FCP News | Summer-Fall 2025 Edition

FCP NEWS

FOUNDATIONS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP | SUMMER/FALL 2025

Fall Grant Cycle Dates and Deadlines Bucks Innovation & Improvement (BIIG) (Grant award up to $15,000) LOIs are due no later than October 1, 2025. Submit full applications by October 15, 2025.

Capital Improvement (Grant award up to $15,000) LOIs are due no later than October 1, 2025. Submit full applications by October 15, 2025.

Emergency Action (Grant award up to $10,000) Open throughout the year. Visit web site for available opportunities and how to apply.

Nonprofit Growth: Organizational & Professional Development (Grant award varies depending on program) Open throughout the year. Visit web site for available opportunities and how to apply.

Partnership in Youth Services (Grant award up to $5,000) Opens December 15, 2025. Submit applications by February 1, 2025.

For more information about FCP’s grant programs and application requirements, visit www.fcpartnership.org/grants.

The 2025 SYC interns and program supervisor. (Back row from l to r): Program Supervisor Nick Scheri, Emily Parker, Olivia Johnson, Annika Verma, Kate Getty, Abby Rozengarten, Emily Bruni. (Front row from l to r): Annelise Sinton, Kira Abendroth, Lucia Casas, Ready Labbe, Madelyn Greenberg, Claire Tierney, Lotus McGuigan.

College Students Spend Their Summer Helping Local Nonprofits Since 2008, FCP’s Summer Youth Corps (SYC) has offered college students the opportunity to participate in a 10-week, paid internship experience at a nonprofit serving Bucks County children, young adults, and families. This summer, 13 students, supported by Program Supervisor Nick Scheri, gained practical experience, made a positive impact in the community, and earned college credit through a partnership with Bucks County Community College.

Over the past 15 years, 228 college students completed the program, contributing more than 65,000 service hours at 41

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participating nonprofits. Based on the Independent Sector’s estimate of the value of a volunteer hour, the total value contributed by SYC interns to nonprofits since 2008 equals $1,648,439.26. This year’s SYC interns made a positive impact at the following agencies: 1. Holland resident Kira Abendroth assisted the Travis Manion Foundation in Doylestown. After graduating from Bucks County Community College with her associate’s degree, she enrolled at Pace University majoring in Marketing and minoring in Graphic Design. continues

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Supporting the behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County, Pa.

About FCP

Foundations Community Partnership (FCP) was formed in July 2007, as a result of the sale of Foundations Behavioral Health. FCP is a philanthropic grant-making foundation supporting the behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County, Pa. through grants to non-profit organizations, awarding scholarships to high school seniors, subsidizing service-learning internships for college students, and underwriting professional development programs.

Board of Directors

Tracy Pasternak Willis, M.A., LPC – Chair Sean M. Schmid, M.S. – Vice Chair Falesha R. Grasty, B.S. – Treasurer Michael W. Mills, Esq. – Secretary Tobias Bruhn, Ed.D., CFRE Tanya Casas, Ph.D. Morgan Q. Clark, M.S. Kristyn DiDominick, MSW Sally Fabian-Oresic, M.S. Judith Stern Goldstein, ASLA, R.L.A. Rachael Neff, LSW Patricia Stern Smallacombe, Ph.D. Walter C. Stoertz, Jr. Christine Hensel Triantos, M.A.

Board Member Emeritus Ronald T. Bernstein Abigail Halloran, M.A. Thomas M. Hanna, P.E., LEED®, AP Karen Lasorda Joseph Stella, M.D. Honorary Director William E. Boger, CPA* Albert M. Honig, D.O.* Dr. Harry Klein* Daniel P. Weldon, Ed.D. *deceased

College Students Spend Their Summer Helping Local Nonprofits continued 2. Chalfont resident Emily Bruni interned at Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Perkasie. She is majoring in Social Work at Seton Hall University, minoring in Nonprofit Studies and Psychology.

