DV Journal

(From press releases)

Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) announced today that several municipalities in the 24th Senate District received grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) Multimodal Transportation Fund to assist with traffic and pedestrian safety projects.

The following projects were awarded:

• Green Lane Borough – $200,000 for pavement and restoration of borough streets.
• Hobart’s Run Neighborhood District – $139,997 to repair sidewalks and install street lighting along Beech Street.
• Pennsburg Borough – $168,876 for pedestrian and roadway safety improvements along Eleventh Street in Pennsburg Borough, Red Hill Borough, and Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County.
• Skippack Township – $250,000 – for traffic improvements at the intersection of Skippack Pike (Route 73) and Bridge Road (Route 113).
• Upper Pottsgrove Township – $301,500 to improve safety at the intersection of Cherrytree Lane, Gilbertsville Road and the Sprogels Run Trail.
• Washington Township – $116,782 to make pedestrian safety upgrades at an intersection along Niantic Road.

“These investments into our roadways and sidewalks will have significant impacts on our Commonwealth’s infrastructure.” said Pennycuick, “I am always happy to see transportation improvement projects in my district receive support.”

Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Nucks/Lehigh) and Rep. Craig Staats (R-Quakertown) announced a state grant of $750,000 to help with the cost of highway road improvements for State Road and Meetinghouse Road. The improvements will support the construction of a Wawa convenience store with gas in West Rockhill Township, Bucks County.

Sen. Jarrett Coleman

Specifically, the funding will provide for road widening on State Road to include left turn and right turn lanes, ADA sidewalk installation, pedestrian and ADA-compliant crossing, stormwater upgrades to address road widening and a new traffic signal.

“The turning lanes and improved pedestrian safety features will make a big difference for folks. This grant will improve traffic congestion overall. Plus, the upgraded stormwater infrastructure will protect the area from a storm surge,” Coleman said.

“I’m very happy to see state support for a new Wawa in West Rockhill Township,” said Staats. “Wawa’s decision to open here reflects our community’s strength as a great place to live and work. This new location will provide added convenience for residents, and I look forward to grabbing a coffee when it opens.”

The grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through its Multimodal Transportation Fund, which supports projects that ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation for Pennsylvania residents.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of this commonwealth.

(From a press release)

Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-Bucks/Lehigh) today announced state grants totaling more than $787,000 have been awarded to fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies serving the 16th Senatorial District.

The grants were awarded through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. They can be used for construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training or reduction of existing debt.

“Our emergency responders work so hard to serve Pennsylvania’s communities whenever there is a need. They do such a wonderful job that it’s easy to take them for granted,” Coleman said. “However, we must always remember not only the bravery and dedication it takes to keep us safe, but the cost as well. These grants help to fund training and pay for much-needed equipment.”

More than 2,500 fire and ambulance companies across the Commonwealth received a total of $37.6 million in grants.

All fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads in the state were eligible to apply for funding.

The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the legislature and administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Funding sources include state gaming proceeds and Fireworks Tax revenues – not general fund tax revenue.

(From a press release)

Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) is pleased to announce that several vital public safety and infrastructure projects in Delaware and Chester Counties were awarded funding through the Local Share Account (LSA) grant program. The grants, issued by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), will support essential initiatives to improve public spaces, preserve historical landmarks and enhance environmental infrastructure in the region.

“These projects reflect a shared commitment to preserving our local heritage, protecting the environment and providing our communities with the infrastructure they need to thrive,” said Williams. “I’m proud to see state support in the preservation and utilization of open space in our community. And I am very grateful to see another investment in the safety infrastructure for Cheney University, and I will be fighting for more funding for upgrades to our local historic university.”

The projects awarded funding include:

Chadds Ford Township – Historic Preservation and Land Conservation

Chadds Ford Township was awarded $200,000 for the purchase and conservation of a 15+ acre parcel of land. The property includes the historic Joseph Davis House (c.1770) and a barn that once served as the art studio of renowned artist N.C. Wyeth. This property, which also holds significance as a priority I, Class A site in the Battle of Brandywine, will be preserved for public recreation and education, allowing future generations to appreciate its historical and natural resources. The land will be managed by the North American Land Trust to ensure public access and conservation.

Chester Heights Borough – Public Recreation Space Acquisition

Chester Heights Borough was awarded $260,000 to acquire 40 acres of undeveloped land for public recreation. As the borough’s population has grown by 385% since 1970, the park system has struggled to keep up. This new park will offer residents and neighboring communities trails through diverse landscapes of woods, meadows and streams, providing much-needed outdoor space for the growing population.

Concord Township – Central Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades

Concord Township will receive $300,000 for upgrades to the Central Sewage Treatment Plant. This project involves the addition of a protective cover on the post-aeration tank to prevent algae blooms, improve water quality and enhance the efficiency of the plant. These upgrades will help the township meet environmental regulations and reduce the need for frequent, costly tank cleaning, ultimately benefiting local residents and the environment.

