Recap: 2026 Network and Nurture

The determined, empowered, and solutions-oriented sentiments of Dr. Frank E. Boston were reflected throughout HealthSpark’s annual Network and Nuture which took place at Fluxspace in Norristown. Co-hosted by the UnTours Foundation, Zenith Wealth Partners, and the Montgomery County Department of Commerce, this year’s event served as a platform for cross-sector connection and collaboration to increase resources, identify solutions to pressing community needs, and build power. Over 80 guests representing diverse sectors from across the county filtered into the innovative educational makerspace, filling it with energized and hopeful conversations. 

During her opening remarks, HealthSpark President and CEO Emma Hertz honored the legacy of Dr. Frank E. Boston and his steadfast commitment to building health and wellbeing for everyone. Recalling the significance of his many accomplishments as a Black doctor in the early 1900’s, she drew upon his insistent and resilient drive to turn opportunities into contributions for the collective good. She noted,

We have opportunity – whether as a non-profit, philanthropy, business, investor, government, chamber of commerce, elected official – to build bridges between our work and recognize that we all have an ability to create more health and wealth in our communities. We do that by intentionally building alliances with each other, by sharing resources and information, and making changes in how capital is accessed to that every nonprofit or business has the opportunity to get the resources they need.

Network and Nurture kicks-off HealthSpark’s Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund and Justice Fund spring grant cycle. It is an intentional gathering designed to foster reciprocal learning, deepen relationships, and grow alliances across the county. Beyond offering community partners a chance to reconnect and forge new connections, it’s also an invaluable opportunity for HealthSpark to lean in, get curious, and listen to our community partners. Convenings such as these inform, inspire, and guide our philanthropic approach which remains committed to accountability, integrity, courage, and community power.

In addition to highlighting both funds, this year’s event included breakout sessions led by sector experts on topics such as financial resources, technical assistance, and capacity building. It also offered opportunities for guests to network with funders and investors focused on supporting organizations with historically limited access to capital.

Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund and Justice Fund

Launched in 2021 in honor of Dr. Frank E. Boston, the Black Justice Fund invests in emerging Black leaders in Montgomery County, supports positive storytelling of Black communities across the County, and builds community infrastructure and power in Black communities to advance justice and liberation for all County residents. Since its creation, the BJF has awarded $666,500 in grants.  

Incorporating feedback received from community partners, HealthSpark launched the Justice Fund in 2025 to support other historically excluded and underrepresented groups to build power, develop leadership, and engage in positive storytelling. The Justice Fund has been awarded to organizations serving the LGBTQIA community, women’s health initiatives, people with disabilities, and refugees and immigrants. In 2025, HealthSpark distributed $90,000 through this fund.

Mission Aligned Capital Investments

Expanding upon Dr. Boston’s legacy and HealthSpark’s commitment to leveraging its funds to address systemic underinvestment and disinvestment in historically marginalized communities, the evening also featured a new funding opportunity accompanied by a Request for Information (RFI) process. 

Designed in response to feedback received from grantee partners and community members, HealthSpark, in partnership with Philadelphia-based Zenith Wealth Partners, developed a mission-aligned capital initiative to address historical underinvestment in minority-owned businesses. Through this initiative HealthSpark is investing $1 million to support small businesses, nonprofits, and development projects across Montgomery County that will strengthen local economic opportunities, community wealth creation, and equitable growth. 

The RFI includes a short application, and selected applicants may be invited to provide additional information during the diligence process.

To learn more and apply, click here.

Tonight reminded us that our mission is about shaping opportunities—creating the conditions for equity, justice, and community‑driven solutions to thrive. Our region is rich with resources—leaders, partners, institutions, and capital. When we align those assets with community priorities, we unlock real power and possibility. Casey Fenolgio, HealthSpark Board Member

Roundtable Sessions and Networking

Following opening remarks, guests were invited to participate in roundtable discussions or encouraged to continue networking conversations with colleagues. 

Roundtable discussions offered participants an opportunity to engage more deeply in topics of interest to them:   

• Local Impact Investing with Emma Hertz of HealthSpark Foundation and Lisa Mitchell of UnTours Foundation
• Financial Readiness for Nonprofits with Jennifer Pedroni of BDO 
• Immigrant Impact on the Business Sector with Khine Arthur of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, and the Welcoming Center
• The Nexus Point: Business Analysis for Organizations with Kevin Williams and Somaly Osteen of Black Squirrel Collective
• From Idea to Impact: BeReZilient and FORCE with Denise Williams of BeReZilient and FORCE
• The HealthSpark Grantmaking Approach with Akshara Vivekananthan of HealthSpark Foundation and the members of the Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund and Justice Fund Community Action Team 

Continued Collaboration, Innovation, and Positive Social Change

Conversations continued even as the evening came to a close. Guests lingered, talking in small circles, sharing ideas and visions for current or future projects and collaborations. While the struggles and challenges remain significant, particularly for historically marginalized communities, the opportunities to drive collective action and resources toward justice and equity are abundant, motivating, awe-inspiring, and hopeful.

Denise Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Be ReZilient (a HealthSpark grantee partner and recipient of the Black Justice Fund), captured the energy of the evening in her closing remarks, noting:

None of this work happens alone. It grows through collaboration through partners, community leaders, organizations, and people who believe in the same vision. Partnerships have helped us transform ideas into action and build initiatives that are stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

Because of collaboration, we’ve seen real impact. We’ve seen young people discover their voice and leadership potential. We’ve created spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. We’ve opened doors to new opportunities whether through education, mentorship, workforce pathways, or simply providing a place where someone knows they belong. And in many ways, the biggest change is that people begin to see themselves as leaders and change-makers in their own communities.

That’s why moments like tonight matter so much. - Denise Williams

Rather than a standalone, one-off event, HealthSpark’s Network and Nurture plays an integral role in our approach to philanthropy. It facilitates conditions that foster and deepen authentic relationships built on trust, transparency, and reciprocity. Conversations, ideas, visions, and challenges sparked at Network and Nurture are woven into our grant and non-grant funding activities, they become catalysts for the solutions and opportunities we generate, and fuel for continued insights and planning. 

Curious and interested in joining us at a future event?  Our Community of Practice is on April 17th. Register now to save your spot! 

*Dr. Frank E. Boston was a medical doctor who served in WWII and later established the Elm Terrace Hospital. The hospital later became the North Penn Hospital which was eventually sold in 2001. The sale of the hospital funded the endowment for HealthSpark Foundation (previously known as the North Penn Community Health Foundation). 

*Located in Norristown, Fluxspace's mission is to revolutionize learning environments and foster collaboration between students, educators, and industry professionals. They aim to create a forward-thinking community by developing innovative educational programs and products, such as STEAM initiatives, makerspaces, 21st-century learning spaces, esports labs, and educational technology integration.

Fluxspace is an initiative of Corbett, Inc., a market leader in commercial and K-12 interior solutions, consulting in areas of school design, furniture implementation, and more. Fluxspace is an expansion of Corbett Inc's current experience center.