Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: “One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estés

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

Food Pantry Survey

The Montgomery Food Policy Council, Montco Anti-Hunger Network and Share Food Program are collaborating on a survey to assess pantry storage capacity and food access needs. The survey will be used to support overall strategy and food policy decisions. If you operate a pantry, please complete this two-part survey - Storage and Capital Needs and Food Access.

Stay connected to PHAN’s research and advocacy as it relates to threats to Medicaid!

They are asking for help in building a storybook that can be shared with information that is specific to each Congressional District. Click here for more information. They can conduct calls with persons who are interested in sharing their Medicaid story or are happy to get a story from you about one or more of your constituents. 

The Bucks-Mont Collaborative signed on to this statement shared with members of the PA Delegation. Read this statement, and please consider having your organization sign on!

The Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP) offers a free resource to help trauma-informed legislation become a reality! Using new advocacy software, they’ll help you create outreach campaigns to connect with targeted legislators and policymakers (via emails, phone calls, and/or social media posts). Learn more!

Sign on with the Housing Alliance of PA to support the campaign to secure a state investment in preventing homelessness!

310 eviction filings occur every day in Pennsylvania. In cases where tenants are behind in paying their rent, resolving the conflict outside of court and without an eviction can benefit both the tenant and landlord.

The Housing Alliance of PA seeks to create a state funding resource for preventing homelessness by resolving eviction filing complaints between tenants and landlords when tenants are behind on paying rent. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of at-risk tenants ever coming into contact with the homelessness service system by expanding programs that assist both landlords and tenants in resolving disputes due to non-payment of rent. The proposed program would include landlord-tenant dispute interventions, resource navigation, and direct assistance.

Learn more here:

Homelessness Prevention Proposal: Statement of Need

Homelessness Prevention Proposed Program Structure

Add your organization to the sign-on letter for Homelessness Prevention Funding

Equity Through Access: 2024 Update to the Greater Philadelphia Region's Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan

Published 01/2025, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) 

The Equity Through Access (ETA) project is DVRPC’s update of the region’s Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP). ETA seeks to improve economic and social opportunity in the region by expanding access to essential services for vulnerable populations - those who are more critically impacted by barriers and gaps in infrastructure, service coordination, and policies. This project responds to the changing CHSTP funding landscape and looks for new ways to promote accessible, affordable, and safe mobility. Read the report.

How to Build Strong Partnerships With Companies

The Chronicle

“…But how can your organization get a foot in the door with a corporation and forge a successful partnership? The Chronicle recently spoke with three corporate-giving strategists who shared their suggestions to help you start or ramp up your efforts.”

Read the article.

CCATE: Stay Connected to Community Voices!

CCATE creates counter-spaces through community journalism. Subscribe to www.REVARTE.net! Tune in to their podcast.

Building Movement Project

FAQ: Nonprofits in the New Landscape



The Trump Administration has issued a number of executive orders and memoranda on a range of issues such as immigration, DEI, the federal workforce, and funding for non-governmental organizations. For many communities and nonprofits, the current landscape is confusing and alarming. In this FAQ, Building Movement Project focuses on how nonprofits could be affected by the current landscape. The first section includes a series of questions and responses, followed by a summary of pertinent executive orders that may impact the nonprofit sector and links to additional resources. Read more and stay connected!

Building Movement Project

Fortifying the Frontlines: How to Protect Social Movements Under Attack



This series will address how to keep the sector secure and safer from threats, frequently asked questions about presidential executive orders, how nonprofit social service providers are responding, and resistance efforts by equity practitioners around the country. Read more!

Pennsylvania Annual Report Requirement

A new annual report requirement for owners of businesses operating in Pennsylvania has gone into effect on January 1, 2025. This includes nonprofit corporations and replaces the prior decennial and nonprofit corporation reporting requirements.

“Annual reports will ensure that business registration information in Pennsylvania remains up to date and will bring Pennsylvania in line with what most other states require,” Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said in a statement. “I encourage business owners to file their annual report online to avoid delays and backlogs. Annual reports submitted online will be processed instantly by the Department of State.” Learn more, including FAQs.

Thank you to the Thank you to the Catalyst Center Nonprofit Management for sharing!

Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits

National Council of Nonprofits

The National Council of Nonprofits has developed a resource for nonprofit organizations to be informed of the Executive Orders and their current status. The document contains additional resources such as a Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Executive Orders. Organizations are also invited to share their stories of observed impact. Stay connected!

Discover the Yellow Dot Program

The Yellow Dot Program from PennDOT helps people in traffic crashes or emergencies when they can't talk. This program is a shared effort between PennDOT, the state departments of Health and Aging, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, first responders, and local law enforcement. TMA Bucks’ Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) can work with you to distribute Yellow Dot kits. Please contact their CTSP manager Carly at carly@bctma.com. You can also go online and complete the participation form to join. PennDOT will mail you a Yellow Dot kit.

