December 2025 Newsletter

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose.”

– Viktor Frankl

• Tuesday, December 9
• 9:30-11:00am
• 2506 N Broad Street, Colmar
  (Light Breakfast Provided)

• Thursday, December 11
• 9:30am-12:30pm
• Zoom

C3 | What the New PA Budget Means for Health & Human Services

• Tuesday, January 6
• 12:00-1:00pm
• Zoom

January Membership Meeting | Next-Gen Nonprofit Leaders: Developing Agile, Mentored, Growth-Ready Teams

• Tuesday, January 13
• 10:00-12:00pm
• Zoom

Pride Saves Lives: Advocating for and Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth

• Tuesday, January 20
• 10:00am – 12:00pm
• The Rainbow Room, 186 E Court St., Doylestown

C3 | How to Have More Productive Conversations with Corporate Donors

• Wednesday, January 21
• 11:00am-12:30pm
• Zoom

The Budget Impasse Is Over—Thank You for Carrying the Load 

After 135 days, Pennsylvania’s second-longest budget impasse is finally over — and so is the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history. These overlapping crises stretched health and human services providers to their limit, and we want to extend sincere gratitude to every organization that kept serving, kept adapting, and leaned into our collective advocacy. 

Your efforts helped keep nonprofit voices front and center in press coverage and legislative conversations throughout the fall.  

And in welcome news: the PA Treasurer announced that it will forgive all interest on short-term loans taken out by counties and nonprofits during the impasse—a welcome step as organizations begin rebuilding their reserves. 

PA Budget Snapshot: Progress, But Big Gaps Remain 

The impasse may be over, but we are only beginning to understand the true toll of months without funding. As many of you have shared, this will not be a quick or easy return to normal. 

While this year’s state budget includes some bright spots – such as new funds for food security, workforce supports, and a Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit – many core priorities raised by our sector throughout the year did not receive long-overdue increases despite record demand. There were no major investments in homelessness prevention, affordable housing production, eviction record reform, or the behavioral health funding that our counties and community providers urgently need.

Eviction Experience Survey: Now Open Through December 10 

Thank you to everyone who has already helped shared our eviction experience survey—our partners at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania have seen a noticeable uptick in responses from Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

To keep that momentum going, the survey will remain open through December 10. If your organization works with people who have experienced eviction or housing instability, there is still time to share it. Every response strengthens our ability to advocate for meaningful eviction record reform and housing affordability in 2026.

How You Can Help:

• Share the survey with participants or clients who have faced eviction or housing loss.
• Use and display this flyer:
  • Printable Flyer (8.5×11) 
  • Social Media Graphic 
• Download the Media Toolkit (PDF): This toolkit includes suggested social media post copy and a brief explainer to make outreach easy.

Protect HUD Continuum of Care Funding 

With the federal shutdown now over, HUD has begun implementing significant changes to its Continuum of Care program — the main source of federal funding that helps people experiencing homelessness stay safely housed and connected to services. These new requirements are deeply concerning and could pull critical support away from permanent supportive housing and other proven models, creating real risks for both housing stability and behavioral health in our region.

Because this affects many people served by our members, we want to flag this issue and share an action alert from our friends at NAMI. With HUD’s next funding cycle coming in early 2026, this is an important moment to let federal legislators know how essential these programs are to your organization and the people you serve.

👉 Take Action: Protect Permanent Supportive Housing

For those wanting deeper background, the National Alliance to End Homelessness has also issued helpful guidance and toolkits about this year’s HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services | New Work Requirements Resource for SNAP Recipients & Applicants

Under new federal rules, to keep or become eligible for SNAP benefits, some recipients will have to meet work requirements that include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month) AND report that they are meeting these work requirements.

To help SNAP recipients and applicants find out if they need to meet this requirement, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS), has launched a new online screening tool. The screening tool is not a final determination of whether someone is meeting the work requirements or is eligible for an exemption, but it can help recipients and applicants have a more informed conversation with their caseworker.

You can learn more about these work reporting requirements, who they affect, and more about exemptions at dhs.pa.gov/work.

PHAN Call to Action: Send a Message to your Lawmakers! 

In 2021, Congress made marketplace health insurance plans more affordable than ever through new tax credits. These tax credits allowed millions more Americans to afford health insurance and reduced costs for many millions more. However, they are set to expire at the end of this year.

If Congress doesn’t act, Pennsylvanians who purchase a health plan through Pennie will see their costs double, triple, or even quadruple starting in 2026, forcing many families to go uninsured.

