Our mission is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County.
Berks County Community Foundation Inc is a local funder that pairs large operating support with place-based community initiatives across Berks County. Its recent grants show a strong commitment to organizations rooted in Reading and nearby towns, with recurring support for Berks Nature, the Foundation for the Reading Public Museum, Humane Pennsylvania, and the Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc. The foundation also backs county-serving work in health care, environmental stewardship, education, neighborhood vitality, and public safety, reflecting a broad community-improvement mandate rather than a single-issue strategy. Several of its largest awards go beyond annual operating support. It funded the Reading Hospital Foundation for the cardiac catheterization lab at Reading Hospital, Tower Health at Home for hospice electronic medical record implementation, and the Reading Public Museum for capital improvements and preservation work on Trudy's Garden. On the education side, grants have supported Berks Catholic High School and scholarship activity, while public-interest and local-information projects include support for Spotlight PA’s Berks coverage. The result is a grantmaker that blends institutional support with targeted investments in infrastructure, services, and local civic life.
Education and scholarship support appears in both institutional and student-focused forms. Berks Catholic High School received $96,225 for general support and scholarship support, while the foundation also administers scholarship opportunities through a universal scholarship application. Health and human services are another clear area of activity. Tower Health at Home received $95,000 for implementation of a new medical record system for hospice care, and Reading Hospital Foundation received $100,000 for the cardiac catheterization lab at Reading Hospital. Environmental and conservation work is also present. Green Building Alliance received $150,616 for its Building Sustainable, Resilient, and Thriving Communities project, and Rodale Institute received $150,000 for the Rodale Institute Science Center. Animal welfare is a recurring theme as well, with Humane Pennsylvania and the Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc each receiving support for animal care, operations, and healthy pets initiatives.
$8.9M
$154.9M
$20.7M
$9.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$25K
KEVIN K MURPHY
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Berks County Community Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 562 | $17.6M | 99.8% |
| 2 | Ukraine |
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Typical awards cluster in the low five figures to mid-five figures, with a p25 of $9,500, a median of $11,213, and a p75 of $25,150. At the top end, the foundation makes six- and seven-figure operating grants, including repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years. Berks Nature appears in both 2023 and 2025, and the Foundation for the Reading Public Museum and Humane Pennsylvania also show up more than once in the recent grants list. The foundation is a community foundation rather than a private family foundation, and it accepts unsolicited applications through an online grant portal for several competitive opportunities.
Grant dollars are overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Reading is the most visible city in the recent grants list, alongside Wyomissing, Birdsboro, and Kutztown. Other Pennsylvania recipients include Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Erie, and Dingmans Ferry, showing some statewide reach while keeping the focus close to Berks County. The structured programs also point to Berks County, the City of Reading, Albany Township, and Northern Berks as core geographic targets.
It accepts unsolicited applications for several grant programs through an online grant portal. The portal is used for competitive grantmaking and general grant opportunities, and some opportunities direct applicants to log in or create an account to view deadlines and available grants.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: the p25 is $9,500, the median is $11,213, and the p75 is $25,150. Recent grants also include much larger awards, including six-figure and seven-figure support for operating needs and capital projects.
Its named focus areas include arts, culture, and humanities; environment or energy; education; healthcare and public health; neighborhoods and economic development; individuals in need; public safety; recreation and athletics; and youth services. Recent grants also show support for scholarships, animal welfare, and local journalism.
Its giving is local, and 95% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania. The recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based, and the foundation’s programs are centered on Berks County, the City of Reading, Albany Township, and Northern Berks.
Yes. Berks Nature appears in both 2023 and 2025, while the Foundation for the Reading Public Museum and Humane Pennsylvania also received multiple grants. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc and Tower Health at Home each appear more than once as well.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $25K |
0.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Current and upcoming funding from Berks County Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations serving Albany Township/Berks County; eligibility details vary by fund and are determined through the Foundation's application review.
Deadline: Annual application window: February 1 – March 15 (annual cycle listed on fund entry).
Who can apply: Open to organizations that need funding to support K9 teams serving governmental entities in Berks County.
