POTTSTOWN — On July 4, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation officially announced its transformation into the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, aligning with its conversion from a private foundation to a community foundation in 2023.
The rebranding is designed to demonstrate its expanded commitment to serving the full spectrum of health, education, and economic equity across Pottstown and its surrounding communities.
The rebranding was unveiled during Pottstown’s GoFourth Parade and Community Day festivities, a fitting backdrop that underscores the Foundation’s deep roots and broadening role in the region. Pottstown Regional Community Foundation was joined in the parade by representatives from five of its grantee organizations, walking alongside staff and board members in celebration of this new chapter.
“This is more than a name change; it’s a reflection of the evolution we’ve already been living,” said David W. Kraybill, president of the Foundation. “For years, we’ve worked to strengthen the health and wellness of our community. Now, with a name that truly reflects our broader role, we can more effectively engage with partners, donors, and residents to address a wider range of needs and passions.”
Since its founding in 2003 following the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, the Foundation has awarded more than $57.6 million in grants to nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and grassroots organizations.
In 2023, Pottstown Regional Community Foundation transitioned from a private health conversion foundation into a public community foundation. This shift invited broader public participation, leveraged new resources, and allowed the Foundation to more broadly define what the health of the region is to include education innovation and economic opportunity, deepening impact across its 10-mile service area in western Montgomery, northern Chester, and eastern Berks counties.
The shift to a community foundation model opens new avenues for individuals, families, and businesses to establish or donate to personal charitable funds. While Pottstown Regional Community Foundation remains firmly committed to health and wellness initiatives, these new funds enable donors to directly support a wider range of community needs.
For example, community donors may choose to fund arts programs, environmental initiatives, social services, senior citizen support, and more. These funds give donors greater flexibility in shaping their charitable impact while contributing to the overall well-being of the region we call home. You can confidently give locally, knowing your generosity will stay local.
All contributions, both new and existing, are managed under the professional stewardship of the Foundation’s investment team. Their experience and strong track record ensure that funds are responsibly invested, allowing charitable resources to grow and support the community for generations to come.
With the new name comes a reaffirmation of Pottstown Regional Community Foundation’s commitment to:
• Education Innovation: Supporting programs that foster school wellness, early childhood development, and youth leadership.
• Health Intervention: Expanding access to physical and behavioral healthcare, nutrition, safe parks, and mental health support.
• Economic Opportunity: Advancing workforce development, infrastructure revitalization, transit access, and financial empowerment initiatives.
Signature initiatives like Pottstown Play Streets, Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds Institute, and the Regional Home Garden Contest will continue to grow under the Foundation’s banner, while collaborations such as the Thriving Communities Program and the Pottstown Community Voices Grant Fund demonstrate the Foundation’s expanding regional leadership.
“We want to make it easier for every member of our community to make a difference,” added Samuel Mirarchi, marketing & communications specialist at the Foundation. “The size of the donation doesn’t matter as much as the desire to keep our community the best place to live in and work.”
We invite the community to learn more about us by visiting www.pottstownfoundation.org or by visiting us during the three remaining Pottstown Play Streets event days on July 10 at Chestnut St. Park, July 24 at Washington/West Park, and on July 31 at Spruce St. Park.
Pottstown Regional Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization connecting philanthropic intentions with community needs across the greater Pottstown region, supporting health intervention, education innovation, and economic opportunity for all residents. Committed to improving quality of life within a 10-mile radius of Pottstown, the Foundation serves as a convener, funder, and steward for sustainable, community-driven solutions.
To learn more, visit www.pottstownfoundation.org
Source: Berkshire mont
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