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Monthly News & Updates
August 2025
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Good morning,
Summer may be winding down, but a lot is going on in Bucks and Montgomery Counties! In this month's edition, you'll find information, resources, and events for a variety of categories.
A heads-up: Next month's edition will look a bit different. We're adjusting the format to make it easier to access the categories relevant to you—so stay tuned!
Please continue to keep us informed of what's happening with you in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The information in this newsletter comes from you, with links to more complete information and resources. Please send your events and updates to Nicole Engle. Thank you!
Warmly,
Kristyn DiDominick, Executive Director
Bucks-Mont Collaborative Team and Board of Directors
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A reflection for today:
"Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair."
- Bell Hooks
| | | | Find hope in action! Many incredible organizations and individuals are coming together to advocate, to serve, and to inform so that our region can stand strong. We're sharing just a few here, so please find your why—and share your time, talents, and solidarity! | | |
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Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition
Mission: To promote, defend and advance immigrant rights throughout Pennsylvania by building power in immigrant communities and advocating with a coordinated voice to establish welcoming public policies. Learn more!
Stand with and support regional organizations serving immigrant communities!
Immigration Resources & Organizations:
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Learn more about SNAP changes and support your local food pantries and providers as they need all of us now and in the months ahead!
Community Legal Services
SNAP Information
8/11/25 Food is Dignity Session with Senator Haywood and Regional Leaders (Recording and Materials)
| | Thank You to Our Sponsors and Funders! | | Bucks-Mont Collaborative Sponsors | | | Bucks-Mont Collaborative Funders | | | |
Our 2025-26 Membership Programs begin in September, so it's the perfect time to get involved!
When you become a Collaborative Member, you’re not just joining a network—you’re gaining a trusted partner, valuable resources, and a community that’s stronger because you’re in it. Become a member today!
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September Membership Meeting | Exploring Nonprofit Collaborative Models
- Tuesday, September 9
- 10:00-11:30am
- Zoom
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October Membership Meeting | Budgeting with Clarity—Even in Uncertainty
- Tuesday, October 7
- 10:00-11:30am
- Zoom
| | Coming Up At The Collaborative | | | |
QPR Training
- Wed., Sept. 10
- 2:00-4:0 pm
- In-person
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C3 Resource Roundable
- Tues., Sept. 16
- 9:00-11:00 am
- Zoom
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2-Part Implicit Bias Training
- Wed., Sept. 17 & 24
- 9:30-11:30 am
- Zoom
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2025-26 Trauma Training Program
This year's Trauma Training Program information is now available! Continue your trauma-informed journey beginning with Trauma 101 on September 25.
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Collaborative Connections
- Wed., Oct. 8
- 4:00-5:30 pm
- In-person
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What's On Your Ballot
- Tues., Oct. 14
- 4:00-5:30 pm
- Zoom
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BoardMatch 2025
- Wed., Oct. 29
- 4:00-5:30 pm
- Zoom
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PANO | Advocacy 101: What 501(c)(3)s CAN Do
- Tuesday, August 19
- 11:00am-12:30pm | Online Workshop
- Register Here
Many nonprofits exist specifically to address inequities created by public policies and the programs resulting from those policies. And at a time when trust in public institutions is at an all-time low, legislative advocacy is more important than ever. Join PANO for an interactive session where you'll learn - and immediately apply - effective strategies to engage local, state, and federal officials in cause-driven lobbying.
Topics will include but are not limited to: Advocacy Program Structure & Getting Started, Lobbying Basics – Critical Information, Making Our Case with Elected Officials, Building Advocacy Coalitions, Including those Served.
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National Council of Nonprofits| FREE National Webinar: How to Keep Charitable Nonprofits and Houses of Worship Protected from Partisan Politics
Join this free webinar to learn more about efforts to undermine federal protections for charitable nonprofits - including houses of worship - against partisan politics and the dark money that fuels it. Without this protection, politicians may try to pressure charitable nonprofits to endorse their election campaigns, exert control over nonprofit organizations’ mission and the services they provide, and funnel tax-exempt charitable donations to their election war chest. These efforts could radically alter campaign finance laws to benefit politicians at the expense of charities, houses of worship, and foundations, severely damaging the integrity and effectiveness of the entire sector and our elections. Speakers will discuss why it is critical for charitable nonprofits, including religious organizations, to remain nonpartisan and how nonprofits can take action to ensure these vital institutions remain a trusted space where people can come together across political, religious, and cultural divides to solve local problems.
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National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
The Trump administration's fiscal year 2026 appropriations request proposes slashing HUD housing and homelessness assistance programs by a historic 44% and making programmatic changes that would make it more difficult for people to get the support they need. Congress has the power to reject these proposals and instead invest in proven solutions to solve housing instability and homelessness across the country.
