Regional Foundation Announces $4.75 Million in Grant Awards

Regional Foundation Continues History of Multi-Year Funding as an Independent Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 18, 2023

Today the Regional Foundation announced $4,750,000 in Implementation Grants to seven organizations throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The Neighborhood Implementation Grants program supports comprehensive community development plans that target specific neighborhoods, are resident-driven, and equity focused. The multi-year funding is designed to assist the foundation’s grantee partners to start or sustain momentum in their comprehensive neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

“The grants we announced today are an exciting next step in the journey of the Regional Foundation,” stated Kevin Dow, Executive Director of the foundation. “These community investments will further the success of organizations leading resident engaged, neighborhood revitalization efforts with stable funding for at least five years. Three of the grants represent new implementation investments while four of the seven sustain long standing partnerships.”

The Neighborhood Implementation Grantees are:

(1)AtlantiCare Foundation will receive $675,000 to begin implementation of its Midtown neighborhood revitalization plan in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Specifically, AtlantiCare will focus its work on “clean and safe”streets through a creative placemaking project that will empower residents through a new “ambassador”program and support small businesses. Their goals are to change the community’s perception of the Midtown neighborhood, drive sales at small businesses, make Midtown a destination for visitors and to create connectedness and joy among residents.

(2)Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) will receive a first-time investment of $1,000,000 in support of implementation of its Upper Clinton neighborhood plan in Newark, NJ. CHCA will serve as the backbone agency in a collaborative model, overseeing lead partners in its six focus areas of housing, education,economic development, environmental justice, wellness and social services, and community building. Public safety and creative placemaking are cross-cutting strategies pursued across each of the focus areas.

(3)HACE will receive $500,000 to continue its work in the Fairhill and St. Hugh neighborhoods of Philadelphia with a sustained focus on corridor development, affordable housing construction and preservation, open space improvements, crime / safety, providing for families and elders, and resident-engagement. To date, HACE has completed 80% of its neighborhood plan and leveraged $135M in public and private investments. Most of the plan is focused upon the built environment (housing, streetscapes, clean blocks / beautification). HACE also created a community land trust (Good Lands Trust) for long-term affordable home ownership with nine units being developed. Commercial and corridor development also feature prominently in planned activities.

(4)Mt. Airy CDC will receive $400,000 to continue its efforts in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood in partnership with West Mt. Airy Neighbors, East Mt. Airy Neighbors, and the Mt. Airy BID. Major activities for this second round of implementation include commercial corridor work spanning 1.8 miles of Germantown Avenue, improvements to pedestrian safety and tree cover, reinvigoration of the Mt. Airy Schools Coalition,youth literacy programming, mixed-use and affordable housing development, expansion of housing counseling services, and resident engagement efforts.

(5)REACH Riverside will receive a first-time investment of $1,000,000 to begin implementation of its neighborhood revitalization plan in the Riverside and Northeast communities of Wilmington, DE. REACH Riverside (a CDC) is the managing partner for The WRK Group, which includes its service partners, The Warehouse, a youth programming space, and Kingswood Community Center, providing early learning education and senior citizen engagement. The WRK Group’s revitalization plan for the NE community of Wilmington builds on a 10-year partnership with municipal and state agencies and includes investments in homeownership opportunities, workforce development, high-quality education, community asset building, and much more.

(6)Tenfold will receive $775,000 in continued funding to support the next phase of its work in the Southwest(SoWe) Lancaster neighborhood in the City of Lancaster. Through community organizing, volunteer management and advocacy, marketing resources to ,the community, and collaborating with neighborhood nonprofits, Tenfold will continue its focus on six priority areas, which include Neighborhood Connections and the expansion of its block liaison program, Housing services through its Financial Empowerment Center and home repair programs; expanded programming at the Culliton, SoWe and Brandon Parks; Community Emergency Response Training to residents; expansion of the community school model; and Economic Opportunity through its partners to support workforce and small business assistance along the Manor Street commercial corridor.

(7)The Enterprise Center CDC will receive $400,000 in continued support of its work in the Walnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia and highly focused on the 52nd Street Commercial Corridor in several ways,including the Built Environment through the Walnut Hill Community Farm in partnership with Locke Elementary;52nd St beautification and economic development; as well as the 46th & Market project which is a multi-unit residential, and commercial complex with affordable housing units. Regional Foundation support will also assist the CDC’s work to support minority and/or women owned business or enterprises.

Each grant is a five-year investment designed to support long-term, resident-driven neighborhood revitalization to improve the quality of life for children and families living in low-income communities.

Quotes from Grantees/Community Members:

AtlantiCare Foundation

“The AtlantiCare Foundation is incredibly grateful for the Regional Foundation’s investment in great neighborhoods, like Midtown Atlantic City, NJ. Together, with our neighbors, we continue to create opportunities, craft solutions and restore hope for all who live, work and visit Atlantic City.” Samantha Kiley, Executive Director, AtlantiCare Foundation

Clinton Hill Community Action

“Regional Foundation’s support is game-changing and will provide dedicated resources for our community power-building strategy.” Khaatim Sherrer El, Executive Director

HACE

“We thank the staff and the Board of the Regional Foundation for this award, and we look forward to continuing in fulfilling HACE’s mission for improving the quality of life of families, working with residents and organizations to realize many of the initiatives outlined in the Good Lands Neighborhood Plan. The Regional Foundation’s support is a tremendous boost to leverage additional private and public support to continue in the transformation of the Fairhill and St. Hugh Neighborhoods, said Maria N. Gonzalez, President of HACE.”

Mt. Airy USA CDC

“Mt. Airy CDC and its community partners are grateful to have the support of the Regional Foundation as we continue the implementation of the Mt. Airy 2025 plan. These funds will enable us to advance residents’ vision for a neighborhood with a thriving and safe retail corridor, affordable housing options for all families, and high-quality resources to support our youth. We look forward to deepening our efforts to sustain a vibrant and diverse Mt. Airy.” –Philip Dawson, Executive Director, Mt. Airy CDC

REACH Riverside

“Riverside has been historically ignored for decades. Our community was originally built for returning White veterans from World War II. With the implementation of the GI Bill, many White families were able to obtain mortgages – a major factor in determining generational wealth – and leave Riverside. This opportunity was not extended to returning Black veterans and as a result, many families were forced to live in communities of consolidated poverty. With the Regional Foundation’s generous investment, REACH Riverside, the managing partner for The WRK Group (including service partners, The Warehouse and Kingswood Community Center) will continue its holistic community revitalization plan throughout the Riverside and Northeast Wilmington communities. The WRK Group thanks the Regional Foundation for its ongoing commitment to creating safe and thriving communities.” Logan S. Herring, Sr., CEO, The WRK Group

Tenfold

“Tenfold and the SoWe neighborhood are grateful for the continued partnership and support of the Regional Foundation. By providing funding, networking opportunities, and capacity building resources, the Regional Foundation is a critical partner in our work to create a neighborhood that is clean, safe, attractive to economic investment, and welcoming to residents and visitors.” –Amos Stoltzfus, SoWe Director

The Enterprise Center CDC

“We are extremely thankful for the Regional Foundation and this grant funding of $400,000. Institutional and foundation dollars are critical pillars in our 52nd Street Investment Playbook. We intend to leverage this capital with private and other sources of funding to create a truly equitable growth environment for business owners and residents of West Philadelphia alike. We have many more seats to fill at our proverbial table, and we welcome additional partners who share in our vision for minority business empowerment.” Tim Roundtree, Vice President, The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation