Berks County Community Foundation Inc logo

Berks County Community Foundation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Reading, PA EIN: 23-2769892 Website

Berks County Community Foundation is a public charity based in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1994, it helps individuals, families, and businesses make charitable gifts and manages funds that support grants and scholarships, with a stated mission of improving quality of life for Berks County residents.

Berks County Community Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Berks County Community Foundation Inc gave $4.9M across 178 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$4,883,105
+20.8% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
178
+35.9% vs 2024
Average grant
$27,433
-11.1% vs 2024
Median grant
$13,341
Total assets
$154,855,824
+14.6% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
21% first-time grantees (24 of 113, 2025)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Berks County Community Foundation Inc

How to Apply

Register or log in to the foundation’s online system and apply for an opportunity that is currently accepting applications. Application and reporting requirements vary by fund.

Review Cycle
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund lists a deadline of August 15, 2027. The Schlegel Fund is described as case-by-case and rolling, with amount and deadline not stated; confirm details with the foundation.
Deadline
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund lists a deadline of August 15, 2027.
Contact

Mailing address: 237 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
Phone: (610) 685-2223
Website: https://bccf.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Berks County Community Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Berks Nature: $1.2M across 15 grantsBerks Nature$1.2M · 15 grantsFoundation for the Reading Public Museum: $258K across 2 grantsFoundation for the ReadingPublic Museum$258K · 2 grantsGreen Building Alliance: $185KGreen Building Alliance$185KAlvernia University: $158K across 6 grantsAlvernia University$158K · 6 grantsTower Health at Home: $140KTower Health at Home$140KThe Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc: $128K across 3 grantsThe Animal Rescue League ofBerks County Inc$128K · 3 grantsBerks Encore: $116K across 3 grantsBerks Encore$116K · 3 grantsThe Highlands at Wyomissing: $110K across 2 grantsThe Highlands at Wyomissing$110K · 2 grantsSpotlight PA: $100KSpotlight PA$100KBaseballtown Charities: $95K across 2 grantsBaseballtown Charities$95K · 2 grants

The largest 2025 recipient was Berks Nature ($1.2M across 15 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.

Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($104,408), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

682 grants across all recorded years

593<$50K51$50–100K31$100–250K3$250–500K1$500K–1M3$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 593 grants of 682 (87%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s stated mission centers on Berks County residents. In filing year 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 2% to Virginia, 2% to Maryland, 1% to California, and 1% to Tennessee.

Grant Distribution by State

13states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 178 itemized grants.

Cities

ReadingWyomissingBoyertownPhiladelphiaShillingtonBirdsboroSinking SpringReinholdsHamburgWashingtonHersheyPottstownAllentownMohntonWest LawnMemphisConshohockenHarrisburgKemptonOley

Is Berks County Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

21%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 24 of 113 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $50K. How we count

Medians: $14K first-time, $17K repeat.

  • 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M119 grants2021 111 grants2022 143 grants2023 131 grants2024 178 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2021) to $4.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 178 grants totaling $4.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Berks Nature Reading, PAFor General Operating Support$750,200
Foundation for the Reading Public Museum Reading, PAFor collaborations and restorations at the reading public museum$250,000
Berks Nature Reading, PAFor the Advanced Annual Distribution$250,000
Green Building Alliance Pittsburgh, PAFor Building Sustainable, Resilient, and Thriving Communities Project$185,054
Tower Health at Home Wyomissing, PAFor the tower health at home 5g device upgrade for epic$140,000
Spotlight PA Harrisburg, PAFor the Launch of the Berks County Bureau$100,000
The Highlands at Wyomissing Wyomissing, PACapital campaign pledge for the redesigned assisted living residence at the highlands$100,000
The Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc Birdsboro, PAFor expanding access to care in a national veterinary shortage$95,113
Institute for Conservation Leadership Greenbelt, MDFor the hamburg area school district rural initiative project$78,384
Baseballtown Charities Reading, PAFor expenses for the baseballtown dream league and upkeep of gordon hoodak stadium$70,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Reported amounts by filing year:

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$154,855,824$20,663,393$9,112,365$4,883,105178$7,988,228
2024$135,142,453$14,492,472$8,455,001$4,042,276131$9,515,428
2023$123,855,597$11,644,962$9,214,146$4,167,883143$6,074,664
2022$120,009,689$18,268,917$8,148,118$4,573,058111$9,899,454
2021$134,302,616$33,867,497$5,372,607$3,408,118119$3,651,660

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s mission is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for residents of Berks County. Its stated grantmaking areas of focus are Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Energy, Health & Human Services, and Neighborhood Vitality.

Its 2025 grants included organizations with varied missions. Berks Nature describes its work as environmental leadership, conservation, land-use planning, advocacy, research, and education. The Foundation for the Reading Public Museum describes its role as collecting, preserving, and interpreting art, science, and civilization to engage and educate its communities. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County says it protects animals and provides services for people and animals in need. Other recipients included organizations whose stated missions concern sustainable places, senior services, investigative journalism, and conservation leadership.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 178 grants totaling $4,883,105. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $750,200, with a median of $13,340.

