Foundation Awards over $500,000 in grants to local nonprofits

The North Penn Community Health Foundation awarded grants totaling $556,850 to seven 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 over one year to organizations with projects that fall 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 Food Trust received $87,300 in continued support of the Community Nutrition Coalition to improve food security for low-income residents in the North Penn community. For the past five years, The Food Trust has provided technical assistance to a network of nearly a dozen local food pantries which provide a nutritional safety net for low-income individuals and families. This relationship has successfully enhanced the quality and quantity of fresh foods provided. “The coalition has brought in additional food by introducing a vegetable basket program that collects donations and extra produce from farmers and local residents throughout the summer and fall for distribution to the community. It is an example of the creativity and innovation that can be achieved by convening various groups and leveraging resources and expertise,” said Russell Johnson, president and CEO of the foundation. The current grant will allow The Food Trust to expand the number of coalition partners, improve pantry efficiencies and increase consumers’ knowledge and awareness of food preparation and storage.

The second grant under this funding priority went to The Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania for $99,300 in continued support of the Wellness Initiative for the School Environment:  Smart Nutrition and Activity Collaborative (WISE SNAC®), which works to address the issue of childhood obesity by fostering collaboration among schools, parents and community partners to create opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity for students.

Four grants were awarded over one year under the foundation’s funding priority of promoting access to quality health and human services to ensure that low-income and under and uninsured children and adults have access to primary care, oral, pharmaceutical and behavioral health services, as well as supporting social services and housing supports. The foundation invested in organizations that support the development of a comprehensive and integrated system of high-quality and cost-effective services.

Grants under this funding priority included:

• $183,000 to North Penn Visiting Nurse Association in support of their chronic care management program, social services, and primary and oral health care, including capital improvements to and expansion of the oral health suite to meet the needs of low-income children and adults, and related oral health services
• $80,250 to Indian Creek Foundation to expand behavioral health services to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and support an evaluation of the adult and children’s program
• $37,000 to Penn Foundation in support of phase II of a collaborative initiative with Indian Creek Foundation to develop and expand a trauma-informed organizational environment at both Penn Foundation and Indian Creek Foundation
• $20,000 to Visiting Nurse Association Community Services to support its personal navigator program that assists low-income individuals and families to access benefit, support and health care programs

One grant was awarded over one year under the foundation’s third funding priority of strengthening organizational effectiveness and partnerships. Advanced Living received $50,000 to support legal and market research to explore the feasibility and interest of developing an independent living campus for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

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.