Send a message to your Representatives in Congress asking them to take action to preserve access to affordable health insurance.

LifeSpan Pre-K Open Enrollment Opportunities

For more information, view the application.

Maternity Care Coalition | Free Childbirth Education Series

View the flyer!

Family Service | Fatherhood Group

For more information, view the flyer.

Laurel House and Victim Services Center of Montgomery County | 2026 Shifting Spaces Art Show

Do you know a student looking to help in the fight against domestic violence? Hosted by Laurel House and Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, the Shifting Spaces Art Show is an opportunity to spread positive messaging about healthy relationships and influence friends, family, and more to value respect, safety, and trust in relationships.

The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 12, 2026. The showcase will be on February 26. Click here for the art submission link!

VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn Announces $360,000 in Multi-Year Staff Capacity Grants!

Inspired by listening to their grantee partners during Reporting Conversations held in the Winter/Spring of 2025, the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn is proud to announce 13 grants totaling almost $360,000 in multi-year Staff Capacity Grants specifically to address the issue of “understaffing” among direct service positions. 

“The VNA Foundation Board recognizes the difficulty of planning in this uncertain climate,” notes Diana Doherty, VNA Foundation’s Executive Director. “People are the most vital part of any nonprofit organization, and yet fundraising for personnel costs can be a real challenge. Our foundation wanted to make a very deliberate effort to support the staffing capacity of our partner organizations through these multi-year grants.”

Click here for details and a list of grant awards.

HealthSpark Foundation: Rapid Response Fund for Community Power

This fund gives one-time, fast, flexible funding support to Montgomery County organizations responding to critical and unexpected, urgent events or external challenges, while strengthening the voice and power of community members. 

The Rapid Response Fund is intended to help nonprofits and community-based organizations in a nonpartisan manner respond to critical threats, or opportunities to advance support for racial and social justice goals. 

HealthSpark Foundation is currently accepting grant applications on a rolling basis. Learn more, share, and/or apply!

Join the HealthSpark Foundation Community Action Team to Support Justice Grantmaking Programs!

The Community Action Team partners with HealthSpark Foundation staff to:

• Guide funding decisions that support power-building, leadership development, and storytelling.
• Amplify community voices in shaping our priorities and understanding impact.
• Identify local opportunities and organizations driving meaningful change.
• Advise on and conduct outreach to ensure our work stays grounded in addressing real-time community challenges.

HealthSpark Foundation is seeking individuals who bring:

• A passion for justice, equity, and community well-being.
• Lived experience or a deep commitment to communities affected by real-time community challenges.
• An open, collaborative mindset and willingness to learn and listen together.
• Experience in community leadership, advocacy, organizing, storytelling, and more.

Learn more, share, and/or apply! $400 stipend included.

Foundations Community Partnership: 2 Grant Opportunities!

Nonprofit Growth & Emergency Grant Cycles | Applications Accepted Through June 1, 2026

Nonprofit Growth Grants: Awarded throughout the year, these grants range in value up to $10,000 to support the organizational and professional development needs of non-profit organizations, including:

Organizational Development:

• Board Training
• Executive & Custom Coaching
• Financial Planning
• Strategic & Succession Planning

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Certificate in Nonprofit Management at La Salle University Tuition Assistance 
• Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership at La Salle University Tuition Assistance
• Master of Arts in Management and Organizational Leadership at Delaware Valley University Tuition Assistance
• Propose a certificate program that meets your specific needs, e.g. an Inclusive Leadership Certificate at an accredited provider.
• Workshop & Conference Scholarships

Learn more! 

Emergency Action Grants: Awarded throughout the year, these grants range in value up to $10,000 to address an unanticipated reduction in public funding or a non-reimbursable catastrophic event impacting direct delivery of services. Learn more! 

Committee of Seventy Fellowship Program

The Committee of Seventy (C70) is seeking young professionals passionate about non-profit leadership and civic engagement to apply for the 2026 Buchholz Fellowship program.

The Buchholz Fellowship is a year-long program that allows young professionals to serve as non-voting members of C70’s Board of Directors. Applications for the 2026 cohort of fellows are now open. Learn more!

Arcadia University Health Sciences Program: Student Placement Opportunity

Arcadia University’s Health Sciences Program invites community and healthcare organizations to collaborate with students for their Applied Experiences in Health Sciences course. This upper-level course provides students the opportunity to apply their academic learning to real-world health challenges through short, structured volunteer or observation experiences.

