Fire Destroys adult special needs group home in Berks County

Fire Destroys adult special needs group home in Berks County

Quick Action of Staff Rescues All Residents A devastating fire engulfed a residential group home for adults with special needs in Reading, PA, during the early hours of Thursday, April 11, 2024.  The home, located on Harry Avenue, is run by Dayspring Homes, a Reading-area nonprofit. As the blaze ripped through the home, it was the swift response of the staff member on duty who ensured the safety of all…

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Catholic Foundation Declares Record Distribution

Catholic Foundation Declares Record Distribution

More Than $1 Million to Date in 2024 to Support Catholic Causes in Eastern Pennsylvania The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania has announced a significant milestone in its declared distributions to support Catholic causes throughout the region. The Catholic Foundation declared more than $836,000 from qualified endowment funds. In addition, donor designated funds and cemetery funds requested $170,000 in distributions for a combined total of more than $1 million in…

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Understanding the Catholic Foundation:      Your Essential Guide to Mission, Impact and Engagement

Understanding the Catholic Foundation:  Your Essential Guide to Mission, Impact and Engagement

As stewards of faith-based philanthropy, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania plays a pivotal role in supporting the mission and ministries of the Catholic Church. Although we have been around for 10 years and our awareness factor has increased, there are still people who are not familiar with our organization. We know it is a continual education process.  We put together this list of FAQs to provide clarity about our…

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Five New Partners Start Six Funds With Catholic Foundation

Five New Partners Start Six Funds With Catholic Foundation

The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania welcomed five new partners recently.  The partners, from Berks, Lehigh and Schuylkill counties, started six new funds supporting parishes, Catholic schools, a cemetery and a residential program for adults with special needs. “Leaders at our parishes, schools and ministries, as well as their donors, continue to see the benefits of working with the Catholic Foundation to independently manage their long term funds,” said Pete Waldron, President…

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Catholic Schools Week Celebrates Rich Heritage, Ongoing Commitment to Educational Excellence

Catholic Schools Week Celebrates Rich Heritage, Ongoing Commitment to Educational Excellence

In the heart of the Diocese of Allentown, the legacy of Catholic education dates back to 1743 when the first Catholic school opened its doors as a single classroom in Bally, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Today, Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy proudly stands as the second oldest Catholic school in the original 13 colonies. Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2024), a time-honored celebration, is the perfect time to recognize how…

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Beneficiary Designations to Catholic Endowments Provide Long-Term Impact, Avoid Estate Taxes

Beneficiary Designations to Catholic Endowments Provide Long-Term Impact, Avoid Estate Taxes

Beneficiary designations can be a great way to leave a forever gift to your favorite Catholic cause, avoid estate taxes and lessen inheritance tax for heirs. A person’s life-long impact on the world does not need to stop at their death. Naming a favorite Catholic cause’s endowment fund as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, or on any investment accounts ensures that their impact on the organization will continue long…

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Family Funds Create a Legacy of Giving Now to Support Favorite Catholic Causes Forever

Family Funds Create a Legacy of Giving Now to Support Favorite Catholic Causes Forever

Endow Your Annual Giving For many Catholics, the notion of stewardship extends beyond individual lives to encompass a shared commitment to service and generosity. Catholic families, seeking to fortify their legacy of faith-driven giving, are establishing family funds with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania as a profound and strategic avenue to provide ongoing support for their favorite Catholic causes. The O’Hara Family Fund Recently, Bob and Cindi O’Hara created…

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Donors, Catholic Causes Benefit From Donations of Appreciated Securities to Endowment Funds

Donors, Catholic Causes Benefit From Donations of Appreciated Securities to Endowment Funds

The Perfect End of Year Gift: Appreciated Securities As we approach the end of the year, donors are seeking meaningful ways to make a lasting impact through their charitable contributions. With the stock market reaching all-time highs, one strategy that stands out for its dual benefits of philanthropy and financial savvy is the donation of appreciated securities to endowment funds benefiting Catholic causes. “There are a number of advantages for…

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2023 Annual Impact Report

10 Years of Growth and Outreach Reflected in the Catholic Foundation 2023 Annual Impact Report The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania is proud to share our 2023 Annual Impact Report. The pages of this publication share the incredible stories of how generous donors have impacted the Catholic communities we have served for a decade. We are excited to see where the next 10 years will lead us.

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