting employers in hiring and retaining skilled workers.
And that, said Breisch, is exactly what the funding accomplishes.
“That funding pays for classes for students working to improve English proficiency skills so they can obtain employment or advance to higher paying jobs,” he said. “And it helps us to keep the lights on in our classrooms and pay our staff members so we can continue to meet the needs of our community.”
Clients Are Seeking Better Lives
Breisch, who has been employed by the literacy council for 30 years and has served as executive director since 2010, said people who find their way to the organization are self-motivated and prepared to work hard to advance.
“They want to make a better life for themselves,” he said. “And that ultimately results in better circumstances for our entire community.”
Breisch spoke of Gabi, who moved from Brazil and, with help from the literacy council, was able to graduate from nursing school and obtain employment in the health care field.
Bob Libutti, a long-time volunteer and former board president of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, tutors student Jin Chen.
He related the story of Juan Pablo, an industrial engineer who, with his American wife and children, moved to Berks County from Mexico in 2002 to care for his ailing father-in-law. Able to speak only Spanish, Juan Pablo sought help from the council, became proficient in speaking and writing English, and landed a meaningful job that he’s held for 17 years.
“We have thousands of success stories,” Breisch said. “And when people are successful, they can contribute to the success of others.”
Uncertainty Makes Planning Nearly Impossible
Ongoing uncertainty about its budget for next year has made planning for 2026 nearly impossible, according to Breisch.
On top of not knowing what will happen with its federal funding, Literacy Council staff worry that Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse could eventually result in adverse financial consequences.
And, explained Breisch, if federal funding does come through for 2026, which at this point is by no means guaranteed, it’s unclear what conditions may be attached to it.
“We aren’t giving out student handbooks at this point because we don’t know what classes we can include in them,” Breisch said. “And we’re planning on only doing a half-year budget for 2026 for now because we have no clue what will happen after June 30.”
Ryan Breisch, executive director of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, is worried that potential cuts in federal funds could cause program disruptions.
While the current uncertainty is disconcerting, the Literacy Council continues to look forward to its move from its current headquarters in West Lawn to Tec Centro’s building at 450 S. Sixth Street in Reading. The move is tentatively planned for January.
The rent they will pay for the new space should be substantially less than costs for upkeep of its current building, which the Literacy Council owns, Breisch said. And funds from the sale of the current building will allow grant money to be applied for education rather than to pay for rent or building upkeep.
“We’re worried about a lot of unknowns right now, but we’re also excited about moving and working more closely with Tec Centro and the clients it serves,” Breisch said. “We’ll keep doing what we do to the best of our ability.”
At the Community Foundation, we want to improve life in Berks County by connecting its residents with accurate information.
What do these cuts mean for Berks County residents, nonprofits, businesses and donors?
The impact of federal funding cuts, government shutdowns, and the state budget impasse are beginning to be felt on a local level.
While philanthropy helps create vibrant and healthy communities, it is not designed to replace the stability of federal or state investments. Affordable housing, food security, access to education, workforce development, affordable healthcare and much more depend on federal dollars. When that funding is stripped or halted, we risk a reduction in essential local services.
Local philanthropy has never and will never be able to fill the void of government funding.
Why Stories of Impact?
As a community foundation, we hear directly from the Berks nonprofits, agencies, businesses and individuals how federal cuts impact their capacity to serve the community. To connect Berks County residents with accurate information, we’ve engaged a local freelance reporter to elevate the voices of those impacted and shed light on the real-world effects of these budget changes on local organizations and individuals.
This research has been captured in the form of articles that you can read below.
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Note from Monica Reyes, VP for Programs and Initiatives: Opinions expressed in the Government Cuts, Local Impact Series do not necessarily represent those of Berks County Community Foundation.
Click here to read the bio of our reporter, Susan Shelly McGovern
Susan is a freelance writer, editor, and researcher.Over the course of a long and varied career, Susan has crafted thousands of articles, written or contributed to more than 50 books, generated copy for advertising and marketing firms, edited a variety of manuscripts, researched corporate histories and generally applied her skills to whatever projects presented themselves.
