Dear Kristyn,

A reflection for today: “When you put love out in the world it travels, and it can touch people and reach people in ways that we never even expected.” — Laverne Cox

Please continue to keep us informed of what's happening with you in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The information here comes from you, with links to our website for more complete information and resources. Send your events and updates to Kristyn: kristyn@bucksmontcollab.org. Thank you!

Warmly,

Kristyn DiDominick, Executive Director

Payal Mohan, Associate Director

Board of Directors

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and strengthen Bucks and Montgomery Counties with you, and look forward to all that we can accomplish together in this coming year!

Members who renew by June 30, 2024 will receive 10% off their annual dues. Get your discount and renew today!

Current Members: Please check your email for your invoice (emailed to the Executive Director or CEO). Thank you!

New Members: Join here for these member benefits!

On May 7, 75 individuals representing Bucks-Mont Collaborative members and partners traveled to Harrisburg to meet with legislators and advocate for housing affordability and a strong behavioral healthcare system in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

The Family Promise Montco PA team joined us and put together this beautiful video summarizing the day, and our policy and budget priorities. Big thanks to Family Promise Montco PA!

View this video and learn about these priorities! Share with your organization and legislators. Get involved! Join the Collaborative Advocacy Network (The CAN).

PA House Passes Comprehensive School Funding Plan; Now Senate Must #FinishTheJob

Education Law Center

"This week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a groundbreaking, comprehensive school funding bill, House Bill 2370, amending the state’s school code to bring our school funding system into constitutional compliance. The plan writes into law the robust seven-year state funding plan developed by the state’s Basic Education Funding Commission in January 2024 in response to the Commonwealth Court’s landmark 2023 fair funding ruling.

This transformational bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 107-94. In the coming weeks, the bill will move on to the Pennsylvania Senate with the message to “Finish the job!” The General Assembly is required to pass a budget and related bills by June 30. You can take action!

1. Email your legislators using this link to ask them to support this year’s public education budget and a long-term plan.

2. Call your state senator’s office on Wednesday, June 12, as part of the statewide call-in day. Ask them to support HB 2370. Find more information here.

Learn more about how to get involved!

Celebrate Juneteenth!

Juneteenth at the Mercer

Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine St., Doylestown, PA. June 15th, 11am-4pm

Learn more

Having HR Issues?

BLBB Charitable

Despite the importance of employee-related issues, most nonprofits do not have an HR professional on staff and many leaders do not have an HR background. Here are two resources to help:

1) Mid-Atlantic Employers' Association (MEA) is a valuable resource for HR, legal and compliance issues. MEA's website can be found here. You can get a free consultation about an issue, and you can join MEA for a little over $200 per month (and there could be a nonprofit discount so ask). And while that isn't free, it is certainly cheaper than hiring an HR professional or a consultant.

2) The Philadelphia area chapter of SHRM is also a great organization to connect with. Their website has many different resources and you may be able to find a member to hire for help with certain issues.

Literacy Council of Norristown welcomes Eliza Braumbaugh, new Executive Director!

Eliza holds a Master's Degree in Education with a focus in Global Studies and she serves on the Board of Directors of PennTESOL - East. In addition to teaching in Korea, Tunisia, Spain, and the US, Eliza has developed and managed ESOL, Citizenship, and Family Literacy programs in the Tampa Bay area, as well as education programs for African and Caribbean adult and youth learners in Philadelphia.

Deep thanks to Eileen Hallstrom for her impactful years of service at the LCN helm!

Bucks Area Kicks Off Transformative Blue Zones Well-Being Initiative

A transformative initiative to improve the health and well-being of area residents, Blue Zones Ignite Bucks Area, was announced on May 31 by State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership (BCHIP). Funded by a state grant, the Senator and BCHIP have partnered with Blue Zones to conduct a community-wide assessment of the Bucks area to recommend infrastructure, policy, and other improvements that will help determine how to make our community into a healthier and happier place to live, work, grow up and grow old.

“The Blue Zones model has the potential to transform our community in a way that will make people’s lives better and allow them to live longer and healthier,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I’m excited to see the assessment phase unfold and I look forward to working with the stakeholders to develop a plan that truly can be transformative.”

The Blue Zones approach is based on their 25 years of research and scientifically proven lessons of longevity, health, and happiness, from the longest-living communities in the world, and their work transforming well-being at the population level in more than 75 communities across the country. During the Ignite phase of the partnership, Blue Zones will assess the current state of the Bucks area community’s well-being through engagement and education with local leaders and community members, culminating in recommendations for a full-scale transformation of the area.

Senator Santarsiero will host a telephone town hall with BCHIP and Blue Zones at 7pm on July 9^th to introduce the project to tens of thousands of residents across the Bucks area. Residents in the project area can register to receive the call to join the July 9^th telephone town hall at www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/tth.

