Paid interns
will document history,
make memories
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Since Berks County’s earliest days, congregations have shown their devotion to God and religion through the construction of churches and other places of worship. According to research conducted by local genealogists, at least 77 congregations have practiced in the City of Reading since 1751. Hundreds more were established in the countryside.
The cost to maintain these places of worship is difficult for some congregations to bear. There is a risk that structures, art, and architectural details of historical significance could be lost as these structures fall into disrepair. To address that issue, Berks County Community Foundation launched a project in 2019, with support from Partners for Sacred Places, to create a comprehensive inventory of these buildings and their treasures.
Due to the global pandemic, the program was suspended in 2020 and 2021. Now, in 2022, the Community Foundation plans to hire two paid summer interns to continue A Project for Sacred Places.
We're seeking candidates in the fields of Architecture/Historic Preservation and Communication for what promises to be a memorable summer experience.
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To apply for a grant, use our online application system, which you can access here. You must create an account to access the system.
The following opportunities are available at this time (with deadlines listed if applicable):
Albany Township Tomorrow Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to support community-minded organizations and initiatives that benefit the general population of Albany Township, Berks County. You can learn more about the fund here.
Berks County Tennis Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to programs that further the appreciation and play of tennis in Berks County. Learn more here.
Building Industries Exchange of Reading and Berks County Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to a nonprofit organization in Berks County to support the construction or renovation of a facility it owns or which is owned on its behalf. Preference will be given to renovation projects that take environmental stewardship into account. Learn more here.
Conservation Equity Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to support the preservation and/or conservation of open space, environmentally sensitive land, and historic properties in Berks County, including, but not limited to farmland. Learn more here.
First United Church of Christ Mission Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to support organizations and causes that were important to the mission of the church, such as activities for children and senior citizens in need and programs that address hunger. Learn more here.
Gilmore | Henne Community Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to support recreational park programs and/or recreational park improvements and maintenance in Berks County. Pools are not eligible. Learn more here.
Home Health Care Foundation Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to organizations and programs that help residents in Berks County and contiguous counties recover from illness or disability at home; support preventative healthcare for residents and overall community health; and/or provide health-related charity care to residents. Preference is given to Berks County organizations. Learn more here.
Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants and program-related investments to organizations in the territories served by the Met-Ed and Penelec electric companies in Pennsylvania for projects that meet the mission of the fund. The mission of the fund is to support the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies; energy conservation and efficiency; sustainable energy businesses; and projects that improve the environment in the companies' service territories, as defined by their relationship to the companies' transmission and distribution facilities. Learn more here.
St. John's UCC Reading Fund (apply now until 3/15/2022)
This fund provides grants to organizations and causes that were important to the mission of the church. Grants support programs and initiatives that reduce hunger, offer shelter or improve housing, meet a pressing need for youth, or create or maintain open space. Grants are awarded with preference for recipients geographically closer to the former location of the church at 149 S. 9th Street, Reading, Pa. Learn more here.
Arthur O. & Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund
This fund provides grants that support the medical costs of physical differences in Berks County children whose guardians are unable to meet such expenses. Expenses that may be covered include direct and indirect medical expenses, such as travel costs associated with treatment. Learn more here.
Berks County Angel Funds
These funds provide grants for specific needs of children and young adults in Berks County:
- The Emmanuel 'Manny' Dimitriou Memorial Fund provides grants for children with critical medical, social, or educational needs that will enhance their ability to achieve their full potential.
- The Camella Maggs Client Memorial Fund provides grants for children who have learning and physical disabilities.
- The Kraus Gill Fund provides grants for recently discharged adults who were once in foster care who either lived in a Berks County foster home and/or were Berks County residents at the time of their placement in foster care. These grants are to assist them with transitional housing costs in general and/or educational expenses.
- The Berks County Parrot Head Club Fund provides grants for individuals who are in an extraordinary situation where a nominal amount of intervention is likely to yield life-changing outcomes. Grants are limited to individuals who are under the age of 18 and who reside in Berks County. Preference is given to Berks County children who have a physical or medical need that the family is unable to afford. A parent, guardian, teacher, social worker, caseworker, or court official may complete the application on a child’s behalf to be considered for a grant.
Bridge Fund
This fund provides grants of less than $1,000 to address critical needs that place juveniles at increased risk of entering the foster care system or the juvenile detention center. Learn more here.
Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County
This fund supports the needs of individuals with cystic fibrosis, including both direct and indirect medical expenses and necessary, but ancillary, expenses related to treatment. Learn more here.
Friends of the Berks County Public Libraries Fund
This fund distributes grants for special projects and emergency needs at Berks County’s public libraries. Learn more here.