Deadline: Applications were described as open in February 2025; no current deadline was provided.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERKS NATURE | READING, PA | $1,053,100 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BERKS NATURE | READING, PA | $750,200 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BERKS NATURE | READING, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR THE ADVANCED ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE READING PUBLIC MUSEUM | READING, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR COLLABORATIONS AND RESTORATIONS AT THE READING PUBLIC MUSEUM |
| GREEN BUILDING ALLIANCE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $185,054 | 2025 | FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROJECT |
| GREEN BUILDING ALLIANCE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $150,616 | 2025 | FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROJECT |
| TOWER HEALTH AT HOME | WYOMISSING, PA | $140,000 | 2025 | FOR THE TOWER HEALTH AT HOME 5G DEVICE UPGRADE FOR EPIC |
| TOWER HEALTH AT HOME | WYOMISSING, PA | $140,000 | 2025 | FOR SUPPORT OF TOWER HEALTH AT HOME EPIC EDUCATION |
| SOUTH MOUNTAIN YMCA | REINHOLDS, PA | $108,700 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUMANE PENNSYLVANIA | READING, PA | $106,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE HEALTHY PETS INITIATIVE |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE READING PUBLIC MUSEUM | READING, PA | $104,450 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BERKS COUNTY INC | BIRDSBORO, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE IN LEADERSHIP TRANSITION SUPPORT |
| READING HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | READING, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB AT READING HOSPITAL |
| SPOTLIGHT PA | HARRISBURG, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE BERKS COUNTY BUREAU |
| THE HIGHLANDS AT WYOMISSING | WYOMISSING, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGE FOR THE REDESIGNED ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE AT THE HIGHLANDS |
| THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BERKS COUNTY INC | BIRDSBORO, PA | $95,113 | 2025 | FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE IN A NATIONAL VETERINARY SHORTAGE |
| SPOTLIGHT PA | HARRISBURG PA, PA | $90,000 | 2025 | FOR BERKS BUREAU INTERIM & GO-FORWARD IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT |
| INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP | GREENBELT, MD | $78,384 | 2025 | FOR THE HAMBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT RURAL INITIATIVE PROJECT |
| BERKS NATURE | READING, PA | $71,400 | 2025 | FOR ASSISTANCE WITH EXPENSES OF LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS |
| HUMANE PENNSYLVANIA | READING, PA | $70,000 | 2025 | FOR THE HEALTHY PETS INITIATIVE (HPI)/SPIKES PET FOOD PANTRY |
| BASEBALLTOWN CHARITIES | READING, PA | $70,000 | 2025 | FOR EXPENSES FOR THE BASEBALLTOWN DREAM LEAGUE AND UPKEEP OF GORDON HOODAK STADIUM |
| MOM-N-PA | SHIPPENSBURG, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | FOR THE MOM-N-PA DENTAL EVENT IN READING. |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CARNEGIE, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HOPE LODGE OF PHILADELPHIA |
| ALBRIGHT COLLEGE (SCHOLL GRANTS) | READING, PA | $56,908 | 2025 | FOR BASEBALL & VOLLEYBALL LOCKER ROOM RENOVATIONS (INVOICE #05152507) |
| BERKS ENCORE | READING, PA | $56,000 | 2025 | FOR SUPPORT OF THE FREE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM |
| BERKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND | READING, PA | $55,000 | 2025 | FOR CLIENT EDUCATION, CLIENT SUPPORTS AND WEBSITE UPGRADE |
| BASEBALLTOWN CHARITIES | READING, PA | $52,000 | 2025 | FOR EXPENSES FOR THE BASEBALLTOWN DREAM LEAGUE |
| GENERATION180 | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $51,480 | 2025 | FOR SOLAR FOR ALL SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN IN MET-ED AND PENELEC TERRITORIES |
| ALBRIGHT COLLEGE | READING, PA | $50,800 | 2025 | FOR RESEARCH ON THE USE OF WHITE LIGHT VS RED LIGHT FOR ACTIVATING PROTEINS RELATED TO BRAIN HEALTH |
| BERKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND | READING, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE PAVEMENT OF THE PARKING LOT AND BILINGUAL DRIVER |
| VIRGINIA ORGANIZING INC | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $49,720 | 2025 | FOR SOLAR FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN MET-ED AND PENELEC TERRITORIES |
| HELPING HARVEST FOOD BANK | SINKING SPRING, PA | $46,380 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CARNEGIE, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | PATIENT NAVIGATION - ACCESS TO CARE FOR BERKS COUNTY RESIDENTS |
| BERKS NATURE | READING, PA | $44,200 | 2025 | FOR EASEMENT MANAGEMENT AND DEFENSE |
| OPPORTUNITY HOUSE | READING, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE SMILE 2 PROGRAM |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD KEYSTONE | WARMINSTER, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR RAPID TESTING FOR HIV AND STIS IN BERKS AND LANCASTER COUNTIES |
| WESTERN BERKS AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION | READING, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE LIFE PACK 35 UPGRADE |
