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LVCF’s Marueen Wendling Receives Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® Designation

Allentown, Pa., February 6, 2025— Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Director of Donor Initiatives Maureen Connolley Wendling, recently obtained the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® from The American College of Financial Services.

 As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), Maureen helps clients integrate philanthropy into their financial, estate, and legacy planning. She specializes in designing strategic giving plans using tools like donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, and private foundations while leveraging tax-efficient strategies to maximize impact. She focuses on aligning charitable giving with my client’s values and goals, creating meaningful legacies, and collaborating with other professionals to develop cohesive plans.

Maureen joined the staff at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2023. She serves as Director of Donor Initiatives with primary responsibilities that include donor identification, cultivation and solicitation; relationship building with professional advisors; and strategy development for groups of donors such as planned giving donors.

An experienced leader in the Lehigh Valley’s nonprofit sector, Maureen has a background working in higher education, the arts and social services. She brings strategic insight and a hands-on approach to each donor/client relationship. Drawing upon her knowledge of best practices, she has helped many regional organizations develop and implement key strategies to advance their missions.

Maureen is a Lehigh Valley native and finds value in giving back to the community where she grew up. She has served on the Communications Committee of Resilient Lehigh Valley and the Northampton County Suicide Task Force and the serves on the Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College.

Maureen is a mindfulness mediation teacher; she completed her teaching training at the Mindfulness Institute at Thomas Jefferson University and the Center for Mindfulness at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Maureen graduated from DeSales University with a B.S. in Marketing and Sales.

The Community Foundation now has three staff members who have achieved the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). LVCF’s Carrie Krug Nedick, Director of Donor Services, achieved her CAP® in 2024 and President and CEO Erika Riddle Petrozelli added the designation in 2023.

About The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®)

The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) is a professional designation that is designed for financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, and other professionals who work with individuals and families in the area of charitable giving. The process of becoming a CAP typically takes around one year to complete, depending on the individual’s schedule and pace. The American College of Financial Services and other approved providers offer various study materials and resources to help candidates prepare for the CAP exam.

Obtaining the CAP designation demonstrates a commitment to providing clients with the highest level of expertise and knowledge in the field of philanthropic planning, providing a comprehensive education in charitable giving strategies, tax law, and ethical issues.

The CAP credential is recognized as the premier credential for advisors in the philanthropic field, providing them with a competitive advantage and enhancing their credibility and reputation in the industry. The ongoing professional development requirements of the program can also help advisors stay current with the latest trends and regulations in philanthropy, ensuring that they can provide the best possible advice to their clients helping them achieve their philanthropic goals and make a positive impact on their communities. By providing guidance on charitable giving strategies, a CAP holder can help clients maximize the impact of their charitable contributions while also achieving their own financial and estate planning goals.

Allentown, Pa., February 5, 2025—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has joined forces with 40 other Pennsylvania community foundations to launch the PA Giving Pledge, a statewide campaign to inspire Pennsylvanians to leave at least 5% of their estates to help future generations. 

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA), the newly announced PA Giving Pledge aims to scale Pennsylvania-focused giving with an emphasis on generating sustainable financial resources for worthy causes and nonprofits addressing a wide range of community needs across the state. 

“The PA Giving Pledge is a remarkable opportunity for Lehigh Valley residents to create a lasting legacy that will enhance the quality of life for our families, friends, and neighbors for generations to come,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation President and CEO. “Place-based philanthropy is essential to addressing the unique needs of our communities, ensuring that resources stay local and drive sustainable impact where they are needed most. By collaborating with other PACFA community foundations, we can amplify our impact and ensure meaningful change in nearly every county in the commonwealth.” 

The effort aims to tap into 5% of the estimated $418 billion transfer of wealth projected in Pennsylvania by 2030, according to estimates by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. If 5% of that $418 billion were endowed through the pledge, it would generate $21 billion to benefit Pennsylvania communities and causes forever, said PACFA president Michael L. Batchelor. 

With the launch of the PA Giving Pledge, donors and professional advisors can now access an interactive website, PAGivingPledge.org, to find their nearest community foundation and explore county-by-county data highlighting the total estimated wealth transfer by 2030. 

“The potential impact is truly transformative,” Erika said. “Here in the Lehigh Valley, if our residents committed just 5% of the projected transfer of wealth, it could mean millions in additional funding each year to support local nonprofits and vital community initiatives.” 