Among the largest reported grants were $750,200 to Berks Nature for general operating support; $250,000 to the Foundation for the Reading Public Museum for collaborations and restorations; and a separate $250,000 to Berks Nature for an advanced annual distribution. Other large grants included $185,054 to Green Building Alliance for a sustainable communities project, $140,000 to Tower Health at Home for an electronic health-record device upgrade, and $100,000 to Spotlight PA for the launch of its Berks County bureau.

The foundation’s website directs grant applicants to register or log in to its online application system and apply for opportunities that match their programs and are accepting applications. Decisions for the Ira M. Becker Fund, which supports educational needs other than tuition for young men up to age 30 in Berks County, are generally made within 14 days of receiving the application and referral. A parent, guardian, teacher, social worker, caseworker, or court official may apply on an eligible individual’s behalf. The Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund supports treatment or correction of physical differences for eligible children residing in Berks County. The Home Health Care Foundation Fund offers grants of up to $40,000 to organizations supporting home health care in Berks County and neighboring areas.

The foundation’s 2024 filing says grantees enter into a grant agreement and must submit semiannual close-out reports detailing how grant funds were spent. It also says grantees must complete a report one year after an award if the grant is restricted to a purpose other than general operating support.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Kevin K. Murphy as president; Susan N. Denaro as chair; Jay R. Wagner as secretary; and Douglas F. Smith, Gabriela Raful, Lyn Camella-Rich, Michael J. Rowley, Vicki Ebner, Thomas Flynn, and Hon. Carissa Johnson as directors.

Berks County Community Foundation Inc is led by Kevin K. Murphy, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Kevin K. Murphy

    President

    On filings since 2021

    37.5 hrs/week

    $234K (2021) → $302K (2025)

  • Susan N. Denaro

    Chair

    Director → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lyn Camella-Rich

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Vicki Ebner

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Douglas F. Smith

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gabriela Raful

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael J. Rowley

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carissa Johnson

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard L. Stoudt Jr.

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas Flynn

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tricia J. Salvatore Ludgate

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Frances A. Aitken

    Treasurer & Chief Operating

    Treasurer Chief Operating Officer → Treasurer & Chief Operating Officer, 2022

    Treasurer & Chief Operating Officer → Treasurer & Chief Operating, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    37.5 hrs/week

    $153K (2021) → $205K (2025)

  • Jay R. Wagner

    Secretary

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: Alfred Weber (2021–2024) — Director
  • Former: Heidi Williamson (2021–2024) — Chief Strategy Officer
  • Former: Ramona Turpin (2021–2024) — Director
  • Former: Elaine McDevitt (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Michael L. Mixell (2021–2023) — Assistant Treasurer
  • Former: Stephen M. Fritz (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Bala Peterson (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: Eric Burkey (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: P. Michael Ehlerman (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: P. Sue Perrotty (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: Marilu Rodriguez-Bauer Esq. (2021) — Director
  • Former: Steve Fritz (2021) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Kevin K Murphy — President: $302KKevin K MurphyPresident$302KFrances a Aitken — Treasurer & Chief Operatin: $205KFrances a AitkenTreasurer & Chief Operatin$205K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $302K, to Kevin K Murphy (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Berks County Community Foundation Inc

How much does Berks County Community Foundation Inc give each year?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc gave $4.9M across 178 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.0M across 131 grants.

What is Berks County Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $13,341, and its average grant was $27,433, across 178 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Berks County Community Foundation Inc that year got $18K on average.

Where does Berks County Community Foundation Inc give grants?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Reading, PA (80 grants), Wyomissing, PA (10 grants), Boyertown, PA (9 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (8 grants).

Does Berks County Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 29% of Berks County Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 178) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "For Football Assistant Coach Salary Annual Restricted Fund" (4 grants) and "For Assistance with Expenses of Land Protection Projects" (4 grants).

Who are Berks County Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Berks Nature ($1,210,700 across 15 grants), Foundation for the Reading Public Museum ($257,800 across 2 grants) and Green Building Alliance ($185,054), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($104,408), which are not listed by name. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Berks County Community Foundation Inc?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc reported $154.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.7M.

What does Berks County Community Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation’s mission is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for residents of Berks County. Its stated grantmaking areas of focus are Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Energy, Health & Human Services, and Neighborhood Vitality. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Berks County Community Foundation Inc?

Register or log in to the foundation’s online system and apply for an opportunity that is currently accepting applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Berks County Community Foundation Inc's EIN?

Berks County Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2769892. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 21, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 21, 2023)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 25, 2025)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

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Funders that support many of the same organizations

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The Breidegam Family Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations working in health and quality of life, education, history, community services, and the environment, with a focus on Berks and Lehigh Counties and some giving beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $1 million, with a median of $3,500. Although its website describes application processes, its 2025 filing says it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

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The Wyomissing Foundation Inc

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The Wyomissing Foundation supports projects and programs in health and human services, education, the arts, the environment, and community development, especially initiatives that strengthen Berks County and the Reading area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,230 to $201,000, with a median of $15,000; applicants start with an electronic Letter of Intent, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

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Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Aetna Foundation Inc

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Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.

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—

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The Pittsburgh Foundation

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$1.5B

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Berks County Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/berks-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_c7ca57f6ac824925834462ba1d1dcd38

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232769892_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Berks County Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/berks-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_c7ca57f6ac824925834462ba1d1dcd38},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Berks County Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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