The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation (PAHWF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public benefit corporation. The Foundation was established in 2003 as a result of the sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. The Foundation is governed by its own independent Board of Directors. The Foundation is seeking grant proposals, consistent with our identified mission, to improve health outcomes in the Pottstown area.

Mission Statement

The Foundation enhances the health & wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Vision Statement

Area residents leading healthy lives through healthy lifestyles.

Partnerships
PAHWF recognizes the importance of utilizing existing resources and including community participation in fulfilling its mission. PAHWF will seek partnerships with community agencies, non-profit and governmental organizations and other providers of programs through grants and other means to further the health status of the community.

Long-term Solutions
PAHWF will focus on programs and services that build long-term solutions to meet the current and future health needs in the Pottstown service area. PAHWF will be a leader in fostering a healthier community and developing new models for health delivery that incorporate strategies for prevention.

Stewardship
PAHWF is committed to using and maintaining the resources of its long-term endowment effectively and efficiently. PAHWF will practice good stewardship in the management of its resources and will be accountable to the public for fulfilling its mission. While controlling and managing the use of funds, PAHWF will make decisions that safeguard its assets and maximize their impact. An annual public meeting is conducted during the spring.

Grantmaking Priorities

Please review the following before submitting your “Letter of Intent”:

Within Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission of improving the health and well being of tri-county residents, our grant making is for programs that fit into the following priorities:

A.  Reduced Behavioral Risks:

• Empower individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices by providing information, programs, and support in several areas, including: diet and exercise; drug and alcohol; mental/spiritual health and stress management.
• Reduce behavioral risks from prenatal through high school by sponsoring health education programs for children and their parents.
• Build on social networks of religious and other community organizations to support outreach programs related to health and wellness with particular interest in healthy lifestyles

B.  Improved Access to Medical Services:

• Improve access to health services by providing information to support seamless access to care.
• Strengthen existing agencies involved in distributing health care and disease prevention information.
• Support Pottstown’s health center, the Community Health & Dental Care, especially with regard to its education and prevention programs.
• Improve access to preventive services including screenings and vaccines.
• Improve access to health services by enhancing transportation or convenience of the services

C.  Enhanced Formal and Informal Supports:

• Support the infrastructure needs and organizational effectiveness of key community not-for-profit organizations that provide preventive health programs.

D. Improved  Physical and Social Environment:

• Encourage physical activities in the region by improving the recreational infrastructure.
• Support efforts to improve environmental health conditions caused by local pollution sources.
• Reinforce the social strength and mutual support of family units and caregivers to address issues such as distressed teens, care for the elderly, chronically ill and homebound, domestic violence and encourage an atmosphere of individual safety and non-violence.
  
  Funds are to be used to benefit Tri-County residents from the following zip codes: 18074, 19435, 19442, 19457, 19464, 19465, 19468, 19470, 19472, 19473, 19475, 19492, 19504, 19505, 19512, 19518, 19525, 19545, 19548.

The Foundation generally does not provide grants for:

• Individual or for-profit organizations
• Disease-related charities
• Endowments
• Debt-reduction or loans
• Alumni activities
• Individual medical bills
• Arts
• Economic Development