PACFA members will be engaging business leaders, professional advisors, and philanthropists in their communities to endorse the program and help build further momentum. 

“We’re thrilled to have the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation as a dedicated partner in advocating for the PA Giving Pledge,” Batchelor said. “Together, we have the opportunity to leave a shared legacy that will benefit Pennsylvanians for generations to come.” 

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Allentown, Pa., January 27, 2025—Kevin Greene recently joined the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation’s Board of Governors. Kevin is the Principal Strategist at Faces International, a full-service creative and digital marketing agency, based in Allentown, offering integrated corporate growth and business consultancy services. He serves on the Community Foundation’s Community Relations Committee.

Originally from Jamaica, Kevin’s career has taken him from New York City to Northern New Jersey and now to the Lehigh Valley, where he has established himself as a strategic leader in business development and community impact. A graduate of William Paterson University, Kevin has worked with organizations across cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and the Lehigh Valley. As Co-owner and Principal Strategist of Faces International, Kevin has helped earn the company several accolades, including the Governor’s Award, the Lehigh Valley Chamber Impact Award, and the United Way Community Award.

Kevin is deeply involved in the community and serves on several boards and committees, including the NCC Foundation (Northampton Community College Foundation), Valley Youth House, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. For over a decade, he has championed initiatives that support youth and families, reflecting his commitment to fostering equitable opportunities and stronger communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Greene to the Board of Governors,” noted Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP^®, President and CEO. “His innovative leadership, dedication to community service, and deep understanding of the Lehigh Valley’s needs make him an invaluable addition to our team. Kevin’s experience and passion for empowering others align perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality of life in our region through philanthropy.”

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Frances Sadler Award for Nursing

The Frances Sadler Award for Nursing was established at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in appreciation of the critical work performed by nurses in the Lehigh Valley. A retired nurse, Frances Sadler knew that nurses perform extraordinary work every day. She had a desire to recognize and help support her colleagues as they begin their nursing careers.
Mrs. Sadler, a native of the Lehigh Valley, acknowledged that there’s a chronic need for trained nurses, especially in the area of women’s wellness.

As Mrs. Sadler had explained, “There have been many times when women have been unfairly treated by the medical profession. I want to see women have the health care they need for themselves, and by extension, their families. That is why the nursing award recognizes an individual who has given time and talent to improving the lives of women.”

LVCF thanks Frances Sadler and her family for generously endowing this special award that will be given to a first-year Lehigh Valley nurse who has experience with caring for the well-being of women, a demonstrated financial need, and a strong academic record.

The Application for the 2024 Frances Sadler Award for Nursing (now closed)

Individuals meeting the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

• Working in the Lehigh Valley region as a nurse, for example in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office;
• Graduated from a four-year accredited college or university in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing;
• In first year of employment (began nursing employment after January 1, 2023);
• Has volunteer, rotation, or work experience at a center, clinic, or department for women’s well-being and care;
• Preference will be given to applicants with a strong academic record and financial need.

The 2024-25 Grant Cycle

• Application Opens: October 9, 2024
• Application Deadline: November 10, 2024
• Award Recipient Announced: December 2024

Please contact: Maureen Connolley Wendling, Director of Donor Initiatives at maureen@lvcfoundation.org

About the Frances Sadler Award for Nursing Fund

Allentown, Pa., December 9, 2024—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced the recipients of the Good Neighbor Fund grants. This program, designed to address the growing energy cost burdens faced by households in eastern and central Pennsylvania, awarded a total of $195,000 to fourteen 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 $22,500 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.

“Energy costs are a significant challenge for families, and we’re proud to provide this crucial support through these organizations.” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at LVCF, “By empowering nonprofits already on the ground with the resources they need, we’re able to get help to families faster. This program underscores the importance of partnership in addressing community challenges.”

