Walker Fund at LVCF Continues George T. Walker’s Legacy with Annual Grants to Seven Organizations
ALLENTOWN, Pa., June 8, 2026 — The George T. Walker Charitable Fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently awarded $393,230 in grants to seven nonprofit organizations designated by the late George T. Walker through his charitable estate plans.
A donor-designated fund administered by LVCF, the George T. Walker Charitable Fund provides annual grants in perpetuity to organizations selected by Walker during his lifetime. Established following his passing in 2011, the Fund continues to honor his charitable vision by supporting causes that were meaningful to him and advancing the work of organizations dedicated to helping others.
Grant recipients for 2026 are:
American Red Cross – Poconos Chapter
Deborah Hospital Foundation
Effort United Methodist Church
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Mount Pocono United Methodist Church
Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
“The George T. Walker Charitable Fund demonstrates the lasting impact a donor can have through thoughtful charitable planning,” said Carrie Krug Nedick, CAP®, Director of Donors Services at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “More than a decade after the Fund was established, Mr. Walker’s generosity continues to provide meaningful support to organizations he cared about deeply. It is an honor to help ensure his wishes are carried out year after year.”
Walker worked with his professional advisors in 2005 to establish plans for his charitable legacy. Through his estate, he created a fund that would provide ongoing support to organizations he trusted to make a difference in the lives of others. Since its establishment, the George T. Walker Charitable Fund has distributed annual grants that reflect his values and commitment to helping people in need.
Nedick added, “One of the greatest strengths of a designated fund is its ability to create consistent, long-term support for nonprofit organizations. These annual grants reflect Mr. Walker’s enduring commitment to helping others and illustrate how charitable giving can continue making a difference for generations.”
Known for his humility and generosity, Walker lived in Monroe County and believed strongly in supporting organizations that provided essential services and compassionate care. Through the George T. Walker Charitable Fund, his legacy continues to strengthen the work of nonprofits and extend his impact well beyond his lifetime.
Allentown, Pa. June 8, 2026— Jamie Popp recently joined the staff of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation as Program Officer, Early Childhood. Her primary responsibilities include supporting initiatives that strengthen early childhood education throughout the Lehigh Valley. Her role serves as a central connector across funders, providers, and community stakeholders, supporting initiatives that increase childcare capacity, affordability, workforce pathways, and systems effectiveness.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Jamie spent more than 15 years working alongside early childhood educators, administrators, and families in a variety of leadership and program development roles. Her experience includes overseeing state-funded early childhood programs, leading professional development initiatives, supporting family engagement efforts, and collaborating with school districts and community partners to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities.
Jamie has presented nationally on family engagement, including at the 2024 Head Start National Conference, and is passionate about advocating for the early childhood profession and strengthening systems that support children and families. In 2023, she earned a certificate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Family Engagement in Education: Creating Effective Home and School Partnerships.
“Jamie brings a deep understanding of the early childhood landscape and a longstanding commitment to supporting children, families, and educators,” said Megan Barnes Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “Her experience building partnerships, strengthening programs, and advancing family engagement will be invaluable as we continue working with community partners to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities across the Lehigh Valley. We are excited to welcome Jamie to the Foundation and look forward to the leadership and insight she will bring to this important work.”
A Lehigh Valley native, Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Lock Haven University.
$106,000 in general operating grants will help ten Lehigh Valley nonprofits expand access to high-quality early childhood education
Allentown, Pa., June 23, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has awarded $106,000 in general operating grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to ten nonprofit organizations working to expand access to high-quality early childhood education throughout the Lehigh Valley. The grants reflect LVCF’s continued commitment to strengthening the early childhood sector and supporting the children, families, and educators who depend on it.
“Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care is critical to the well-being of children, families, employers, and our community as a whole,” said Megan Barnes Briggs, Vice President for Community Investments at LVCF. “By providing flexible operating support, these grants help organizations respond to immediate needs while building the capacity needed to create lasting impact.”