Chester County – Heritage Tourism and Wayfinding Kiosks

Chester County was awarded $667,080 to develop and install 19 digital heritage tourism and wayfinding kiosks throughout the county. This project will expand on the existing three kiosks, creating a more cohesive experience for visitors and residents as they explore the region’s battlefields, heritage sites, and main streets, all of which played significant roles during the American Revolutionary War. The kiosks will offer virtual exploration, provide directions, and share other useful information, allowing for a more integrated and informative visitor experience. LSA funds will be used for the purchase and installation of the kiosks, as well as professional services and administrative costs.

From a press elease

In its fifth major round of grantmaking, The Foundation for Delaware County announced more than $1.65M in new Impact Grant awards to 52 area nonprofits, eight second-year Impact Grant awards totaling more than $182K, and ten third-year Impact Grants totaling more than $371K for a total of more than $2.2 million invested in nonprofits serving Delaware County.

Grants were awarded in the following areas:

1. Children’s Health and Well-Being: $1,087,860
2. Community and Economic Development: $95,000
3. Community Mental Health Services: $53,500
4. Food Security: $287,000
5. Hospice and Home Care: $105,000
6. Services for Cancer Survivors: $30,000
7. Second-Year Payments to 2022 Impact Grantees: $182,932
8. Third-Year Payments to 2021 Impact Grantees $371,445

“We are thrilled to award more than $1.6M in new Impact Grants to 52 organizations providing critical services in Delaware County,” said Frances Sheehan, Foundation President. “They will address some of Delaware County’s most critical issues, including mental health challenges, education, food security, and support for seniors.”

Sheehan went on to stress that “The Foundation for Delaware County is dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges in Delaware County, supporting organizations and initiatives making lasting change. We are deeply committed to being a resource for our local nonprofit community now and long-term.”

To learn more about how you can support these and other nonprofits in our community by donating to or starting your own charitable fund, contact Monika Collins.

Children’s Health and Well-being

Children’s health and well-being continue to be a major funding priority for the Foundation. Multiple grants were awarded to advance the Foundation’s goal of improving the health and quality of life of the children in our county. Grants include $100,000 over two years, to the Chester Charter Scholars Academy (CCSA) Foundation to launch a math education program for elementary and middle school students at CCSA to help them improve their math proficiency.

Additional grants include a $50K grant to Riddle Hospital over three years to establish a prenatal care program that integrates medical care with education to empower and improve the health of pregnant patients and their babies, $60,000 over three years for the Young Men and Women in Charge Foundation to prepare youth to become leaders through careers in STEM, and $20,210 to Teacher’s Teammates to ensure that under-resourced schools in Delaware County have adequate school supplies for students in K-12.

“The Impact Grant we received from the Foundation will allow us to arrange direct delivery to the schools for all our teachers’ orders, removing a significant barrier for teachers in accessing supplies for their students, said Raelyn Harman, Executive Director for Teacher’s Teammates. “Teachers often have many after-school commitments which prevent them from traveling to our warehouse in Folcroft to pick up their order. Teachers’ Teammates wants to make it as easy as possible for teachers to access the supplies we have and as easy as possible for donors to contribute in-kind donations.” 

Community and Economic Development

The Foundation supports organizations working to enhance their community and economic development strategies. A $30,000 grant was given to Chester Pike Corridor Improvement Project to support a collaboration between the boroughs of Sharon Hill, Glenolden, Norwood, Prospect Park, and Ridley Park to foster economic development along a critical Delaware County transportation route. And a $25,000 grant was awarded to Darby Free Library to support library services that ensure a safe and healthy environment within the oldest continually operating public library in the United States.

Community Mental Health

In the past few years, mental health challenges have skyrocketed. Addressing and providing support for mental health services is a priority for the Foundation. A $35,000 grant was awarded to the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) to expand its counseling program to meet the increasing mental health needs of people in Delaware County.

“With mental health challenges at an all-time high in our country, we are pleased that the Foundation has included mental health as a priority for our county,” said Cheryl Brubaker, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center. “For women facing the impossible expectations of caring for while providing for their families, WRC’s counseling services have been a lifeline for hundreds of women who could not have otherwise afforded mental health care. With this grant, we will be able to provide nearly 500 free counseling sessions for those in Delaware County who face gender disparities and discrimination in addition to difficult life transitions such as divorce and job loss.”

Food Security

Seven organizations received Impact Grants to help address food insecurity. Murphy’s Giving Market received a $10,000 grant to provide ethnically and culturally diverse food and other essential items to people who live in the Upper Darby area.

In addition, a $100K grant was awarded to the Share Food Program to support their centralized food bank in Delaware County to promote equitable food access across Delaware County food pantries.

