Category: Uncategorized

Millions in federal funding that support vital services in the Valley are at stake

Allentown, Pa., November 11, 2019—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is dedicating funding and resources to ensure a complete and accurate count for the Census 2020. LVCF is partnering with nonprofit organizations to support efforts aimed at getting an accurate count in Census track areas in Allentown’s center city, Bethlehem’s southside and Easton’s West Ward, which are areas that were undercounted by more than 30% in 2010, resulting in lost federal funding—for the past ten years.

Four nonprofit organizations are receiving $10,000 grants to implement a variety of tactics to address these areas and beyond as part of the Community Foundation’s Civic Engagement: Census 2020 initiative.  They include: Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown; Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem; Project of Easton, Easton; and Make the Road Pennsylvania, Allentown.

“LVCF is taking a leadership role in the Lehigh Valley to invest staff-time, resources, and funding to ensure every person is counted in the Census 2020,” said Megan Briggs, director of community investments at the Community Foundation.  “In Pennsylvania, we receive $39 billion dollars each year from census-derived data to support federal programs ranging from investments in infrastructure and technology to supporting healthcare and education. An undercount of the estimated 670,000 Lehigh Valley residents puts federal funding at risk, while also decreasing the amount of representation our community has in government.”

The Community has established and seeded the Census Equity Fund at LVCF to support numerous initiatives:

• Funding key organizations that serve historically undercounted communities in Lehigh and Northampton counties
• Supporting projects that will build awareness about the importance of the Census and increase community’s participation in the count
• Providing organizations with technical assistance and training
• Co-chairing a regional complete count committee (CCC) with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and staff are represented on five regional CCCs
• Partnering with the region’s nonprofit, business, and government stakeholders
• Planning several events and initiatives to build awareness in partnership with other organizations throughout the region
• Reaching at-risk areas through media campaigns
• Building awareness through events for nonprofits and area philanthropy

“An undercount will increase the demands placed on the area’s nonprofits and the philanthropic community to try to fill the gap of decreased federal funds and services,” said Bernie Story, LVCF president and CEO. “Instead of needing to make up that gap, we are proactively funding efforts and investing resources to ensure a complete and accurate count.”

The Community Foundation grants for Census 2020 are directed towards organizations that have the network, relationships and trust in the community to effectively convey the importance of the census.  Those funding in 2019-2020 include:

Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a community organizing agency serving center city Allentown, will utilize neighborhood connectors, laying the groundwork for door-to-door outreach with neighbors, work with local businesses to increase awareness. They are planning community events, pop-up booths and other initiatives to engage the community. They will support their grass-roots approach with social media and other culturally-appropriate marketing content.

Project of Easton conducts literacy, adult and family education (ESL classes), and workforce training programs with wraparound services. They will engage low-income clients many of whom are limited English-speaking adults, families and seniors about the 2020 Census. ProJeCt will distribute Census materials and offer linguistic and technological support, not only through their programs but also to Food Pantry clients, helping to reach low-income families who may not have the computer access.  They will provide computer labs for people to complete the census online, and distribute educational materials.

Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley empowers individuals to become more self-sufficient by helping low-income community members connect to social services, employment, English language and computer classes, healthy foods, affordable housing, and other community resources.  HCLV will work on increasing awareness and building engagement among the Hispanic population by conducting street outreach working with college networks. They will also utilize their intake center to raise awareness.

Make the Road Pennsylvania, dedicated to organizing the working class in Latino communities and building power for justice, will produce educational materials for community leaders, conduct workshops and training, serve as a hub for community members, and conduct two rounds of door-to-door outreach.

For more information: visit www.lvcfoundation.org/census2020

The Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation partnered to host the 2019 Health Equity Summit: Census 2020 that was attended by over 100 representatives from nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and others. The half-day summit, focused on the importance of the census and the link between hard-to-count communities and health equity in the Lehigh Valley.  It was held on Tuesday, November 5, at Lehigh University, Iacocca Conference Center.

The morning included information about the impact of a complete and accurate count on the health of the Lehigh Valley community, as well as the nonprofit sector as a whole. The summit featured breakout sessions for nonprofit staff to learn about hands-on strategies to implement in order to ensure a complete and accurate count for the Lehigh Valley.

