Members 1st Charitable Foundation awards $57,000 to 14 nonprofits

The Members 1st Charitable Foundation has awarded grants to 14 nonprofits across its 12-county geographic footprint. The grants were awarded as part of the foundation’s third funding cycle for 2026.

Among the recipients during the latest round of funding is CASA of Berks County, a child advocacy organization that recruits, trains and supports community volunteers as court appointed advocates for children in foster care in Berks County, according to the organization’s website.

“Each funding cycle allows the foundation to invest in local nonprofits that address pressing community challenges,” Sara Firestone, executive director of the Members 1st Charitable Foundation said in a statement. “Whether it’s improving access to food, housing, mental services or financial education, we are honored to support these organizations as they continue to do the diligent work to strengthen their community and all who call it home.”

A total of $57,000 was awarded to the 14 nonprofit organizations whose programs and services work to enhance communities across Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania, the company said in a press release.

In addition to CASA of Berks County, awards were presented to:

• All In Theatre — Dauphin County

• American Rescue Workers Inc. — Lycoming County

• Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope — Dauphin County

• Cay Galgon Life House — Lehigh Valley

• Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry counties

• Healthy Steps Diaper Bank — Dauphin County

• Janus School — Lancaster County

• Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. — Lancaster County

• SWAN: Scaling Walls A Note at a Time — Lancaster County

• The Salvation Army, Lebanon — Lebanon County

• United Disabilities Services Foundation — Lancaster County

• UPMC Pinnacle Foundation — Dauphin County

• York Habitat for Humanity — York County

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 fourth funding cycle of 2026 are being accepted now, and will close on Nov. 1, with recipients notified on Dec. 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.