But what Susan has enjoyed the most is telling stories.
As a feature writer for the Reading Eagle, area colleges and universities, health care systems, treatment centers and others, Susan has had the opportunity to tell the stories of first-generation college students, people struggling with addiction, veterans, business executives, health care workers, educators, patients dealing with serious illnesses and people who have triumphed over adverse circumstances.
As a long-time, invested resident of Berks County, Susan has witnessed some of the challenges local people experience with food insecurity, homelessness, incarceration, alienation and other extremely challenging situations. She has worked with agencies including New Journey Community Outreach, Opportunity House, Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, Family Promise of Berks County and Connections Work.
by Susan Shelly McGovern
Helping Harvest vans are frequently seen at community events in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
Maria has always worked hard to make sure her children have enough food and other necessities. There seldom was extra, but they always had enough.
When Maria, of Reading, was diagnosed earlier this year with Stage 5 kidney disease, however, the single mother didn’t know what to do. Unable to work, faced with medical bills and receiving only 60% of her wages through short-term disability insurance, having enough food for her family was suddenly a very frightening uncertainty.
Volunteers distribute food to neighbors at a Helping Harvest Mobile Market.
Fortunately, Maria reached out and was able to secure immediate assistance from Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, a community resource serving Berks and Schuylkill counties. That help has given her family access to adequate food supplies as they wait for their application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be processed and, hopefully, approved.
But that ability to provide immediate and adequate aid for those in need is becoming increasingly difficult, according to Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest and board chair of Feeding Pennsylvania, an organization that promotes food banks within the state and assists them in obtaining necessary resources and support.
Cuts in federal funding for food distribution programs made earlier this year are straining the ability of food banks across the state and nation to continue supplying resources to those most in need.
Worrall said federal cuts resulted in a loss of $3 million to Helping Harvest, equivalent to about 15% of the food it distributes annually.
Those cuts, coupled with stalled state funding caused by Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget impasse and impending cuts to SNAP, are resulting in trying times for Helping Harvest, Worrall said.
SNAP benefits could be reduced by as much as $11 million in Schuylkill County and up to $26.8 million in Berks, according to Worrall, affecting thousands of families. In addition, it is unclear whether the recent shutdown of the federal government, which was still underway at the time this article was written, might have long-reaching implications for the future of Helping Harvest.
Volunteers pack food boxes in Helping Harvest’s warehouse in Spring Township.
“Demand for our services continues to increase, but we’re left with fewer resources to meet those needs. The worst of the SNAP cuts haven’t even taken place yet, but people are anticipating them and already looking to us for extra help. It’s the perfect storm and it’s making our work very difficult,” Worrall explained.
Helping Harvest recently announced cuts to some of its programs in Schuylkill County, starting in November. The food bank will stop providing food to about a dozen pantry and mobile market sites, a move Worrall attributed to federal funding cuts and the state’s budget impasse.
A Helping Harvest volunteer gives local students fresh fruit to take home.
Although the food bank has made some organizational changes and altered the way it processes and distributes food to try to make up the shortfalls it’s experiencing, it is unable to keep up with decreased funding and increasing demand.
“We’re working to close that gap, but we’re not going to make up $3 million in one year,” Worrall said. “We’re going to have very serious challenges to overcome.”
While the future of funding for Helping Harvest and other food banks is uncertain, Worrall is looking forward and trying to remain optimistic.
He pointed to the potential of Helping Harvest’s Community Kitchen that opened in August in downtown Reading, explaining that the kitchen makes it possible for large-scale food donations to be repurposed into thousands of individual meals for people in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
“That’s a real help in getting meals out to people who need them,” Worrall said. “It’s wonderful how the community came together to support the Community Kitchen and make that possible.”
Volunteers and staff assemble ready-to-eat meals at Helping Harvest’s new Community Kitchen.