SEPTA Board Approves Recommendations for New

Bus Network



The SEPTA Board voted May 24 to approve recommendations for the authority’s first-ever comprehensive bus network redesign, previously known as Bus Revolution. SEPTA will now proceed to implement the plan, with the first service changes for customers expected to begin next year. Learn more, and thank you to TMA Bucks for sharing!

Criminalizing Homelessness: Supreme Court Case Gives Us a Chance to Change the Narrative



The Grants Pass decision will shape the way cities address homelessness in ways that may challenge housing advocates, but it also represents the best opportunity we've had in decades to change the narrative on homelessness and build stronger public will for housing. Read this opinion piece from Shelter Force, and learn more about this seminal case, with a decision to be made June 30!

Navigating the Silence: Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults PolicyMap

This report indicates that over a third of adults over the age of 45 experience loneliness, and about a quarter of those aged 65 and older are viewed as socially isolated. Older adults face a higher risk of both loneliness and social isolation due to factors such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and hearing loss…. The impacts of social isolation and loneliness are bi-directional. Studies have shown links to increased risks of premature death, dementia, heart disease, and stroke, even rivaling well-known health risks such as smoking and obesity. Social isolation and loneliness not only causally affect health but are also influenced by one’s health status. For instance, a chronic condition may serve as both a risk factor for and a consequence of social isolation or loneliness.

Read more and review the data from PolicyMap.

Sign Up Today for Montco’s New Public Engagement Platform!

Montgomery County is excited to kick off Engage Montco - a new, dynamic public engagement platform. As the Montgomery County Planning Commission shifts into a new phase for Montgomery County’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2050: A Comprehensive Plan for a Changing World, this platform will provide an opportunity for everyone in the county to engage in the plan by sharing feedback, taking surveys, asking questions, seeing announcements, and finding out about upcoming events. Engage Montco is the place to get all of the latest on the work they are accomplishing on Montco 2050!

In addition to Montco 2050 information, Engage Montco is a place for the public to come and learn about and engage with staff on other Montgomery County projects and initiatives. Learn more and sign up!

Aging Our Way, PA

This plan is a 10-year roadmap to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s older adults and improve services for this rapidly growing population. The plan includes priorities, strategies, and tactics to promote health, well-being and quality of life for all Pennsylvanians as we age. Aging Our Way, PA also prepares the Commonwealth for a larger, longer-living older adult population and is designed to respond to changing needs, shifting priorities and available resources. Read this newly released report!

How Much Should a Nonprofit Have in Reserves?

Pavan W. Auman, CFA, Director Tax & Transition - Bernstein & Catalyst Center for Nonprofit Management shares:

“In today’s environment, holding the right amount of cash is not as simple as you’d think. Nonprofits with excessive cash may underperform bonds, making it important to invest before interest rates decline.” Read more.

Recorded Webinars Available from Catalyst Center for Nonprofit Management



Two of The Catalyst Center's recent webinars are available on the Training & Events page of their website. These webinars are free to view and make excellent trainings for your board meetings. Either of these workshops can be customized for your organization. Contact Liz Vibber for more information or visit Board Basics of Governance and Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements.

Leaders’ Advice for Other Leaders



Nonprofit leaders overwhelmingly told the Chronicle they love their job, but nearly as many said the time demands are never-ending. Here are some tips from veteran charity leaders on how to cope with the stress and stay motivated. Read more…

Board self-assessment tool

Even if you aren't a member of The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, you can purchase this tool for about $90. The Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire allows nonprofit boards to assess their effectiveness in 13 aspects of governance, ranging from board-staff roles to external relations practices. This tool has been used by hundreds of boards and thousands of board members throughout the US and abroad since 2009. The Center administers the tool and tabulates the results for you. They send the survey link to your board members and set up reminders to try to get maximum participation. After the survey is closed, the Center tabulates the results and puts them in an easy to use format for you to review with your board. Thank you to BLBB Charitable for sharing!

Access this board self-assessment.

PennDOT has announced that 511PA is new & improved! 

PennDOT has partnered with the PA Turnpike Commission and upgraded this free statewide travel info service with a new website, mobile app, and phone system. Visit http://511pa.com to check out the new features. Thank you to TMA Bucks for sharing!

Foundations Community Partnership

Nonprofit Growth Grants

Through effective partnerships and collaborations, FCP continues to invest in the organizational and professional development needs of Bucks County nonprofits. 

Organizational and professional development opportunities are awarded throughout the year except for the MS in Nonprofit Leadership: Following submission of a Letter of Inquiry, FCP will discuss the request with the applicant. Organizations that received a grant from FCP within the past 5 years are eligible to apply for tuition assistance for the MS in Nonprofit Leadership which is awarded annually in August.

