Sharing the Latest Recipients from the Rapid Response Fund for Community Power
Montco 30% Project and the Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County (MontcoSAAC) are the latest recipients of new grants from our Rapid Response Fund for Community Power. These grants support their continued efforts in responding to critical and unexpected, urgent events or external challenges, while strengthening the voice and power of community members. We’re proud to invest in their important work and look forward to seeing the impact of their initiatives.
Read on to learn more about their projects.
Montco 30% Project - “Norristown Year-Round Supportive Housing Advocacy Campaign”
Montco 30% Project strategically mobilized community and led an advocacy campaign in support of Montgomery County’s proposal to open short-term housing for single adults in Norristown. The campaign helped community members understand how this space would serve a vital role in addressing the growing encampment issue in the area. The campaign motto “Let’s build a stronger, safer community together” shared out facts of the venture and dispelled misinformation to combat NIMBYism.
MontcoSAAC – “Navigating SNAP Changes: Empowering Low-Income Seniors in Montgomery County”
Montco SAAC’s project will urgently support low-income seniors in Montgomery County as they navigate SNAP benefits amid federal funding cuts, policy changes, and staffing shortages- factors driving confusion, anxiety, and a 60% increase in local food pantry visits. To meet rising demand, the project will expand Social Services staff hours for one-on-one and group education sessions, while also creating and distributing clear SNAP materials to both center members and home-bound seniors, helping reduce enrollment gaps and ensure continued access to essential nutrition assistance.
To date, HealthSpark Foundation has awarded $31,000 in rapid response funding since the creation of this fund in December 2024. To learn more about the fund, visit our info page. To read about other rapid response grantee projects, read our other news features: