Community panels in Lycoming County and the Greater Susquehanna Valley select nonprofit recipients in celebration of FCFP’s 110th birthday.
Community members in Lycoming County and the Greater Susquehanna Valley put their local knowledge into action, selecting Dwell and Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. to each receive a $110,000 grant through the 110 Community Grant Panels hosted by First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP).
The $110,000 grant amount honors FCFP’s 110th birthday. The panels gave residents a direct voice in supporting nonprofit work in their communities, with their votes determining which organization in each region received the funding.
“While supporting our region through grants is central to FCFP’s work, we are also uniquely positioned to bring people together to strengthen the communities we call home,” said president and CEO Jennifer Wilson of FCFP. “As we prepare to celebrate our 110th birthday, it felt fitting to build on that role by inviting residents to bring their local knowledge and perspectives directly into our grantmaking decisions. These panels move us beyond grantmaking for the community to grantmaking with and by the community.”
The Lycoming County panel met October 13 at Montoursville Area High School. The Greater Susquehanna Valley panel met October 15 at Lewisburg Area High School. At each event, three nonprofit finalists gave five-minute presentations before community members voted. The grant recipients were announced that evening.
“It was exciting to see such a diverse group of voting panelists and feel that our community was truly represented,” said Alice Trowbridge, community grant panelist and Williamsport resident. “There was something powerful about coming together, hearing from the nonprofits and having a voice in this decision. The evening really brought our community together.”
In Lycoming County, Dwell (dwellorphancare.org) received $110,000 to expand Made to Celebrate!, a birthday program for children and youth in foster and kinship care. The funding will provide personalized birthday packages featuring gifts from each child’s wish list, handmade cards and certificates for treats from local bakeries, helping more children feel known, valued and celebrated while supporting the families caring for them. Finalists also included the Covation Center, Inc. (covationcenter.org) and Ronald McDonald House of Danville, Inc. (ronaldmcdonaldhousedanville.org).
“We are incredibly honored and grateful that the community panel selected Dwell for this $110,000 grant, and we were proud to stand alongside such outstanding organizations as Ronald McDonald House of Danville and The Covation Center,” said Jennifer Lake, executive director of Dwell. “This investment from the Foundation will allow us to bring the joy of Made To Celebrate! to more children experiencing foster and kinship care on their birthdays, while easing the financial burden on the families caring for them. At Dwell, we work every day to meet the needs of vulnerable children. This grant means more children from hard places will experience the joy of being seen, known, and celebrated simply for who they are.”
In the Greater Susquehanna Valley, Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. (CSO; csocares.org) received $110,000 for SUN Healthy Homes, a collaborative project helping individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing in Union, Snyder and Northumberland counties. The funding will provide rental assistance and housing support for low-income residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness, connecting them with the resources they need to build lasting stability. Finalists also included SUN Area Career and Technology Education Foundation (sun-tech.org) and Winterspring Sanctuary (winterspringsanctuary.org).
Megan Bair, CEO of CSO, said, “We are incredibly grateful for this $110,000 grant from FCFP and the community members who helped select this project. By working together, CSO, Union-Snyder Community Action Agency, DIG Furniture Bank, and Transitions of PA can address broader barriers to long-term stability. It is especially meaningful that local community members selected our project. Their support shows that our community shares our belief that every family should have a safe, stable place to call home and that we are stronger when we work together.”
The Community Grant Panels were part of FCFP’s “110 Years Bright” birthday celebration, recognizing 110 years of philanthropy while inviting residents to shape the region’s future. The panels reflect the foundation’s belief that community voices and local knowledge are essential to meaningful impact.
To explore upcoming events and find ways to take part in FCFP’s 110th birthday celebration, visit FCFPartnership.org/110-years.
Media Contact:
Danielle M. Velkoff
Director of Communications
e: daniellev@fcfpartnership.org | t: (484) 276-6367