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Cryptocurrency

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation now accepts cryptocurrency donations!  Through our digital wallet, you can securely transfer cryptocurrency to a charitable fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

Getting Serious About Planned Giving

Now is a great time to assess your estate planning as uncertainty around income tax reform extends to the estate tax landscape. Charitable gifts can be used to help manage taxes, shift assets, and transfer wealth— while making a significant contribution to charitable organizations. The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation can be a partner in planning your philanthropic legacy. 

“Bunching” your Philanthropic Gifts

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is an account or fund that a donor creates at a sponsoring organization that is itself a qualified charity.  The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation offers Donor-Advised Funds with a minimum establishing gift of just $5,000.  Donors who have an unusually high income or gains this year can bunch multiple future gifts into a single year to increase the tax benefit of the charitable contributions. Learn more about the LVCF DAF Advantage

For example, open a Donor-Advised fund for $25,000, receive the tax benefit in this tax year for the full amount, and then plan your giving for the next 3-5 years.  Donors can grant the dollars in their fund to nonprofit organizations at the time that they choose in order to maintain a similar level of giving and timing as in previous years.

Giving Appreciated Stock

Giving stock remains one of the easiest ways to give.  If you have held appreciated stock for more than a year, you can take a charitable tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock, and neither you nor the community foundation will pay capital gains taxes upon the sale.  We can facilitate the conversion of your gifts of stock into charitable dollars, and help distribute it to multiple nonprofit organizations on your behalf.

Giving from Your IRA

While the consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 extended certain tax breaks, it did not extend the waiver of required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts.  That means, unlike last year, RMDs must be made in 2021.  For donors taking the standard deduction, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is an attractive option.  Individuals over age 70 ½ can donate up to $100,000 from their IRA.  This satisfies the RMD requirement. Not all fund types can accept this type of gift, so contact us for information. 

Give Unrestricted

Unrestricted gifts and grants to nonprofit organizations allow the organization to decide where the need is greatest.  Nonprofits are experts at serving their own mission. General operating support allows for flexibility and capacity building initiatives that strengthen the organization from the inside out.  The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation supports nonprofits with unrestricted grants and also, as a nonprofit, accepts unrestricted gifts to support our own community leadership initiatives and operations. Make an unrestricted gift to LVCF.

Allentown, Pa., December 14, 2021—Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently renewed Nonprofit Effectiveness grants for the 2021-22 funding cycle. Eight Lehigh Valley nonprofits that participated in the Foundation’s capacity building program last year in the 2020-2021 grant cycle have been awarded grants to continue as a cohort. This cohort of organizations is specifically designed for organizations whose leadership identifies as being Black, Brown, Latinx/o/a, or Asian, and are committed to serving Lehigh Valley’s Black and Brown communities.  

“Continued funding for organizational capacity building is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of these important organizations,” said Megan Briggs, LVCF Director of Community Investments. “We are so pleased to be partnering with this truly powerful group of nonprofits again to build upon the momentum we achieved together this past year.”  

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation initiated this grant opportunity in recognition of the valuable role that diverse organizations have in providing culturally-centered approaches in delivery of services and programs to the Lehigh Valley community. In addition to a $14,000 grant that each organization received in the first year of the program, each of the following organizations received a $10,000 grant for general operating expenses and will be participating in the 2022 Community of Practice this year: 

• Afros in Nature 
• Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem 
• Casa Guadalupe Center 
• Cohesion Network 
• Martin Luther & Coretta Scott King Memorial Project Inc DBA Freedom Memorial 
• Pratyush Sinha Foundation 
• Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley 
• Resurrected Community Development Corporation 

The Foundation launched the Nonprofit Effectiveness Program as a pilot in 2018 to provide targeted internal infrastructure support to assist in strengthening nonprofit effectiveness in a variety of ways. The model included not only grant funding for a capacity-building project, but also offered grantees a Community of Practice, a space for individual reflection in community and deepening relationships with peers. 

Last year, leaders in the Community of Practice Program worked in sessions and in a practicum to build collective agency that models the principle of abundance and the power of cooperation. These sessions were facilitated by Joyce Johnson Shabazz and Phyllis Alexander, both who are nationally-recognized consultants in the field of racism, equity and inclusion. In this year’s Community of Practice, Phyllis Alexander will continue to work with the 2021-2022 cohort to create a space to continue authentic connections. One of the planned sessions will include Hannah Hasan, an award-winning, highly acclaimed spoken word poet, speaker, and storyteller who will work with the cohort to craft and tell their own stories. LVCF is looking forward to continuing partnering with these organizations for the 2021-2022 cycle.  

