Cause Connection eNewsletter

Cause Connection | August 2024

In this month’s newsletter, we shine a spotlight on LVCF’s pivotal role in leading the Early Childhood Workgroup that helped in securing a $20 million federal grant for the City of Allentown. This transformative funding, part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Recompete Pilot Program, is set to address critical barriers to employment, including the enhancement of transportation and affordable childcare. LVCF, under the leadership of Megan Briggs, played a crucial role in crafting the childcare section of the Recompete application, ensuring that access to quality childcare is a cornerstone of Allentown’s economic revitalization efforts. Additionally, LVCF’s ongoing involvement in the Early Childhood Education Action Committee highlights its commitment to systemic change in the Lehigh Valley’s early childhood sector. We also introduce two distinguished new members of LVCF’s Board of Governors, Lindsay Watson and Jennifer L. Mann, who bring a wealth of experience and dedication to the Foundation’s mission. Discover how these efforts are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for Allentown.

Cause Connection | July 2024

In this edition, we share highlights from our report on our 2023-2024 Youth and Families Grant Cycle, outlining our funding priorities, initiatives, and the critical issues we aim to address in early childhood education within the Lehigh Valley. We also share an update on our leadership activities that includes serving as a key partner the City of Allentown’s Recompete Plan, a federal grant application which seeks approximately $20 million to address employment barriers in the city’s most distressed neighborhoods. We introduce you to our Robyn Weaver, our newly hired Program Officer for Capacity Building who will focus on implementation and co-facilitation of CORE Fellowship and identifying regional nonprofit capacity building needs and solutions. Also, Maureen Connolley Wendling, our Director of Donor Initiatives, is now working full-time at the Foundation.

Cause Connection | June 2024

In this edition, we recap the recent wildly successful spring 2024 Board of Associates meeting which served as the perfect occasion to present the Community Foundation’s prestigious Lifetime Service to Philanthropy Award to Judith A. Harris, Esq. and the Vision in Philanthropy Award in honor of The Century Fund. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing LVCF fundholders with the best possible service and in alignment with industry standards, we have established our fee schedule effective July 1, 2024. Thank you for letting us be a part of your philanthropic journey and continue to make giving EASY, keep it LOCAL, and make IMPACT while ensuring your LEGACY.

Cause Connection | April 2024

With the tax season soon behind us, it’s the perfect time to explore effective strategies for your philanthropy in 2024. In this issue, we delve into impact of donating appreciated assets rather than cash that might seem complex, but it’s a powerful way to support the causes you care about most. By looking at concrete examples and numbers, we aim to show how giving strategies can be exceptionally beneficial. We also encourage you to consider the long-term advantages of planning your estate with philanthropy in mind. A fund with the Community Foundation not only offers flexibility but also allows you to create a lasting legacy that will benefit our community for generations to come. Thank you for letting us be a part of your philanthropic journey.

Cause Connection | February 2024

In this issue, we announce the news that we are now working with PNC Institutional Asset Management Group (IAM) as our Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) to manage two of the Foundation’s portfolios. LVCF’s decision to partner with PNC IAM underscores our commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources and sustainable fund growth. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen our impact in the community and maintain our position as a trusted leader in philanthropy. We also included answers to some tax-time charitable giving questions and a story on the importance of unrestricted gifts to nonprofits.

Cause Connection | December 2023

In this issue was say thank you to all our fundholders and donors. 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.

Cause Connection | November 2023

We are coming up on that time again when year-end giving comes into focus for many donors and fundholders who can make a meaningful impact in the community through a donor-advised fund at LVCF. This issue also serves as a reminder to LVCF Fundholders to set-up their password and access LVCF’s new MyFund Portal and Donate to a Fund portal. It provides instructions and resources to get you going on the Portal where you can manage your fund.

Cause Connection | August 2023

In this August 2023 issue of Cause Connection, we highlight the recent staff promotions that reflects our growing expertise and leadership in the community. We’ve also added a new part-time Director of Donor Initiatives to the staff to better serve our donors and fundholders. We also announce that we will be implementing a new online system to better align with one of our highest priorities: supporting you on your philanthropic journey. See the article about the new online portal we are working on called MyFund portal, which will offer an even more efficient and intuitive platform for your grantmaking and fund management later this fall. Stay tuned.