Posted on February 1, 2024 by Lexi Gonzalez

Spotlight on the Community First Fund

by Berks Alliance

Spotlight on the Community First Fund

Berks Alliance will host “Spotlight on the Community First Fund” on Feb. 22, 2024, at 12 noon, via Zoom.

Since 1992, Community First Fund has provided capital and business counseling where it is not usually available or accessible. As a private, independent, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), they work to create positive change in the community by providing entrepreneurs with business loans for projects that generate jobs and help revitalize communities. They create opportunities to build wealth for individuals, families, and business owners, especially people of color, women, and immigrants.

“We want to build vibrant and healthy communities for people to work and live, including the development of affordable and market-rate housing units, turning blighted and vacant buildings into usable community property, creating educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults, expanding access to healthy food and quality healthcare. We provide the resources necessary for job-creating businesses to start up and grow, with a particular focus on those who can’t obtain traditional funding.”

Community First Fund provides financing to all sizes and types of businesses – from bodegas, salons, daycares, and restaurants to large-scale community development projects like medical clinics, grocery stores, and senior care centers. They serve 22 counties across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, with offices in Reading, Allentown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and York.

Four members of the Community First team, Shannon Leonhard, Erlan Dobronsky, Alba Fernandez, and Jim Buerger, will outline the services provided by Community First Fund, demystify the loan process, and highlight some of the most impactful Berks County projects that Community First Fund has been part of over the past few decades.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcud-6opjwvG9xa91_-Sr0c70hZqnyvwQiQ.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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Community Testimonials

Wish my town had a channel like this, very cool idea to bring the community together and give people a platform.

James

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you have created for our kids.  This experience is more than the TV show.  Eight students who probably never would have talked to each other were excited to execute a plan. Know that you make a difference.

Kristi

Thanks for your commitment to communication far and wide, for your technical support, and tireless efforts to bring fresh programs to BCTV. Bravo!

Liz

Thank you for always being receptive to my ideas. All of your efforts help me to help others and that is a blessing to me.

Adrean

Fantastic work and thanks so much for the quick turnaround!  Always a pleasure to work with you and the rest of the BCTV team!

Jim

Thank you and your staff for all you do to accommodate so many different shows, personalities, etc.!  Can’t be easy, but we really do appreciate it.

Martha

I am happy and proud to be a part of such a dedicated assembly of talent and purpose. Thank you for being a part of my efforts to promote theater and the arts in this region.

David