| UNITED DISABILITIES SERVICES FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE COMMUNITY AGING IN PLACE ADVANCING BETTER LIVING FOR ELDERS (CAPABLE) PROGRAM |
| VISION TO LEARN | LOSANGELES, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE INCREASED ACCESS TO VISION CARE FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS |
| BERKS ENCORE | READING, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE BERKS ENCORE CARE+ RESPITE CARE PILOT |
| THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BERKS COUNTY INC | BIRDSBORO, PA | $39,950 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY | READING, PA | $39,744 | 2025 | FOR THE ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY AMERICAN HOUSE STUDENT-RUN PHYSICAL THERAPY/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRO BONO CLINIC |
| ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY | READING, PA | $39,000 | 2025 | FOR WORKING THE MUSICAL |
| DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | WYOMISSING, PA | $37,748 | 2025 | FOR THE DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (DUCOM) HEALTH OUTREACH PROJECT (HOP) |
| EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRAINING | READING, PA | $37,735 | 2025 | FOR COMMUNITY CPR/AED CLASSES |
| UNITED WAY OF BERKS COUNTY | READING, PA | $37,100 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY | READING, PA | $35,421 | 2025 | FOR THE SUPPORT OF TEXPL MIND SCHOLARS: NEURORESEARCH & EDUCATION INITIATIVE |
| FOUNDATION FOR READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | READING, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS AND SERVING MILITARY MEMBERS |
| HELPING HARVEST FOOD BANK | SINKINGSPRING, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPPORTUNITY HOUSE | READING, PA | $34,300 | 2025 | FOR THE SMILE PROJECT |
FOR COLLABORATIONS AND RESTORATIONS AT THE READING PUBLIC MUSEUM
FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROJECT
FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROJECT
FOR THE TOWER HEALTH AT HOME 5G DEVICE UPGRADE FOR EPIC
SOUTH MOUNTAIN YMCA
$108,700FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMANE PENNSYLVANIA
$106,000SUPPORT OF THE HEALTHY PETS INITIATIVE
ASSISTANCE IN LEADERSHIP TRANSITION SUPPORT
FOR THE CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAB AT READING HOSPITAL
THE HIGHLANDS AT WYOMISSING
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGE FOR THE REDESIGNED ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE AT THE HIGHLANDS
FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE IN A NATIONAL VETERINARY SHORTAGE
FOR BERKS BUREAU INTERIM & GO-FORWARD IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT
INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP
$78,384FOR THE HAMBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT RURAL INITIATIVE PROJECT
HUMANE PENNSYLVANIA
$70,000FOR THE HEALTHY PETS INITIATIVE (HPI)/SPIKES PET FOOD PANTRY
BASEBALLTOWN CHARITIES
$70,000FOR EXPENSES FOR THE BASEBALLTOWN DREAM LEAGUE AND UPKEEP OF GORDON HOODAK STADIUM
MOM-N-PA
$60,000FOR THE MOM-N-PA DENTAL EVENT IN READING.
FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY HOPE LODGE OF PHILADELPHIA
FOR BASEBALL & VOLLEYBALL LOCKER ROOM RENOVATIONS (INVOICE #05152507)
BERKS ENCORE
$56,000FOR SUPPORT OF THE FREE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM
BERKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
$55,000FOR CLIENT EDUCATION, CLIENT SUPPORTS AND WEBSITE UPGRADE
BASEBALLTOWN CHARITIES
$52,000FOR EXPENSES FOR THE BASEBALLTOWN DREAM LEAGUE
GENERATION180
$51,480FOR SOLAR FOR ALL SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN IN MET-ED AND PENELEC TERRITORIES
FOR RESEARCH ON THE USE OF WHITE LIGHT VS RED LIGHT FOR ACTIVATING PROTEINS RELATED TO BRAIN HEALTH
BERKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
$50,000FOR THE PAVEMENT OF THE PARKING LOT AND BILINGUAL DRIVER
FOR SOLAR FOR ALL SCHOOLS IN MET-ED AND PENELEC TERRITORIES
PATIENT NAVIGATION - ACCESS TO CARE FOR BERKS COUNTY RESIDENTS
FOR RAPID TESTING FOR HIV AND STIS IN BERKS AND LANCASTER COUNTIES
WESTERN BERKS AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
$40,000FOR THE LIFE PACK 35 UPGRADE
FOR THE COMMUNITY AGING IN PLACE ADVANCING BETTER LIVING FOR ELDERS (CAPABLE) PROGRAM
FOR THE INCREASED ACCESS TO VISION CARE FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS
BERKS ENCORE
$40,000FOR THE BERKS ENCORE CARE+ RESPITE CARE PILOT
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
$39,744FOR THE ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY AMERICAN HOUSE STUDENT-RUN PHYSICAL THERAPY/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRO BONO CLINIC
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
$39,000FOR WORKING THE MUSICAL
FOR THE DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (DUCOM) HEALTH OUTREACH PROJECT (HOP)
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRAINING
$37,735FOR COMMUNITY CPR/AED CLASSES
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
$35,421FOR THE SUPPORT OF TEXPL MIND SCHOLARS: NEURORESEARCH & EDUCATION INITIATIVE
FOUNDATION FOR READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$35,000FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS AND SERVING MILITARY MEMBERS
