Author: michael@lvcfoundation.org

Allentown, Pa., July 15, 2024—Lehigh Valley Business has named Monique Saunders Moreno, Program Officer for Arts, Culture & Creative Economy at the Community Foundation, as one of the “Forty Under 40” honorees for 2024.

Monique joined the Community Foundation in October 2020 and was recently appointed as Program Officer, Arts, Culture & Creative Economy. She serves as the liaison to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) Partners in the Arts program, overseeing grant distribution from the Creative Sector Flex Fund and the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program in support of projects in Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. Previously, Monique was the Assistant Director of Community Investments, where she assisted crafting grantmaking strategies, implementing grant cycles, and providing community leadership around several issues.

“Over the past four years, Monique has greatly contributed to the Community Investment team’s work, enhancing the overall culture of the Foundation,” said Megan Briggs, LVCF’s Vice President for Community Investments. “She has led grant cycles, developed key relationships, streamlined processes, and managed complex logistics for our CORE Fellowship and our partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.”

Before joining the Foundation, Monique held various leadership roles at Stitch Fix and BCBG Max Azria, focusing on operations, client experience, and project management. She also interned at the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and worked with the Pittsburgh Human Rights Network. Monique is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Originally from New Jersey, Monique relocated to the Lehigh Valley as a child. She graduated from William Allen High School in Allentown, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Cheyney University, and a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

“The 2024 Forty Under 40 honorees are high-achieving young professionals who give back to the community in exceptional ways. They have demonstrated significant career success but also know that making a difference in the lives of others is essential,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Lehigh Valley Business. “They are the next generation of leaders in the Lehigh Valley, and Lehigh Valley Business is pleased to recognize their accomplishments.”

Forty Under 40 recognizes professionals 40 years of age and younger who have been successful in the Greater Lehigh Valley area. Honorees, selected by the editors of Lehigh Valley Business, were chosen based on professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change. This year’s Forty Under 40 will be honored September 12, 2024, at an awards celebration at the DeSales University Center, 2755 Station Avenue in Center Valley.

About Lehigh Valley Business

Lehigh Valley Business is a multimedia news source with 38 years of journalistic excellence that breaks news daily on its website, LVB.com. It also publishes a print and online edition. In addition, Lehigh Valley Business publishes special focus sections and products throughout the year including Reader Rankings and Fastest Growing Companies in addition to the yearly Book of Lists. It also hosts eight annual events, including Women of Influence, Health Care Heroes and Forty Under 40, to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities. Learn more at: https://www.lvb.com/.

2024 Forty Under 40 Honorees

Jonathan Becker, RPA Engineering
Anthony P. Beltrami, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C.
Rev. Kimberly Berenotto, Longswamp United Church of ChristSandra Bieber, Discover Lehigh Valley
Tricia Bowman, JULABO USA
Hilary Brown, C.F. Martin & Co.
Erica Butler, Blue Ridge Eating Disorder Care Center
Brittney Ciardi, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Brad Cosgrove, Tower Health
Joseph Daddona, Shift4
Phil Ellingsworth Jr., Main Line Health
Angelo Fattore, MBA, MSDA, Moravian University
Zachary Fowler, Gross McGinley, LLP
Asaf R. Galeano Paniagua, The Nine Four Group
Alyssa M. Hicks, KingSpry Attorneys & Counselors
Jimi Honochick, YMI Insurance
Samantha Huhn, Military Resource Group (MRG)
Teisha Jones, The Lehigh Valley Humane Society and Vet ClinicStephanie Kane, CPA, RKL LLP
Michael Keller, Barry Isett & Associates, Inc.
Jason Kiesel, Lehigh Valley IronPigsMelissa F. King, Northampton Post Acute
Frank Lawler, Quadrant Capital
Cody Lichtenwalner, Fellowship Community
Dustin A Lukitsch, The Birches of Lehigh Valley
Shaun Marakovits, United Way of The Greater Lehigh Valley
Stephanie Muzzey, BLOK Design Group
Craig W. Peoples, Morgan Stanley
Mathew Pezon, Pezon Properties
Jessica Reimert, Community Action Lehigh Valley
Monique Saunders Moreno, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
Theodore J. Schick, Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo
Tyler Seiferheld, CPA, Lang Faylor Chomo & Company PC
Amanda Shanaberger, Baker Tilly
Youseff Tannous, KeyBank
Tyler Troutman, SAGE Design-Build, Inc.
Michelle Veresink Richmond, ArtsQuest
Mike Warch, Valley National Financial Advisors
Whitney M. Wasem, Lehigh Valley Health Network-Lehigh Valley Physician’s Group
Jeremy Zambelli, Samsung Biologics America

