Power of the Purse in Berks County

Power of the Purse in Berks County Women in Berks County make donations to improve the lives of other local women and children. Members are encouraged to attend four meetings per year.

A group of women started the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund in 2012 to improve the lives of local women and children. The fund functions as a women’s giving circle, where donations are pooled to create a bigger impact than each member would make alone. Each year, group members review grant applications, visit nonprofits and vote to determine which programs will receive grants. Members com

mit a minimum of $1,000 per year if they are over age 35, and a minimum of $500 per year if they are 35 and under. Since the group began, it has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to local organizations. Some reasons to join Power of the Purse:

IMPROVE THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN BERKS COUNTY
Women have a huge impact on our families, community and the next generation of both women and men. Just scroll down to see the list of grants we’ve given to organizations that are doing important work. PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH-BASED PHILANTHROPY
With Power of the Purse, you can rest easy knowing your dollars are spent in a responsible, effective way. Our funding process starts with a discussion of local issues affecting women and girls and continues with an evaluation of and site visits to programs aimed at improving their lives. MAGNIFY YOUR IMPACT
Through the power of collective giving, your annual gift has the added impact of gifts from dozens of other women. Nowhere else can a relatively modest gift do so much to assist organizations and the women and girls they serve. TAILOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT
Whether you prefer just writing a check or also becoming deeply involved, you’re free to do as much or as little as you like, and you can evaluate your involvement every year. LEARN ABOUT ISSUES AND PHILANTHROPY
Power of the Purse is an opportunity to learn about the needs of our community and how to effectively address them. MEET LIKE-MINDED WOMEN
Whether you’re a newcomer or a Berks County native, Power of the Purse helps you connect with women in our community and beyond. Share your expertise, learn about pressing issues and build lasting relationships with new friends. LEVERAGE OPERATING COSTS AND EXPERTISE
As an initiative of Berks County Community Foundation, Power of the Purse benefits from their years of experience and financial stewardship. For more information, visit https://bccf.org/pop/
To learn how to join, email [email protected]

Excited to share this feature about one of our newest Power of the Purse members! 🥳👛
07/16/2025

Excited to share this feature about one of our newest Power of the Purse members! 🥳👛

It's wonderful to see POP grants in action! John Paul II Center for Special Learning was a grant recipient this year in ...
06/24/2025

It's wonderful to see POP grants in action! John Paul II Center for Special Learning was a grant recipient this year in support of their Girl Talk program.

Members of the Power of the Purse gathered last night to celebrate another year of grantmaking and hear from some of thi...
05/16/2025

Members of the Power of the Purse gathered last night to celebrate another year of grantmaking and hear from some of this year's grantees. This women's giving circle is dedicated to providing funding for programs that support women and children.

This year, $70,899 was awarded to 7 organizations meeting the mission of this fund. Read the press release to learn more! https://bccf.org/power-of-the-purse-in-berks-county-fund.../

02/27/2024

You can make a meaningful difference in Berks County! Support Power of the Purse in Berks County charitable fund to uplift women and girls in our community. Together, let's create brighter futures and improve the quality of life for all. Please give now by clicking below.

https://bccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1413

12/16/2022

This week we are highlighting Power of the Purse(POP) fund!

FYI: The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awards grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek education they need to do so.

POP is currently accepting applications until 1/24/23! Learn more about the fund and apply today.

https://bccf.org/power-of-the-purse-pop-kick-off-meeting-and-applications-are-now-open/

Thanks to Opportunity House for the shoutout for the $10,000 grant we recently awarded to the organization for its "Mom ...
05/16/2022

Thanks to Opportunity House for the shoutout for the $10,000 grant we recently awarded to the organization for its "Mom and Me Moving Forward through Education and Employment" program.

Over the last 10 years, the women who have been part of the Power of the Purse have worked with Berks County Community Foundation to donate $385,983 to 24 organizations that improve the lives of local women and girls.

More info about this year's grants can be found here: https://bccf.org/2022-pop-grants/

Information about the Power of the Purse, including how to join or donate to the group or to see all of the group's past grants, can be found here: https://bccf.org/pop/

Reading Science Center received a grant this year from the Power of the Purse (POP) in Berks County to expand its STEM p...
05/16/2022

Reading Science Center received a grant this year from the Power of the Purse (POP) in Berks County to expand its STEM programming for girls. POP members have donated $385,983 to 24 organizations over 10 years to improve the lives of local women and girls. More info, including how to join or donate or see all of the group's past grants: https://bccf.org/pop/

We're celebrating 10 years of improving the lives of women and girls in Berks County! For information on this year's gra...
05/13/2022

We're celebrating 10 years of improving the lives of women and girls in Berks County! For information on this year's grant recipients, click here: https://bccf.org/2022-pop-grants/

Last evening, the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund celebrated its 10th year of improving the lives of local women...
05/13/2022

Last evening, the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund celebrated its 10th year of improving the lives of local women and girls by announcing it recently awarded $55,400 in grants to eight organizations in Berks County.

Administered by Berks County Community Foundation, this charitable fund has had 89 female members since its inception. The women have donated a total of $385,983 to 24 organizations over 10 years.

A group of women started the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund in 2012 to improve the lives of local women and children. The group awarded its first grants in 2013.

They marked their 10th year of giving with a ceremony at The Nature Place, the headquarters of conservation group Berks Nature at 575 St. Bernadine St. in Reading.

“The donations of our members are combined and targeted toward specific programs so that we have a greater local impact than we would if we each gave individually without a coordinated effort,” said Chiara Sockel Renninger, the group’s founder.

Learn more at https://bccf.org/2022-pop-grants/

The grants will support underserved women looking to enter the workforce or receive career education.

The philanthropic women of the Power of the Purse in Berks County have been making a meaningful impact on local women an...
04/27/2022

The philanthropic women of the Power of the Purse in Berks County have been making a meaningful impact on local women and girls for 10 years, awarding more than $330,000 in grants.

The 20 organizations that received funding from the Power of the Purse over 10 years:
• Barrio Alegría
• Berks Counseling Center
• Berks Youth Chorus
• Bridge of Hope Berks County
• Clare of Assisi House
• Co-County Wellness Services
• Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County
• CONCERN - Professional Services for Children, Youth, and Families
• F.R.E.E. (Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved)
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
• Girls on the Run Berks
• Grey Muzzle Manor
• Hannah's Hope Ministries
• Mary's Shelter
• Opportunity House
• Reading Recreation Commission
• SafeBerks
• The Children's Home of Reading
• VOICE Up Berks
• Reading YMCA

The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund is administered by Berks County Community Foundation. You can learn more – including how to apply for a grant, how to donate to the group, and what grants have previously been awarded – at bccf.org/pop/

Such a great day at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance's Women2Women Conference + Expo!
04/20/2022

Such a great day at the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance's Women2Women Conference + Expo!

Address

237 Court St
Reading, PA
19601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16106852223

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