In these very uncertain times, Worrall will continue to look to the Berks and Schuylkill communities for support. It is urgent, he said, that the needs of everyone at risk for hunger – especially children – are addressed and met.
“Think what it would be like to not have enough food for your kids,” Worrall said. “I can’t imagine that, and I don’t want anyone else to have to, either. We’re going to need all the help we can get, but Helping Harvest will continue to serve the people who need us the most.”
Balancing immediate and long-term support for your favorite community causes
At Berks County Community Foundation, we’re committed to working with individuals, families, and businesses to help make a difference in the causes they love.
Many people who establish funds have at least a general idea of the impact they’d like to achieve. If you’ve established a fund at the foundation, or if you are considering doing so, you might already have charities and priorities you want to support.
Our team can help you achieve your charitable goals. These goals include giving to charities you’ve already supported and introducing you to new initiatives and programs within your interest. Our program officers are experts in their areas of focus and have the latest information on community needs.
Here are some questions to consider:
Do the causes and issues that matter most to you address short-term, immediate community needs, or long-term needs that will impact future generations?
Would you like your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones to help advise your charitable fund in the future?
Would you like to see the results of your giving now, or are you comfortable with your legacy taking shape beyond your lifetime?
When you think about your charitable impact—whether in five years or fifty—what would make you feel your fund or funds at the Community Foundation accomplished their purpose?
Please reach out anytime. Together, we can craft a charitable giving plan that honors your unique vision. Whether you’re aiming to create a lasting legacy, make an immediate impact, or both, we are here to help.
READING, PA (October 1, 2025) – Berks County Community Foundation has elected three new members to its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025.
Steven Fritz began his career in Reading as a CPA with EY (then Ernst & Whinny,) and was employed by VF Corporation for 30 years in positions which included General Auditor, several division CFO/COO roles, President of Jantzen and finally, Preside of VF Outlet.
He has served on the board of Luthercare of Lititz, as well as the board of a medium-sized manufacturer located in Reading, PA. Previous NFP board roles included the Berks County Chamber, RiverPlace, and Berks Economic Partnership.
Julia H. Klein is a retired entrepreneur and the former Chairwoman of C.H. Briggs Company. She is an independent board director at Eastern States Group, the College of Wooster, and an advisor with the Delaware Valley Family Business Center.
Julia is a former director of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, former board chair of Berks County Community Foundation, and many other business and philanthropic boards.
Rabbi Brian I. Michelson is the rabbi of Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom in Reading, PA, where he has served since 1998. Previously, Brian spent six years as a rabbi at Temple Beth Israel in Melbourne, Australia. In 2017, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity by the Hebrew Union College in honor of twenty-five years of service to the Jewish community.
Brian serves as a chaplain with the Reading Police Department and as the Jewish chaplain at the Reading Hospital. He is president of Easy Does It, Inc. and the past chair of the Home Health Care Foundation. He has served as a member of the board for Opportunity House and Berks Youth Chorus. He is one of the founders of “A Common Heart” Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim Dialogue. Brian was awarded the Franciscan Prize by Alvernia University in 2016.
Board members may serve three, three-year terms.
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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.
We’re honored to work with so many individuals, families, and businesses to make a difference in the causes you care about. Philanthropy isn’t just about wealth—it’s about values, habits, and improving the quality of life in our community. This philosophy guides our work with donors across generations. We hope you enjoy this month’s insights and tips.
We are Here for You: Four Reasons to Call the Community Foundation
In an economic and legislative environment full of unpredictability, we encourage you to tap into the knowledgeable team at the Community Foundation – perhaps even more than you have in the past.
If you’ve already established a fund at the Community Foundation, you’re familiar with many of the ways we make charitable giving easy, flexible, and effective. This allows you to achieve your goals for improving the quality of life in our community as well as fulfilling your own estate planning and financial objectives.
Not quite sure when to reach out to the Community Foundation? If any of these situations applies to you, drop us an email or give us a call!