For more information on the Community Foundation’s grantmaking, visit: https://www.lehighvalleyfoundation.org/grants/overview-%7C-community-investments

Allentown, Pa., November 16, 2021—Monique Moreno was recently promoted to Program Associate, a new full-time position at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. She assists the Director of Community Investments in managing the community investments functions of the Foundation, which includes crafting grantmaking strategies, implementing grantmaking cycles, and providing community leadership.

Moreno is now the point of contact for Arts, Culture, Creative Economy, one of the Foundation’s main focus areas in Foundation-directed grantmaking, which is funded through the Pennsylvania Council of Arts, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program. “I am pleased with the expansion of Monique’s role at the Community Foundation,” said Megan Briggs, LVCF Director of Community Investments. “Monique has been a critical part of the Community Investments team, and I am looking forward to her taking a key leadership role as we increase our visibility in the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy sector.”

Moreno joined the staff of the Community Foundation in October 2020 as part-time Grants Associate. Prior to joining the Foundation, she spent nine years working various leadership roles for businesses such as Stitch Fix and BCBG Max Azria. She served in management and administrative roles that focused on company operations and culture, client experience, and project management. Before her time in the business sector, Moreno also worked as an intern for the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and as a consultant for the Pittsburgh Human Rights Network, a social networking program implemented by Global Solutions Pittsburgh. Moreno is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Moreno graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Cheyney University. She earned a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

For more than five decades, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) has helped donors with their charitable contributions with a simple, powerful, and highly personalized approach. LVCF is a philanthropic hub for the Lehigh Valley—who know and navigate the landscape of the Lehigh Valley’s community needs to connect people who care to causes that matter. Learn more at www.lvcfoundation.org.

Orefield, Pa., November 10, 2021—The Jaindl Companies, owner of the iconic A-Treat soda brand, announced today, the eve of Veterans Day, a program to support Lehigh Valley’s homeless veterans through sales of A-Treat. The company is introducing new patriotic-themed packaging specific to two of its most popular A-Treat soda flavors – Cream Soda and Cola. Jaindl will subsequently donate 20% of the sales of these new patriot flavors to the Lehigh Valley Homeless Veteran Fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation from now through December 31, 2021.

“Homelessness among our country’s veteran population is a problem that we as citizens have a duty to solve. It is nothing short of a debt that we owe the very people who have served so valiantly to protect our freedom,” said David Jaindl, the Jaindl Companies’ 3rd generation President. He continued, “Given that we’ve just come through a horrible, life-altering pandemic, combined with the divisiveness we are witnessing in our country’s politics, we think there is no better time than the present to support our vets, a cause that is altogether unifying and truly American.” “And of course, this is all while enjoying an all-American, patriotic-themed A-Treat soda,” he added.

Consumers can expect to find the new patriotic-themed A-Treat soda flavors in 12oz plastic bottles on- line and regionally in grocery, convenience, and specialty retail stores beginning this Veterans Day.

“This is truly a win for the Valley’s Homeless Veteran Fund,” said Tom Applebach, Director – Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs. He added, “We are extremely excited to partner with the Jaindl Companies, and what better way to help our homeless vets than by drinking and sharing an A-Treat with your friends. So, go out and buy those patriotic A-Treat bottles, and know that every time you take a sip between now and the end of the year, you’re helping a vet who truly needs your support!”

About A-Treat® (www.a-treat.com)

The Allentown, PA-based soda brand was founded in 1918 by Joseph and Jack Egizio using the finest traditional ingredients available that consumers and enthusiasts have counted on for close to 100 years. After being acquired by Jaindl Companies, the iconic A-TREAT made a resurgence, still produced according to formulas that evolved from Egizio family recipes. To learn more visit A-TREAT.com or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Lehigh Valley Homeless Veteran Fund (HVF)

The Lehigh Valley Homeless Veteran Fund provides for the availability of grant funding which benefits veterans through homeless Veteran transitional and supportive housing via the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. Funds are available to agencies that serve Veterans in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

Gifts to the Fund can be made online by credit card or by submitting a check, payable to the Lehigh Valley Homeless Veteran Fund, to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, 840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18101.

Allentown Pa., October 29, 2021—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation announced availability of the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (CEAP) which matches eligible creative entrepreneurs with existing, free, local, small business consulting services and financial resources up to $2,000 to help them grow their businesses, audiences, and revenue.   