Add your organization to a national letter urging Congress to enact FY26 spending bills that reject cuts to HUD programs and instead provide the highest level of funding possible. Individuals and organizations also should contact their members of Congress directly.
Please note: This is an ORGANIZATIONAL sign-on letter, and your organization, not your individual name, will be listed as an endorser.
Learn more about how to advocate with the NLIHC!
| | LEAD IV has a new accelerated schedule! Learn more and/or apply here! | Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) is hiring a Prevention Specialist to provide in-person instruction in the Bucks County School Districts. Learn more about the role and apply here! | |
This year, S.A.G.E. volunteers have the opportunity to teach or tutor in areas such as Writing Skills, Mock Trial, Essential Science, Small Business Math, Algebra, and Fine Arts.
Senior Adults for Greater Education (S.A.G.E.™) is a non-profit organization that custom matches community members, aged 55+, with fulfilling volunteer opportunities within their local school districts. Sign up, learn more, and make a difference in the classroom, including a new partnership with Bucks Learning Cooperative!
| Bucks County Community College | Metalwork Pre-Apprentice Training Program | |
Executive Director Opportunity!
The Catalyst Center for Nonprofit Management is pleased to assist Voice & Vision in their search for their next Executive Director.
For more than 25 years, Voice & Vision’s board and staff have worked with creative diligence to gather the voices of individuals and families, provide systems advocacy, and offer individualized support. Learn more about this organization, their work, and this position!
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These free, 45-minute sessions are hosted by Senior HR Consultant Jim Devine, 30+ years of HR/Legal experience.
Univest Insurance | Workplace Harassment – Litigation Trends, Prevention & Issue Management
This session will cover:
- EEOC enforcement and litigation statistics
- Generational diversity and harassment
- Common mistakes and misperceptions
- Best practice guidance for prevention
| | Common Grounds is now accepting referrals and applications for their award-winning, free nine-week foodservice training program! All trainees graduate with ServSafe certification, a nationally recognized industry credential that will stay with them for the rest of their careers. Learn more and share the application form! | Bucks County Community College | Electro-Mechanical & Pre-Apprentice Industrial Maintenance Training | Join the amazing team at Bucks County Opportunity Council! Learn more. | Montgomery County Office of Communications | Last month, the Montgomery County Commissioners approved a historic increase to the minimum starting wage for County employees. Salaries for all County jobs will now begin at $20.52 per hour, helping keep Montco a place where everyone will want to live, work, and serve. Learn more about open positions! | United Way of Bucks County is seeking a Finance Director who combines financial expertise with a passion for community impact! This position ensures the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of the organization’s financial operations while helping to steward resources in service of their mission. Read the full job description! | |
Univest Insurance | High Risk Employee Terminations – What You Need to Know
- Employment at will reality check
- Ideal vs. typical supporting documentation
- Having "the conversation" – do's and don'ts
- Risk mitigation and fairness considerations
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95 Revive Project Updates
Learn more and stay connected to updates. Thank you to TMA Bucks for sharing!
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Bike More, Drive Less Hatfield
Share your ideas for improving cycling in Hatfield in this short survey! Take the survey in English | Spanish
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Partnership For Transportation
SEPTA has announced it may be forced to significantly reduce transit service, beginning August 24, and raise fares beginning September 1, unless the Pennsylvania General Assembly approves additional funding soon. These changes would impact all SEPTA modes and routes across the region. Discontinued service on local routes could affect access to jobs, schools, and essential services. For more information on the affected SEPTA routes, visit: septa.org/fundingcrisis/service-cuts.
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National Low Income Housing Coalition | Out of Reach 2025: The High Cost of Housing
In 2025, the national Housing Wage is $33.63 per hour for a modest two-bedroom rental home and $28.17 for a modest one-bedroom. This year’s report demonstrates that the wages needed to rent a modest home far exceed not just the federal minimum wage but also the median wages of workers in many of the most common occupations, such as home health aides, food service workers, and administrative assistants. Almost half of all U.S. workers earn less than the hourly wage required to afford a modest one-bedroom rental home. Without long-term federal investment in proven solutions, safe, stable, and affordable housing will remain out of reach for millions of renters.
To read the report, and gain additional information about Out of Reach 2025 visit: https://nlihc.org/oor.
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Open Board Search: How a new approach to recruiting board members can transform nonprofits | Stanford Social Innovation Review
According to BoardSource's most recent Leading with Intent Report, the top two methods for identifying potential new board members are “board members' personal or professional networks" (96%) and "CEO/ED's personal or professional networks" (88%). These overlapping networks create an insider-centric culture among nonprofits that perpetuates the status quo, replicating strategies and approaches that may no longer be relevant, and taxing a small group of over-extended board members who serve on multiple boards. Particularly in a time where resilience is more important than ever, organizations stuck in echo chambers will struggle to remain relevant and effective over time. Read more!
