Fund Provides Relief for Families and Food Providers

Fund Provides Relief for Families and Food Providers

Critical Support Fund Provides Rapid Relief for Families and Food Providers Across the Region 

More than 75 donors commit $600,000 as coordinated support strengthens food providers and expands access to essential items 

Allentown, PA, November 18, 2025 – United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced early impact from the Critical Support Fund, which launched on October 30 to address rising needs for food and emergency services. More than 75 businesses, organizations and individual donors have contributed more than $600,000, allowing partners to take swift action to support families and food providers. 

Earlier today, United Way and LVCF held a press conference in partnership with Community Action Lehigh Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania to share updates on the community effort. 

“When people in our community need help, the Greater Lehigh Valley shows up. We want to thank each and every person and organization who have supported the fund to provide rapid relief to the families and food providers. Your resources have been immediately put into action to get food on shelves and tables all across Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and even Monroe counties,” said Marci Lesko, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.  

Bulk orders of produce, dry goods, rice, beans and other shelf stable items have been placed through Second Harvest Food Bank and are being distributed to more than 100 food pantries across Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties. Additional orders of beef, turkey and chicken are being secured through local farmers and regional suppliers to help meet the need for proteins. 

“The strength of the Lehigh Valley is demonstrated in how we come together. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of our donors and the dedication of our food provider network, the Critical Support Fund is delivering rapid relief to families across the region,” said LVCF President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP ®. “The Community Foundation is proud to work alongside United Way and our community partners to ensure these essential resources reach those in need—and to strengthen the safety net that so many depend on.”  

“Community Action Lehigh Valley is deeply grateful to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Community Foundation for their partnership in establishing the Critical Support Fund. As families across our region face increased food insecurity due to reductions in SNAP benefits, among other emergency issues, this collaborative effort ensures that we can respond swiftly and compassionately. Together, we are providing a lifeline for our neighbors and reaffirming our shared commitment to a community where everyone has access to the basic resources they need to thrive.” said Dawn Godshall, Chief Executive Officer, Community Action Lehigh Valley.  

Partners are coordinating efforts by scheduling a pantry network meeting with Second Harvest, connecting volunteer needs through the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley and providing a train-the-trainer session with Valley Health Partners to help pantry staff support residents who receive SNAP benefits. 

The Critical Support Fund was created to meet immediate needs, beginning with food, while remaining flexible to provide other emergency and crisis supports as they arise. In the future, funds may be used to provide baby-mother essentials, energy assistance, emergency shelter and winter warming stations.  

United Way and LVCF will continue working with partners to assess needs and ensure relief reaches families and providers efficiently and effectively. 

For more information about the Critical Support Fund, please contact Erin Connelly at United Way at erinco@unitedwayglv.org or Erika Riddle Petrozelli aterika@lvcfoundation.org at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. 

See photos and video on LVCF’s Flickr page

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LVCF Grants to Nonprofits in Upper Bucks

LVCF Grants to Nonprofits in Upper Bucks

LVCF Supports Nonprofits and Increased Food Access in Upper Bucks County

Upper Bucks Community Fund Grant Awards 2025-26

Allentown, Pa., November 21, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced that the Upper Bucks Community Fund has awarded approximately $38,000 in grants to eleven nonprofit organizations serving the Upper Bucks region, with an increased emphasis on expanding access to food as a central priority of this year’s grantmaking.

In response to rising need, the Fund directed significant support to two key community providers—Bucks County Opportunity Council and Quakertown Food Pantry—both of which play critical roles in addressing food insecurity throughout the region. The Upper Bucks Community Fund is supported by the Richard E. Gasser Fund and the Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund, which provide annual grants to programs serving the Palisades, Pennridge, and Quakertown School Districts.

“We are glad to have the ability to help support the greater Upper Bucks Community by assisting the Bucks County Opportunity Council along with the Quakertown Food Pantry,” noted Dennis Pfleiger, a member of the Upper Bucks Advisory Committee.  “This year has been extremely difficult for these organizations to provide the basic essential of food to at risk individuals in our communities.  This truly helps to make our community stronger!”

“Each year, our Advisory Committee reviews applications with a deep commitment to the Upper Bucks community,” explained Mariska van Aalst, Program Officer for Community Impact & Policy at LVCF. “The committee selected this year’s grantee projects for their innovative approaches, meaningful community partnerships, and strong potential to strengthen the fabric of Upper Bucks.  The Fund is also supporting two local food providers, both of which play vital roles in helping residents navigate basic needs during difficult times.”