3. Doylestown resident Lucia Casas worked at Vita Education Services. She is pursuing a degree in International Studies at American University.

4. Morrisville resident Kate Getty assisted the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership in Newtown. She is pursuing a Nursing degree at La Salle University.

5. Warrington resident Madelyn Greenberg interned at Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) in Jamison. She is a Spanish Languages and Cultures major with a Secondary Education certification, and a Civic and Professional Leadership minor at West Chester University.

6. Langhorne resident Olivia Johnson worked at Libertae in Bensalem. She is a Psychology major at Shippensburg University.

7. Warminster resident Ready Labbe assisted the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia.

She majors in Public Health at La Salle University with plans to pursue a master’s degree and become an occupational therapist.

8. Levittown resident Lotus McGuigan interned at The Bucks County Children’s Museum in New Hope. She is a Nursing major at the University of Pittsburgh and strives to become a traveling nurse who specializes in pediatrics or oncology.

9. Quakertown resident Emily Parker worked at the United Way of Bucks County in Bristol. She is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a planned emphasis in Mechanical Engineering on the pre-med track, while also completing a minor in Technology Commercialization at the University of Southern California.

10. Richboro resident Abby Rozengarten interned at The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania in Doylestown. She is an Economics major with a minor in Spanish at the University of Virginia, with plans to pursue a career in law and politics.

11. Doylestown resident Annelise Sinton worked at the Bucks County Housing Group in Warminster. She studies Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Community Development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

12. Doylestown resident Claire Tierney interned at the Bucks County Opportunity Council. She is double majoring in Economics and Political Science with a Spanish minor at the University of Pittsburgh.

13. Doylestown resident Annika Verma assisted the Michener Art Museum. After graduating from Bucks County Community College, she recently enrolled at Temple University.

For more information about SYC and to view photos and videos of past program participants and activities, visit www.fcpartnership.org/summer-youth-corps.

Seeking #FCPresenter Share your knowledge with your peers and strengthen Bucks County’s non-profit sector by becoming a featured speaker for the #FCPresents professional development series. Proposals are accepted throughout the year.

Topics of interest include: Board Engagement, Crisis Communication, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Donor Engagement, Ethics, Fundraising, Leadership and Management, Networking, Public Relations/Marketing, Risk Management, Special Events, Technology, or submit your own topic at rb.gy/okrqsp.

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Local Nonprofits Receive Nearly $180,000 in Grants as Demand Surges At the conclusion of its 2025 fiscal year, FCP’s Board awarded $176,750 in grants to 24 non-profit organizations, including 15 Bucks Innovation and Improvement Grants (BIIG), eight Capital Improvement Grants, and one Nonprofit Growth Grant (NGG).

Collectively, these organizations will help address the behavioral health and human service needs of 21,458 Bucks County residents.

“Since 2007, we awarded more than $8.5 million to nonprofits serving Bucks County, and the Board is thrilled to continue the tradition of support and partnering with all of the grant recipients in support of their missions,” said Tracy Pasternak Willis, FCP’s Board Chair. “Reflecting the uncertainty nonprofits face right now, the number of applications we received this grant cycle more than doubled which caused the Board to increase spending to fund more projects than usual,” she added.

BIIGs totaling $110,000 were awarded to the following nonprofits:

BARC Developmental Services

ORGANIZATION

GRANT WILL BE USED TO

Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic ($10,000)

To expand the integration of its behavioral health and medical programs, focusing on mothers and their children.

BARC Developmental Services ($10,000)

To upgrade the sensory room at its adult training facility.

Bucks County Community College Foundation ($10,000)

To help ensure equitable access to food, hygiene products, and transportation as part of its Basic Needs Initiative.

Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership ($12,000)

To support community-based vaccine clinics for the upcoming school year.

Bucks County Herald Foundation ($7,500)

To produce a series of service-oriented stories across print, digital platforms, and video, highlighting local nonprofits that address critical issues.