Organizations receiving grants through LVCF’s Early Childhood Education Fund include:
• Community Services for Children, Inc. • Greater Valley YMCA • Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc. • Northampton Community College Foundation – Northampton Community College Children’s Centers • Pinebrook Family Answers • ProJeCt of Easton (supported by Joyce and Lloyd Welken Fund at LVCF) • Resurrected Community Development Corporation • The Children’s Center, Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania • Third Street Alliance • Via of the Lehigh Valley
The grants support organizations that provide childcare, early learning opportunities, family support services, and specialized programs that help children develop the skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. Funding also helps strengthen the early childhood workforce, expand access to care, and address barriers that prevent families from securing reliable, affordable childcare.
“Investing in early childhood is one of the most effective ways to strengthen our community’s future,” Briggs added. “These organizations are helping children build strong foundations for lifelong success while providing essential support that allows families to work, learn, and thrive. We are proud to partner with them in this important work.”
LVCF’s early childhood investments are part of a broader strategy to improve outcomes for children and families while addressing regional challenges related to workforce participation, economic mobility, and community well-being. Through grantmaking, convening, and collaboration, the Foundation continues to support efforts that advance a stronger early childhood ecosystem throughout the Lehigh Valley.
This grant is being awarded as part of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Early Childhood Leadership Grantmaking and is made possible by the generosity of our fundholders who contribute to foundation-directed grantmaking. The funds supporting the 2025-2026 Early Childhood Fund grant cycle include:
• Edward & Inez Donley Fund • Walter & Alma Bastian Fund • Frances L. Barnard Fund for Children • Janice & Paul Gross Fund • Lucille F. Driver Fund • Support from Anonymous • Support from the Peter Barter and Linda Bartera Fund • Support from Judith Roberts • Support from Joyce and Lloyd Welken Fund at LVCF • Support from Roger & Kathy Yott
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 58 years, we receive support from donors, manage funds to grow over time, and make high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits.
The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds, totaling over $140 million, and we continue to grow—both in size and in the way we fulfill our mission. We are evolving to engage more deeply with partners, serve more effectively as a thought leader on community issues, and explore more innovative ways to make life better across the Lehigh Valley. To learn more, visit: www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.
LVCF Honors Attorney Edward J. Lentz and the Torrey Family Fund with Philanthropy Awards
Allentown, PA, June 3, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation honored Edward J. Lentz, Esq. and the David Torrey and the Torrey Family Fund during its Board of Associates 2026 Spring Meeting and Awards Program, held Thursday, May 28, at Saucon Valley Country Club. The annual program brought together more than 80 members of LVCF’s Board of Associates, donors, professional advisors, nonprofit leaders, corporate executives, community volunteers, and friends of the Foundation to celebrate philanthropy and the people who help strengthen charitable giving across the Lehigh Valley.
Edward J. Lentz, an attorney with Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C., received the 2026 Service to Philanthropy Award, which recognizes a professional advisor who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to philanthropy by helping individuals, families, and businesses use charitable giving to make a lasting difference.
The 2026 Vision in Philanthropy Award was presented to David Torrey and the Torrey Family Fund in recognition of the fund’s sustained commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations through the Community Foundation.
“Tonight is a celebration of philanthropy — not just as an act of generosity, but as a reflection of trust, partnership, and love for this community,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.
Erika shared that LVCF is experiencing a remarkable period of growth and impact. The Foundation is on track for another record year of contributions, approaching $30 million, while grants are on track to exceed $10 million for the first time in its history. LVCF’s assets have grown to almost $140 million, more than 80 percent of which is endowed. “Those numbers matter,” Petrozelli said. “But what they really represent is something much deeper. They represent the generosity of this region and the people who believe that there should be a permanent source of support to meet the changing needs of our community, today and tomorrow.”
