Important Changes to VNAF Grants – 2020

North Penn Unity Grants

Our North Penn community has seen enormous challenges in 2020, and we at the VNA Foundation stand united with those working to promote access to health and human services for ALL our North Penn residents, with respect, dignity and human compassion. We stand in solidarity with our nonprofit partners who have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, on both health and economic stability, and in recognition of the fact that the pandemic has had disproportionate effects on our neighbors in communities of color and those experiencing poverty. We support those organizations committed to serving ALL in North Penn with a focus on those in our society who have been marginalized, oppressed, or discriminated against. We stand united with those whose tireless efforts aim to create a more just and equitable North Penn community, with healthier outcomes for ALL.
In that spirit, we at the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn launch the North Penn Unity Grants program for the benefit of our community. In consideration of the extraordinary challenges posed by the current crisis, the VNA Foundation has increased its annual giving budget by 50%, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis between June 15 and October 30, 2020 for grants of up to $15,000. As the VNA Foundation is committed to trust-based philanthropy, all North Penn Unity Grants will be made in the form of GENERAL OPERATING support, and are intended to:

• help organizations pay for supplies, equipment or staff-time related to changing requirements and specifications for operations/service delivery due to COVID-19;
• and/or help organizations restore lost revenue from programs/events due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Because grants will be in form of General Operating support, applicants to the North Penn Unity Grants program must demonstrate that a majority of services are benefiting Greater North Penn residents* and/or that the organization is fulfilling a service otherwise not being provided to Greater North Penn residents. Preference will be given to recent/current grantees of VNAF. Decisions will be communicated on a monthly basis and all applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 30-60 days of their grant submission. The North Penn Unity Grants will take the place of the VNA Foundation’s typical Fall grant cycle and all awards will be issued by December 15, 2020. To save time and reduce paperwork, reporting for these grants will be in the form of a short conversation to take place in late-Fall, 2020.
*As defined by the boundaries of the North Penn, Souderton, and Wissahickon School Districts plus Worcester Township, Montgomery County, PA.

Applications for the North Penn Unity Grants will be accepted between June 15 and October 30, 2020 and will only be accepted online. Click the Apply/Report button below after June 15, 2020 to access the application. Questions about eligibility or applying? Please contact Diana Doherty at ddoherty@npvnafoundation.org.

SEE ROUND 1 OF NORTH PENN UNITY GRANT AWARDS HERE.