Author: michael@lvcfoundation.org

Allentown, Pa., July, 21, 2025—The George T. Walker Charitable Fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently issued $412,020 in grants to support seven organizations that were important to the late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania. A donor designated fund at the Community Foundation, the Fund provides annual grants to organizations designated through the estate of George T. Walker in perpetuity.

Grants from the Fund for 2025 included the following:

• American Red Cross – Northeastern PA Chapter
  General Operating – General Operating & BioMedical Services – $46,000
  
• Deborah Hospital Foundation
  Capital Campaign – Deborah100: The Campaign – $50,000
  
• Effort United Methodist Church
  Capital Projects– $40,000
  
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
  General Operating – $80,000
  
• Mount Pocono United Methodist Church
  General Operating – $40,000
  
• Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps
  Emergency Shelter/Housing Programs serving Monroe County, Pa. – $81,020
  
• St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  Named Space at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – $75,000

The late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania discussed his charitable goals with his professional advisors in 2005, creating the parameters for a charitable fund at the Foundation which was funded by bequest upon his passing.  The George T. Walker Charitable Fund was established with his bequest in 2011.  “Mr. Walker specified that the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has complete discretion, each year, regarding the amounts to be granted to each of these charitable organizations as well as the specific programs to be funded by grants from the Fund,” said Carrie Krug Nedick, LVCF Director of Donor Services. “We are pleased to make these grants to the organizations Mr. Walker held dear as the Foundation fulfills his charitable legacy.”

About George T. Walker

George T. Walker lived a humble life in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He was very generous, and he was especially careful to support organizations doing so much for their communities without asking for reimbursement or charging fees. He wished to continue this legacy of “helping those who help others” after his lifetime. He sought guidance from his financial advisor and estate planning attorney on how to incorporate his charitable wishes into his estate plans. The legacy gifts resulting from his considerable estate had the potential for significant impact. His professional advisors recommended a charitable fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to give to organizations in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund are made to Mt. Pocono United Methodist Church, Effort United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg, the American Red Cross of East Stroudsburg, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. 

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ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 15, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation announced that Anne Baum, President, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health, has joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors. She will serve on the Foundation’s Community Investments Committee.

Baum brings a wealth of leadership experience in health care and nonprofit governance to the foundation. As president of the region’s first and largest children’s hospital, she oversees strategic planning and operations for Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, which serves children of all ages across more than 100 locations. Under her leadership, the hospital offers the most pediatric specialists in the region and is home to the only children’s surgery center, cancer center, express care and emergency department in the Lehigh Valley.

In addition to her professional role, Baum is deeply engaged in community service. She serves on the boards of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Valley Youth House (vice chair), Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, Allentown Symphony Association, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Northampton Community College Foundation (chair). She is also involved with the Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative and the Upper Macungie Township Community Foundation.

Baum’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business, the ATHENA International Award, the Girl Scouts’ Take the Lead Award and United Way’s Women United Philanthropist of the Year, among others.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in health systems management from Rush University in Chicago. A certified protocol and etiquette consultant, Baum is also the author of “Small Mistakes, Big Consequences” and “Small Mistakes, Big Consequences for Interviews.”

“We are honored to welcome Anne to the Community Investments Committee,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Her leadership in the healthcare sector and long-standing service on a wide range of nonprofit boards make her uniquely equipped to guide our community investments and help shape our grantmaking for maximum local impact.”

For more information about LVCF and its work in the Lehigh Valley, visit www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.

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ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 15, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation recently announced that Nicholas (Nic) Hindle, President of HindlePower Inc., has joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors. He will serve on the Finance Committee.

Hindle brings a strong background in engineering, renewable energy and business leadership to the Board. As president of HindlePower, a family-owned manufacturer based in Easton, he has led the company for the past five years, driving innovation and reinforcing its role as a national leader in industrial battery chargers and DC power systems for the utility industry. Under his leadership, the company has sustained strong growth while maintaining a culture that values employee well-being and long-term reinvestment.

A fourth-generation leader in the DC power industry, Hindle previously served as director of technology and director of sales and marketing at the company. Before joining the family business in 2011, he worked as a project engineer at SunEdison, where he designed and delivered more than 25 large-scale rooftop solar installations for national retailers, contributing to the early growth of the commercial solar energy sector.

