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Phoenixville Community Health Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.4M
Decision Time
4mo

Phoenixville Community Health Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,377,525 (2025 cycle)
  • Total Grants Since 1998: Over $31.6 million
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (June-September review, notification after September board meeting)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $390,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Phoenixville region, Pennsylvania
  • Number of Grantees: 37 organizations (2025 cycle)

Contact Details

Address: 821 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Phone: 610-917-9890
Website: pchf.net
Email: Contact available through website contact form

Overview

The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation (PCHF) was established in 1997 as a conversion foundation from Phoenixville Hospital and has been tax-exempt since September 1998. Since its inception, PCHF has granted over $31.6 million back to the greater Phoenixville region. The foundation's vision is to "make the greater Phoenixville region one of the healthiest places for all in Pennsylvania."

In their 2025 grant cycle, PCHF awarded $1,377,525 to 37 organizations, down from $1,613,500 to 48 organizations in 2023-2024. The foundation acknowledged facing a nearly $900,000 gap between available funds and total requests in 2025, reflecting increased community needs amid funding cuts and social challenges. PCHF practices Trust-Based Philanthropy, a national movement centered on advancing equity, shifting power, and building mutually accountable relationships between funders and grantees. Current leadership under President & CEO Tamela Luce (since 2019) emphasizes supporting nonprofits through multiple channels including grants, convenings, capacity building, technical assistance, and fellowship programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Cycle (Application opens typically in May)

  • Range: Varies widely from $5,000 to $390,000
  • Application Method: Online via grant portal
  • Timeline: Applications due early June; decisions announced after September board meeting
  • Recent Major Grants (2023-2024):
    • Health Care Access: $390,000 (general operations)
    • Phoenixville Free Clinic: $275,000 (general operations)
    • Ann's Heart: $70,000 (general operations)
    • Phoenixville Area Community Services: $75,000 (general operations)
    • Orion Communities: $65,000 (general operations)
    • Phoenixville Area Senior Center: $60,000 (general operations)
    • Alianzas de Phoenixville: $50,000
    • Open Hearth: $35,000
    • Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: $30,000

Mini-Grants (Rolling applications - contact foundation for access code)

  • Organizational Development: Up to $5,000 for training, board development, staff leadership, DEI initiatives, strategic planning
  • IT Equipment: Up to $5,000 for hardware, software upgrades, laptops, tablets, and related training (excludes security equipment and recurring subscriptions)
  • Ride for Health Transportation Grant: Up to $2,500 for client transportation to healthcare and social service appointments
  • Eligibility: Must be current annual grantee OR received grant within last 2 years; operating budget under $3 million
  • Restrictions: Maximum two mini-grants per fiscal year (one per category); one-time funding only

Scholarships

  • $2,000/year for up to four years ($8,000 total) for graduating high school seniors from area schools pursuing healthcare and human services degrees

Priority Areas

PCHF focuses on four strategic goals:

  1. Equitable Access to Affordable Health and Human Services: Ensuring all community members can access quality healthcare and social services
  2. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Particularly crisis intervention and treatment programs
  3. Housing Security and Homelessness Prevention: Supporting stable housing and preventing displacement
  4. Nonprofit Capacity Building: Strengthening organizational effectiveness and encouraging regional partnerships

Populations Served: Vulnerable communities including immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, unhoused persons, and low-income families

Service Categories Funded: Healthcare and mental health counseling, housing and emergency assistance, food security, childcare and education, youth enrichment programs, violence prevention and victim services

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects/programs already funded or paid for (no reimbursement)
  • Existing/recurring operational costs (mini-grants only support one-time funding)
  • Organizations outside PCHF's geographic service area
  • Organizations without Directors and Officers insurance
  • Security equipment or recurring software subscriptions (IT mini-grants)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Tamela Luce, President & CEO (she/her) - Joined PCHF in 2019 with over two decades of philanthropic experience, including seven-plus years as Senior Program Officer for HealthSpark Foundation. Under her leadership, PCHF has overseen pandemic relief for nonprofits, hurricane recovery assistance in Upper Providence Township, facility funding, and strengthened nonprofit partnerships. Her favorite quote: "I raise up my voice – not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard." – Malala Yousafzai

Jeanette Hall, Director of Finance and Operations (she/her) - Transitioned from corporate finance/accounting to nonprofit work. Previously worked at a domestic violence agency with experience in grant writing and nonprofit budgeting.

Sam Anthony, Program Officer (she/her) - Temple University graduate (2020) with experience working with Pennsylvania nonprofits on capacity building in Philadelphia. Joined PCHF after moving to Phoenixville in March 2024.

Board of Directors

Officers:

  • Maria Schwab - Chair
  • Rev. Lee Paczulla - Vice Chair
  • Alex Jankowski - Treasurer
  • Chelsea Perugini - Secretary

Board Members: Allison Turner, Brooke Ginty, Jessica Capistrant, Jon Ewald, Julian McCracken, Keith Burress, Michael Polin, Nicholas Bucci, N'Jameh Samuels-Ford, Tash Kassam

Ex-Officio Members: Tamela Luce (President & CEO), Daniel Hennessey Esq. (Legal Counsel), Charles Honart Esq. (Legal Counsel)

Founding Emeritus Members: Richard Downs, Richard Kunsch Sr., James Reading

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Annual Grant Cycle: All grant requests must be submitted electronically through PCHF's online grant management system. Applications typically open in May with a deadline in early June (exact dates vary annually).

