Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: “Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings.” ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Please continue to keep us informed of what's happening with you in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The information here comes from you, with links to our website for more complete information and resources. Send your events and updates to Kristyn: kristyn@bucksmontcollab.org. Thank you!

Warmly,

Kristyn DiDominick, Executive Director

Nadja Mummery, Program Coordinator

Board of Directors

Trauma 108: Trauma and Racism

Montco Community Health Assessment Findings: Community Conversation with Montco Office of Public Health

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Fair - All Are Welcome!

No Registration Needed

Scenario Planning in Uncertainty

Building Power Through Organizing and Base Building

Join as a nonprofit vendor!

Sign-up here

Event Stats at a Glance:

• 10,000 Attendees

• 13 States Represented

• 330 Recovery Walk

• 1,282 HOPE Sweatshirts Given Away

Replenishing Trust: Civil Society’s Guide to Reversing the Trust Deficit

“Trust for institutions across society is declining. This is not a theory but a fact, affirmed by leading experts like the Edelman Trust Barometer, Gallup and General Social Survey by NORC at the University of Chicago. This growing trust deficit is a serious problem. It erodes a high-functioning pluralistic democracy, compromises vibrant public health and makes it impossible to solve collective problems like climate change. Trust in institutions is necessary to create and improve the social contracts that govern democracy and allow communities and the nation to strike sustainable civic bargains. Trust doesn’t just happen. It is earned person by person, moving through large segments of society. It is handed down and passed on. American civil society institutions have an important role to play in addressing this deficit in trust.”



Read this report and recommendations and reflections.

Committee of Seventy

Important Primary Election Deadlines and Mail-In Ballot Information. Visit their website here. The “How to Cast a Mail-in Ballot” video is available in English as well as with Spanish and Chinese subtitles.

Bellevue Strategies

The first 100 days of Trump’s second term have been anything but symbolic. Executive orders, agency cuts, and funding freezes are already affecting critical services across the country—and Pennsylvania is no exception.

In this two-part edition of The Bellevue Compass, they’re breaking down how early federal actions are impacting state and local policy in real time. From education funding and rail service to immigration enforcement and housing development, they’re looking at how national priorities are being felt on the ground in Philadelphia and beyond.

Read Part One: Federal Power, Local Consequences → Topics: Education, Transportation, Healthcare, Procurement, Energy, Immigration, Housing.

Positioning Pennsylvania as a National Leader in Higher Education



Created in 2024 under the leadership of Governor Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education is a broadly representative body charged with charting a new course for higher education in Pennsylvania. Throughout the spring of 2025, the Board will be holding regional hearings across the Commonwealth, designed to gather input on draft goals and strategies to guide the postsecondary sector and position it as a leader in educational quality, attainment, and economic prosperity. The Board’s strategic plan, which will be adopted in fall 2025, will reflect these months of stakeholder engagement.

Learn more, and attend the April 17, 11am-1pm regional hearing at St. Joseph’s University. RSVP here.

SEPTA Funding Crisis, TMA Bucks

“SEPTA has released a budget proposal that would require 45% in service cuts – coupled with major fare increases, workforce reductions and a 9:00 p.m. curfew for all rail services – to address a massive structural budget deficit during the new fiscal year that starts July 1, 2025. The release of the budget comes amid critical negotiations in Harrisburg on a statewide transit funding plan introduced in February by Governor Shapiro that would prevent these dire measures from taking effect.

Customers would see service cuts, including the elimination of dozens of bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services, beginning with the launch of fall schedules on August 24. A fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders would go into effect on September 1, followed on January 1 by the elimination of five Regional Rail lines and the 9:00 p.m. rail curfew. A total of 50 bus routes would be shut down between August 24 and January 1.

The impact of the proposed service cuts would be felt throughout the city and region as reliable options for everyday travel to school and work are greatly diminished.”

Take Action for Transit! There are several ways you can provide feedback.

Education Law Center Responding to Federal Attacks on Student Rights Resources

How Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Will Impact Pennsylvania Students looks at the likely and harmful effects of White House policies on eight key student populations.

Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Endangers All Pennsylvania Students. Speak Out! This overview explains the status of the changes to the Department of Education and provides tools and information to speak out.

Catch new episodes of NAMI's podcast Hope Starts With Us:

PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency,

Project Safe and Smart Technical Assistance

Eligibility for these funds is open to any community-based organization, non-profit, for-profit, or educational institution. The applicant must successfully demonstrate their history in providing technical assistance in child sexual abuse prevention programming. Preference will be given to applicants who have an expertise in implementing Safe Touches and/or Smarter Parents Safer Kids. Applicants must be in good standing with PCCD to be eligible for these funds. Learn more, share and/or apply! Due April 18.