The following nonprofit organizations received 2024-25 grants from the Good Neighbor Fund:

• 4 Girls on A Mission – Electric Utility Assistance
• Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. – CSO Utility Assistance Program
• Family Promise of Berks County, Inc. – Rent and Utility Assistance
• Family Promise of the Poconos, Inc. – Project Lights On
• Lehigh Conference of Churches – Utility Assistance at Lehigh Conference of Churches
• New Bethany – New Bethany’s Housing Advocacy & Assistance
• Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley – Promise Utility Assistance Program
• Raising The House – Family Assistance Program
• Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg -Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps Utility Assistance Program serving Monroe County, Pa.
• The Open Link – Upper Perk Valley Utility Assistance
• Third Street Alliance for Women & Children – Third Street Alliance Utility Assistance Program 
• Tri County Community Action – Powering Stability: Expanding Utility Support for Families in Need
• Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Inc. – 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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Allentown, Pa., November 26, 2024 — The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) is accepting applications for the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts & Culture Recovery Program. This initiative will provide $3,000 grants to working artists and creative professionals in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton Counties who experienced significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the program aims to support the recovery and sustainability of the region’s vibrant arts and culture sector.

Eligible applicants must be active artists or creative professionals who earned at least 51% of their income from their work in 2019 and who plan to continue their careers in the arts. Applicants must reside full-time in one of the four eligible counties and be able to demonstrate a loss of at least $3,000 in income due to the pandemic that has not been reimbursed through other relief programs. Applicants will need to create a Foundant account.

Applications for the program are now open and will be accepted exclusively online through the Foundation’s grants portal, Foundant Grants Portal webpage.  Applicants must register for a Foundant account register by following the instructions for businesses to submit their application. Required documentation includes proof of residency, tax returns from 2019 and one additional year between 2020 and 2023 (including Schedule C if applicable), and evidence of pandemic-related financial losses. While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to include artistic portfolio samples to help the selection committee understand their work and how the pandemic impacted their careers.

The application period will close on January 27, 2025. Grants will be awarded based on need, as determined by a volunteer review committee, with notifications sent by the end of March 2025. Successful applicants can expect to receive payments by April 2025.

Questions about the program can be directed to Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, 610 351-5353, ext. 21 | megan@lvcfoundation.org

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Allentown, Pa., November 21, 2024— The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation awarded $38,780 in grants to eleven nonprofit organizations in the region. This fund is primarily supported by two area-of-interest funds: the Richard E. Gasser Fund and the Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund, which provide annual grants to programs serving the Upper Bucks area, including the Palisades, Pennridge, and Quakertown School Districts.

Grants, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, were recommended by the advisory committee for the Upper Bucks Community Fund, a committee of the Foundation focusing on the region. “The Upper Bucks Community Fund Advisory Group carefully reviewed each application in alignment with the fund’s priorities,” said Monique Saunders Moreno, Program Officer for Arts, Culture & Creative Economy at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “After thorough discussion, the group collaboratively recommended the final awards, drawing on their collective expertise about the Upper Bucks region to support projects that enhance the quality of life for local residents.”

The following organizations received grants for programs from the fund’s 2024-25 grant cycle. The funded programs are listed as well.

Durham Historical Society
Durham Historical Society Archeological Dig

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

Heritage Conservancy
Tree Plantings Across Upper Bucks County

Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
General Operating Support

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

Palisades School District
Palisades Middle School Watershed Integration Program (WIP)         

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

Quakertown Community Center
Art at the Drop

Quakertown Music Promoters Organization (QMPO)
Quakertown Music Promoters Organization (QMPO) on behalf of Quakertown Percussion

River Valley Waldorf School
Visual and Performing Arts Summer Camp

Upper Bucks County Technical School
EXPLORE: Engaging Learning Opportunities through Real-world Experiences

About the Upper Buck Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, consists primarily of two area-of-interest funds. The Richard E. Gasser Fund and Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund are for organizations and programs primarily serving the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown School Districts in the Upper Bucks area. Recently added to Upper Bucks umbrella, The Bucks County Free Library Endowment Fund is an agency fund that benefits the seven-branch county library system with locations in Bensalem, Doylestown, Langhorne, Levittown, Perkasie, Quakertown, and Yardley-Makefield.

Learn more about the Upper Bucks Community Fund on the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation website.

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Allentown, Pa., September 23, 2024— The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF), in partnership with the PPL Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of the Good Neighbor Fund, a new grant program to provide much-needed financial assistance to help households struggling with energy costs. Grants will be issued to nonprofits that offer utility assistance programs and who serve the 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania that make up PPL Electric’s service area. Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 beginning Monday, September 23, 2024.

The Good Neighbor Fund was created by the PPL Foundation in response to the growing financial hardships many families are facing, particularly in meeting essential home energy costs. This initiative will enable nonprofits with existing utility assistance programs to offer direct financial aid to households dealing with high energy bills, including electric, fuel, oil, and even wood pellet costs.