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Allentown, Pa., June 26, 2024—Robyn Weaver joined the staff at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in June 2024 as Program Officer, Capacity Building. Her primary responsibilities include implementation and co-facilitation of CORE Fellowship and identifying regional nonprofit capacity building needs and solutions.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Robyn has held various roles in racial equity and social justice centered capacity building and nonprofit programming including serving as Equity Officer for Pocono Mountains United Way and as Program Manager for Racial and Ethnic Justice at Community Action Lehigh Valley. She has also engaged with local and regional nonprofits providing contracted services including facilitation of We Interrupted, a white-affinity group with Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley and developing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion learning modules for Community Action Association of Pennsylvania. Robyn currently serves as Board Chair for the YWCA of Bethlehem. 

While Robyn is a Lehigh Valley native, she spent years traveling from Philadelphia to Alexandria, Virginia to Corvallis, Oregon, seeking her purpose and taking part-time college courses along the way. Ultimately, she returned home to Allentown where she settled in to complete both her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Kutztown University. She currently holds graduate certificates in Leadership and Management and Community Development from Kutztown University as well as a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

About the CORE Fellowship

The CORE Fellowship Program is a two-year capacity building process designed to bring diverse Lehigh Valley nonprofit leaders together to center equity in themselves, their relationships, their organizations, and the Lehigh Valley non-profit sector. The program consists of peer-to-peer learning, individual coaching, consultant pairing for an organizational equity discovery process, and funding to support organizational capacity-building. The fellowship is designed for both nonprofit leaders and their organizations to support equitable change in delivering on their personal and professional mission.  

About 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, 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 $80 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. 

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LVCF Presents Philanthropy Awards to Judith A. Harris, Esq. and The Century Fund

The 2024 Board of Associated (BOA) meeting at the Lehigh Country Club was the perfect occasion for the Community Foundation to present its prestigious philanthropy awards. Linda Sheftel, chair of the BOA executive committee, got the proceedings rolling with a welcome to the crowd of more than 75 members and guests.

LVCF President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP® presented the Lifetime Service to Philanthropy Award to Judith A. Harris, Esq. for her exceptional career of service and dedication to philanthropy.

The Community Foundation has collaborated with Judy on numerous occasions to help clients achieve their charitable goals, including our mutual work with the trustees of the Century Fund. “Judy has been instrumental in establishing six endowment funds at LVCF, including the George T. Walker Charitable Fund, our largest endowed fund valued at nearly $10 million,” Erika explained. “Judy’s recognition of the Foundation’s role and her commitment to her clients have significantly impacted philanthropy in the community. The LVCF staff and board express deep appreciation for Judy’s contributions, the importance of her work, and the lasting impact of her dedication.”

Dolores A. Laputka, Esq., representing Norris McLaughlin, LC., which sponsored the meeting, expressed her admiration for her colleague. “I am thrilled to present this award to Judy Harris, my colleague for over 20 years,” she noted. “Judy, born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, returned home after earning her LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University, her J.D. from Washington College of Law, and her A.B. from Bryn Mawr College, and also spending time in Moscow. Her extensive community focus includes leading the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival as President of the Board of Trustees, involvement with the Allentown Symphony Association, and the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. Judy’s unwavering commitment to philanthropy in the Lehigh Valley has earned her many accolades. Her husband, Jack Mydlo, Chairman of Urology at Temple University, has been a steadfast supporter. Judy’s dedication to philanthropy and community service makes her a most deserving recipient of this award.”