Hospice and Home Healthcare

The Foundation is grateful to the Delaware County Home Care Association Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation for enabling grants to support home care and hospice programs at Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, Senior Community Services, Surrey Services, and Wayne Senior Center.

About The Foundation for Delaware County

The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest philanthropy in Delaware County, PA. One of 780 community foundations across the U.S., the Foundation offers support and resources for nonprofits of every size, helps generous people give with more impact, brings together funders, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical community problems, and responds to major challenges and crises as they arise.

In addition to grant funding, the Foundation operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to strengthen Delaware County’s nonprofit community through training workshops and peer learning opportunities. The Foundation encourages philanthropy by connecting donors to worthy causes through efficient charitable giving vehicles like donor-advised and scholarship funds.

The Foundation operates the prestigious public health programs Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, and Nurse-Family Partnership. In addition to the Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE), other programs include El Centro (a Hispanic resource center) and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District.

From a press release

In a unanimous vote, Delaware County Council authorized using up to $1,750,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide grants to local fire departments across the county. More than 60 active fire companies are eligible for grants worth up to $25,000 for their operational needs. The funds are designed to replace lost revenues and supplement fund-raising efforts adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Delaware County’s First Responders have been our true Front-Line Heroes over the past two and a half years during the pandemic,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “Many of our local fire companies rely on volunteers and fundraising to keep us safe, and these efforts were curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants provide them with funds that can offset the financial hardships they have faced.”

The County has launched a streamlined application process to expedite the distribution of the funds. Delaware County’s Emergency Services Department is administering the funds, with appropriate checks and balances to ensure all grants meet operational needs.

Fire companies interested in applying for a grant can contact the County Emergency Operations Center at (610) 565-8700. Applications are due by November 30, 2022.

“Our First Responders have made enormous sacrifices during the pandemic,” said Emergency Services Director Timothy Boyce, who recently met with the County’s Fire Service Leadership to go over details of the grant process. “These new grants authorized by Council will allow them to focus on providing essential services and protecting our community.

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Comcast is reaching out a helping hand to minority-owned small businesses. The technology and communications giant plan to award an additional $1 million in grants and support to minority-owned small businesses as a part of its Comcast RISE initiative. The recent announcement comes two years after Comcast started the program.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, governments shut down many small businesses with dire results. Some went under while others struggled to survive.

“As we continue to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses still need our support,” said Dennis Matthew,  Comcast regional senior vice president.

The National Institute of Health reported that in the first five months of the pandemic, small businesses declined by 22 percent, with 3.3 million total small businesses affected. According to the NIH, African-American-owned small businesses declined by 41 percent, Latino-owned businesses declined by 32  percent, and Asian-owned firms by 26 percent.  Female-owned companies are also suffering. The report states that female-owned business activity declined by 25 percent during the same period.

In 2020, Comcast established the Comcast RISE initiative, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment.” The program focuses on businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans.

Comcast originally started the initiative so that financial and technological resources were more accessible to small businesses that needed help in the wake of the pandemic. The program aims to assist underrepresented business owners in achieving long-term sustainability. The RISE program helps them access various financial resources, business support services, and tools necessary to succeed and provides continued support to recipients.

Building on the program’s success, Comcast announced its plans last November to expand its eligibility requirements to all female-owned businesses. Now female business owners will qualify to receive grants and assistance through the Comcast RISE program. Comcast believes that this change in the eligibility requirements will address social inequities and help level the playing field for businesswomen trying to obtain access to resources. The expansion will help female business owners become more successful.

Through its partnership with Ureeka, a website company, the Comcast RISE program has various options for helping grant recipients. Ureeka is a third-party organization that, according to Jen Bilotta, the regional vice president of communications for Comcast in Philadelphia, helps all RISE recipients. Service packages include educational opportunities and mentoring, marketing and advertising through various commercial media channels, technology tools such as digital hardware and business software, and monthly newsletters providing small business owners with information to help businesses succeed.

“In 2021, I was sent a link to apply to the Comcast RISE grant,” said Christina Faith, owner of Creative Thought Media in Philadelphia.  “As a Black entrepreneur, grants often require you to jump through hoops to apply. It was refreshing to receive the funding and resources to support our business. I love that Comcast RISE continued to support us after the resources and grants were deployed. They continually check in to see how we are doing and what other support is needed.”

Since it began, Comcast RISE has awarded grants to 9,500 businesses nationwide, 700 of which were Philadelphia-based small businesses. In 2021, one hundred qualifying Delaware Valley businesses received $1 million in grants. The Comcast RISE initiative has awarded over $16 million in grants and $75 million in marketing and technology support to small businesses nationwide. Comcast expects to help 13,000 more small businesses by the end of 2022.

“Comcast is extremely proud of the initiative’s progress and the businesses it has helped,” Bilotta added.

The program is currently accepting applications for service package grants. The deadline is October 14, 2022, if you are a minority small business owner interested in applying for a grant through the Comcast RISE initiative.

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