Community Outreach

Berks County Community Foundation was founded in 1994 to help individuals, families, organizations and businesses achieve their charitable objectives and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. Since that time, the Community Foundation has grown to manage hundreds of charitable funds. Each year, those funds distribute scholarships and grants to support local students and assist a variety of nonprofit organizations and causes.

Individuals and families often approach the foundation with an idea of a way they'd like to honor the memory of a loved one or support a cause they care about now or after they pass away. Businesses and organizations often approach the foundation to help them manage an existing scholarship or corporate charity.

In either case, a member of the foundation's senior staff works with the people involved to determine the best way to meet their charitable objectives. Many times, but not always, it makes sense to create an endowed charitable fund at the Community Foundation.

Funds are created after a simple fund agreement is completed and an initial donation is received. The money is then pooled with the foundation's other funds and professionally invested for the long term. The foundation's investment strategy is designed to ensure money is available for grants and scholarships in perpetuity.