The Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting Lehigh Valley youth and families by managing funds focused on providing comprehensive approaches for engaging youth and their families in pursuing meaningful life aspirations. This involves flexible funding for organizations aimed at early childhood and other critical developmental periods, recognizing the importance of quality childcare for a vibrant, healthy economy while addressing the existing early childcare education crisis.
The CORE Fellowship Program is designed to support nonprofit leaders and their organizations in embracing and implementing equity-centered practices through a comprehensive two-year commitment. The program offers a multitude of benefits aimed at facilitating leadership development, providing equity and organizational assessments, and establishing a support network among nonprofit leaders. Key elements include leadership and equity workshops, guidance on capacity-building projects focusing on equity, and engagement in a continuous feedback loop for improvement. In the first year, both the fellow and the host organization commit to various activities including orientations, coaching sessions, and an equity discovery process. The second year centers on carrying out an equity-centered capacity-building project, with continued support through workshops and progress check-ins. Organizations participating in the CORE Fellowship receive a $25,000 grant, which is distributed as a $10,000 general operating award in the first year and $15,000 for the equity-centered project in the second year. Additional stipulations ensure support for initiatives chosen by leaders from underrepresented backgrounds within traditionally white-led institutions.