David Torrey | Vision in Philanthropy Award
Luis Campos, Chair, Board of Governors (L.), Erika Riddle Petrozelli (m.) , David Torrey (r.)
David Torrey first came to LVCF through his financial advisor after maintaining a donor-advised fund on a national platform. Seeking a more personal connection to local needs, he transferred his charitable fund to LVCF and established the Torrey Family Fund. His philanthropy has supported organizations addressing homelessness, food insecurity, emergency needs, veterans, foster youth, housing, and disaster relief. “David is a proud servant of the community,” Petrozelli said. “His philanthropy is thoughtful, consistent, and deeply compassionate. He gives where help is most needed, and he does so with care.”
In accepting the award, Torrey spoke about his appreciation for LVCF’s local knowledge and its ability to help donors respond to needs both locally and beyond the region. “I find that the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has a good knowledge of local charities,” Torrey said. “What I like about the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is that you can give locally, as well as internationally.”
Torrey also used his remarks to highlight causes close to his heart, including housing, disaster relief, homelessness, and foster youth. He encouraged attendees to consider practical ways to help young people in foster care, including donating suitcases and backpacks so children do not have to carry belongings in trash bags.
Edward J. Lentz, Esq. | Service to Philanthropy Award
Joe Bubba, Esq., Luis Campos, Ed Lentz, Esq., and Erika Riddle Petrozelli (left to right)
Edward J. Lentz, Esq. was recognized for his longstanding leadership as a professional advisor and his partnership with LVCF. A former member of LVCF’s Board of Governors, Lentz has helped clients incorporate charitable giving into estate, retirement, and wealth management planning, creating opportunities for meaningful charitable impact throughout the region.
“We at LVCF have been so fortunate to work with Ed over the years,” Petrozelli said. “He has been both an advisor to his clients and a trusted partner to LVCF.”
Joseph Bubba, Esq., Lentz’s colleague and partner at Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, introduced Lentz and praised his professional excellence, attention to detail, and nearly 50 years of service to clients and the community. “Ed has a simple mantra that he passes on to all attorneys, both old and new,” Buba said. “If you want to be good at what you do, you do not need to have an exotic model for success. You simply need to do the basic things in the right way.”
In accepting the award, Lentz thanked his colleagues, family, and the Community Foundation, noting the significance of receiving the recognition at this point in his career. “To receive this award at this time means a lot to me,” Lentz said. “It especially means a lot because I’ve seen the Foundation grow from kind of a sleepy Bethlehem foundation to a dynamic organization with $140 million of assets under management.”
The event was sponsored by PNC Bank, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, Charlie and Ruth Marcon, and David and Carol Osborn.
About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 50 years, LVCF receives support from donors, manages funds to grow over time, and makes high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits. To learn more, visit www.lvcfoundation.org.
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Contact:
Michael Wilson, Director of Communications Lehigh Valley Community Foundation 840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310 Allentown, PA 18101
Good Neighbor Fund Supports Energy Assistance with $200,000 in Grants to Nonprofits
Allentown, Pa., May 20, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) and the PPL Foundation announced the recipients of Good Neighbor Fund grants for 2026, awarding a total of nearly $200,000 to nonprofit organizations working to help households across eastern and central Pennsylvania manage rising home energy costs.
The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, will support community-based organizations that provide direct utility assistance to families and individuals experiencing financial hardship. Funding may be used to assist with electricity, heating fuel, oil, and other essential home energy expenses.
Funded by the PPL Foundation, the Good Neighbor Fund helps addressthe increasing burden of utility costs on households throughout PPL Electric Utilities’ service territory. Through partnerships with trusted nonprofit organizations already serving their communities, the program helps ensure support reaches households quickly and efficiently.
“Families across our region continue to face difficult financial decisions as energy and household costs remain high,” said Megan Barnes Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “These grants strengthen the capacity of local nonprofits that are already deeply connected to their communities and able to respond quickly when households need support the most.”