Hindle is also committed to community development. He currently serves as vice president of the Greater Easton Development Board, where he supports regional economic and civic initiatives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island and studied art history at IES Rome.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nic to the Finance Committee,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “His experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors, along with his passion for helping the community, will make him a valuable voice in our financial planning and governance.”

The Board of Governors at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation provides administrative, programmatic and fiscal oversight in support of the organization’s mission.  Members of the Board serve as ambassadors, promoting the Community Foundation as a vehicle for philanthropy and a leader of community improvement.

For more information about LVCF and its impact in the Lehigh Valley, visit www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.

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Allentown, Pa., July 15, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) is pleased to announce that Kathryn M. Brown, CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, Co-Founder and Principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth, has joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors. She will serve on its Finance Committee.

A respected leader in the financial planning field, Kathryn brings more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and families align their financial resources with their core values and life goals. In 2018, she co-founded Morton Brown Family Wealth, an independent registered investment advisory firm based in Allentown, with a mission to create deep, client-centered relationships rooted in trust and clarity.

In addition to her professional work, Kathryn is a dedicated community advocate. She has held leadership roles with organizations such as the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, Valley Youth House, and previously served on the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Board of Associates. Her contributions to the region have been widely recognized, including her recent inclusion in Lehigh Valley Business’s “Power 100” (2025) and “Power 30 in Banking/Finance” (2024).

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance, with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies, from York College of Pennsylvania. Kathryn is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®.

“We are honored to welcome Kathie to our Board of Governors,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of LVCF. “Her deep financial expertise and demonstrated community leadership will be tremendous assets to our governance and fiscal oversight.”

The Board of Governors at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation provides administrative, programmatic and fiscal oversight in support of the organization’s mission.  Members of the Board serve as ambassadors, promoting the Community Foundation as a vehicle for philanthropy and a leader of community improvement.

To learn more about the Foundation and its mission, visit www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.

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Morton Brown Family Wealth is an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser.

Lehigh Valley Celebrates “Week of the Young Child” with Events, Arts, and Educator Appreciation

Lehigh Valley, PA — The Early Childhood Education Collaborative (ECEC) is proud to announce a vibrant lineup of local events in celebration of the Week of the Young Child (WOYC), taking place April 5–11, 2025, across the Lehigh Valley. This national initiative shines a spotlight on the importance of early learning and honors the educators, families, and community partners dedicated to the well-being and success of our youngest children.

In the Lehigh Valley, the week is marked by special events that highlight the community’s commitment to high-quality, accessible, and affordable childcare — a critical component for thriving families and a thriving local economy.

Week Highlights:

• Themed Days of Celebration: From “Work Together Wednesday” to “Artsy Thursday”, early childhood care centers across the region will be highlighting creative way children learn as they enjoy music, explore food and cooking, build together, create art, and celebrate their families!
• Educator Appreciation Event – April 9: A special Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Event will be held at ArtsQuest, featuring an Artist-in-Residence experience designed to celebrate and uplift the early learning community.
• Space Transformation Event – April 11: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and their Talk. Read. Sing! initiative will join members of the ECEC committee to provide a new reading space and library at the Lehigh School (1593 Lehigh Street Allentown 18103).
• Educator Spotlights & Social Media Shoutouts: Community members are encouraged to show their support by sharing why early childhood education matters to them and tagging #ecec2025, #lvecec, and #woyc25.
• Partnerships in Action: Throughout the week, collaborative efforts will showcase how local solutions are being implemented to address issues like staffing shortages, affordability, and access to early education.

The ECEC brings together childcare providers, educators, business leaders, and families to tackle the region’s childcare crisis head-on. As of late 2024, the Lehigh Valley faced 187 open childcare staff positions and over 90 classroom closures, leaving an estimated 1,655 children without access to early education. Through events like WOYC, the Collaborative aims to raise awareness and build momentum for lasting change.

Each of the region’s three mayors shared Week of the Young Child proclamations, pledging their support of the initiative. “Our children deserve the best start possible, and that begins with investing in early childhood education,” said members of the ECEC leadership team. “We invite the entire community to join us in celebrating the people and programs shaping our region’s future.”

