Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 23-2440924
• Annual Giving: $846,051 (2024)
• Total Distributed Since 2001: Over $8 million
• Number of Awards: 49 (2024), 48 (2023)
• Average Grant Size: Approximately $17,267 (based on 2024 data)
• Geographic Focus: Northampton County, PA and surrounding areas
• Application Cycle: Annual (fall application, February distribution)

Contact Details

Address: 1101 Northampton Street, Suite 101, Easton, PA 18042

Phone: (610) 253-7400

Website: www.trhwf.org

Email: Contact through website or phone

Overview

Established in October 2001 when Easton Hospital was sold to a for-profit health system, the Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation was created with the hospital's accumulated surplus funds to serve the community in perpetuity. As a private foundation under IRS Section 501(c)(3), it is the only nonprofit foundation in Northampton County solely dedicated to providing funding to improve the health and well-being of community residents. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $8 million to more than 60 organizations, with recent annual giving of approximately $846,051 in 2024. The foundation takes a strategic approach to funding, emphasizing programs that demonstrate the greatest possible impact on improved health for individuals in the community, with particular attention to organizational governance, financial responsibility, and community leadership.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant cycle with applications accepted electronically once per year. Application process begins in fall, with funds distributed in February.

Notable Multi-Year Grant Example:

• Eat Real Food Mobile Market Initiative: $500,000 over five years to Kellyn Foundation (launched 2015) - A mobile market bringing local farm-fresh food to food-insecure neighborhoods, accepting SNAP, WIC, and senior benefit programs

Recent Grant Example:

• St. Luke's Easton Campus Mental Health Program: Multi-year funding supporting a 16-bed Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit for teenagers aged 12-18 and the YESS! (Your Emotional Strength Supported!) program embedding licensed outpatient therapists in elementary schools throughout Northampton County

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on these core areas:

• Maternal, Infant and Children's Health
• Behavioral Health Issues (including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation)
• Dental Health/Oral Health
• Senior Health
• Housing Initiatives
• Homelessness

Organizations Previously Funded

The foundation has supported over 60 organizations including:

• Greater Valley YMCA
• Nurse Family Partnership
• Planned Parenthood of Northeast Pennsylvania
• Lehigh Valley Children's Center
• VNA of St. Luke's Home Health
• Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
• Third Street Alliance for Women & Children
• Family Guidance Center
• Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley
• New Bethany Ministries
• Boys & Girls Club of Easton
• Children's Home of Easton
• Easton Area Neighborhood Center
• Salvation Army

What They Don't Fund

• Capital Campaigns
• Building Expansions

The foundation explicitly states it is not their intention to establish an ongoing or permanent grant relationship with grantees, preferring one-time or time-limited support.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Paul Brunswick - President & Chief Executive Officer

Brunswick has been vocal about the foundation's commitment to mental health services, stating regarding their St. Luke's grant: "The disruption from COVID has made life so difficult for kids at a time when they're supposed to be learning in school and enjoying life. The timing and implementation of this grant are ideal." He also noted, "We're very happy with the results of St. Luke's use of the funds. They're doing a great job, exactly what they said they'd do to help care for the emotional and psychological challenges that face our youth during this time of turmoil."

Staff

Daniel McMahon - Key employee

The foundation employs 18 staff members total.

Board of Directors

All grant awards are subject to the vote of the full Board of Directors. Specific board member names are available through their IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Letter of Intent Requirement: Any non-profit agency that has not received funding from the foundation in the past three years must submit a Letter of Intent before being invited to submit a full Request for Funding proposal. Letters of Intent are typically accepted in June and July.

Full Application: The foundation accepts Request for Funding Proposals electronically once a year. Applications are submitted through their website at www.trhwf.org.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have IRS Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Must have Public Charity status
• Must serve residents of Northampton County, PA and surrounding areas
• Request must fall within the foundation's mission and focus areas

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle:

• June-July: Letters of Intent accepted (for organizations not funded in past 3 years)
• Fall: Application process begins; full proposals accepted
• Board Review: All applications reviewed by full Board of Directors
• February: Grant awards announced and funds distributed

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes specific criteria when making grant decisions:

Demonstrated Organizational Strength: The foundation places considerable emphasis on funding non-profit groups with:

• Strong organizational governance
• Internal financial responsibility
• Community leadership in pursuit of their missions
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently manage the proposed program

Program Impact: Each grant funded must have the greatest possible impact on improved health for individuals in the community. Decisions are based on "the effectiveness of the proposal to elevate the status of the community's health."

Sustainability Planning: Applicants are encouraged to include a description of future funding plans for the specific program. This is particularly important as the foundation does not intend to establish ongoing or permanent grant relationships with grantees.

Alignment with Strategic Focus: The foundation seeks to be responsive to the needs of the community and will consider grant applications from non-profits whose requests fall within their mission of improving health and wellbeing of Northampton County residents.

Evidence-Based Approach: The St. Luke's mental health grant example demonstrates the foundation values programs with measurable outcomes and proven implementation strategies, as evidenced by Brunswick's comment that St. Luke's was "doing exactly what they said they'd do."

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have not received funding from the foundation in the past three years must submit a Letter of Intent before being allowed to submit a full proposal. This suggests a three-year cycle exists for re-engagement with the foundation.

The foundation does not establish ongoing or permanent grant relationships, which means even successful grantees should not expect automatic renewal and will need to reapply through the standard process for additional funding.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical: The foundation exclusively serves Northampton County, PA and surrounding areas - demonstrate deep knowledge of and connection to this community
• Demonstrate organizational capacity: Strong governance, financial responsibility, and community leadership are as important as program design
• Show sustainability: Include clear future funding plans; the foundation does not want to be your permanent funder
• Focus on measurable health impact: Every proposal must demonstrate how it will "elevate the status of the community's health" with the "greatest possible impact"
• Align with strategic priorities: Maternal/infant/child health, behavioral health, oral health, senior health, housing, and homelessness are the focus areas
• Follow the Letter of Intent rule: If you haven't been funded in three years, don't skip the LOI step (June-July)
• Plan ahead: With only one annual cycle (fall applications, February awards), timing is everything
• No capital campaigns: This is a program-focused funder; don't apply for building projects or expansions

References

• Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation official website: www.trhwf.org
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/232440924
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/232440924
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&key=TWOR002
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/two-rivers-health-and-wellness-foundation-df1491df-4c46-42eb-8c64-9bc95a66d7e7
• St. Luke's University Health Network blog (2022): "Two Rivers Health and Wellness Foundation Supports Mental Health Care for Area Children" - https://www.slhn.org/blog/2022/two-rivers-health-and-wellness-foundation-supports-mental-health-care-for-area-children
• The Morning Call (2015): "Foundations to launch 'Eat Real Food' mobile market and other company news" - https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-company-news-0322-20150321-story.html
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/two-rivers-health-and-wellness-foundation,232440924/
• Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce: https://web.lehighvalleychamber.org/Community-Growth-Development/Two-Rivers-Health-Wellness-Foundation-11489

Information accessed March 2026