The following organizations received grants in the 2025–26 grant cycle:

  • Bucks County Opportunity Council
    Direct donation (service area restricted to Quakertown and Palisades School Districts)

  • Cybersonics Technology Team 103
    Cybersonics Robotics Program for students in Palisades from grades 9 to 12

  • Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
    PSF’s Community Touring Productions and FreeWill in Upper Bucks 2026

  • Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Inc.
    Girl Scouts STEM Programming in Upper Bucks

  • Heritage Conservancy
    Deer Enclosure and Educational Resources at Heritage Conservancy’s Fuller-Pursell Preserve

  • Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
    Strengthening Arts and Academic Education for Upper Bucks Students at Charter Arts

  • Lenape Chamber Ensemble
    Classical Chamber Musicians’ Stipends for Americana 250 Program in April 2026

  • National Inventors Hall of Fame
    Camp Invention STEM, Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Programs in Upper Bucks County

  • Palisades School District
    STEM Night

  • Quakertown Food Pantry
    Direct donation

  • River Crossing YMCA
    STEM Camp at River Crossing YMCA, Quakertown Branch

About the Upper Bucks Community Fund

The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is a geographic affiliate supported by the Richard E. Gasser Fund and the Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund. The Fund assists organizations and programs primarily in the Upper Bucks region and focuses on strengthening the quality of life through education, the arts, STEM, and community engagement.

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LVCF and United Way Funding Food Access

LVCF and United Way Funding Food Access

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Launch New Fund to Address Immediate Needs in Our Region

Partners aim to raise $500,000 to strengthen emergency food access and deliver rapid relief to families in need.

Allentown, PA, October 31, 2025 – United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation have launched the Critical Support Fund to address immediate needs in the community, beginning with emergency food access.

With more than 40% of Greater Lehigh Valley residents living paycheck to paycheck and funding pauses to programs like SNAP, food insecurity is rising. Currently, just over 106,000 people receive SNAP benefits in the region. At the same time, many of our region’s social service providers are struggling to keep up with the need and have not been able to access funding that typically supports food access programs.

The United Way’s Critical Support Fund will provide rapid relief, so nonprofit food providers can keep shelves stocked and distribute food where it is needed most. “Too many of our neighbors are feeling the strain when vital support systems are stretched,” said Marci Lesko, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way. “When need rises and resources tighten, our community shows up. We’re grateful for the extraordinary collaboration across nonprofits, funders and volunteers who are stepping up together to meet this moment.”

The United Way is joining together with LVCF and additional donors and funders to raise $500,000 to support:

• Keeping key food pantries stocked with crucial staples for a minimum of three months
• Ensuring food is distributed to neighborhoods with the greatest need

Initial funding partners as of October 31st include the Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, Capitol Blue Cross, Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management, LLC, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Crayola, the Garrigan Foundation, Just Born Quality Confections, LeCompte Realty, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Stephen Link and Family Fund, the Marcon Family Fund, The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, Dan and Lucinda McCarthy, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, PPL Foundation, Teamsters Local 773, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Andrea and Angelo Valletta, and Valley National Financial Advisors.

Funds will be distributed for immediate relief, working in partnership with an action group of local food providers who are co-leading this response strategy.

“This is what community looks like in action. This effort is also a powerful example of what can happen when funders, nonprofit leaders, and donors come together with urgency and purpose. United Way and the Community Foundation are standing shoulder to shoulder to ensure food remains accessible to every family during this critical moment,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “The Bridge Fund for Critical Support at the Community Foundation allows us to act now — to make sure food pantries are stocked and our neighbors have access to the nourishment they need.”

How to help

Donors may contribute online at www.unitedwayglv.org/donate (Select “Critical Support Fund”) and on Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s website by clicking: Bridge Fund for Critical Support.

Donations can also be made via mail (checks payable to UWGLV, 1110 American Parkway NE, Suite F-120, Allentown, PA 18109 – attention “Critical Support Fund”) or to Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (checks payable to LVCP, 840 W. Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101 – attention “Bridge Fund for Critical Support”).

Food and diaper donations can be directed to the following hubs: Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, Easton Area Neighborhood Center, and Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank. Priority food items include: canned proteins, cereals, canned fruits and vegetables and peanut butter.

For more information, contact Erin Connelly at United Way at erinco@unitedwayglv.org or Erika Riddle Petrozelli aterika@lvcfoundation.org at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

Finding help

To find food and other resources, dial 2-1-1 or 855-567-5341, visit www.pa211.org or text your ZIP code to 898-211. PA 211 is a free, confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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LVCF Awards Grants to Creative Entrepreneurs

LVCF Awards Grants to Creative Entrepreneurs

Allentown, Pa., August 10, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently announced the distribution of $40,000 in Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program (CEAP) grants to 20 creative businesses and individuals across the region. Each recipient has been awarded $2,000 to support their artistic entrepreneurship and creative business development.