The program began with a panel discussion featuring Susan Wild, U.S. Representative (PA -7th District); Norman Bristol Colón, executive director, Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission; Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development; Rajika Reed, Ph.D., Senior Network Director of Epidemiology & Strategy, St. Luke’s University Health Network; and Bernie Story, CEO & President, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

Three breakout sessions followed they include the following:

Erin A. Yasenchak, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau, Census 101 focused on the basics of the census including the impact, at-risk areas, and more.

The Hard-to-Count Communities & Interventions That Work session was designed for those who are interested in learning specific strategies on how to successfully engage with hard-to-count communities. The panelists included Pas Simpson, Promise Neighborhoods Lehigh Valley; Antoinette Cavaliere, ProJeCt of Easton; and Victoria Montero, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.

Kevin Greene, Chief Operating Officer, FACES International, presented Communication Strategies for Census Outreach, which was a discussion about the current communications campaign for community outreach for the 2020 census and how nonprofits can plug into the outreach efforts.

See all the photos on LVCF’s Flickr page at: Health Equity Summit: Census 2020

You can download the slide decks from the presentations below:

Pennsylvania Talking Points | Census 2020 | Click for PDF

Census 2020 and its impact on Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley was the topic of the fall 2019 meeting of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) Board of Associates held on Tuesday, October 29.  Two distinguished speakers spoke on the importance for Census for Pennsylvanians and how the philanthropic community can help in the effort to ensure a complete count. Over 100 members of the Community Foundation’s Board of Associates and invited guests attended the program titled, Census 2020: It’s All About Our Commonwealth.

Michael Stershic, chair of the LVCF Board of Associates welcomed the crowd and shared the Community Foundation’s new video, Connect, Grow, and Fund Your Charitable Legacy.   “The Board of Associates is a voice for LVCF in the community,” Stershic noted.  “You are an important part of our work because you are our ambassadors.  Which brings me to today’s topic.  The Census is an important issue in our region in so many ways.  If you are volunteering in the community, serving on a nonprofit board, working in a business setting – you will be impacted by the Census – and we welcome your awareness, your partnership, and your contributions to our region’s complete count efforts.”

Bernie Story, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, presented an overview of the work of the Community Foundation around the census. “We have launched a regional initiative, Civic Engagement: Census 2020.  We have become deeply involved in local Complete Count Committees; have engaged with state efforts to promote the count; and have collaborated with our community foundation peers to learn leading practices for philanthropic involvement in the census,” Story explained. “To help accomplish our work, we have established the Census Equity Fund of the Lehigh Valley as a source of philanthropic dollars allocated to the initiative.”  Learn more….

Norman Bristol Colón, executive director, Governor’s Census 2020 Complete Count Commission; PA Department of Community & Economic Development; PA Latino Convention addressed the census from a historical perspective while explaining what’s at stake in Pa. and the Lehigh Valley, and state-level initiatives being undertaken to ensure a complete count.

Bristol Colón outlined the action Pennsylvania is taking to address the Census. He emphasized the importance for all residents – young, old, urban, suburban, rural, citizen, resident, and immigrants need to be counted.  “Federal money that goes to critical infrastructure, road and bridges, Medicare, education, senior citizens’ programs, human services support, and rural development is threatened if we have an undercount,” he said. “In Pennsylvania, “approximately $2,093 per individual not counted could be lost annually for ten years.”

According to the GW Institute of Public Policy, the fiscal costs of a census undercount to Pennsylvania is a strong blow to the state’s fiscal stability,” Bristol Colon continued.  “In 2015, the projected fiscal loss in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage-guided programs (FMAP) per person missed in 2010 census in Pennsylvania was $1,746 (Medicaid: $1,591; Medicare Part D: $84; CHIP: $29; Title IV-E: $25; CCDF: $17) – the second highest loss in the country.  The projected FY2015 loss in FMAP-based program funds due to additional 1% undercount in 2010 Census for Pennsylvania was $221,762,564.“

See Norman Bristol Colón’s slide deck:
Anatomy of a Census: Ensuring a Complete Count in Pennsylvania

Fred Brown, president & CEO, The Forbes Funds addressed what philanthropy can do to support a complete count and civic engagement generally, and how to mobilize community around this issue. Using Pittsburgh and the work of The Forbes Fund as his lens, Brown identified the top five barriers to participation in the census include: (1) concerns about data privacy and confidentiality; (2) fear of repercussion; (3) distrust in all levels of government; (4) a lack of efficacy; and (5) belief that the census does not personally benefit people.