CEAP is open to all eligible applicants but is designed to prioritize investments in socially or economically disadvantaged creative entrepreneurs and those who are located in and whose work benefits low-income communities, as defined by the Small Business Administration. Applications to the Program will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

“We are so pleased to be the Pennsylvania Region 5 Partner in the Arts for the program,” said Megan Briggs, Director of Community Investments at the Community Foundation. “Creative entrepreneurs are the engine that drives new economic development in the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, bringing both meaningful jobs and valuable creative services to the community. With these grants, we hope to support often underinvested in creative entrepreneurs in our region.” 

To be eligible for the Program, individuals must: be at least 18 years of age and a current resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year; have annual gross revenue less than $200,000; and be a creative entrepreneur intending to form a business or operating a business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas: marketing; architecture; visual arts and crafts; design; film and media; digital games; music and entertainment; and publishing.   

Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program grant funds must support business formation or development. Eligible uses of grant funds include activities such as research and development, purchase of supplies and equipment, and professional and business development fees.  

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), a state agency under the Office of the Governor, and administered regionally by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), PCA’s statewide network of re-granting partners.  The Lehigh Valley Community serves as the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ PPA partner organization for Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, and Carbon counties. 

Details about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program can be found at: 
PA Council on the Arts PPA – Creative Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program | Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (lehighvalleyfoundation.org)

About Lehigh Valley Community Foundation 

For five decades, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has helped donors with their charitable contributions with a simple, powerful, and highly personalized approach. LVCF is a philanthropic hub for the Lehigh Valley—who knows and navigates the landscape of the Lehigh Valley’s community needs to connect people who care to causes that matter. With a diverse and respected Board of Governors, the Community Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Foundation is cause-neutral and supports all areas of community needs in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

LVCF is pleased to announce a new grantmaking platform for Foundation-Directed grantmaking. To learn about this new grantmaking platform, please watch this half-hour webinar. This webinar gives a summary of LVCF’s philanthropy, historical context on the transition in foundation-directed grantmaking, and an overview of the 2021-2022 foundation-directed grantmaking.

In this webinar, LVCF describes the key areas of focus that the foundation will be supporting, Leadership Grantmaking, as well as other key shifts in Foundation-Directed grantmaking.

Leadership Grantmaking includes: 

• Arts, Culture, & Creative Economy
• Capacity Building  
• Youth & Families

How can you learn more? 

LVCF is hosting two virtual Question & Answer sessions regarding the 2021-2022 Foundation-Directed grantmaking platform. The dates for these sessions are as follows: 

• Tuesday, October 19 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Click to Register
• Wednesday, October 27 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Click to Register

If you’d like to attend a Q&A session click on the corresponding date above.

Please watch the webinar in advance of attending the Question & Answer session. LVCF staff does not intend to repeat the information in the webinar at the Q&A session.  

If you’d like to submit a question in advance of the Q&A session to ensure that you receive a response, please fill out this form: Foundation-Directed Grantmaking Q&A Session Question Submission Form.

(Note: Arts, Culture & Creative Economy grants supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Partners in the Arts program)

Allentown, PA, October 1, 2021—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) was recently named as a regional partner agency of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). Through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program, LVCF will work with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to distribute grant awards for projects or programs involving artists throughout Region 5, which includes: Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

This program enables the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to reach a wider audience by increasing access to funds for organizations and artists across the state, thereby increasing statewide audience exposure to arts activities. 

“The Lehigh Valley is home to a vibrant and growing creative sector, making the region a great place for residents and visitors alike,” said Karl Blischke, Executive Director of the PCA. “We are pleased to work with LVCF, through our PA Partners in the Arts re-granting program, to further strengthen quality of life in the Lehigh Valley through grant opportunities to the region’s many engaging arts organizations and programs,”

“Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is pleased to be selected as this region’s PCA partner. We look forward to assisting in achieving the PCA’s goal to promote equitable access for all Pennsylvanians to participate fully in a creative life and in the diverse forms of arts and culture in the commonwealth,“ said Megan Briggs, Director of Community Investments, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts grants are divided into three categories: 1) Program Stream, 2) Entry to Program Stream, and 3) the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (see below)

Program Stream is an invitation-only grant opportunity which offers ongoing support to arts organizations and arts programs with an established history of funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). Once admitted to this funding stream, organizations receive consistent general operating support for arts programming. The following organizations received grants in the 2020-2021 cycle:

• Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association
• Arts Community of Easton
• Bach and Handel Chorale
• Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
• Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
• Chamber Music Society of Bethlehem
• Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts, Inc.
• East Stroudsburg University Art Department
• Godfrey Daniels
• Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association, Inc.
• Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange (Fractured Atlas, Fiscal Sponsor)
• Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild
• Mikayla’s Voice
• Moravian College Music Institute
• Pocono Bluegrass & Folk Society
• Pocono Concert Chorale
• Pocono Youth Orchestra
• Repertory Dance Theatre
• Ronald K. De Long Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley
• SATORI, Ltd.
• SouthSide Film festival
• The Allentown Band, Inc.
• The Camerata Singers
• The Shawnee Institute (The Shawnee Playhouse’s Worthington Players)
• Totts Gap Arts Institute
• Young People’s Philharmonic of the Lehigh Valley

Entry to Program Stream is a new funding opportunity that aims to provide valuable access to funding for small arts organizations and programs across the commonwealth. Entry to Program Stream will offer a new pathway for small arts organizations and programs across the commonwealth to receive ongoing, unrestricted general operating funds.  Application guidelines will become available in November 2021.

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. The Program’s purpose is to help creative entrepreneurs to grow their business, audience, and revenue. The opportunity to apply for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program will be launched in Winter 2021. The funding process will operate on a rolling basis until funds are expended.

About the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Funding

This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), its regional arts funding Partnership (Lehigh Valley Community Foundation – Region 5). State government funding comes through an annual appropriation by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in Region 5 by the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. 

Visit Council on the Arts PPA programs at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation for more information.

Allentown, Pa., September 28, 2021—The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the Richard E. Gasser Fund and Erwin J. and Gertrude K. Neusch Fund which are for organizations and programs primarily serving the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown School Districts in the Upper Bucks area.  The application period is open until November 12, 2021

Richard E. Gasser Fund provides grants to benefit programs, organizations, and residents in the Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 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 of applications submitted. Historically, the grant awards have ranged from $1,000 to $10,000. Applicants must be a publicly supported organization with 501(c)(3) exempt status that provides services in Upper Bucks County in the Palisades, Pennridge or Quakertown School Districts.

Funds will support projects or programs in the areas of Arts, Education, Rural Life, Science, and Technology. Grants cannot be used for educational scholarships for pre-K, primary, secondary or post-secondary education or given to individuals.

For more information about applying for a grant from the fund, Upper Bucks Community Fund of the LVCF | Grants Opportunity

About Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is a great way for philanthropically-minded people to give back to their community. The fund is directed by the Upper Bucks Advisory Board which is composed of local community leaders focused on growing local giving, issuing grants to local nonprofit organizations, and organizing resources to meet local needs.  The Upper Bucks Advisory Board is an important philanthropic arm of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF). Their 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. Learn more…

Allentown, Pa., September 24, 2021—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently honored Bernard J. Story, who served as President and CEO from 2012 to 2021, with the prestigious Vision in Philanthropy Award during the Fall Board of Associates meeting.

Erika Riddle Petrozelli, LVCF President and CEO was joined by Sandra L. Bodnyk, Chair of the LVCF Board of Governors, and Award Sponsor David Osborn, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley to present the Vision in Philanthropy Award to Story.

While presenting the award, Riddle Petrozelli noted, “Bernie Story’s distinguished tenure as President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation from 2012 to 2021 has been marked by his wisdom, insight, and leadership, during key times of growth, transition, and community need. Bernie, for all you’ve done in service to the Community Foundation to improve the lives of those in the Lehigh Valley, on behalf of the Staff and Board of Governors, I present to you—the Vision in Philanthropy Award.”

Story began his tenure as President and CEO with the Community Foundation in 2012. Under his leadership, the Foundation’s total assets grew by nearly 90 percent, from $33 million to over $60 million. In addition, the number of charitable funds held at the Foundation grew by over 60 percent, from 160 funds to over 260 funds. Most notable, the annual grants made by the Foundation grew from just over $1 million to nearly $7 million, making the Community Foundation one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in the Lehigh Valley.

See the Video of the Award Presentation and Bernie’s remarks.

Earlier, Cindy Lambert, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Associates, welcomed the group of over 100 people to the program. Erika Riddle Petrozelli, LVCF President & CEO, provided an update on LVCF activities and announced a new fund at the foundation.

“It is clear that cultivating the next generation of leaders is near and dear to Bernie’s heart,” Erika said. “For that reason, we are very happy to announce that LVCF established the Bernard J. Story Fund for Professional Development to honor Bernie and his passion for improvement. Bernie believes that a professional and successful organization supports growth opportunities for its staff. The Board has approved a $10,000 transfer into the Bernard J. Story Fund for Professional Development to honor Bernie’s vision and his impact on our Foundation.”

