Over the past five years, the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation (PAHWF) has been providing grants, programs and educational resources to the TriCounty community to enhance the health and wellness of area residents. Since our inception in 2003, we have awarded over $11 million dollars to over 100 organizations whose programs and services help promote healthy living.
 
When PAHWF was created, it was the intent for the Foundation to play an active role in the Greater Pottstown Area to provide opportunities for our community to embrace a healthier lifestyle. We continue this pledge to offer the tools and motivation for people to improve their health and well-being every day.
 
Due to the economic downturn and the current volatility of the market, there has been a reduction in Foundation assets and the grants allocations. In response to this challenge, the Foundation’s board and staff have developed a strategy that allows us to continue to support the valuable work and programs that have been started while still plan for the future. This requires that we reduce our grant making activities for the next 12 to 24 months. The Foundation will do our best to continue to support existing Foundation funded preventative health programs that have been effective and shown promising outcomes for improved health. We will also consider a shift in purpose for current grantees who want to pursue a new idea or project within these guidelines. These will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
 
For the current spring 2009 grant applicants, we are moving forward as planned and organizations will be notified in early June regarding the Foundation’s decisions. These changes will be come effective as of July 2009 after the current cycle is completed.

While we will consider support for current grantee and programs we have supported over the past five years, funding for the following is very unlikely:

• New programs
• Capital support
• Nonprofits that have not received PAHWF funding in the past

Our strategy to continue to advance this important mission in the current economic climate is to pledge that we will remain focused on our four core priorities in our grantmaking:

            1) Reduce behavioral risks
            2) Increase access to medical services and support the operational costs for                 Pottstown new health center, Community Health & Dental Care Inc.
            3) Enhance informal and formal supports
            4) Improve physical and social environment

We will also continue to provide support through educational resources and programs including:

• Coordinating and funding of nonprofit resources and professional development programs for our grantees as well as to the nonprofits in the region through the Nonprofit Center at LaSalle.
• Leading the Healthy Schools collaborative group with our school grantees.
• Providing health and wellness information and resources on the PAHWF website including the Mission Good Nutrition program, the Fun and Fitness Guide, various health resources and our second Needs Assessment Report which will be released in July 2009.
• Offering the Grantseekers Resources Library at the PAHWF office.

During these challenging times, it is more important than ever for TriCounty community leaders including the nonprofit directors; community, educational and civic leaders; and the business community to focus on collaborative efforts as well as the leveraging of dollars and resources to make health and wellness a priority for the long term. The Foundation is happy to assist with and recommend possible partnerships with other partners who share our interests in enhancing the health and wellness of Pottstown area residents.

Please call the Foundation office at 610-323-2006 if you have any questions about our grants program or to learn more about the other resources we offer.