The Early Childhood Education Collaborative is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and is joined by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, PPL, Crayola, Tuskes Homes, PennAEYC, Just Born, Victaulic, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, PNC, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and PBS39 in supporting the Week of the Young Child initiative.

Visit ececlehighvalley.org and follow @ececlehighvalley on Instagram or @ECECLV on Facebook to learn more and participate.

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Contributed Release

Allentown, Pa., March 13, 2025—Mariska van Aalst joined the staff of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in March 2025 as Program Officer, Community Impact & Policy. Her primary responsibilities include supporting and developing the Foundation’s expanded role in government relations and advocacy work as well as managing arts programming.

Prior to joining the foundation, Mariska served as Lehigh Valley Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Deputy District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild. Before her roles in government, Mariska was a professional writer and editor. She spent 10 years as a magazine and book editor at Rodale, Inc., then became a nonfiction book collaborator and co-wrote eight New York Times and Washington Post bestsellers. Her work is published in over 30 languages.

Mariska is a member of the inaugural cohort of the CORE Fellowship, the Executive Team of Resilient Lehigh Valley, and Muhlenberg Board of Associates. She was a founding board member of Seven Generations Charter School in Emmaus.

Originally from New Jersey, Mariska has lived in the Lehigh Valley since 1998. She received a BA in English from Schreyer Honors College at Penn State.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mariska to the Community Foundation team. Her deep understanding of government relations, policy, and community engagement—combined with her extensive experience in writing and communications—makes her an incredible asset to our organization,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Community Foundation.  “As we expand our role in advocacy, Mariska’s expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our impact across the region. We look forward to the meaningful contributions she will bring to our work and to the communities we serve.”

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LVCF Supports Early Childcare Access with $175,500 in Grants

Allentown, Pa., February 28, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has awarded over $175,500 in general operating grants to local nonprofits dedicated to improving early childcare access. This funding is part of LVCF’s ongoing commitment to addressing early childhood care challenges through strategic, foundation-directed community investments.

“Ensuring that families in our region have access to high-quality, affordable early childcare remains a priority for LVCF,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President for Community Investments. “We recognize that financial support alone won’t solve these challenges, so we are also working alongside community partners and the Early Childhood Education Collaborative to drive sustainable solutions.”

The following organizations have been awarded third-year grants, as part of a three-year funding cycle, with amounts ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 for the fiscal year 2024-25:

• Resurrected Community Development Corporation
• The Children’s Center, Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
• Third Street Alliance

Additionally, the second grant of two-year grant awards ranging from $2,500 to $14,000 to for 2024-25 have been granted to:

• Community Services for Children
• Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
• Greater Valley YMCA
• Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc.
• Mindful Child Initiative
• Northampton Community College Foundation
• Pinebrook Family Answers
• ProJeCt of Easton, Inc.
• Red Door Early Learning Center
• Saucon Valley Community Center
• Via of the Lehigh Valley

Addressing Key Challenges

LVCF’s funding strategy is informed by ongoing engagement with community leaders. “Our goal is to foster a long-term, sustainable approach to early childcare access,” explained Briggs. “We’re leveraging not only financial resources but also collaboration, advocacy, and research to drive impactful change in this sector.”

LVCF’s early childcare initiatives align with broader impact areas such as workforce development, family stability, economic mobility, and health. LVCF remains dedicated to ensuring that every child in the region has access to quality early learning opportunities, recognizing the critical role these programs play in shaping a brighter future for both families and the broader community.

For more information about LVCF’s foundation-directed grantmaking: click here.

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LVCF’s Marueen Wendling Receives Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® Designation

Allentown, Pa., February 6, 2025— Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Director of Donor Initiatives Maureen Connolley Wendling, recently obtained the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® from The American College of Financial Services.

 As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), Maureen helps clients integrate philanthropy into their financial, estate, and legacy planning. She specializes in designing strategic giving plans using tools like donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations while leveraging tax-efficient strategies to maximize impact. She focuses on aligning charitable giving with my client’s values and goals, creating meaningful legacies, and collaborating with other professionals to develop cohesive plans.