Judy then took to the podium and delivered a heartfelt speech, expressing her gratitude and admiration for the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the dedicated individuals who have contributed to its success. She began by thanking Dolores and acknowledging the Foundation’s role in improving lives in the Lehigh Valley, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of professional advisors and business leaders.

Judy shared her admiration for the Century Fund and lauded the trustees, including Joan Miller Moran, David Bausch, Lee Butz, and Don Bernhard (in attendance), and Pastor Bob Stevens and the late trustees Alice Anne Miller, Dick Hummel, Rev. Dr. Grant Harrity, and Jack Leh. She also paid tribute to the late Attorney Michael Egan, Donald Miller’s lawyer, who wrote the Century Fund Trust and served as a mentor to many, including herself. Judy recognized Lisa Curran, the longtime Executive Director of the Fund for her dynamic leadership. She highlighted the contributions of John Zayaitz, CPA, and Dianne Pagano Manges, who played crucial roles in the Century Fund’s operations and its eventual sunset after 36 years. Harris also thanked her law firm, Norris McLaughlin, for its ongoing support of client philanthropy and community involvement. See the video of the award presentation and remarks.

Erika Riddle Petrozelli announced The Century Fund as the recipient of the Vision in Philanthropy Award, highlighting its legacy of supporting the Lehigh Valley. “After 25 years of supporting the Valley, the trustees were thoughtful in its wind-down,” she said. The trustees established endowments for the Allentown Symphony and the Allentown Art Museum at the LVCF, ensuring the continuation of Donald Miller’s legacy. A video was shared, showcasing the tremendous impact of Miller’s generosity through The Century Fund. See the video celebrating Donald Miller and the Century Fund’s charitable giving.

Lisa Curran, Former Executive Director of the Century Fund, reminisced about the fund’s impactful history and the dedicated individuals behind it. “The inaugural meeting in December 1985, hosted by Richard Hummel, set a tone of warmth and camaraderie that lasted for 15 years. Don Miller, a humble community service pillar and his daughter Alice Miller, chaired the board with strength and passion. Over its history, The Century Fund donated over $55 million to more than 200 organizations,” she noted. “Major gifts included $6 million to the Allentown School District, $5 million to the Allentown Symphony, and a $2 million endowment to the Allentown Art Museum.” See Lisa Curran’s remarks.

Through a recorded video, Max Weintraub, President and CEO of the Allentown Art Museum, expressed gratitude for the Century Fund’s transformational gift, which has made the museum free for all forever. This milestone has led to a 60% increase in general attendance and a 120% increase in educational program attendance. Max emphasized the positive community response and the significant impact of the Century Fund’s generosity.

Al Jacobsen, Executive Director of the Allentown Symphony Association, also expressed profound gratitude for the Century Fund’s transformational support. He highlighted the Symphony’s multifaceted nature, including its professional orchestra and ownership of the historic Miller Symphony Hall, along with numerous educational and community programs like El Sistema Lehigh Valley. The Century Fund’s relationship with the Symphony dates back to 1959 when Don Miller and his brother helped purchase the Lyric Theater, now Miller Symphony Hall. Contributions have supported musician wages, education programs, and free concert attendance for individuals under 21. Al emphasized that the Century Fund’s legacy gift ensures perpetual funding, securing the Symphony’s mission and growth for the future. See Al Jacobsen’s Remarks.

Upon accepting the award, Joan Miller Moran, daughter of Donald Miller and former trustee, said, “I didn’t write anything down, but I want to accept this award on behalf of my father, who had the vision to start the Century Fund. He would be very happy to see its success recognized today. I’ve been proud to serve as a trustee and enjoyed working with the committee. I also want to acknowledge my sister, Alice Miller, an original trustee chosen by our father, and Dave Bausch, the only original trustee present today.” View the video featuring Joan’s comments.