Click her for Fred Brown’s Presentation deck:

The LVCF Board of Associates meetings are held to engage a broad range of influential community members in a dialogue in order to better serve the Lehigh Valley. After a welcome and update from Michael Stershic, chair of the LVCF Board of Associates, and Bernie Story, LVCF president & CEO, Norman Bristol Colon and Fred Brown presented Census 2020 | It’s all about our Commonwealth.

See all the photos on LVCF’s Flicker page

Allentown, Pa., October 24, 2019— The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation was presented with The Friend of the Family Award for the impact they have had not only on Pinebrook but on the community. The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation was honored by Pinebrook Family Answers during it’s annual Rhythm & Wine event, an evening of music, entertainment and celebration that was held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at the Barrister’s Club in Allentown.

“The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has been a great friend and supporter of Pinebrook Family Answers for many years,” said William B. Vogler, Ph.D., president and CEO of Pinebrook Family Answers. “Through its Synergy Fund, the Community Foundation has been instrumental helping our organization collaborate with other organizations, grow, and improve efficiencies along the way.”

LVCF President and CEO Bernie Story accepted the award on behalf of the Community Foundation. “It has been our pleasure working with Pinebrook Family Answers. They are a great organization with strong leadership pursing a noble mission of transforming lives across generations by nurturing healthy children and strong families, supporting seniors, empowering individuals.”

To view photos from the event visit LVCF’s Flickr page.

About Pinebrook Family Answers

Pinebrook Family Answers provides solutions for generations from infants to seniors. Our goal is to help all types of families become healthy and flourish by providing services and programs to overcome challenges and succeed in daily living.

Click here to view a short video about Pinebrook Family Answers.

Pinebrook Family Answers is a Trauma-Informed Service Agency and incorporates knowledge about trauma-prevalence, impact, and the diverse paths to recovery- in all aspects of service delivery and practice. In a trauma-informed system of care, our goals are growth, empowerment, resilience, and skill building. We are helping our clients to set goals for themselves and then helping them to develop the skills necessary to meet these goals.

The United States Census Bureau has begun operations across the country for the 2020 Census. The Founding Fathers included the mandatory headcount in our Constitution because they valued evidence-based policy-making. The census began in 1790 as an innovative data gathering operation and continues today to serve as the foundational data set that informs business, economics, and overall society. However, there are escalating concerns that the Census Bureau’s goal to count everyone once in the right place may be jeopardized by a number of factors leading into the decennial count. The threat of an inaccurate count is very concerning for American businesses, who rely on information derived from the census every day to make material decisions that create jobs and grow our national economy. As Howard Fienberg, vice president of Insights Association, stated in a recent Congressional hearing, “the trickle-down impact of an inaccurate 2020 Census would restrain or ruin American businesses for a whole decade.”

Why does the census matter for businesses?  The census is a crucial tool that provides information about the characteristics of the population that no other survey produces. Accurate data from the count is critical to informing decision-making in both the private and public sectors.

Specifically, the census provides businesses with vital demographic information about customers, the workforce and the economic landscape that is used by companies of all sizes in every industry sector. Population data from the census helps companies assess concentrations of skilled workers, neighborhoods to open a new store or office, and what products to offer.

What exactly is at stake for the Lehigh Valley?  In Pennsylvania, we receive $39 billion each year from Federal allocations using census-derived data.  Funding supports programs ranging from investments in infrastructure and technology to supporting healthcare and education. In forecasts of low-response rates for the count, there are many areas of the Lehigh Valley in which 30% or more of a census tract are predicted to be unresponsive. For each person not counted, the Lehigh Valley loses $2,093 per person per year.  An undercount of the estimated 670,000 Lehigh Valley residents puts federal funding at risk, while also decreasing the amount of representation our community has in government. Current predictions show Pennsylvania losing one congressional seat after the 2020 census. Unfortunately, there is increased national risk of an inaccurate count due to underfunding of the Census Bureau, the launch of a new online platform, and an overall polarized social climate.