The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Neighborhood Assistance Program – Enterprise Zone (NAP-EZP) are both now accepting applications, and will close on Friday, May 30^th at 5:00 PM. Guidelines can be found on DCED’s website. Applications are submitted through the DCED’s Electronic Single Application (ESA).

NAP is a tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects that improve distressed areas. The NAP program is exclusively for 501(c)(3) organizations and helps nonprofits complete vital community projects by providing tax credits to businesses that contribute to those efforts. The goals of NAP are to provide resources to assist neighborhoods and communities with fiscal difficulties, encourage positive health outcomes, and address the safety and welfare of their residents. As a result, NAP encourages communities to pursue and achieve fiscal well-being and self-sufficiency. These Programs are intended to benefit low-income populations. Applicants’ proposed projects must not result in the displacement or forced relocation of low-income individuals or households.

Eligible NAP activities include Affordable Housing Programs, Community and Civic Engagement, Community Economic Development, Community Services, Crime Prevention, Education, Job Training, Neighborhood Assistance, Neighborhood Conservation, and Transportation.

Eligible projects must be geographically specific and serve a low-income population. Within the NAP program, there are four subprograms – Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)(65% tax credit), Special Program Priorities (SPP)(90% tax credit), Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP)(90-95% tax credit) and Charitable Food Program (CFP)(65% tax credit).

The EZP is an incentive program that provides tax credits to businesses or private companies investing in rehabilitating, expanding, or improving buildings or land located within designated enterprise zones. EZP is a separate application process, and exclusively available to businesses. A listing of active Enterprise Zones can be found here.

Download the Neighborhood Assistance Program Guidelines

Download the Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program Guidelines

Download the Electronic Revenue Clearance Form Instructions for Tax Credit and Economic Development Programs

HealthSpark Foundation is now accepting Letters of Intent to the Dr. Frank. E Boston Black Justice Fund and the newly created Justice Fund!

The Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund (BJF) was developed and launched in 2021 to increase resources specifically allocated to historically underfunded Black-led and Black-serving organizations. The Black Justice Fund invests in emerging Black leaders in Montgomery County, supports positive storytelling of Black communities across the County, and builds community infrastructure and power in Black communities to advance justice and liberation for all County residents. Since its creation, the BJF has awarded $373,500 in grants.  

Building out their commitment to justice and liberation for all, and building on lessons learned from the BJF, the Justice Fund extends the Foundation’s dedicated support to communities and organizations that have also experienced historical and ongoing challenges in accessing power. The Justice Fund supports emerging leaders in Montgomery County, supports positive storytelling of communities across the County, and builds community infrastructure and power in historically marginalized communities to advance justice and liberation for all County residents.

Projects may support work to address historical inequities among immigrants, people who identify as LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, or women, as examples. The creation of this fund represents the Foundation’s pursuit of growing and centering its work in racial and social justice in Montgomery County and its organizational vision of “Transformative leaders. Thriving communities. Opportunity and justice for all.” Learn more and apply!

Highmark Foundation

April 15, 2025

The Highmark Foundation is accepting applications for the School Grant and Awards Program. The goal of the School Grant and Awards Program is to create healthier school environments that experience positive, sustainable and lasting change through comprehensive strategies. Learn more!

SWEP Greater Philadelphia

April 25, 2025

SWEP Greater Philadelphia is accepting grant applications to fund organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need to create, enhance, restore, or protect the natural environment or to provide environmental awareness through educational sessions with particular emphasis on encouraging girls and/or women in the sciences, engineering, or environmental fields. SWEP presents these grants to encourage girls and/or women in the sciences, engineering, or environmental fields. Learn more!

Thank you to the Catalyst Center Nonprofit Management for sharing these and other grant opportunities!

PennPAC

Is your nonprofit facing strategic challenges but lacks the budget for a consulting firm? PennPAC, leveraging teams of University of Pennsylvania alumni, offers pro bono consulting to help Philadelphia-area nonprofits enhance impact in areas like growth planning, funding strategies, and marketing.



Applications for Fall 2025 projects are now open! Deadline for applications: May 2, 2025.

Nonprofits can apply here, where you can also learn about the project process, eligibility criteria, and see a list of nonprofits PennPAC has assisted.



Not ready to apply yet? Subscribe for future updates!

Check out these in-person programs from the

Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services!