Community organizations play a critical role in helping neighbors maintain safe and stable housing. By investing in organizations with established utility assistance programs, the Good Neighbor Fund helps deliver meaningful relief to households while reinforcing the importance of local partnerships in addressing urgent community needs.
Organizations receiving 2026 Good Neighbor Fund grants include:
Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.
Eastern PA Trans Equity Project
Berks Family Promise
Family Promise of the Poconos
Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Conference of Churches
New Bethany
ProJeCt of Easton, Inc
Raising the House
Safe Monroe
Salvation Army East Stroudsburg
The Open Link
Third Street Alliance for Women & Children
Turning Point Lehigh Valley
Union-Snyder Community Action Agency
Valley Youth House
The Good Neighbor Fund supports nonprofit organizations with existing utility assistance programs serving communities throughout eastern and central Pennsylvania. Grant funding helps households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level maintain access to essential utilities and avoid housing instability.
For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, visit www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.
Lehigh Valley Early Childhood Education Collaborative Announces 2026 Week of the Young Child Events
Lehigh Valley, Pa. April 10, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Early Childhood Education Collaborative (ECEC) will hold a number of local events in celebration of the 2026 Week of the Young Child, a national initiative recognizing the importance of early learning, young children, their families, and educators. This year’s celebration is especially significant, marking the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the 55th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child.
Throughout the week, ECEC will host a series of engaging, community-centered events designed to celebrate early childhood educators, connect families, and highlight the critical role of childcare in strengthening the region’s workforce and economy.
Family Parade & Celebration Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00–11:30 a.m. Sigal Museum & Easton Farmers Market
Families are invited to kick off the celebration with a lively morning of creativity and fun. The Family Parade & Celebration will feature hands-on activities, music, storytelling, and a parade walk through the Easton Farmers Market and Public Market. Children will have the opportunity to create their own instruments and banners as part of the festivities. This free event is open to the public, with parent or guardian accompaniment required.
Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Event Monday, April 13, 2026 | 5:30–8:30 p.m. DeSales University
In recognition of the vital contributions of early childhood educators, ECEC will host a special evening celebration honoring those who shape the lives of young children every day. The invite-only event will include a dinner program and recognition ceremony. Admission is free for invited guests, with registration required. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6:00 p.m.
2026 State of Early Childhood Education in the Lehigh Valley: Childcare as Economic Infrastructure Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 7:30–9:30 a.m. Lehigh Valley Public Media (PBS39), Bethlehem
Closing out the week, ECEC will convene regional leaders for a focused breakfast conversation examining childcare as a workforce and economic imperative. Designed for elected officials, employers, and community stakeholders, this session will explore how access to affordable, high-quality childcare impacts talent recruitment, retention, and regional economic growth.
The program will feature brief presentations and a moderated panel discussion with leaders from early childhood education, business, public policy, and economic development. Attendees will gain updates on local initiatives, learn about employer tools and incentives, and leave with actionable strategies to expand childcare access across the Lehigh Valley. A light breakfast will be provided. The event is free, with registration required.
A Community Investment in the Future
“The Week of the Young Child is an opportunity to celebrate not only our youngest learners, but also the educators, families, and systems that support them,” said Megan Barnes Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “Investing in early childhood education is essential to building a strong workforce, thriving families, and a resilient regional economy,” noted Megan who is a member of the ECEC.
The Early Childhood Education Collaborative is committed to ensuring that all families in the Lehigh Valley have access to high-quality, affordable childcare. By bringing together partners across sectors, the Collaborative works to advance solutions that support children, families, and employers alike.
About the Early Childhood Education Collaborative The Early Childhood Education Collaborative, convened by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, brings together partners representing early childhood advocates, providers, businesses, and community stakeholders. The Collaborative works to strengthen the early childhood sector and improve outcomes for children and families across the Lehigh Valley.