The program “Stories of Philanthropy” was a celebration of growth, philanthropy, and a bright future for the foundation and our region. It highlighted the focus, relationships, and vision of Bernie Story. LVCF invited five speakers to share their stories of how they have worked or partnered with LVCF.

The speakers included Charlie Marcon, former LVCF Board member and current fundholder; Judy Harris & Dolores Laputka of Norris McLaughlin, trusted advisors to LVCF and many philanthropists in the Lehigh Valley; Anne Reid, current Vice Chair of the LVCF Board and current fundholder; Shelley Brown of Easton’s State Theatre, current nonprofit leader and former LVCF Board member; and Trisha Higgins, current LVCF Vice President & CFO.

Click here to see the photos from the event on LVCF’s Flickr page.

Before the presentation of the Vision in Philanthropy Award, there was an appearance from “Kernac the Magnificent” Ellen Kern who roasted Bernie with a routine inspired the Johnny Carson character the Amazing Carnac.

See the video of Ellen Kern as Kernac the Magnificent

At the conclusion of the “Kernac’ routine, Ellen presented Bernie with a proclamation from Pennsylvania Senator Pat Browne congratulating him for his successful tenure as President and CEO of the Community Foundation.

Allentown, Pa., September 1, 2021—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and eight partner organizations are participating in the Philadelphia Federal Reserves’ Reinventing Our Communities (ROC) 2021 Cohort Program to strengthen the local economy by helping Allentown address structural racism and barriers to opportunity in the small business sector.

The ROC Cohort Program is a ten-month in-depth racial equity capacity building program for cross-sector community cohorts. The Allentown cohort will engage in equity training, community and economic development webinars, technical assistance, and a community of practice, leading to the development of an equity plan for addressing the challenge through the development of local solutions.

The Allentown cohort is a group of cross-sector community leaders who participate in workshops and peer learning that allow them to gain skills and create a tailored racial equity plan to address local challenges.  The Community Foundation’s Megan Briggs, Director or Community Investments serves as the cohort lead.  “What is unique about our group is it’s cross-sector involvement,” she noted. “Our group includes not only sector professionals, but also the voices of small business owners who understand the need and can help us move forward with a plan that can make a real difference in the community.”

Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is partnering with the City of Allentown, Community Action Development Corp. of Allentown, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Rising Tide Fund, Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise at Lehigh University and two Allentown small businesses – Visit Vans and Straight A Uniforms.

Allentown is one of four areas in Pennsylvania participating in the program. The others include Chester County, Lancaster, and York. Nationally, nine community cohorts from the Philadelphia, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Richmond, and San Francisco Federal Reserve Districts are participating in the 2021 ROC Cohort Program.

The Federal Reserve will provide equity training for the Allentown cohort to help them understand the unique systematic barriers faced by small businesses owned by people of color, so the group can envision long-term solutions. The group will receive economic development training on best practices, followed by providing technical assistance specially tailored for Allentown and surrounding region. Afterwards, Federal Reserve experts will assist the group as they devise a plan to help small, person-of-color-owned businesses overcome the barriers, including many that have been intensified by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

“Our work centers on supporting those who have been historically overlooked, underfunded, and economically impacted by the pandemic and systemic racism so that all residents can benefit from an inclusive, equitable plan for recovery,” Briggs explained.

Cohort member Shalanda Riddick owns Visit Vans LLC, a company that provides transportation to people who want to visit loved ones incarcerated in state prisons. She is eager to help other business owners who are experiencing similar challenges. “As an entrepreneur, as a small business owner and as a Black woman, I appreciate having a seat at the table,” Riddick said. “It’s a little early to know exactly where we are headed, but I know I’ll have a lot to offer.”

Megan Colon is the owner of Straight A Uniforms and an entrepreneur consultant specializing in helping people of color in business. She is pleased to be included in the Allentown cohort, a city which has a population where two-thirds identify as people of color, but only own roughly ten percent of the businesses.  “I could tell from the start that this isn’t something that’s just being done for show,” said Colon, “This is going to have a real impact in our community. I’m excited to see where we can take this.”

Each plan will be formulated to the needs of the businesses in that region, with the goals of securing support for Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)–owned businesses, such as access to loans; centering the best interests of BIPOC- owned businesses; cultivating relationships with key decision makers; increasing social capital; and increasing representation in key decision-making roles.

For more information, see the Allentown Cohort Profile (subject to change) and Allentown Data Set. General information on the program can be found on Philadelphia Federal Reserve website