Category: Uncategorized

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.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern PA Chapter, in partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, presents Unraveling Philanthropy with Simone Joyaux. Proud to support AFP, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is a Impact Sponsor for the event.  for registration information on the AFP website or register now.

Nationally renowned for her nonprofit and NGO strategic counsel in fund and board development, Simone will captivate and educate the audience during this  full-day event. Unraveling Philanthropy will be held at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. During the morning workshop, “Creating Your Next Fund Development Plan,” Simone will offer instruction on how to build capacity through fund development plans that will help raise more money. During the evening, she will present, Changing Your Organization to Produce Greater Impact! Her inspirational talk will engage and challenge attendees to build philanthropy efforts that are strategic, more powerful and most importantly—successful.

For more information, contact Jeni M. Siegfried, Chapter Administrator at afpeasternpa@gmail.com(link sends e-mail).

About Simone P. Joyaux

Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE, Adv Dip is described as “one of the most thoughtful, inspirational, and provocative leaders in the philanthropic sector worldwide.” In 2017, Simone began her 30th year as a full time consultant specializing in fund development, strategic planning, and board development/governance.

She speaks worldwide, enjoying the opportunity to work with colleagues in places like Mexico City, London, Paris, Italy, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Slovakia… She also teaches in the philanthropy graduate program at Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota, USA.

She’s written three books: Keep Your Donors, Strategic Fund Development (now in its 3rd edition), and Firing Lousy Board Members. She’s contributed to several other books, writes for the Nonprofit Quarterly, and blogs weekly as Simone Uncensored.

Joyaux has founded two organizations, and serves regularly on boards. She’s a former chair of CFRE International, and Immediate Past Chair of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.

She also chairs the Advisory Board for the Hartsook Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy in the U.K. She and her life partner have bequeathed their entire estate to charity.

www.simonejoyaux.com

See the photos from the event on LVCF’s Flickr page: Click here