About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation connects donors with causes that matter, managing more than 300 charitable funds totaling over $130 million. For more than 58 years, the Foundation has supported high-impact initiatives that strengthen nonprofits and improve quality of life across the region.
Thank you Sponsors
Support for these events was made possible through a grant from PNC, with additional sponsorship provided by Crayola Experience, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Just Born Quality Confections, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (LVIP), Lehigh Valley Public Media (PBS39), Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Zoellner Arts Center.
Critical Support Fund Delivers Immediate Food and Crisis Relief Across the Greater Lehigh Valley
Nearly 100 donors and partners committed over $689,000 to address urgent food access and emergency needs.
Families across the Greater Lehigh Valley received immediate food and emergency relief through the Critical Support Fund, a joint effort of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. Launched in October 2025 to address urgent community needs, the fund raised more than $689,000, allowing partners to act quickly and deliver direct support to thousands of neighbors facing food insecurity and other critical challenges.
“Because of the generosity of our partners, we were able to move at the speed of need to respond at the scale this moment required,” said Marci Lesko, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “The Critical Support Fund allowed us to act immediately, coordinate across systems and ensure families had access to food, heat and essential supports during a critical time. This is what collaboration looks like when a community comes together around urgent need.”
“Community foundations play a critical role in mobilizing philanthropy when urgent needs arise,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “Through the Critical Support Fund, donors and partners were able to move resources quickly to organizations already serving families on the front lines of food insecurity and economic hardship. This collaboration shows how philanthropy and community partnerships can work together to respond quickly and effectively when our neighbors need support most.”
To meet needs, the organizations worked in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley. Funding supported bulk purchases totaling 775,995 pounds of food, serving 25,762 households per month across Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties. Purchases filled shelves at more than 100 food pantries with produce, dry goods, cereal, rice, beans and shelf-stable items, along with fresh proteins and essential staples. This level of food purchasing rapidly expanded the ability to source supplies in the region, where approximately 66,000 pounds of food were distributed in September and October prior to the fund’s launch. Bulk food purchases began in early November and continued through February, ensuring food access for families throughout the winter months.
In addition to food distribution, funds have been invested in warming shelter operations in Easton, including a $15,000 investment to support Safe Harbor, as well as food delivery and alternative food access options for individuals who are unable to reach food pantries, utility assistance for working families struggling to afford basic needs and after-school program food access.
This work was driven by a network of food providers, formed in early October, when the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley convened over a dozen food pantry and food bank leaders to strategically share information and resources to get through the crisis. They also partnered with Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley and North Penn Legal Services to host a webinar in November focused on changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The session supported nonprofit partners in helping community members maintain access to SNAP, with a second session currently being planned.
Additional Critical Support Fund investments were issued in early 2026 to support specific populations and emergency needs. These included $30,000 in grants to organizations serving people with disabilities, older adults, immigrants and LGBTQ residents with partners including the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living Inc., Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Eastern PA Trans Equity Project, Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting and Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley. An additional $120,000 was distributed to support utility assistance for households with oil heat through grants to The Salvation Army in Bethlehem and Allentown and the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, Inc.
Community Foundation Awards $611,500 from Trusted Response Fund to Support Community Needs
Allentown, Pa., February 26, 2026—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) today announced $611,500 in grants through its Trusted Response Fund, funding nonprofit organizations across the Lehigh Valley that are addressing urgent community needs and strengthening long-term resilience.
The Trusted Response Fund was established to provide flexible, timely resources to organizations responding to emerging challenges and evolving community conditions. This year’s grants support a broad cross-section of the nonprofit sector, including health care access, youth development, basic needs, arts and culture, education, environmental stewardship, and community-based support systems.
The Foundation received a strong and competitive pool of applications, reflecting both the vitality of the region’s nonprofit sector and the scale of current community needs. Funding awards were based on alignment with the Fund’s purpose, demonstrated community impact, organizational capacity, and financial stewardship.