Lee Butz, former trustee of The Century Fund, concluded the remarks by fondly recalling the camaraderie and accomplishments of the trustees, highlighting the remarkable contributions of Lisa Curran and Judy Harris in managing and guiding the fund. He emphasized the lasting impact of Don Miller’s legacy, noting how his influence continued to shape the fund’s decisions and contributions, particularly the Century Promise, which is set to transform the lives of students in the Allentown School District. Lee also praised LVCF for its vital role in facilitating their philanthropic efforts, underscoring its growing importance and value to the community. He concluded by expressing deep gratitude for the Foundation’s support. View the video of Lee’s remarks.

See all the photos on LVCFs Flickr page: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBuW2F

Past Recipients

• Service to Philanthropy Award
• Vision in Philanthropy Award

Allentown, Pa., June 10, 2024—The George T. Walker Charitable Fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently issued more than $416,200 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 George T. Walker Charitable Fund provides annual grants to organizations designated through the estate of George T. Walker in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund for 2024 included the following:

• American Red Cross – Northeastern PA Chapter
  General Operating – General Operating & BioMedical Services – $46,200
• 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. – $85,000
• 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., March 26, 2024—LVCF President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, was selected as one of this year’s Lehigh Valley Business’s Women of Influence. The designation recognizes high-achieving women for their tremendous career accomplishments. The Women of Influence honorees are selected based on professional experience, community involvement and a commitment to mentoring. See the list of recipients at: Women of Influence Awards – LVB

Erika Riddle Petrozelli stepped into the leadership role in January 2021, in the midst of a pandemic and racial justice movement. Through her steady leadership, the Community Foundation has achieved an immense amount over the last three years. A few of those achievements include: Developing a new strategic plan, diversifying the board, creating new messaging and marketing, implementing a new database system to increase efficiency, and leading the process to refine grantmaking platform.  During the last three years, LVCF’s assets have grown significantly, in addition to expanding and deepening relationships.

Her entire staff supported her nomination. Her leadership style is empowering, bold, strategic, and thoughtful. She exemplifies what it means to lead with curiosity and intellect. She’s a values-based leader who sees the potential and leadership in each person. She has continuously utilized her position and role to lift up other women around her, often times women who have been unrecognized previously. She inspires her staff to not only be good at their job, but also to be good people.

Some of her current leadership roles in the community include: Board of Directors on the Bach Choir, Vice Chair of the Board of the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Alliance, Immediate Past President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, member of the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley and mother of two beautiful children.

In 2023, Erika attained the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation, administered through The American College of Financial Services. She was a 2018-19 Rider-Pool Foundation Collective Impact Fellowship, participating in a program that trains and equips nonprofit leaders to address complex community needs and develop stronger cross-sector partnerships. In 2016, Erika completed the Leadership Lehigh Valley program at Northampton Community College. A Bethlehem native, she graduated from Lehigh University with a major in Accounting.  She was awarded the President’s Scholarship and went on to earn her Masters in Accounting and Information Analysis.

She is a cherished leader by not only her staff, but also the many fundholders and partners of the community foundation.

Allentown, PA, March 12, 2024 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has announced the distribution of over $175,500 in general operating grants to local nonprofits for improving access to early childcare. This funding initiative is part of LVCF’s foundation-directed community investments grantmaking strategy.

Megan Briggs, LVCF’s Vice President for Community Investments, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to collaborative efforts in mitigating the early childhood care and education crisis. “LVCF is not only channeling funds into this critical area but is also engaging in partnerships and initiatives to further its mission of accessible and affordable early childhood care for all,” she noted.

The following organizations have been awarded second-year grants, as part of a three-year funding cycle, with amounts ranging from $25,000 to $20,000 for the fiscal year 2023-24:

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

Additionally, two-year grant awards ranging from $14,000 to $2,500 for 2023-24 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

These grants support nonprofits tackling the root causes of early childhood care and education challenges. Throughout fall 2023, Erika Riddle Petrozelli, LVCF’s President and CEO, and Megan Briggs met with over 20 stakeholders in the early childhood sector. These discussions highlighted critical issues, such as workforce shortages due to low pay, increasing behavioral and mental health diagnoses among children, and insufficient funding for quality programs. They also explored how these challenges intersect with broader impact areas like family support, workforce development, economic well-being, transportation, and health.