Letter of Inquiry due July 15; Full Application (following LOI approval) due August 1. Learn more!

Learn more about these organizations funded through the 2024 Dr. Frank E Boston Black Justice Fund!

HealthSpark Foundation launched the Fund in 2021. In honor of its namesake Dr. Frank E. Boston, a Black medical doctor and social entrepreneur who created a hospital and ambulance corps in Lansdale nearly a century ago, the Fund was created to address the historical exclusion of Black leaders and Black community-serving organizations from tackling the challenges and opportunities facing Montgomery County residents. Since its inception, the Fund has now provided a total of $373,100 in grant funds to 22 organizations.

“At HealthSpark, we recognize that as a philanthropic foundation we have a necessary role to play in moving towards a just and liberatory society. First, we must increase resources directly to Black-led organizations who are doing critical work in our county. Second, and equally important, is changing our own practices so that we are dismantling traditional power hierarchies and positioning communities directly at the center of our grantmaking practices. The Black Justice Fund has started us on that process, and we’re encouraged to continue to grow and expand this work in the future,” shared Emma Hertz, President, CEO.

Thank you to Representative Greg Scott for sharing this list of grant opportunities!

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced two new funding opportunities for organizations and local governments addressing homelessness: 

Office for Victims of Crime: FY24 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program

According to the DOJ, this program will provide funding for shelter and transitional housing and other assistance to victims of domestic violence and their companion animals. Examples of program activities include purchasing kennels; installing pet amenities; partnering with veterinarians to provide medical care; assisting with housing relocation; providing pet boarding services; undertaking shelter modifications; and other activities related to providing services to support housing domestic violence victims and their pets together. The Office for Victims of Crime expects to make up to 10 awards of up to $500,000 each for up to a 36-month period of performance to begin on October 1, 2024. Applications for this grant opportunity close July 22, 2024.

Learn more and apply!

FY24 Smart Reentry: Housing Demonstration Program

According to the DOJ, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks to fund state, local, and tribal governments to enhance or implement evidence-based activities or services to improve reentry and reduce recidivism by expanding and/or increasing access to housing for people who are currently or formerly involved in the criminal justice system. Prior to the release from incarceration, individuals will be screened, assessed, and identified for program participation. The program will help jurisdictions assess their reentry systems, identify strengths and gaps, and then build capacity for improved housing options for adults released from prison or jail. Applications for this grant opportunity close July 22, 2024. Learn more and apply!

Thank you to Your Way Home for sharing!

Thank you to Catalyst Center for Nonprofit Management for sharing grant opportunities from the Lawrence Saunders Fund, W.W. Smith Charitable Trust, Bank of America Charitable, Dow in the Delaware Valley, and RWJ Childhood Obesity & Health Inequities! Learn more about these opportunities with June deadlines.

Review the opportunities here!

In 2024, BLBB Charitable will consider a limited number of new Education and Leadership Impact grantees. Organizations that seek multi-year funding or a one-time grant over $15,000 must adhere to their grants cycle calendar. Please review the guidelines to plan for any submissions and reach out to Nicole to discuss any potential grant proposal.

No grantee can apply without an invitation from BLBB Charitable.

Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Neighborhood Assistance Program – Enterprise Zone (NAP-EZP) 



The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PADCED) is now accepting applications for the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Neighborhood Assistance Program – Enterprise Zone (NAP-EZP). Eligible projects must be geographically specific and serve a low-income population. Within the NAP program there are four subprograms – Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) (55% tax credit), Special Program Priorities (SPP) (75% tax credit), Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) (75-80% tax credit) and Charitable Food Program (CFP) (55% tax credit). The guidelines detail the distinctions between the subprogram requirements. Both applications will close on Friday, June 28 at 5:00 PM. Learn more and apply!

See what's going on at Generations of Indian Valley this summer!

Scholarship Opportunity!

Each year, The Carol Caruso Innovation Scholarship awards a $1000 scholarship to a youth (teen to age 25 years old) or entity supporting youth that embraces the NAMI principles of education, support, awareness, and advocacy. The scholarship will be awarded to the individual or entity who produces a program or project that will impact the community while supporting the Mission of NAMI Montgomery County PA. Nominations are open.

Learn more and nominate!

Mindful Metaphors: A Teen Poetry Workshop Series & Competition for Mental Health 

NAMI Montgomery County is looking for teens (13-18) interested in participating in a poetry workshop series and competition for mental health. This workshop is free, and there is a cash prize for the winner.

If you or someone you know is interested, sign up!

Jaisohn Student Scholarship Program now open

The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships for college and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and service to their schools and communities. Other qualifications for each scholarship are available online. Please indicate clearly in your application which of the following scholarships you are applying for, with a deadline of Friday July 19, 2024. Learn more, share and apply!