“The Trusted Response Fund reflects our commitment to investing in organizations that are deeply embedded in and responsive to our community,” said Robyn Weaver, Program Officer for Capacity Building, who oversees the implementation of the Trusted Response Fund. “We are grateful to the community evaluators who brought rigor and care to this process. This year’s grants represent a wide range of approaches to strengthening the Lehigh Valley—from expanding access to health services and education to supporting families facing economic hardship. While we could not fund every worthy request, we are confident these investments will have meaningful impact.”
Grants, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, were awarded to the following organizations for 2025-26:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Basement Poetry
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society
Financial Sustainability
Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Friends of the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks
Greater Easton Development Partnership
LINC (Lehigh Valley Interregional Networking & Connecting Consortium)
Northeast Community Center
ProJeCt of Easton, Inc.
WDIY 88.1 FM
Leadership
Battle Borne
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.
Center for Humanistic Change, Inc.
Community Bike Works
Stephen’s Place
Valley Youth House
Operational Efficiency/Effectiveness
Community Music School
Family Connection of Easton
Humanitarian Social Innovations
Pennsylvania Youth Theatre
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
Third Street Alliance for Women & Children
Valley Wealth Alliance
Wildlands Conservancy
Organizational Culture and Continuous Learning
Family Promise of Lehigh Valley
Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley
Mindful Child Initiative
Purpose and Impact
Allentown Public Theatre
Allentown School District Foundation
ArtsQuest
Boys & Girls Club of Allentown
Communities In Schools of Eastern PA
Easter Seals Eastern PA
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network
Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley
Juxtahub
Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc.
Nurture Nature Center
Ripple Community Inc.
River Crossing YMCA
The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties
The Kindness Project
Thrive Hub
Wilson Area LINCS Family Center, Inc.
Strategic Response
Bethlehem Area Public Library*
Cathedral Church of the Nativity
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown, Inc.
Cay Galgon Life House
Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Lehigh Conference of Churches
Make The Road Pennsylvania
Meals On Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley
New Bethany*
Planned Parenthood Keystone
Safe Harbor Easton
The Refugee Community Center
*Projects funded through a grant from Comcast
The 2026 Trusted Response Fund cohort reflects LVCF’s continued commitment to responsive philanthropy—deploying resources where they can stabilize critical services today while strengthening organizational capacity for the future. See: https://lvcfgrants.org/trusted-response-fund for more information.
Thank you to LVCF Fundholders who supported these grants, they include:
The Pine Fund
Lehigh Valley Helping Hand Fund
Donald & Alice Farquharson Fund
Leonard A. Wenzel Memorial Fund for South Bethlehem
Outdoor Recreation Fund for Youth
Luther J. Hottle Fund
William C. Rybak Fund for People with Disabilities
John L. Daniel & Carol Holben-Daniel Fund
Margaret Ann Bachert Fund
Ben Franklin Trust Fund
Eugene G. Grace, Jr. Fund
250th Book Fund
Deborah S. Haight Fund
Anthony J. Ruggiero Fund
Martina M. Malone Fund
Randy H. & Ramona A. Bruch Fund
E. Spencer & Nellie C. Addison Fund
Betsy & Jack Jordan Fund
Michael C. Schrader Fund
Greene Family Fund
Link Family Fund
contribution from Margot Hillman and Steven W. Kraft
About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 58 years, we receive support from donors, manage funds to grow over time, and make high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits.
The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds, totaling over $130 million, and we continue to grow—both in size and in the way we fulfill our mission. We are evolving to engage more deeply with partners, serve more effectively as a thought leader on community issues, and explore more innovative ways to make life better across the Lehigh Valley. To learn more, visit: www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.
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Media Contact Michael Wilson Director of Communications Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Cell: 484 695-3277 | Michael@LVCFoundation.org
ALLENTOWN, Pa., January 5, 2026 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) is pleased to announce that Angela Connell, MBA, MSHRM, PHR, SHRM-CP, has joined the Foundation’s Board of Governors effective January 1, 2026. She will serve on the Foundation’s Community Engagement Committee.