LVCF is actively developing strategies to support and enhance the collective effort towards ensuring high-quality, accessible childcare across the Lehigh Valley. The foundation is committed to leveraging its resources, voice, staff, and positioning to impact the early childhood sector positively.

The Foundation oversees various area-of-interest funds aimed at supporting youth and families in the Lehigh Valley, including the Edward & Inez Donley Fund; Walter & Alma Bastian Fund; Outdoor Recreation Fund for Youth; Robert D. & Gwendolyn-Jane Romeril Campership Fund; Lucille F. Driver Fund, and supported by Roger and Kathy Yott.

Grant applications were reviewed by the Early Childhood Care Grant Advisory Committee, which comprises community experts in early childhood care and family services. This diverse group evaluated applications based on the organizations’ focus areas, the populations served, and their community-driven approaches to delivering transformative services equitably.

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

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Allentown, Pa., February 16, 2024—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation recently selected PNC Institutional Asset Management Group (IAM) as it’s Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) for two of the Foundation’s portfolios. This decision follows a rigorous evaluation process led by LVCF’s ad hoc Investment RFP Committee, which concluded that PNC IAM’s expertise and capabilities align most closely with LVCF’s mission and goals.

The committee chaired by Denise Blew, former LVCF board and finance committee member, carefully reviewed proposals from several esteemed firms, conducted interviews and other due diligence measures before recommending PNC IAM. The committee was composed of LVCF board members, staff, and outside financial experts. “We were impressed by PNC IAM’s people, services, and technological capabilities, recognizing the value they will bring to LVCF’s work and asset growth initiatives,” Blew noted. “We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings and believe it will contribute positively to our investment outcomes and overall success. I thank the committee members for their commitment, insight, and expertise in guiding the Foundation through this very important process.”

“PNC IAM comes highly recommended by other community foundations where they have demonstrated exceptional service and support,” noted Trisha Higgins, CPA, Executive Vice President, and CFO of the Foundation who served on the committee. “Their understanding of community foundation dynamics and commitment to assisting organizations like LVCF manage its assets were particularly noteworthy. We were also impressed with PNC IAM’s cutting-edge technology solutions that will enhance LVCF’s operational efficiency by ensuring smooth processes.”

“In 2023, we made the decision to transition to a new OCIO as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing our investment strategy and ensuring alignment with our organizational goals,” explained Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “The Foundation conducts periodic reviews and evaluations of our investment program as part of our fiduciary responsibility and commitment to sound governance practices. This includes a thorough assessment of our investment strategy, performance, and investment partners. The decision to open the process reflects our evolving needs and strategic direction.”

About Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has been responsibly stewarding the community’s endowment and resources for more than 55 years. Committed to sustainable fund growth and impactful grantmaking, LVCF works closely with donors, fundholders, and partners to address pressing community needs and create positive change.

About PNC Institutional Asset Management Group

PNC Institutional Asset Management Group provides comprehensive investment solutions tailored to the unique needs of institutional clients. With a focus on innovation, integrity, and client service excellence, PNC IAM helps organizations achieve their financial goals and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Visit their website: click here

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For more information about LVCF and its partnership with PNC IAM, please Michael Wilson, Director of Communications, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation at michael@lvcfoundation.org or 484-695-3277.

On this webpage, we take a look back at 2023 and provide some highlights of our foundation-directed leadership grantmaking. Our three main focus areas, capacity building through our CORE Fellowship Program, early childhood care, and arts, culture and the creative economy are supported by a variety of sources including Community Investment Funds that generate the unrestricted dollars that support foundation-directed grantmaking. To those fundholders and all of you who make our work possible—Thank you.

CORE Fellowship | Fostering Inclusive Leadership and Developing Equitable Organizations

This past year was an exciting year for the CORE Fellowship Program. The program was launched in July 2022, and through two different cohorts, nearly 50 fellows have participated, representing around 24 institutions. LVCF is planning the start of a third cohort in the summer of 2024.

