Allentown, Pa., August1, 2024—Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has announced the 2024-2026 cohort for its CORE Fellowship, 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 nonprofit sector. LVCF is proud to partner with 16 fellows from 8 organizations, as well as 5 systems stakeholders in this year’s fellowship.
“CORE Fellowship addresses the core aspects of ourselves, our organizations, and our systems,” noted Megan Briggs, LVCF Vice President of Community Investments. “As a funder in the Lehigh Valley, we acknowledge that nonprofits are striving to integrate equity into their operations. Leveraging our position and experience, we aim to support these efforts by providing the necessary infrastructure and resources to both individuals and organizations to achieve equity.”
“We understand that individuals and organizations are at various stages in their equity work, and the CORE Fellowship is tailored to support participants wherever they are in their equity journey,” explained Robyn Weaver, Program Officer of Capacity Building at LVCF, who coordinates the fellowship.
For the third year, the Community Foundation is partnering with consultants Phyllis Alexander, Guillermo Lopez, Jr., and Carter Gilbert to deliver the model. These consultants contribute to the fellowship design and decision-making as well as being in the facilitation role for the Fellowship. LVCF continues its partnership with Partnering for Change as the organizational development consultants for the Fellowship. They will conduct an in-depth equity and organizational discovery process with time to carry out an equity-centered capacity-building project.
“The CORE Fellowship provides an array of benefits for participants, including leadership development, an in-depth equity and organizational development assessment, and guidance from a technical assistance consultant for developing equity-centered capacity building,” explained Robyn Weaver. Fellows also receive the time needed to execute an equity-centered capacity building project, along with coaching and access to a network of nonprofit leaders. Additionally, the CORE Fellowship offers a $25,000 grant to each participating organization, distributed as a $10,000 general operating award in the first year, $15,000 to support an equity-centered capacity building project in the second year, and coaching support in the third year, contingent upon meeting CORE requirements.
Below is the list of Organizations and Fellows that were selected for the 2024-2026 CORE Fellowship:
CORE Fellows 2024-2026
ArtsQuest
- Alli Poczak, Programming Specialist
- Joanne Garcia, Manager of Education & PCA Programs
Basement Poetry
- Chloe Cole-Wilson, Artistic Director
- Deirdre Van Walters, President
Bloom for Women
- Carol M. Andersen, Chief Executive Officer
- Ashley Caravello, Director of Finance and Administration
Community Music School
- Laura Burcaw, Operations Manager
- Jeffrey J. Reed, Executive Director
Fine Feather Foundation
- Maricel Colvin, Program Director
- Andrene Nowell, Executive Director
Movement Moves Media
- Timothy Foster, Board Director
- Michael Frassetto, Executive Director
The Thrive Hub
- Rosalind Lucien, Founder/Executive Director
- Laureen Pellegrino, Advisory Board Member
Valley Youth House
- Shawn Mack, Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Maureen Bell, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator
Systems Stakeholders
Systems stakeholders are invited into the CORE Fellowship because we recognize that creating equitable systems and communities requires the intentional collaboration of members from every sector. Systems stakeholders, while not funded through CORE, have the opportunity to fully engage and immerse themselves in the deep work of the Fellowship. They also receive individualized coaching that enhances their ability to show up as an inclusive leader, continuing their own growth and learning alongside nonprofit fellows.
Holly Fitzpatrick
Grants Manager
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
Adria Laboy
Bilingual Community Engagement Specialist
Highmark Wholecare
Sybil F. Stershic
President
Quality Service Marketing
Heather Turcozi
Associate Vice President Data & Evaluation
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Lindsay Watson
Co-Founder
FIA NOW Employment Solutions
Learn more about the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s CORE Fellowship | click here
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