Members 1st Charitable Foundation awards $56,600 to 13 nonprofits

The Members 1st Charitable Foundation has awarded grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 each to 13 nonprofits across its 12-county geographic footprint. The grants were awarded as part of the foundation’s second funding cycle for 2026.

Among the recipients are two Berks County nonprofits: Animal Rescue League of Berks County Inc., which received $3,500; and Safe Berks, which was awarded $5,000.

“Every funding cycle offers an opportunity to invest in organizations that are addressing critical needs and creating lasting impact close to home,” Sara Firestone, executive director of the Members 1st Charitable Foundation, said in a statement. “From supporting children and families to expanding access to food, housing, mental health resources and financial education, these nonprofits are strengthening communities in meaningful ways. We are honored to support their efforts and the positive impact they have across our region.”

A total of $56,500 was awarded to 13 nonprofit organizations whose programs and services are helping to build stronger, healthier and more financially sound communities, the company said in a press release.

The following are the other recipients:

• Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center, $3,000, Adams County

• Caring Cupboard Inc., $5,000, Lebanon County

• Children’s Aid Society, $5,000, York, Adams, and Franklin counties

• Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services, $5,000, Lancaster County

• Friends of Ephrata Police Foundation, $3,500, Lancaster County

• Joshua Group, $5,000, Dauphin County

• KidsPeace, $1,500, Lehigh County

• Love INC of Greater Hershey, $5,000, Dauphin County

• NAMI of Cumberland and Perry Counties, $5,000, Cumberland and Perry counties

• Tri-County Community Housing, $5,000, Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties

Grant recipients were selected for programs that advance the foundation’s mission through youth and family support, food security, housing stability, mental health services, financial education and overall community well-being, according to the release.

Applications for grants are accepted on a rolling basis and are funded four times each year, according to information on the foundation’s website. Grants up to $10,000 are awarded each cycle, and organizations are eligible to receive one grant per calendar year.

Applications for the foundation’s third funding cycle of 2026 are being accepted now, and will close on Aug. 1, with recipients notified on Sept. 1. Eligible nonprofit organizations interested in applying for funding can review application requirements and submit materials at members1stfoundation.org.

Members 1st Charitable Foundation was established in 2021 and provides funding to eligible nonprofit organizations that serve as catalysts for positive change in their communities, the company said. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $750,000 in grants throughout its 12-county footprint — Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Union and York counties.

Members 1st serves more than 625,000 members from nearly 60 branch locations in Pennsylvania. In Berks, the credit union has two branches: 4363 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township and 4620 W. Penn Ave. in South Heidelberg Township.