The CORE Fellowship Program is a two-year capacity building process designed to bring Lehigh Valley nonprofit leaders together to center equity in themselves, their relationships, their organizations, and the sector. The intended impact of the fellowship are the following:

1) that each fellow will develop the skills, understanding, and capacity for inclusive leadership

2) that organizations will further their work in centering equity, having a plan and resources to understand how best to build their own capacity both in the fellowship and beyond

3) that a diverse set of leaders will build and deepen relationships leading to a powerful social network of changemakers emerging.

In turn, these individuals, organizations, and networks will harness their collective power to make equitable change in the nonprofit sector. See what CORE Fellows have to say about the program.

As a part of the CORE Fellowship, organizations and fellows receive general operating funding, participate in nearly 50 hours of cohort convening over two years, receive five hours of individual leadership coaching, and participate in an organizational equity discovery process to assess the organization in how to best build capacity to become more equitable, resulting in an individualized organizational roadmap for how to do the work.

Overall, LVCF believes that the impact of the fellowship is powerful, important, and urgent. During the November 2023 National Day of Philanthropy Breakfast, organized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation was recognized as Foundation of the Year due to the impact of the CORE Fellowship program. This recognition demonstrates the importance of the fellowship in the wider community after only one year. LVCF is looking forward to seeing the long-lasting impact.

“In the current time of polarization, the fellowship’s work to bring diverse people together in better understanding and appreciation of our many differences, in addition to understanding of our own and each other’s humanity is urgent, especially for those who work on the front line of making change in our community every day,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investment. “The fellowship’s ability to provide the structure and space to heal, repair, understand, and grow our own selves and also our relationships is the way we can make long-lasting and meaningful change.”

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Early Childhood Care: Working towards high-quality, accessible childcare

During 2023, LVCF deepened our commitment to working collaboratively to address the crisis in the Early Childhood Care sector. In March 2023, LVCF announced 12 grant awards, distributing nearly $200,000 to organizations that are working towards providing high-quality, accessible childcare. LVCF also awarded 3 of the 12 organizations with a 3-year multi-year grant award.

Alisa Baratta, Executive Director of Third Street Alliance, one of the three recipients of the multi-year grant award, demonstrates the importance of the award by saying, “The Foundation’s multi-year general operating grant supports our ability to build a strong and sustainable infrastructure for our early childhood program. For example, we’re able to take risks and pilot new initiatives related to curriculum development and family engagement. This support also helps us advance our equity goals by allowing us to invest in living wages salaries for staff in our early learning program—a sector with a female-dominated workforce that has long been notoriously underpaid.”

LVCF recently launched a new cycle of grant funding, which will support nonprofits addressing some of the root causes of the early childhood issue. During this fall, both Erika Riddle Petrozelli, LVCF’s President and CEO, and Megan Briggs met with over 20 early childhood stakeholders to understand the current crisis, early childhood landscape, and how best the LVCF could help. During these meetings, LVCF learned more about the root causes of the early childhood crisis, such as the issue with low pay for the entire field leading to workforce shortages, the increasingly complex behavioral and mental health diagnosis of children, and the lack of sufficient revenue sources to sustain high-quality programs. We learned about how this issue intersects with several impact areas including supporting babies and families, workforce development, overall economic well-being, transportation, and health.

We also learned about the efforts that local leaders are working on to address these challenges. LVCF is now developing the foundation’s strategies that will help bolster the collective efforts to provide high-quality, accessible childcare for all Lehigh Valley families. We look forward to not only distributing grants in this area, but also utilizing our staff time, our voice, our positioning, and our resources to make an impact in the early childhood space.

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Arts, Culture & Creative Economy

During 2023, LVCF continues to redistribute state grant funding through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) Partners in the Arts program for Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. LVCF manages two distinct opportunities for funding through this program. The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program helps creative entrepreneurs to grow their small business, audience, and revenue by providing $2,000 grants. Since the grant launched in late 2021, over $100,000 has been distributed to over 50 creative entrepreneurs. LVCF also launched the Creative Flex Fund, a new PCA program in the summer of 2023, which is designed to address the changing needs of dynamic Pa. arts organizations by providing grantees the flexibility to use $5,000 grants in ways that ensure the most significant impact for their organizations and communities. LVCF distributed $105,000 to 22 organizations in November 2023, and looks forward to understanding the impact of this funding.