Navigating the Impact of DOGE’s Cuts to Local Economies and Communities

Bellevue Strategies



“While DOGE’s goal of reducing the federal budget by $1 trillion is, in part, an effort to streamline government operations and reduce expenditures, the broader consequences are already clear, especially in states like Pennsylvania. Federal contractors, outnumbering federal employees two to one, are among the hardest hit, with thousands losing their jobs. The real estate market continues to see a rising vacancy rate, with Philadelphia’s government office vacancy reaching an alarming 19%—a stark increase from just 5% in 2018. Nonprofits that rely on government contracts and funding are adjusting their operations in an attempt to navigate the financial uncertainty brought on by these cuts. And while cuts at the federal level may reduce the cost of the federal government, the cuts simply shift the burden of delivering essential services to state and local governments, ultimately providing little, if any, relief to taxpayers.” Read more, and stay connected to updates!

A Message of Solidarity

VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn

“To all of our VNA Foundation Partners: During these alarming times, we wanted to reach out with a message of solidarity. We are listening to you. We are lifting up your stories. We are changing as little as possible.” Read this entire message.

Grant Opportunities!

The VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn makes grants to nonprofit organizations whose activities promote health access and basic health needs for people in the North Penn region, with an emphasis on supporting collaboration and capacity building efforts.

General Operating and Program Grants, Up to $15,000/year, Due March 31: Learn More

Standing Firm in Truth

HealthSpark Foundation

"Never is leadership, and clarity of purpose, more necessary than when our core values are threatened. At times when many are understandably scared to speak out, those of us with more privilege to do so are held to a higher standard, and rightfully so. Philanthropy’s relative access to resources and independence lends us that precious freedom." Read this entire message.

Grant Opportunities!

The Rapid Response Fund for Community Power gives one-time, fast, flexible funding support to Montgomery County organizations responding to critical and unexpected, urgent events or external challenges, while strengthening the voice and power of community members. The Rapid Response Fund is intended to help nonprofits and community-based organizations in a nonpartisan manner respond to critical threats, or opportunities to advance support for racial and social justice goals. Learn more!

COVID-19 ARPA Digital Connectivity Technology Program - PA Department of Community & Economic Development

The Digital Connectivity Technology Program aims to increase access to technology devices where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use. Each organization may apply for between 20- 200 laptops. The maximum award is 200 devices. If you were awarded devices in round one of this program you may still apply. The total available devices are 200 per organization for both round one and two. Organizations must also provide digital skills and trainings to individuals and communities served by devices, existing digital education programs can be reviewed for approval.

Applications open April 1 and will be open until May 30, 2025. They will be reviewed in June- July, with awards announced in August-September, and will be distributed at the end of 2025 or early 2026. Applications should include a plan for use of the laptops, as well as proposals for meeting the education requirement. Specifics will be available when the applications are opened. Learn more!

Thank you to the PA Link for sharing this funding opportunity!

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

Spring Grant Cycle is now open!

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation encourages you to explore these links to learn more about available opportunities.

Additionally, don't miss their latest recorded information session, where you can gain valuable insights and find answers to asked questions. Visit the following links for more information about:

• Eligibility
• Program Areas
• Results Framework Guide
• Studies and Reports
• Grantmaking Cycle

As a reminder, they no longer require a letter of intent for grant applications. All grant applications are submitted through AkoyaGo, the Foundation’s grants portal. Technical assistance is available!

Foundations Community Partnership:

2 Grant Opportunities! LOIs due April 1, 2025



Bucks Innovation and Improvement Grants (BIIG) are offered on a competitive basis to non-profit human services organizations providing services to children and youth in Bucks County. These grants, ranging in value up to $15,000, will be awarded to eligible applicants that develop innovative ideas to improve the quality of life for children, youth, and families.

Capital Improvement Grants are offered on a competitive basis to non-profit human service organizations providing services to children and youth in Bucks County. These grants, ranging in value up to $10,000, will be reviewed for capital campaigns including structural improvements to the facility (bricks & mortar, such as new buildings or addition to existing buildings), or extensive renovation or addition of durable equipment to an existing structure.

Funding Application Period Opening for Community Development, Affordable Housing Development, and Non-Profit and Homeless Services Projects

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Montgomery County Office of Housing and Community Development are accepting applications for community development, affordable housing development, and nonprofit and homeless services projects under the grant programs listed below for the 2025–2026 program year through 4:30 PM on April 4, 2025 . Those interested in applying will have an opportunity to attend application information sessions. Project reviews and application evaluations will occur in April and May 2025. Thank you to the Montgomery County Planning Commission for sharing!

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
• Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)
• HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
• HOME Investment Partnerships – American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP)
• Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF)
• HealthChoices Housing Reinvestment Plan (HRP) 



More Information

Celebrate Women's History Month

with Eleanor Roosevelt

Wednesday, March 19, 6:00pm

The Souderton-Telford Business Professional Women's Group invites you to Generations for a unique presentation with impersonator Linda Kenyon as Eleanor Roosevelt, "First Lady of the World."

Throughout her long career in politics, Eleanor Roosevelt used her platform as First Lady of the United States and as a member of the wealthy and prominent Roosevelt family to advocate for human and civil rights. Roosevelt not only believed that women were entitled to equal rights, but that their differences from men made them uniquely qualified to engage in political activism.

The show lasts about an hour and there will be a time for Q&A following the presentation. There is no fee to attend, but participants are asked to donate a non-perishable, un-expired food item.

To register, please contact Mary or call 215-721-3167 by March 14.

Montco SAAC

ACAA offers classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and more for all ages. Their teaching artists bring a diverse range of expertise and a true passion for what they do! Learn more.

Check out these in-person programs from the

Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services!