Camp Cranium ($2,500)

To alleviate the financial burden of attending a specialized summer camp for children with brain injuries and their families.

Immigrant Rights Action - now The Welcome Project PA ($7,500)

To expand behavioral health services, direct therapy, and group support, in Bucks County.

Potential Inc. ($8,000)

To develop a recurring series of activities that promote interpersonal development, confidence, and community integration for autistic individuals and their families.

Pride of Quakertown ($2,500)

To support extracurricular enrichment programs for eligible students in the Quakertown School District.

Rolling Harvest Food Rescue ($10,000)

To support programming for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in partnership with Gravity Hill Farm, The Next Step Programs, and SEQUEL.

The Baby Bureau ($2,500)

To alleviate the costs associated with raising a baby in the first year of life for underserved, at-risk, and low-income families.

The Council of Southeast PA ($10,000)

To enhance outreach to families impacted by substance use disorder.

The Salvation Army Children’s Services ($10,000)

To expand its HALO (Healing, Attachment, Loving, Outreach) Project for foster and adoptive families in Bucks County.

Welcoming the Stranger ($5,000)

To offer classes in English as a Second Language, computer skills, and U.S. citizenship exam preparation for adult immigrants and refugees.

Youth Orchestra of Bucks County ($2,500)

To provide music education and performance opportunities not provided in the schools for children from low-income areas.

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Local Nonprofits Receive Nearly $180,000 in Grants as Demand Surges continued Capital Improvement Grants totaling $58,750 were awarded to the following nonprofits: ORGANIZATION

GRANT WILL BE USED TO

Bucks Learning Cooperative ($5,000)

To repair and replace windows to improve ventilation, comfort, and safety in key learning spaces.

Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia ($7,500)

To replace the roof on its children’s and teen program building.

Delaware Valley University ($7,500)

To enhance campus safety by purchasing additional Automated External Defibrillator kits.

Family Service Association of Bucks County ($8,750)

To replace stationary panic buttons with wireless ones at its headquarters and homeless shelter.

Network of Victim Assistance ($7,500)

To renovate its existing training room to create a flexible, trauma-informed multi-purpose space.

River Crossing YMCA ($7,500)

To replace windows in its “Stay and Play” program area.

Snipes Farm & Education Center ($7,500)

To improve the interior and exterior conditions of the infirmary.

Special Equestrians ($7,500)

To renovate restrooms to improve accessibility for clients, visitors, and staff.

An $8,000 Nonprofit Growth Grant was also awarded to Vita Education Services to support its strategic planning process.

Complimentary Meeting Space Available

Stoertz Joins Board of Directors

As part of FCP’s mission to support collaboration and help nonprofits provide services in a cost-effective manner, two complimentary meeting spaces are available at our Doylestown office to current/past FCP grantees and applicants as well as other 501(c)(3) organizations serving Bucks County children, young adults, and families. For more information about the available spaces, rental requirements, and to submit a reservation request, visit www.fcpartnership.org/ facilityuse.

FCP’s Board of Directors appointed Walter C. Stoertz, Jr. as a new board member at its March 20, 2025, meeting. His first term runs through 2028.

Stoertz retired from the Unites States Federal Courts Eastern District of Pennsylvania in 2013 after a 35-year career in the court system. He is a graduate of the Institute for Court Management’s prestigious Fellows Program and a recipient of an Outstanding Service Award. In addition to his role at FCP, Stoertz serves as President of Bucks County Community College’s Alumni Council and as a member of the college Foundation’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Bucks County Playhouse Artists Board of Directors and remains engaged with the Bucks County Herald Foundation, New Hope Historic Society, and United Way’s Bucks Knocks Out Hunger program.

“We are excited to welcome Walt,” said FCP’s Board Chair Tracy Pasternak Willis. “His passion for the arts and education as well as commitment to serving the community will further strengthen our board and be a great benefit to the nonprofits we serve.”