1. You promised yourself at the end of 2024 that you’ll never again get caught in a year-end crunch.
The last few months of the year are always hectic with holiday activities. When you layer on the added stress of tax planning and completing the charitable giving plans you set back in January, you might tip the scales from hectic to chaotic! The foundation staff can help organize your year-end charitable giving early, so that it achieves both your financial and philanthropic goals.
2. You’re concerned about recent drops in funding to local charities, but you’re not quite sure about what you can do to help.
The Community Foundation is Berks County’s home for charitable giving. That means that we have a finger on the pulse of our community’s needs and the nonprofits that are addressing those needs. Our team can provide recommendations for how you can help fill the gaps in funding that have affected local organizations.
3. Your tax advisor has suggested that 2025 is an important year to increase your charitable donations, but you don’t want your gifts to favorite charities to suddenly spike and then drop again.
For the small percentage of people who itemize deductions on their individual income tax returns, 2025 may indeed present opportunities. Our team is happy to work with you and your tax advisors to structure gifts to a fund at the Community Foundation. This will ensure that you’re leveraging tax advantages while also maintaining consistent support year after year for the causes that are important to you.
4. You’re updating your estate plan and want to leave money to charity, but you’re not exactly sure what charity you want to support.
Please reach out to Berks County Community Foundation anytime you are updating your estate plan or related financial documents, such as beneficiary designations on IRAs, life insurance policies, or retirement accounts. Our team is happy to work with your advisors to make sure you’re exploring the tax benefits of using various types of assets to fund your charitable intentions.
Whatever your charitable giving situation, we are here for you! Whether you’ve already started a fund at the Community Foundation or you’re considering getting involved, we look forward to our conversation.
The Met-Ed/Penelec SEF distributes funds to promote the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, energy conservation and efficiency, and projects that improve the environment in the Met-Ed and Penelec service territories. The Met-Ed/Penelec SEF is co-managed by the Berks County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, respectively.
The funds are seeking nominations for the following positions:
Weatherization
Commercial Customer
At-Large
The Advisory Board consists of no fewer than seven and no more than nine positions. Board members can serve six two-year terms. The Advisory Board meets four times per year on a quarterly basis. Meetings are typically held via Zoom, with the possibility of in-person meetings within the Met-Ed and Penelec rate districts.
For consideration, candidates should meet the following criteria:
Be a resident of Pennsylvania that is affiliated with the Met-Ed or Penelec rate district.
Have interpersonal skills that foster a creative and positive work environment for Board meetings.
Have the ability to work with fellow board members and fund staff to evaluate incoming projects and programs for their mission-fit, participate in technical and financial due diligence discussions, and determine project impact.
Have demonstrated experience in working with Pennsylvania’s sustainable energy sector.
Interested candidates should submit a brief letter of interest and a resume to Emily Smedley (Berks County Community Foundation/Met-Ed) or Mark Keim (Community Foundation for the Alleghenies/Penelec.) Their contact information is below. The letter should provide details on how the candidate fulfills the nomination criteria and the skills they bring to the advisory board. The resume should provide contact information and the candidate’s educational and work experience.
Nominations should be submitted by Friday, November 7, 2025.
All candidates will be notified via email upon receipt of their letter of interest and resume. The advisory board will submit the successful nominee(s) to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission for final approval.
Contact Information
In the Met-Ed rate district, please contact Emily Smedley:
Environment and Energy Program Officer, Berks County Community Foundation Fund Manager, Met-Ed Sustainable Energy Fund Emilys@bccf.org
In the Penelec rate district, please contact Mark Keim:
Program Officer, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Fund Manager, Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund mkeim@cfalleghenies.org
This announcement is made in keeping with the best practices of the Pennsylvania Sustainable Energy Board (PASEB) and is being distributed on the websites of the Public Utility Commission and the Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, as well as relevant newsletters and other sources. This notice may be forwarded to interested parties.