Maureen joined the staff at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2023. She serves as Director of Donor Initiatives with primary responsibilities that include donor identification, cultivation and solicitation; relationship building with professional advisors; and strategy development for groups of donors such as planned giving donors.

An experienced leader in the Lehigh Valley’s nonprofit sector, Maureen has a background working in higher education, the arts and social services. She brings strategic insight and a hands-on approach to each donor/client relationship. Drawing upon her knowledge of best practices, she has helped many regional organizations develop and implement key strategies to advance their missions.

Maureen is a Lehigh Valley native and finds value in giving back to the community where she grew up. She has served on the Communications Committee of Resilient Lehigh Valley and the Northampton County Suicide Task Force and the serves on the Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College.

Maureen is a mindfulness mediation teacher; she completed her teaching training at the Mindfulness Institute at Thomas Jefferson University and the Center for Mindfulness at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Maureen graduated from DeSales University with a B.S. in Marketing and Sales.

The Community Foundation now has three staff members who have achieved the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). LVCF’s Carrie Krug Nedick, Director of Donor Services, achieved her CAP® in 2024 and President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli added the designation in 2023.

About The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®)

The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) is a professional designation that is designed for financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, and other professionals who work with individuals and families in the area of charitable giving. The process of becoming a CAP typically takes around one year to complete, depending on the individual’s schedule and pace. The American College of Financial Services and other approved providers offer various study materials and resources to help candidates prepare for the CAP exam.

Obtaining the CAP designation demonstrates a commitment to providing clients with the highest level of expertise and knowledge in the field of philanthropic planning, providing a comprehensive education in charitable giving strategies, tax law, and ethical issues.

The CAP credential is recognized as the premier credential for advisors in the philanthropic field, providing them with a competitive advantage and enhancing their credibility and reputation in the industry. The ongoing professional development requirements of the program can also help advisors stay current with the latest trends and regulations in philanthropy, ensuring that they can provide the best possible advice to their clients helping them achieve their philanthropic goals and make a positive impact on their communities. By providing guidance on charitable giving strategies, a CAP holder can help clients maximize the impact of their charitable contributions while also achieving their own financial and estate planning goals.

Allentown, Pa., February 5, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has joined forces with 40 other Pennsylvania community foundations to launch the PA Giving Pledge, a statewide campaign to inspire Pennsylvanians to leave at least 5% of their estates to help future generations. 

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA), the newly announced PA Giving Pledge aims to scale Pennsylvania-focused giving with an emphasis on generating sustainable financial resources for worthy causes and nonprofits addressing a wide range of community needs across the state. 

“The PA Giving Pledge is a remarkable opportunity for Lehigh Valley residents to create a lasting legacy that will enhance the quality of life for our families, friends, and neighbors for generations to come,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation President and CEO. “Place-based philanthropy is essential to addressing the unique needs of our communities, ensuring that resources stay local and drive sustainable impact where they are needed most. By collaborating with other PACFA community foundations, we can amplify our impact and ensure meaningful change in nearly every county in the commonwealth.” 

The effort aims to tap into 5% of the estimated $418 billion transfer of wealth projected in Pennsylvania by 2030, according to estimates by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. If 5% of that $418 billion were endowed through the pledge, it would generate $21 billion to benefit Pennsylvania communities and causes forever, said PACFA president Michael L. Batchelor. 

With the launch of the PA Giving Pledge, donors and professional advisors can now access an interactive website, PAGivingPledge.org, to find their nearest community foundation and explore county-by-county data highlighting the total estimated wealth transfer by 2030. 

“The potential impact is truly transformative,” Erika said. “Here in the Lehigh Valley, if our residents committed just 5% of the projected transfer of wealth, it could mean millions in additional funding each year to support local nonprofits and vital community initiatives.” 

PACFA members will be engaging business leaders, professional advisors, and philanthropists in their communities to endorse the program and help build further momentum. 

“We’re thrilled to have the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation as a dedicated partner in advocating for the PA Giving Pledge,” Batchelor said. “Together, we have the opportunity to leave a shared legacy that will benefit Pennsylvanians for generations to come.” 

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