Nonprofit Events Calendar Becomes Latest Web Site Feature As part of FCP’s mission to support collaboration, use of the Nonprofit Events Calendar can help nonprofits maximize their fundraising efforts by avoiding scheduling conflicts when planning their special events. Big shout out to the Bucks County Fundraisers Group for this idea.

To submit an event to this calendar, visit www.fcpartnership.org/ nonprofit-events.

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BIIG, CAPITAL, AND NONPROFIT GROWTH Grant Recipients Serve 21,458 Bucks County Residents Through Their Programs & Services

River Crossing YMCA

Youth Orchestra of Bucks County

Bucks County Herald

Family Service Association of Bucks County

Delaware Valley University NAME Bucks Learning Cooperative

Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA)

Salvation Army Children’s Services

Welcoming the Stranger

The Baby Bureau

BCHIP

Vita Education Services

Potential Inc.

Camp Cranium

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The Council of SEPA

Special Equestrains

BC Cares Educational Foundation Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia

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Outstanding Bucks County Students Recognized Through Partnership in Education Scholarship Program In collaboration with each of the County’s public, technical, and charter high schools, FCP recently announced its 2025 scholarship recipients. “The commitment to community service and academic excellence of our local high school students is evident within our scholarship program,” said Tracy Pasternak Willis, FCP’s Board Chair. “Recognizing these outstanding student leaders serves as encouragement to all to work toward positive change in our communities.”

FCP awarded $1,000 to each of these Bucks County high school student leaders: ensalem resident Tejas Sasan at B Bensalem High School (Attending Carnegie Mellon University)

olland resident Michael Nilli at Council H Rock High School South (Attending Penn State University)

ristol resident Andreas Quattrocchi at B Bristol Borough High School (Attending University of Pittsburgh) Sponsored by First Bank

Fairless Hills resident Alisha Knight at Harry S. Truman High School (Attending Holy Family University)

ensalem resident Kenzie Myers at Bucks B County Technical High School (Attending University of Pittsburgh) Sponsored by Penn Community Bank orrisville resident James Leiby at Center M for Student Learning Charter School (Attending Bucks County Community College) Pipersville resident Prathika Gadde at Central Bucks High School East (Attending Northeastern University) Sponsored by Penn Medicine Doylestown Health J amison resident Caylee Hansel at Central Bucks High School South (Attending Kutztown University) Sponsored by Penn Medicine Doylestown Health Doylestown resident Anton Mokhon at Central Bucks High School West (Attending Carnegie Mellon University) Sponsored by Penn Medicine Doylestown Health ewtown resident John Wozniak N at Council Rock High School North (Attending Penn State University)

arrington resident Emma Daugaard W at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (Attending Duquesne University) Sponsored by Penn Community Bank evittown resident Ana Araya at L Morrisville Sr. High School (Attending Temple University) anghorne resident Romeo Angelini L at Neshaminy High School (Attending Temple University) Sponsored by Neshaminy HS alumna Connie Furman

New Hope resident Joshua Bastean at New Hope – Solebury High School (Attending University of Michigan) Sponsored by Penn Medicine Doylestown Health iegelsville resident Abby O’Donnell R at Palisades High School (Attending Kutztown University) erkasie resident Kelly Najarian at P Pennridge High School (Attending Penn State University) ardley resident Naima Doraiswamy Y at Pennsbury High School (Attending University of Pennsylvania)

» click to view larger image

uakertown resident Marianna Q Opiola at Quakertown Community High School (Attending Villanova University) ensalem resident Anderson B Alvarracin-Saquicela at School Lane Charter School (Attending Arcadia University) S ellersville resident Meena Kihm at Upper Bucks County Technical School (Attending Montgomery County Community College) Sponsored by Penn Community Bank arminster resident Mianna W Yaffa-Kremen at William Tennent High School (Attending Penn State University)