An undercount will impact the private sector dramatically on everyday decisions, and subsequently have an impact on the lives of Lehigh Valley residents. For example, utility companies would not know where to site new cell towers, electric transmission lines, or water lines, so certain communities would go without enough coverage while others might end up unnecessarily over-saturated. To put it simply, without accurate census data, Lehigh Valley businesses can’t know what the Lehigh Valley needs.

What can Lehigh Valley businesses do? In the face of these challenges, the private, public, and nonprofit sectors all over the nation have stepped up. After all, there is no better return on investment than ensuring the Lehigh Valley has accurate data that businesses need and the region receives the correct federal allocation of funding and is represented adequately in our government.

Below are ways in which the private sector can make an impact on the count:

1. Fill out the census, and encourage employees, customers, and residents to complete the census, too. Become an official partner with the Census Bureau to distribute information as a valued and trusted voice in the Lehigh Valley.
2. Consider joining one of the six different complete count committees, made up of local business, government, and nonprofit leaders, which have formed at the local and county levels to ensure that everyone is counted.
3. Contribute to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Census Equity Fund. The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is providing funding, training, building awareness, and championing efforts across the Lehigh Valley to ensure an accurate count.

The 2020 census will have an impact on the local and national economy. If census data is not accurate or has limited quality, businesses may face challenges in making good decisions, which can affect their bottom lines and our communities for the next ten years.

See the article in the Fall 2019 issue on Network Magazine Website (page 42)

Megan Briggs
Director of Community Investments
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
840 W. Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101
Voice 610 351-5353 ext. 11 | meganb@lvcfoundation.org

Census 2020 has been in the spotlight this year. The census can at times be controversial, because it’s more than a dataset. It defines what we call ourselves, how we see ourselves, and how we’re represented. It defines our story, as Americans, and serves as a pillar of our democracy. The founders included the mandatory headcount in our constitution to empower the governed, granting us representation and resources based on the population of our communities—a bold new idea, separating this newly formed nation from previous rule.

LVCF is taking a leadership role in the Lehigh Valley to invest staff-time, resources, and funding to ensure every person is counted in the Census 2020. We understand that funding and government representation is at stake for our communities. Moreover, we know the impact that a potential undercount in the census will have on our main partners in this work—philanthropists and nonprofits.

So what exactly is at stake?

In Pennsylvania, we receive $39 billion dollars each year from census-derived data to support federal programs ranging from investments in infrastructure and technology to supporting healthcare and education. In 2010, there were many areas of the Lehigh Valley in which 30% or more of a census tract did not respond to the census.  An undercount of the estimated 670,000 Lehigh Valley residents puts federal funding at risk, while also decreasing the amount of representation our community has in government. Current census predictions show Pennsylvania losing one congressional seat after the 2020 census.  Unfortunately, there is increased national risk of an inaccurate count due to underfunding of the census bureau, the launch of a new online platform, and an atmosphere of polarization.

Why should you care?

An undercount will increase the demands placed on the area’s nonprofits and the philanthropic community to try to fill the gap of decreased federal funds and services.  We can do more with our philanthropic resources when we and the government have accurate census data. Nonprofits can do more to serve their missions without the disruption of federal program funding for their many constituents. Instead of needing to make up that gap, we are proactively funding efforts and investing resources to ensure a complete and accurate count. We must tell an accurate story of the Lehigh Valley’s growth, resilience, and prosperity, but this relies on each of us participating in our democracy—just as the founder’s had intended.

What You Can Do…

In the face of Census 2020 challenges, national foundations and philanthropists all over the United States have stepped up—and community foundations have a special role to play.  After all, we are made up of philanthropists like you, those that have a passion for community and are focused on place-based impact.  There is no better return on investment than ensuring the Lehigh Valley receives the correct federal allocation of funding and is represented adequately in our government.

Please fill out the census, and tell your neighbors to fill it out. Everyone counts, from urban to rural areas, all age groups and ethnicities.

Contribute to the local efforts by joining a Complete Count Committee or integrating census messages into your organization’s work.  

