Foundation awards over $190,000 in grants to local nonprofits
Colmar, PA – The North Penn Community Health Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $191,000 to three local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of low-income and at-risk populations in the North Penn community.
Two grants were awarded to organizations with projects that fall under the foundation’s funding priority of strengthening organizational effectiveness. This priority area of giving works to build the capacity of health and human service agencies to become highly impactful, effective organizations delivering quality services in a cost-effective manner.
Family Services of Montgomery County received a final project grant of $120,000 over two years to complete its transformational efforts to a high-performing organization. Since 2007, Family Services has been on a journey to reorganize the agency’s departmental infrastructure, identify and implement evidence-based client evaluation tools and strengthen agency management. Family Services is currently in the final stages of rolling out its plan and anticipates achieving full implementation in 2013.
Manna on Main Street received a grant of $94,000 to be spent over six months to support the agency’s move to a larger facility this spring. After 30 years at its original location with only 800 square feet of operational space, Manna is moving to a newly renovated 5,200 square foot property. The new facility will greatly enhance Manna’s ability to serve its clients and the community with larger storage space and a commercial grade kitchen. An improved layout for both the kitchen and dining areas will vastly increase efficiency in meal preparation and service.
One grant was awarded over one year under the foundation’s funding priority of promoting disease prevention and wellness. This priority area of giving ensures that community organizations maximize their capacity and leverage resources to promote the nutritional health and well-being of residents by identifying and deploying evidence-based approaches to wellness.
The Health Promotion Council received a grant of $85,000 in continued support of the Cultivating Communities Campaign, a strategic initiative of the foundation to enhance year-round access for low-income individuals and families to fresh, locally grown and nutritious food. The Campaign’s goal is to expand up to 24 community gardens in the greater North Penn region over five years and link those gardens with community organizations and residents. “Cultivating Communities Campaign is expanding access to low-cost and healthy food options, and provides local organizations, schools and farmers with a mechanism to give back to the broader community,” says Russell Johnson, CEO and president of the foundation. Last year, over 12,000 pounds of fresh produce was harvested and distributed to community members.
Founded in 2002, the North Penn Community Health Foundation identifies, selects and invests in programs and agencies that will improve the health, welfare and quality of life in the community. It seeks to be a catalyst for change, promote lasting value, advocate for low- and moderate-income individuals and families and support innovative, collaborative and cost-effective approaches to solutions addressing unmet community needs. Since its inception, over $10 million has been distributed to more than 150 nonprofit organizations.
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