In addition to these recipients, Capital Health sponsored four $1,000 scholarships for the following students who will pursue an undergraduate degree in nursing: ewtown resident Sarah N McCafferty at Council Rock High School North (Attending University of Tennessee)

Holland resident Ariana Alvarez at Council Rock High School South (Attending Thomas Jefferson University)

Morrisville resident Gabrielle Register at Morrisville Sr. High School (Attending Morgan State University)

Yardley resident Isabella Vietii at Pennsbury High School (Attending University of Delaware)

For more information about the Partnership in Education Scholarship program, visit www.fcpartnership.org/scholarships.

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SYC Program Supervisor Reflects on 2025 Cohort My name is Nick Scheri, and I joined FCP this past May to serve as the Graduate Supervisor for its Summer Youth Corps (SYC) program. This fall, I returned to the University of Pennsylvania for the second year in my Master of Social Work program, where I look forward to completing my final practicum placement at Hall Mercer Community Mental Health Center. Before UPenn, I graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, where I conducted research on infant fine motor skill development. Originally from Delaware County, Pa., I am now based in Program Supervisor Nick Scheri during a visit at Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

Philadelphia and served as a social worker in the School District of Philadelphia this past academic year.

In my role as Graduate Supervisor, I met with each intern weekly to set learning goals, reflect on agency experiences, and develop strategies for professional growth and navigating challenges. I also co-facilitated weekly group supervision to foster peer learning, collective problem solving, and mutual support, enabling interns to learn from one another’s successes and setbacks. Over the course of the 10-week program, the 13 SYC interns engaged in meaningful projects across Bucks County nonprofits in health, human services, and youth development.

They designed and executed outreach campaigns, facilitated workshops, managed program data, and supported direct client services. Additionally, 10 of our host agencies organized field trips for the entire SYC cohort to showcase their operations, deepen interns’ understanding of organizational missions, and illustrate best practices in community engagement.

An academic component led by Professor Deborah Sedik of Bucks County Community College further enriched

the SYC experience. Weekly readings on ethics, leadership styles, and theories of development were brought to life through guided discussion, prompting interns to connect scholarly insights with their real world practice.

Our interns hit the ground running this summer: in the first week, two interns attended a legislative advocacy day in Harrisburg; by week three, another intern co-facilitated a substance use group for inpatient clients. Others facilitated summer camps, created social media marketing content, and even supported equine assisted therapy sessions for individuals with disabilities. SYC thrives on reciprocity. Non-profit partners gain dedicated, cost-free assistance from highly motivated undergraduates, while interns gain a range of professional experience, transferable skills, and an expanded professional network. I have been proud to support this transformative service learning model and look forward to witnessing the lasting impact our interns and their host agencies will achieve.

Nonprofit Repositioning Fund Supports Strategic Growth and Collaboration FCP recently joined the Nonprofit Repositioning Fund (“the Fund”), a pooled-funding effort by local philanthropic organizations to improve the capacity, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area.

“While FCP already offers professional and organizational development funding opportunities through its Nonprofit Growth Grant cycle, joining the Fund will expand our ability to help our local non-profit community to explore long-term collaborations,” said FCP’s Board Chair Tracy Pasternak Willis. “Repositioning activities can truly help nonprofits become more effective, efficient and stable, thereby increasing their impact and sustaining their missions.”

The Nonprofit Repositioning Fund’s Director Lindsay T. Kijewski (right) with Dr. Tobi Bruhn, FCP’s CEO.

The Fund, administered by SeaChange Capital Partners, offers grants at three levels, including Seed Awards of up to $2,500, Exploratory Awards with an average grant size of $25,000, and Implementation Awards that average $35,000. These grants support technical assistance and one-time costs associated with repositioning activities among two or more nonprofits serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and/or Philadelphia counties.

For additional information about the Fund and how to apply for support, visit www.repositioningfund.org.

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