Angela is a forward-thinking human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience aligning people strategy with organizational growth across manufacturing, media, healthcare, and international business environments. She currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer at HNL Lab Medicine, where she leads enterprise-wide human resources and organizational development strategy. In this role, she has repositioned HR as a strategic business enabler, modernized governance and compliance frameworks, strengthened leadership development, and supported workforce planning across multi-state operations.
Previously, Angela was Founder and Principal Consultant of Advantage HR Solutions, where she served as a fractional CHRO and strategic advisor to executive teams across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Her work included organizational restructuring, succession planning, leadership coaching, and implementation of scalable HR frameworks for U.S. and European operations. Earlier in her career, she held senior HR leadership roles with Adept Group, Celestica, and The Express-Times, supporting large-scale workforce expansion, manufacturing operations, and media organizations.
Angela holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Human Resources from Moravian University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She is professionally certified as a PHR and SHRM-CP. Her community involvement includes service with United Way, Community Action Lehigh Valley, Generation Next, and Project Easton’s Women’s United Lead initiative.
“We are excited to welcome Angela to our Board of Governors,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “Her depth of leadership experience, commitment to building strong organizations, and passion for community engagement will be a tremendous asset to LVCF and the region we serve.”
The Board of Governors provides governance, strategic oversight, and community leadership in support of LVCF’s mission to improve the quality of life throughout the Lehigh Valley.
Allentown, Pa., December 19, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has announced the distribution of $115,000 in Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) grants to support nonprofit arts and culture organizations across Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties. This year, 23 organizations will receive a $5,000 grant to help strengthen and sustain the region’s creative sector.
The Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) is funded by The Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). The program supports dynamic Pennsylvania arts organizations with average annual revenues between $10,000 and $200,000, offering flexible funding that allows organizations to respond to changing operational, programmatic, and community needs.
“Arts and culture organizations play an essential role in building connected, vibrant communities and strengthening the local economy,” said Mary Sinibaldi Mancino, Program Associate at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “We were impressed by both the volume and quality of applications received for this year’s Creative Sector Flex Fund. The review process reflected the depth of talent and creativity across our region. While these grants provide meaningful support, they also underscore the ongoing need for sustained investment in the arts and creative economy throughout the Lehigh Valley.”
A defining element of the CSFF program is its flexibility. Grant funds may be used for a wide range of organizational priorities, including administrative capacity, program development, or project-related expenses, enabling recipients to direct resources where they are most needed.
2025-26 Creative Sector Flex Fund Grant Recipients
– Allentown Public Theatre – Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission – Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center – CEC of Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine, ODWU – Chamber Music Lehigh Valley – Godfrey Daniels – InnaStar Inc. – Karl Stirner Arts Trail Inc. – Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra – Lehigh Valley Chorale – Lehigh Valley Girls Rock – Mosaic Youth Chorus – Movement Moves Media – Mock Turtle Marionette Theater – Paza Tree of Life, Inc. – Pennsylvania Playhouse INC – Repertory Dance Theatre – SATORI – SouthSide Film Institute – The Lehigh Art Alliance Inc – Women Veterans Empowered & Thriving – Young People’s Philharmonic
LVCF administers the Creative Sector Flex Fund locally as part of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts regional funding partnership, expanding access to state arts funding across Region 5, which includes Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
About Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. For more than 50 years, LVCF has strengthened the Lehigh Valley through charitable giving, fund stewardship, and strategic grantmaking that supports nonprofits and communities throughout the region.
The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds totaling over $80 million and continues to grow in both scale and impact by deepening partnerships, advancing community leadership, and pursuing innovative approaches to philanthropy.
About Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
These grants are made possible byThe Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), and the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) regional funding partnership. State funding is provided by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. In Region 5, the PPA program is administered by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.