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Community Beyond Resources: Ending homelessness is about housing. Except when it’s not | Stanford Social Innovation Review
In 20 years of working in the homelessness sector, I’ve come to believe that while housing is essential, long-term stability most often hinges on relationships and social integration. The journey out of homelessness doesn’t (only) end with a set of keys: It ends when someone is embedded in a community they belong to and can contribute to. It ends with connection… In this sense, if housing is the foundation, relationships are the thing that keeps people in homes. From this, five key principles emerge. Read more!
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Othering and Belonging Institute | Bridging for Democracy
“Together, we are developing practices and narratives for rehumanizing and rebuilding our mutual commitments to one another across deep ‘us-them” divides. Read this report!
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2024 Your Way Home Data Snapshot
Nationwide, homelessness is growing due to rising housing costs, the enduring economic effects of COVID-19, and a spike in eviction rates. Understand this impact locally!
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2025 ALICE Index and 2025 Report
Between 2010 and 2023, the number of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in PA increased by 17%. These families are employed but struggle to afford essentials like housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. The updated ALICE Essentials Index shows that the cost of basic needs continues to rise faster than wages and traditional inflation. This provides a more accurate view of why financial hardship is growing even among working households. Learn more! Read the 2025 ALICE Report.
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Building Movement Project | Solidarity Stances for Organizations: Navigating Authoritarian Conditions
This new resource from BMP offers seven strategic stances that organizations and networks can use in times of heightened chaos and crisis to build deeper, more aligned forms of solidarity while taking into consideration their unique circumstances, constraints, and possibilities. Download this resource!
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Building Movement Project | Security to Wellbeing Framework Practice Guide
This is a resource designed to support change-makers within direct service organizations working to bridge service and social change. Whether you’re frontline staff, executive leadership, or a community member driving impact, this guide helps direct service organizations:
- Understand what social change work is and how it intersects with service delivery
- Guide internal conversations and alignment around addressing pressing social issues
- Take stock of current efforts and explore new strategies that center the communities you serve
- Build partnerships and relationships to strengthen your social change network
This guide is for anyone looking to move their organization toward becoming a Service and Social Change Organization—one that not only meets immediate community needs but also works to shift the systems that create those needs in the first place. Read this guide!
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Nonprofit Finance Fund | Nonprofit Budgeting Scenario Planning Tool
Building realistic budgeting scenarios helps management and leadership quantify the “what-ifs” when responding to unpredictable situations, giving organizations a chance to be thoughtful about big decisions that may need to be made quickly and under pressure. This budgeting scenario tool can help your organization consider up to two scenarios beyond your current budget. Ultimately, the tool should provide a clear picture of risk factors or scenarios, giving you a data-driven view of what to prepare for and what to consider as you move forward. Learn more, and download the tool!
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Foundations Community Partnership | August 15 Deadline
Partnership in Youth Services Grants (PYS) award up to $5,000 to non-profit organizations serving Bucks County, Pa. This grant program recognizes and supports organizations that are dedicated to helping solve community problems, and enhancing the quality of the lives of children, young adults, and families. In addition, it gives preference to nonprofits applying to FCP for the first time and those that have not applied in the past 5 years.
Click here for full details about the PYS Program as well as preview and access the online application. Awarded annually in September, applications must be submitted by August 15, 2025.
Don’t forget! FCP offers two nonprofit resources to support your work:
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Meeting Space: Two meeting rooms are available to eligible nonprofits free of charge at their Doylestown office!
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Events Calendar: Maximize your fundraising efforts by avoiding scheduling conflicts when planning special events. Check this calendar when planning, and submit your event(s) so that other nonprofits can collectively plan and support!
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Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: Creative Catalyst Grants | August 31 Deadline
These grants are open to nonprofits, tax-exempt corporations, units of government, colleges and universities, school districts, and non-arts nonprofits providing arts programming or arts services in PA. The grants support new initiatives and opportunities that advance strategies for strengthening the cultural, educational, or economic vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities through the arts. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, and a 1:1 cash match is required. Learn more and apply! Thank you to the Montgomery County Planning Commission for sharing!
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Pottstown Regional Community Foundation | New Name, New Possibilities
Learn more about their upcoming fall cycle and framework priorities!
| | Food, Housing, and Financial Resources | | | Upcoming Community Events | | |
Thank you for joining us and for supporting your fellow members.
See you next month!
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Bucks-Mont Collaborative
We produce results-oriented impact on health and human services issues in our community through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
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