Grant funding is provided by Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts—a state agency supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts—and administered locally by LVCF. This grants program helps small creative enterprises in the Lehigh Valley grow, stabilize, and thrive.

“The CEAP grants are a testament to our commitment to cultivating the region’s creative economy,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at LVCF. “These entrepreneurs bring innovation, identity, and vitality to our community, and this funding is designed to help them scale their work and impact.”

The 2025 CEAP grantees are:

  • 7th & Northampton Studio Productions LLC
  • Children Of Light Productions LLC
  • Adriano Farinella
  • GLSPRINTS
  • ItsDifferentDecor
  • Michael Barry Judkins
  • Graham Douglas Lucks
  • Claire B. Marcus
  • David Ely Molloy
  • Next Play Pictures LLC
  • OlyKanoli
  • Parisian Phoenix Publishing
  • Patricia Lynn Passick
  • Premium Makers, LLC
  • Radiant Video LLC
  • SAFE HAVEN STUDIOS LLC
  • Stacimorae
  • VillaNovak Creative LLC
  • UnityPallet Productions
  • Sherry May Velasco

Through CEAP, LVCF aims to support early-stage entrepreneurs in creative fields ranging from visual and performing arts to digital media, publishing, design, and beyond. The program prioritizes individuals who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in business development and funding.

For more information about CEAP and how to apply, visit: www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org/ppa-creative-entrepreneurs

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LVCF Awards ARPA-Funded Grants

LVCF Awards ARPA-Funded Grants

LVCF Awards $27,000 Through ARPA-Funded Arts & Culture Recovery Program

COVID ARPA Recovery Program Image

Allentown, Pa., August 11, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced $27,000 in grants to nine individual artists and cultural organizations through the ARPA PA Arts & Culture Recovery Program. This initiative, made possible through funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by LVCF, aims to revitalize the region’s creative sector in the wake of pandemic-related challenges.

“These grants offer meaningful support to artists and small arts organizations who continue to shape and inspire the cultural fabric of the Lehigh Valley,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at LVCF. “These awards are a small but important investment in cultural vitality, equity, and resilience in the Lehigh Valley.”

Each recipient received a grant of $3,000 to support their recovery and ongoing work in the arts. The 2025 grantees are:

· Fairy Fox Design LLC
· Dina Hall
· Jacinth Headlam
· Claire B. Marcus
· David Ely Molloy
· O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
· Nancy Reed
· Spencer Reed
· House of Metalworks

The program especially recognizes those who continue to create, teach, and engage communities despite the disruptions of recent years. For more information about the ARPA PA Arts & Culture Recovery Program or other community grantmaking initiatives, visit: www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.

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LVCF Strengthens Board with New Additions

LVCF Strengthens Board with New Additions

ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 18, 2025 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation announced the appointment of three community and business leaders to its Board of Governors: Anne Baum, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health; Kathryn M. Brown, CFP, ChFC, CAP®, co-founder and principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth, and Nicholas (Nic) Hindle, president of HindlePower Inc. Anne Baum will serve on the Foundation’s Community Investment Committee and Kathryn Brown and Nic Hindle will serve on the Finance Committee.

“These three outstanding leaders bring a powerful combination of business acumen, financial insight and deep community commitment to the Foundation,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We are honored to welcome Anne, Nic and Kathryn. Their expertise will strengthen our ability to steward philanthropic resources and ensure long-term impact in the Lehigh Valley.”

About Anne Baum

Anne Baum headsot

Baum serves as president of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Reilly Children’s Hospital, the region’s first and largest children’s hospital. She oversees strategic planning and operations across more than 100 locations and leads a team of the region’s most comprehensive pediatric specialists. The hospital is home to the Lehigh Valley’s only children’s surgery center, cancer center, express care and emergency department.

In addition to her professional role, Baum is deeply engaged in civic life. She serves on the boards of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Valley Youth House (vice chair), United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Allentown Symphony Association, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority 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 has received numerous honors, 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. 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. She is a certified protocol and etiquette consultant and author of “Small Mistakes, Big Consequences” and “Small Mistakes, Big Consequences for Interviews.”

“We are honored to welcome Anne to the Finance Committee,” said Petrozelli. “Her breadth of experience in both business and community leadership will bring valuable insight to our financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.”

About Kathryn M. Brown

Kathryn M. Brown, CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, Co-Founder and Principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth

Brown is co-founder and principal of Morton Brown Family Wealth, a registered investment advisory firm based in Allentown. With more than 20 years of experience in financial planning, she helps clients align their wealth with their values and long-term goals. Morton Brown Family Wealth was founded in 2018 with a focus on building trust-based, client-centered relationships.