Lissette Santana, President of the PPL Foundation, emphasized the critical need for this new program: “Energy costs are a significant burden for many families, and we recognize that nonprofit organizations are on the front lines, helping households meet these challenges. The Good Neighbor Fund allows us to expand our reach and support those who need it most, and we’re calling on other utilities across Pennsylvania to join us in this vital initiative.”

Grant awards will include an administrative fee to help nonprofits manage program costs such as staffing and other direct expenses. Nonprofits receiving grants will ensure funds are distributed to households whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, with a cap of $1,000 per household. Funds must be used within six months, with final reports submitted by June 2025.

Monique Saunders Moreno, Program Officer for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy at LVCF, who is managing the grant program, added, “This fund will make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families facing energy hardships. By providing flexible support to nonprofits already doing this important work, we can ensure resources are distributed quickly and efficiently to those who need it most.”

Key Dates for the Good Neighbor Fund Grant Program:

– Application Opens: Monday, September 23, 2024

– Application Closes: Tuesday, October 29^th at 11:59 PM

– Grant Notifications: November 2024

– Final Reports Due: Monday, June 9, 2025

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying can do so through LVCF’s online portal, Foundant.  For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund and how to apply, please visit [Lehigh Valley Community Foundation webpage: Good Neighbor Fund Grants – Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (lehighvalleyfoundation.org).

Questions about the grant program can be directed to Monique Saunders Moreno at mailto:monique@lvcfoundation.org.

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Allentown, Pa., September 20, 2024—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has announced the distribution of $115,000 in Creative Sector Flex Fund (CSFF) grants for 2024-25, aimed at strengthening the region’s dynamic arts and culture sector in Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh and Northampton Counties. This year, 23 nonprofit arts and culture organizations across the region will each receive a $5,000 grant, a result of the collaborative effort between LVCF and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA).

The CSFF grant program was launched last year by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. It is specifically designed to support the evolving needs of arts organizations or programs in Pennsylvania with average annual revenues ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. This program reflects the state’s commitment to fostering the arts and the creative sector.

Monique Sauders Moreno, Program Officer for Arts, Culture & Creative Economy at LVCF, who oversees the grants programs, remarked, “The arts are fundamental to a thriving, vibrant community, contributing to cultural richness, community engagement, and economic vitality. We are deeply grateful to all those who submitted applications for the Creative Sector Flex Fund. The selection process was incredibly competitive due to the high quality of proposals. We are also thankful to our review committee, whose expertise and thoughtful deliberations helped guide this process. While this funding is critical, it highlights the need for even greater support for the arts, culture, and creative economy in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.”

A key feature of the CSFF is the flexibility it provides to recipients. The $5,000 grants can be used in a variety of ways, including administrative support, enhancing programs, or covering project-related expenses, ensuring that the funds can address the unique needs of each organization.

2024-25 Creative Sector Flex Fund Grant Recipients:

– Allentown Band, Inc.

– Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association

– Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission

– Bloom for Women, Inc.

– Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center

– CEC of Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine, ODWU

– Chamber Music Lehigh Valley

– East Stroudsburg University Foundation

– Godfrey Daniels

– Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral Mexicano de LV, Inc.

– Karl Stirner Arts Trail Inc.

– Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra

– Lehigh Valley Chorale

– Lehigh Valley Girls Rock

– Mock Turtle Marionette Theater

– Movement Moves Media

– National Scenic Visitors Center

– Pocono Concert Chorale

– Repertory Dance Theatre

– SATORI

– SouthSide Film Institute

– The Camerata Singers

– Young People’s Philharmonic

LVCF, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through the Partners in the Arts program, plays a crucial role in distributing these grants to support projects involving artists throughout Region 5, which includes Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. This collaboration allows for greater access to arts funding, bringing the benefits of arts programming to a broader audience.

About Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

At the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, we connect donors who care with causes that matter. A leader in charitable giving in the Lehigh Valley for more than 50 years, we receive support from donors, manage funds to grow over time, and make high-impact grants to strengthen local nonprofits.

The Foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds, totaling over $80 million, and we continue to grow—both in size and in the way we fulfill our mission. We are evolving to engage more deeply with partners, serve more effectively as a thought leader on community issues, and explore more innovative ways to make life better across the Lehigh Valley. 

About Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

These grants are made possible by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) regional funding partnership. State funding is provided by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. In Region 5, the PPA program is administered by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

For more information about the Creative Sector Flex Fund and LVCF’s commitment to supporting the arts, please visit https://www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org/creative-sector-flex-fund/

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LVCF Leading the Early Childhood Charge in Allentown’s Recompete Grant Success

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) played a pivotal role in the City of Allentown’s successful bid to secure a $20 million federal grant aimed at revitalizing some of the city’s most economically distressed neighborhoods. This significant funding, part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Recompete Pilot Program, represents a transformative opportunity for the city to address barriers to employment, including challenges in transportation and access to affordable childcare.

LVCF’s Central Role in Childcare Planning

A key component of Allentown’s Recompete Plan is improving access to quality childcare—a critical factor in enabling residents to enter and stay in the workforce. Through the leadership of Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments, LVCF has been instrumental in this effort. Megan led a coalition of community partners and stakeholders in crafting the childcare section of the Recompete application. Their work focused on enhancing childcare services to support not only families but also those who work in the childcare sector, thereby fostering better job opportunities for Allentown’s residents and contributing to the overall economic growth of the Lehigh Valley.

The importance of this focus cannot be overstated. As Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, emphasized during the grant announcement, “We tend to forget how critically important the childcare component is” to employment. The inclusion of a robust childcare improvement plan in the application helped distinguish Allentown’s proposal from a competitive pool of 565 submissions, ultimately securing its place as one of only six communities nationwide to receive Recompete grant funding.

Collaborative Effort for Transformational Change

The Recompete grant is designed to help economically distressed communities by removing barriers to employment and creating pathways to economic opportunity. In Allentown, where the unemployment rate among young residents in poorer neighborhoods is a staggering 12.3%, this funding is poised to make a significant impact. The city’s poverty rate, which stands at 23.3%, is double the national average, with racial and ethnic disparities contributing to unequal access to opportunity. Only 38% of Allentown’s Latino population, for example, has “high access to opportunity,” compared with 78% of the city’s white population.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk highlighted these challenges at the press conference held on August 5, 2024, to announce the $20 million-dollar Recompete grant, stating, “While the Lehigh Valley has seen tremendous economic growth, not all residents of Allentown have felt the benefit of that growth equally. Disparities in job access, skills alignment, and essential services like transportation and childcare have left some behind.” The Recompete grant is seen as a crucial tool for addressing these disparities and ensuring more equitable economic growth in the city. At the “Presser,” Mayor Tuerk was spoke to the more than 100 people assembled for the annoucement. Congresswoman Susan Wild and Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor Austin Davis and Alejandra Y. Castillo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (pictured on page one) all provided there persectives.
Involvement Beyond the Recompete

LVCF’s involvement extends beyond the Recompete Plan. The Foundation has also been invited to serve as the backbone convenor of the Early Childhood Education Action Committee, a coalition working toward systemic change in the early childhood sector across the Lehigh Valley. As a backbone organization, LVCF is collaborating with nonprofits, policymakers, advocates, and the community to plan actions that will drive significant improvements in early childhood education and care.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Allentown

The $20 million in Recompete funding is just the beginning. As Alejandra Castillo noted, these federal dollars are “seed dollars” intended to attract further investment from the private sector and philanthropic organizations. The successful implementation of Allentown’s Recompete plan is expected to be transformational, with city projections indicating that over 650 people could be employed by 2030, significantly narrowing the local employment gap.

Allentown’s selection for this grant underscores the city’s commitment to creating a more inclusive economy where all residents can thrive. Through its leadership in the Recompete Plan and broader community initiatives, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is helping to pave the way for a brighter future for Allentown, where economic opportunity is accessible to all.

As the city and its partners move forward, the collaboration between LVCF, local organizations, and government agencies will be key to ensuring that the goals of the Recompete Plan are realized. Together, we are working to change the narrative for Allentown’s most vulnerable communities, demonstrating the power of partnership and shared vision in driving lasting change.

Learn More About the Recompete Grant

Allentown Recompete Grant One-pager Overview PDF

The Morning Call: Allentown gets $20 million federal grant to fight high unemployment

LehighValleyNews.com: Officials hail ‘transformational’ $20M grant to boost employment