Consider a gift to the Census Equity Fund, a regional funding vehicle launched by LVCF in response to this important initiative.

Giving to the Census Equity Fund is easy! LVCF fundholders with donor-advised funds can find the “Census Equity Fund” as a grantee in DonorCentral.

We have learned that a successful effort involves five actions: Train; Champion; Partner; Promote; and Fund.  Resources are needed to be successful. The Lehigh Valley Census Equity Fund will support these actions in our community.  As administrator of the fund, LVCF is here to oversee and coordinate efforts on a regional-level, including convening nonprofit grantees to share leading practices, lagging efforts, and successful results.

Census support from the philanthropic community is more important in 2020 than ever before. Contact us to learn more about how you can partner with us to get out the count!

When we think of the Arts in the Lehigh Valley, our thoughts generally turn to the bounty of high-quality artistic venues, outstanding museums and symphonies, and the vibrant theater scene.  Residents of the Lehigh Valley have access to the arts in a way that is not always available in similar-sized regions. Festivals, community celebrations, and concerts that lighten our spirits and add to the quality of life in our community are plentiful.

But it is important to think beyond the pleasures we receive as a result of this bounty.  It’s important to also recognize the tremendous economic value of the Arts in the Lehigh Valley.  Whether it’s the thousands of daily visitors from outside our region, or we as residents ourselves attending events, much-needed revenue is created and spent here in the Lehigh Valley region.  

A recent Lehigh Valley Arts Council study pegs the nonprofit arts/culture sector as a $186.4 million industry in the Lehigh Valley—one that supports 6,908 full-time equivalent jobs and generates $18.8 million in local and state tax revenue.

“When the Community Foundation supports arts and cultural organizations, we know that we are not simply helping these organizations, but rather we are making an important investment in the economy of our region,” said Bernie Story, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.

So, whether you’re interested in attending a concert at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown or at Levitt Pavilion in Bethlehem, or appreciating the wonderful collections at the Sigal Museum in Easton, by supporting the Arts of the Lehigh Valley you are adding significantly to the economic health of our community. We invite you to contact us to learn more about the vibrant Lehigh Valley arts and cultural organizations and how we can partner to maintain these high-quality programs and economic investments.

Allentown, Pa., September 23, 2019— The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley is accepting applications for its 2019-20 grant cycle. The Fund consists of two area-of-interest funds, the Erwin J. & Gertrude K. Neusch Fund, and the Richard E. Gasser Fund .

The fund provides grants to support projects or programs that are in the areas: Arts, Education, Rural Life, Science, and Technology. 

Nonprofit organizations serving the Upper Bucks community in the Palisades, Quakertown, or Pennridge School Districts, are encouraged to apply by using LVCF’s online application.

Richard E. Gasser Fund provides grants to benefit programs, organizations, and residents in the Upper Bucks County area. The grants are made to support programs and projects which enhance interest, education, and achievements in technology, science, and technology-related fields.

Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund provides grants for charitable programs which benefit residents of Upper Bucks County, specifically those in the geographic area served by the Quakertown and Palisades School Districts. The programs of interest to the Neusch Fund are primarily, but not exclusively, in arts (including industrial arts), education, and rural life.

Grant awards have ranged depending on the number of quality applications submitted. Historically, the grant awards have ranged from $1,000 to $10,000. The deadline to apply is November 4 at midnight. Those receiving grants will be notified in February 2020.

Nonprofit organizations apply through Foundant, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s online portal system, which you can access here. Questions about the application process or grant opportunity should be directed to Megan Briggs, Director of Community Investments, at meganb@lvcfoundation.org(link sends e-mail).

About the Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley

Lehigh Valley Community Foundation established its first geographic affiliate in 2017—The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley. The new Fund is an extension of the Upper Bucks Grants Committee’s previous role in conjunction with the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

The Upper Buck Grants Committee has been an important philanthropic arm of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. The intimate knowledge of the people and organizations which serve the community is extremely valuable and results in careful and thoughtful grantmaking in Upper Bucks County. The Committee has a long history of making a positive impact in the Upper Bucks community by directing resources from two area-of-interest funds at LVCF, the Erwin J. & Gertrude K. Neusch Fund, and the Richard E. Gasser Fund.