She has held leadership roles with the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, Valley Youth House and previously served on the foundation’s Board of Associates. She was named to Lehigh Valley Business’s “Power 100” in 2025 and the “Power 30 in Banking/Finance” in 2024.

Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance, with a minor in entrepreneurial studies, from York College of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy.

“Her deep financial expertise and demonstrated community leadership will be tremendous assets to our governance and fiscal oversight,” said Petrozelli.

About Nicholas Hindle

Nicholas (Nic) Hindle, President of HindlePower Inc.

Hindle is president of HindlePower Inc., a family-owned manufacturer based in Easton, Pennsylvania, specializing in industrial battery chargers and DC power systems for the utility industry. Over the past five years, he has led the company through continued innovation and growth while fostering a culture centered on employee well-being and reinvestment.

He previously served as director of technology and director of sales and marketing at the company. Prior to joining the family business in 2011, Hindle worked as a project engineer at SunEdison, where he led more than 25 commercial rooftop solar installations for major national retailers, contributing to the early growth of the renewable energy sector.

Hindle is vice president of the Greater Easton Development Board and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rhode Island. He also studied art history at IES Rome.

“Nic’s 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,” said Petrozelli.

About the LVCF Board of Governors

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 the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and its mission, visit www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org.

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Good Neighbor Fund Supports Energy Assistance

Good Neighbor Fund Supports Energy Assistance

Good Neighbor Fund Supports Energy Assistance with $197,500 in Grants to Nonprofits

Good Neighbor Fund Grants Support Energy Assistance in 2025

Allentown, Pa. July 29, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced the recipients of the Good Neighbor Fund grants for 2025. This program, designed to address the growing energy cost burdens faced by households in eastern and central Pennsylvania, awarded a total of $197,500 to fifteen nonprofit organizations. The grants will enable these nonprofit community-based organizations to provide direct financial assistance to families struggling with home energy costs, including electricity, fuel, oil, and even wood pellets.

Grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 have been awarded to nonprofits serving 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania. These grants, aimed at organizations with existing utility assistance programs, will provide crucial support to households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, with aid capped at $1,000 per household.

The funding is supported by the Good Neighbor Fund, an initiative that received initial funding from the the PPL Foundation to address the growing financial challenges faced by families, particularly with rising home energy costs. The program also includes administrative support to help nonprofits manage expenses, ensuring that resources are distributed efficiently and effectively to those in need.

“These grants allow trusted, frontline organizations to extend their reach and impact,” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at LVCF. “By supporting their utility assistance efforts, we’re helping families stay safe and stable in their homes—especially through hot summers and cold winters helping households deal with rising energy costs.”

The following nonprofit organizations received 2025–26 cycle grants from the Good Neighbor Fund:

  • 4 Girls On A Mission
    4 Girls On A Mission Utility Assistance Program
  • Casa Guadalupe Center
    Casa Utility Assist
  • Eastern PA Trans Equity Project
    Utility Assistance for Transgender People and Loved Ones
  • Family Promise of Berks County, Inc.
    Rent and Utility Assistance
  • Family Promise of the Poconos, Inc.
    Keep the Lights On
  • Jewish Family Service of Lancaster
    Jewish Family Service of Lancaster 
  • Lehigh Conference of Churches
    Utility Assistance at Lehigh Conference of Churches
  • New Bethany
    New Bethany’s Housing Advocacy & Assistance 
  • Raising The House
    Palmerton Family Assistance Program
  • Salvation Army
    The Salvation Army Allentown Utility Assistance program
  • Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg
    The Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps Utility Assistance Program serving Monroe County PA
  • The Open Link
    Upper Perk Utility Assistance Program
  • Third Street Alliance for Women & Children
    Third Street Alliance Utility Assistance Program 2025
  • Turning Point of Lehigh Valley
    2025 Utility Assistance for Domestic Abuse Survivors
  • Valley Youth House
    Utility Assistance for Formerly Homeless Youth and Families in Rapid Re-Housing Programs

About the Good Neighbor Fund

The Good Neighbor Fund supports nonprofits offering utility assistance programs in PPL Electric’s service area. This collaborative effort aims to alleviate the financial strain of energy costs on families, ensuring more households can meet their basic needs. For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund and the grant recipients, please visit LVCF’s website.

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Walker Fund at LVCF Issues $412,020 in Grants for 2025

Walker Fund at LVCF Issues $412,020 in Grants for 2025

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.

George Walker Fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation 2025

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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Anne Baum Joins LVCF Board of Governors

Anne Baum Joins LVCF Board of Governors

Anne Baum, President, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health,

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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Nicholas Hindle Joins Board of Governors at LVCF

Nicholas Hindle Joins Board of Governors at LVCF

Nicholas (Nic) Hindle, President of HindlePower Inc.

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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