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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

Position Available: Assistant Director of Accounting

About the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation promotes philanthropy in order to improve the quality of life in our region, encourages collaboration among area philanthropists, and serves as a source of information and expertise regarding charitable giving.

Position Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is to assist the Vice President & CFO in managing and processing the core financial transactions of the Foundation (gifts, grants, and charitable funds) through use of the Foundation’s information management system.  Other responsibilities of this position include coordination with the Donor Services team regarding gifts and charitable funds; coordination with the Community Investments team regarding grants transactions; reporting to the Board of Governors and others as needed; and assistance with the human resources functions.

Responsibilities

• Utilize and maintain the various modules of the information management system (FIMS) to identify, capture, evaluate, retrieve, share, process and distribute grant, gift and financial information.  Research and implement data quality best practices and ways to implement and maximize use of FIMS.
• Lead staff for the gifts module and related processing functions in FIMS.  This includes data entry, depositing and recording gifts, maintaining gift records for donors and preparing gift acknowledgement letters.
• Lead staff for the accounts payable and grants modules and related processing functions in FIMS.  This includes vendor and grantee data entry and maintenance, check processing, preparing grant letters and coordinating contracted services and preparation of the annual Form 1099s.
• Manage operating procedures manuals.  Document and update accounting and operational processes as necessary to meet audit and fund administration requirements and to ensure compliance with regulatory or industry standards.  Make recommendations for new or improved procedures and controls.
• Assist with human resource functions including recording payroll, tracking employee time-off, benefits administrative functions and reporting.
• Assist the Community Investments department with tasks related to Foundation grant cycles and programs.  These tasks include grantee due diligence tasks and processing grant payments and letters.
• Undertake special projects as assigned or initiated by the CFO or CEO.

Desired Qualifications

• Four-year degree in accounting or finance or relevant experience in non-profit or fund accounting.
• Advanced computer skills and experience with database software, Microsoft Teams and Office 365 preferred.
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical and organizational skills with attention to accuracy, detail and follow through.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time. 
• Customer service orientation with excellent writing and oral communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work independently toward the Foundation’s goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively, establish and maintain effective working relationships and honor confidentiality of donor and Foundation information.

Hours, Benefits & Wages

• Full-time position with flexibility.  Annual salary of $50,000.
• Some remote work permitted with a minimum amount of regular in-office hours on a weekly basis starting in September 2021.
• Three weeks paid vacation, 8 paid holidays and 8 personal days annually.
• Fully paid medical, vision and dental coverage with no waiting period.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401k plan with employer contribution.
• Employer paid parking.
• FLSA & Employment Status
• Full-time exempt employee

How to Apply

If interested in applying for this position, please submit an e-mail detailing your interest in the position along with your resume to Trisha Higgins, Vice-President & CFO, at accounting@lvcfoundation.org.

The Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact Trisha Higgins at accounting@lvcfoundation.org.

Allentown, Pa., June 21, 2021—The George T. Walker Charitable Fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) recently issued more than $396,000 in grants to support organizations that were important to the late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania. A donor designated fund at the Community Foundation, the George T. Walker Charitable Fund provides annual grants to organizations designated through the estate of George T. Walker in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund for 2021 included the following:

• American Red Cross – Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter
  General Operating – BioMedical Services – $41,480
• Deborah Hospital Foundation
  Capital Campaign – Deborah100: The Campaign – $50,00
• Effort United Methodist Church
  Outside and Inside Facilities Projects – $40,000
• Guiding Eyes for the Blind
  General Operating – $75,000
• Mount Pocono United Methodist Church
  Competitive Salaries /Technology Upgrade $40,000
• Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps
  Emergency Shelter/Housing Programs serving Monroe County, Pa. – $75,000
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  Named Space at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – $75,000

The late George T. Walker of Monroe County in Pennsylvania discussed his charitable goals with his professional advisors in 2005, creating the parameters for a charitable fund at the Foundation which was funded by bequest upon his passing.  The George T. Walker Charitable Fund was established with his bequest in 2011.  “Mr. Walker specified that the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has complete discretion, each year, regarding the amounts to be granted to each of these charitable organizations as well as the specific programs to be funded by grants from the Fund,” said Carrie Krug Nedick, LVCF Director of Donor Services. “We are pleased to make these grants to the organizations Mr. Walker held dear as the Foundation fulfills his charitable legacy.”

About George T. Walker

George T. Walker lived a humble life in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. He was very generous, and he was especially careful to support organizations doing so much for their communities without asking for reimbursement or charging fees. He wished to continue this legacy of “helping those who help others” after his lifetime. He sought guidance from his financial advisor and estate planning attorney on how to incorporate his charitable wishes into his estate plans. The legacy gifts resulting from his considerable estate had the potential for significant impact. His professional advisors recommended a charitable fund at Lehigh Valley Community Foundation as a way to give to organizations in perpetuity. Grants from the Fund are made to Mt. Pocono United Methodist Church, Effort United Methodist Church, the Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg, the American Red Cross of East Stroudsburg, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.