Board of Community Assistance

The 2023 BCA Application Process is Closed. Awards will be Announced at the May 11 Business Meeting.

Attention Upper Merion Township non-profit organizations and sports, and high school seniors BCA is accepting applications. Non-profits, sports organizations, and graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply for a grant.

BCA SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY
All High School Seniors living in Upper Merion Township (attending any high school) who are planning to go to college or for other post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for a BCA College Scholarship. Please see the BCA Scholarship Application for detail regarding specific application requirements.

BCA GRANT ELIGIBILITY FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SPORTS CLUBS
Any non-profit organizations providing services that directly benefit Upper Merion Township residents may apply for a BCA Grant. Please see the BCA Grant Application for Organizations for detail regarding specific application requirements.

Application Deadline:
Friday, April 14, 2023 by 5:00PM

Mail Application To:
Board of Community Assistance
c/o Gerri Vattimo
Upper Merion Township
175 West Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Questions?
Contact Gerri Vattimo at gvattimo@umtownship.org or at 484-636-3899.

Overview

The BCA was established in 2013 through a partnership between Upper Merion Township and the Valley Forge Casino Resort. The purpose of the BCA is to provide financial assistance to organizations via grants that benefit Upper Merion residents and scholarships that benefit graduating high school seniors who reside in Upper Merion Township.

Did You Know?

In 2022, $135,500 has been awarded to 47 recipients – 30 Organizations and 1 Sport, and 16 Scholarships, including the General von Steuben $10,000 scholarship and two Ronald G. Wagenmann $5,000 scholarships.

Since its 2013 inception, the BCA has provided more than $1.5M in grants to local organizations and college scholarships for Upper Merion graduates.

Purpose of the BCA

To advise the Board of Supervisors for the disbursement of all monies received by the Township from the Valley Forge Casino Resort (VFCR) for the purpose of assisting non-profit and/or 501 (c) organizations and college scholarship recipients. All monies received for disbursement from other sources will be considered in the same manner as set forth in the policy.
To make an annual report to the Board of Supervisors including all monies received and the disbursement of these monies to non-profit and 501 (c) organizations proven to meet the need as established by the Board of Supervisors.
To offer all non-profit and/or 501 (c) organizations in the Township the ability to appeal to the BCA for consideration in a time of need.
To enhance the partnership between VFCR and Upper Merion Township to offer charitable assistance and support to the needy non-profits and 501 (c) organizations in the Township.

Membership and Term of the BCA

Membership will consist of five (5) members; two (2) chosen by the VFCR and three (3) Township citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors. There will be no set terms for the VFCR appointees, and they will serve on the BCA at the pleasure of the VFCR. Terms of the Township appointees will be as follows: one (1) will serve a one-year term; one (1) will serve a two-year term, and one (1) will serve a three-year term. A chairperson will be selected from the membership of the BCA during January of each year at its reorganization meeting. The staff liaison to the BCA is the Township Manager or his designee.

Questions? Contact Gerri Vattimo at gvattimo@umtownship.org or at 484-636-3899.

Members

Brett Montich, Chairperson
Donna Hogan, VFCR, Vice Chairperson
Lydia Dan Sardiñas, Member
Ron Bailey, VCFR
David Karen, Member
Gerri Vattimo, Staff Liaison
Greg Waks, BOS Liaison