Process:

  1. Visit pchf.net and check for current grant cycle announcements
  2. Review eligibility requirements and geographic service area
  3. Submit application through online portal by deadline (typically early June, 5:00 PM)
  4. All PCHF staff initially review applications and financial documentation to ensure completeness

Required Documentation:

  • Current 501(c)(3) status (or fiscal sponsorship)
  • Proof of Directors and Officers insurance
  • List of current Board of Directors including officers, gender identification/preferred pronouns, age, race/ethnicity, and members with lived experience relevant to organization's services
  • Financial documentation
  • Answers to application questions about community needs and services

Mini-Grants: Mini-grants require contacting PCHF staff BEFORE applying to discuss your request and receive an access code for the grantinterface portal. This pre-application conversation helps ensure your proposal aligns with program goals.

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle:

  • May: Applications open
  • Early June: Application deadline (typically first Friday of June, 5:00 PM)
  • June-August: Grant Committee (comprised of PCHF Board members and staff) reviews all applications and develops recommendations
  • September: Board meeting for discussion and final approval of recommendations
  • After September meeting: All applicants notified of decisions

Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to notification

Reporting: Grantees required to submit final report 12 months after grant award, completed via online portal or through Zoom interview with one PCHF staff member and one board member

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, in 2025, PCHF faced a nearly $900,000 gap between available funds ($1,377,525 awarded) and total requests received, indicating the grant cycle is competitive. In 2023-2024, 48 organizations were funded, compared to 37 in 2025, reflecting increased demand against limited resources.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations are encouraged to contact PCHF directly at 610-917-9890 for guidance on reapplication.

Mini-Grant Eligibility Note: To be eligible for mini-grants, organizations must be current annual grantees OR have received an annual grant within the last 2 years, suggesting ongoing relationship with previously funded organizations.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from PCHF Leadership

Tamela Luce's Guidance (from Chronicle of Philanthropy articles):

On Clarity: "Give your proposal to somebody who doesn't know what you do" to get outside perspective. She notes applicants often think they're conveying information clearly when they're not: "We all get so close to our own work and our own projects that when we write about it, often we think we're conveying one thing and we're not."

On Differentiation: Simply saying your staff is committed or your organization is great won't cut it. Emphasize "what made them special" compared to peers.

On Budgets: "If you submit a budget with a deficit, maybe there's a good reason for that, but understand what that may convey to the funder and explain anything out of the ordinary in advance." She advises disclosing and explaining any irregularities so program officers don't have to follow up with questions.

On Avoiding Rejection: "Grant makers, unfortunately, are looking for ways to turn down proposals a lot, because oftentimes we get more proposals than we can fund. Don't make it easy for the program officer to reject yours." Minimize errors and questions: "If you can put forth a proposal where you're minimizing the chance that they're going to have to call and ask questions, so much the better for you."

PCHF's Approach and Values

Trust-Based Philanthropy: PCHF emphasizes that "nothing is more important than the relationships they have with their nonprofit community." Strong relationships enable "honest conversations about community needs and workable solutions."

Core Values:

  • Ethical and accountable behavior to preserve community trust
  • Partnering in the spirit of service with communities served
  • Equitable responsiveness and sensitivity to community needs
  • Fair, respectful, honest, and professional relationships
  • Centered on learning, evolving, and improving impact
  • Commitment to DEI principles in all aspects of work

Strategic Alignment

Pre-Application Engagement: For mini-grants, PCHF requires organizations to contact staff before applying, noting "they can help make sure your best idea shines through." This suggests proactive communication is valued.

Answer Questions Thoughtfully: PCHF asks applicants to "answer questions to the best of their ability, as these answers help guide staff and the Board in decision-making" and help them understand how organizations address community needs.

Geographic Focus: Confirm your organization provides services to PCHF's geographic area of interest (greater Phoenixville region, Pennsylvania - including areas like Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Township, East Pikeland Township, West Pikeland Township, Chester Springs, Spring City, and surrounding communities).

Board Diversity Information: PCHF requests detailed board composition including gender identification/pronouns, age, race/ethnicity, and members with lived experience, reflecting their DEI commitment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Get feedback from outsiders: Before submitting, have someone unfamiliar with your work review your proposal to ensure clarity - this is direct advice from CEO Tamela Luce based on common applicant mistakes.

  2. Contact staff before applying to mini-grants: PCHF requires pre-application conversations for mini-grants and encourages them for annual grants - use this opportunity to align your proposal with their priorities.

  3. Competition is significant: With a nearly $900,000 funding gap in 2025, applications are highly competitive - ensure your proposal is error-free and clearly demonstrates impact.

  4. Emphasize what makes you unique: Don't rely on generic statements about staff commitment - show specifically what differentiates your organization and approach.

  5. Build ongoing relationships: Mini-grant eligibility requires being a current or recent grantee, indicating PCHF values sustained partnerships - consider starting with annual grants to access additional funding streams.

  6. Align with strategic priorities: Focus applications on equitable access to health/human services, mental health/substance abuse, housing security, or nonprofit capacity building - these are PCHF's core goals.

  7. Explain budget irregularities proactively: Don't make funders work to understand your finances - address any unusual aspects upfront to avoid easy rejection points.

References

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