Ira M. Becker Fund
This fund provides grants to educate young men (up to age 30) in Berks County, one at a time. These funds can be used for educational purposes but not for tuition. An individual may apply for a grant, or a caseworker or court official may also apply on behalf of an individual. Learn more here.
Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund for Alzheimer's Home Care Companions
This fund provides grants for families in the Boyertown Area School District with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia to obtain the services of in-home care companions, aides, or other providers of respite care. Learn more here.
Jess's Sunshine Fund
This fund provides grants to support families who are residents of the Boyertown Area School District with dependent adult or minor children who have special needs arising from a long-term catastrophic illness or injury. Learn more here.
Penny Jar Fund
This fund provides grants to support the non-tuition-related needs of Berks County college students who have an unexpected financial crisis. Learn more here.
Pets in Need Fund and the Darryl and Susanne Shoff Fund
These funds provide grants for veterinary care for animals in life-threatening situations. Applicants must be residents of Berks County and be referred to the funds by their veterinarian. Learn more here and here.
To apply for a grant, use our online application system, which you can access here. You must create an account to access the system.
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Apply for scholarships now! |
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Since the Community Foundation’s founding in 1994, we have awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to local students.
By completing one online application, students can be matched to any of nearly 100 scholarship funds for which they may qualify.
The online application for K-12 tax credit scholarships in Berks County will be available on our website in May for the 2022-2023 school year.
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Solar project receives grant
from Sustainable Energy Fund
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The Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund has awarded a $230,000 grant toward a green building project at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The grant will fund a rooftop solar array projected to produce approximately 113,000 kWh/year and a building energy dashboard that will aid in community education and engagement. The building will be built to a gold level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2022.
The $22 million project includes a new academic building to house new engineering technology programs on campus, including energy engineering technology.
The Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund is administered by Berks County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
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Philanthropist Margaret "Peg" Gill
to be honored for work with Olivet
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Congratulations to Margaret J. "Peg" Gill on being named this year's Champion of Youth Honoree by the Olivet Boys & Girls Club. She will be celebrated on March 3 at Olivet's Leaders & Legends Dinner.
Peg was Olivet's first female board chair. The nonprofit club - which addresses education needs, healthy lifestyles, and good citizenship among local youth - said Peg has been an extremely active volunteer, committee member, and donor for the organization.
For the last several years, Peg has also been a member of the Power of the Purse in Berks County, a women's giving circle that is administered by Berks County Community Foundation.
A group of women started the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund in 2012 to improve the lives of local women and children. The fund functions as a women’s giving circle, where donations are pooled to create a bigger impact than each member would make alone. Since the group began awarding grants in 2013, it has given $330,583 to local organizations.
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Local theaters
act to collaborate
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Community Foundation
earns seal of transparency
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We're excited to share that Berks County Community Foundation has earned a 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, an information service that specializes in reporting on U.S. nonprofit organizations. We're glad our donors can continue to support our work with confidence. You can view our nonprofit profile here.
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Yocum Institute presents
Children's Theater Festival
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The Yocum Institute for Arts Education is staging the Children's Theater Festival of Berks County from February 11 to February 13, 2022.
During the celebration, Yocum will present stories of "Friendship, Laughter, Dance and Music."
Productions include Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" One of the shows will be a sensory-friendly performance.
This initiative is supported by a grant from Berks County Community Foundation.
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We're now accepting
cryptocurrency donations
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Donating a gift of cryptocurrency to Berks County Community Foundation is an easy way to make a difference in your community, impacting today and transforming tomorrow.
Donating cryptocurrency is a non-taxable event, meaning you do not owe capital gains tax on the appreciated amount and can deduct it from your taxes. This makes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations one of the most tax-efficient ways to support your favorite cause.
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Throw a dog a bone
by buying K9 Unit gear
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You'd be barking mad not to consider purchasing some of the gear that's being sold by The Friends of the Reading Police K9 Unit.
The low-cost, high-quality apparel featuring the K9 Unit is available to order now through February 13 in a variety of styles and colors. Proceeds benefit The Friends of the Reading Police K9 Unit Fund, which is administered by Berks County Community Foundation.
Since the fund was established in 2007, it has awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to the Reading K9 unit. Grants from this fund support the acquisition of new K9s when necessary, and the training and maintenance of the K9 Unit.
Orders will be ready for shipment or pick up by March 4. The apparel is being made by Reading-based Jersey Ink Custom Apparel and was designed by local company Suzy Rae Design.
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Four of our most popular recent posts...
Click on each to learn more!
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The mission of Berks County Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County.
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Berks County Community Foundation
237 Court St., Reading PA 19601
610.685.2223
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This e-newsletter is issued monthly and is the only place where we comprehensively compile all current funding opportunities. |
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Berks County Community Foundation develops, manages and distributes funds for charitable purposes in the community. The official registration and financial information of Berks County Community Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. |
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