What They’re Looking For:
Partner sites that address health or wellness within a defined population. Experiences do not have to be direct patient-facing, but they should connect to health in a meaningful way, including social determinants of health. A minimum of 10 hours is required. This may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid – perfect for a quick but meaningful project!

What Your Organization Will Gain:

• Collaborate with motivated undergraduate students preparing for healthcare careers!
• Gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from emerging professionals.
• Enhance community engagement and visibility through partnership with Arcadia University.
• Build long-term connections with the College of Health Sciences for future collaboration.

Learn more!

Laurel House is Moving… But Not Going Far!

Laurel House is relocating to a new building within their current plaza. This new space will allow Laurel House to provide a designated space for walk-in clients, a bigger pantry, and more.

They’re not going far! Their new address is 190 W. Germantown Pike, 2nd floor, in East Norriton. They expect to be fully moved in by the end of December. Donations will still be accepted at their current location at 180 W. Germantown Pike until the end of the year.

Integrate for Good Has a New Home!

Integrate for Good has moved into their brand new space on the Ursinus College campus at 478 E. Main Street!

This move is more than a change of address. It is a bold statement that inclusion belongs front and center, where our young adults can be seen, welcomed, and celebrated. Congratulations, Integrate for Good!

NAMI’s School Mental Health Education Map

The U.S. is going through a well-documented and ongoing youth mental health crisis, with high rates of suicidal ideation, hopelessness and depression. Mental health conditions typically start during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. More than 1 in 7 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. When mental health conditions are treated early, it can save lives and vastly improve outcomes for individuals. Mental health education in schools can be a proactive solution to this crisis.

Many students learn about general health issues in health education programs, but those curricula have not always traditionally included mental health. More recently, there has been momentum behind the availability of curricula focused on mental health, which can increase students’ awareness of the signs of mental health conditions in themselves or others and how to seek help.

As of 2025, 19 states and DC have a mental health education requirement in schools for grades K-12. NAMI’s School Mental Health Education Map provides a state landscape of mental health education requirements in schools. Learn more!

Bucks County Launches Blue Envelope Program

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, alongside a large contingent of Police Chiefs and law enforcement leadership representing municipal police departments across the county, recently announced the official launch of a county-wide initiative for the Blue Envelope Program. 

This collaborative effort standardizes communication protocols between law enforcement and drivers with communication challenges, ensuring safety and consistency across all Bucks County municipalities. Read more.

PHAN Helpline for Pennie Enrollment is Open!

Enrollment for Pennie Plans is underway, with enrollment required by December 15th for coverage starting January 1st! 

You can call or text the PHAN helpline at 877-570-3642 for support, with FAQs also available online. Appointments are filling up, so please encourage individuals to connect soon to ensure they have a chance to have their questions answered. 

Farry’s Breast Cancer Imaging Bill Nears Enactment, Receives American Cancer Society Legislative Champion Award

Sen. Frank Farry announced on November 19 that his breast cancer imaging legislation had passed the House of Representatives and is almost law, marking a major advancement in cancer care and early detection efforts across Pennsylvania.

The legislation builds on the historic progress of Act 1 of 2023, which eliminated out-of-pocket costs for supplemental screening imaging, by now ensuring that follow-up diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs, and ultrasounds are also covered without cost-sharing under state-regulated insurance plans.

Senate Bill 88 repeals outdated provisions that prevented many Pennsylvanians from receiving timely diagnostic imaging after abnormal screening, particularly affecting those who could not afford costly out-of-pocket testing. Read more.

Thank you, Senator Farry!

Resources

New Policy Brief on Young Children Identified As Homeless in PA

This report is Part 1 in a series that seeks to inform state and local practitioners and policymakers about young children identified as experiencing homelessness in Pennsylvania.

Overall, PDE identified 10,601 children birth through kindergarten to be experiencing homelessness during the 2023-24 school year, representing a 4% increase over one year and a 13% increase over five years. Read more.

Women’s Way Gender Wealth Summit: Fall 2025 Report

What emerged from the 2025 Gender Wealth Summit was both a roadmap for the year ahead and a powerful call to action, with three core strategies:

1. Focus on Narrative Change
2. Organize Collective Action
3. Engage and Build with People With Lived Experience

The Gender Wealth Summit: Fall 2025 Report digs deeper into these three Strategies for Change as well as the strategic subject matter in relation to the WOMEN’S WAY Gender Wealth Framework. Read more!