Over the past six 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 $13.9 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. 

While the recent economic crisis forced the Foundation to constrict its giving, we are pleased to report that our grants budget will be increased 15% to $2.3 million in the year ahead. And, beginning with the next grant round, we will once again be able to consider applications from new grantees and/or for new projects.  Funding for capital projects will remain limited. This will become effective with the Fall letter of intent due on August 26, 2010. 

The Foundation remains focused on our four core priorities in our grantmaking:

• Empowering Healthy Lifestyles
• Increase access to medical services
• Enhance informal for formal supports
• Improve physical and social environment

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’s 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 Healthy Living website, the Fun and Fitness Guide, various health resources and our second Needs Assessment Report which was released in July 2009.
• Offering the Grantseekers Resources Library at the PAHWF office.

Regardless of economic climate, it is always important for the TriCounty community leaders including the non-profit 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 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.