Throughout the year, LVCF’s Assistant Director of Community Investments, Monique Saunders Moreno, (with Zoellner’s Mark Wilson right) joined several different working groups and panels focused on creating awareness and advocating for a vibrant, sustainable arts, culture, and creative economy sector. A highlight was the Pennsylvania Arts & Humanities: A Statewide Convening hosted at Zoellner Arts Center, for which Monique served as a Marketing Working Group member. LVCF is looking forward to continuing to partner with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to support the region’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector.

LVCF is looking forward to continuing to partner with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to support the region’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector. 

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has been awarded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant from the Pennsylvania Dept of Community & Economic Development (DCED) in the amount of $115,500. 

“This grant is an exciting step for us and our partnership with the PA Council of the Arts,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli CPA, CAP, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We will be regranting most of these funds in support of creative individuals and artists who lost critical work and wages during the pandemic.  We are awaiting further word on spending parameters, including the administration allocation, and will share that with the Community Investments Committee at a future meeting.”

“Competition for funds was very strong and the demand far exceeded the available funds,” said Monique Saunders Moreno, LVCF’s Assistant Director of Community Investment who oversees the Foundation’s grantmaking that support the arts. “The DCED received eligible requests totaling more than $82.9 million for the $15 million that was available. “

The full list of approved projects, which includes many Lehigh Valley arts nonprofits, is linked below.  Note that you must download a PDF. 

Approved Projects 2023-12-19 – CFA Board Meeting – PA Department of Community & Economic Development

Allentown, Pa., December 15, 2023—The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation issued $37,450 in grants to fourteen area nonprofit organizations. The Fund consists primarily of two area-of-interest funds. The Richard E. Gasser Fund and Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund provide annual grants to organizations and programs primarily serving the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown School Districts in the Upper Bucks area.

These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $5,500, were made at the recommendation of the advisory committee for the Upper Bucks Community Fund, a geographic affiliate of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “The Upper Bucks Community Fund Advisory Group carefully considered each application in accordance with the fund’s priorities,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “After a very thorough discussion about all the excellent applications, the Advisory Group worked together to recommend the final grant awards. Each member contributed their own depth of knowledge about the Upper Bucks region again this year to award projects and programs that will increase the quality of life for Upper Bucks residents.”

The following organizations received grants for programs from the fund’s 2023-24 grant cycle. The funded programs are listed as well.

Bucks County Covered Bridge Society
Knechts Bridge Project

Durham Historical Society
Mill race refurbishments for the Historic Durham Mill

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
Girl Scouts STEM Programming – Upper Bucks

Heritage Conservancy
Critical Improvements to the Fuller-Pursell Preserve

Lenape Chamber Ensemble
Community Outreach for awareness of classical chamber music in Upper Bucks

National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inc.
Camp Invention STEAM

Palisades Community Foundation
The Red Covered Bridge Project

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
PSF’s WillPower Tour, new Shakespeare for Kids community tour

Quakertown Alive!
Mural for the Sine’s 5 & 10 Historical building

Quakertown Band
Veterans Ball Musical Performance

Quakertown Music Promoters Organization (QMPO)
2024 Spring Musical production

Riegelsville Public Library
Art for Kids in the Summer

The “Drop” at the Quakertown Community Center
Art at the Drop

YMCA of Bucks County
Quakertown Branch After School Arts Program

About the Upper Buck Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, consists primarily of two area-of-interest funds. The Richard E. Gasser Fund and Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund are for organizations and programs primarily serving the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown School Districts in the Upper Bucks area. Recently added to Upper Bucks umbrella, The Bucks County Free Library Endowment Fund is an agency fund that benefits the seven-branch county library system with locations in Bensalem, Doylestown, Langhorne, Levittown, Perkasie, Quakertown, and Yardley-Makefield.

Learn more about the Upper Bucks Community Fund on the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation website.