Attention Upper Merion Township non-profit organizations and sports, and high school seniors: The 2022 BCA Application Process Opens on December 1st!
Applications must be received by 5:00PM on Friday, April 15, 2022
Board of Community Assistance
c/o Gerri Vattimo
Upper Merion Township
175 West Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Non-profits, Sports organizations, and graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply for a grant.
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 for graduating high school seniors who reside in Upper Merion Township.
Did You Know?
In 2021, $155,050 has been awarded to 56 recipients – 37 Organizations and 3 Sports, 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 $1.2M 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 re-organization meeting. The staff liaison to the BCA is the Township Manager or his designee.
Membership Eligibility
Township citizens desiring to apply to serve on the BCA shall possess:
- Knowledge of the 501 (c) organizations as per the United States Internal Revenue Code.
- General knowledge and understanding of the history, mission services, operations and activities of non-profit and/or 501 (c) organizations in areas of the following: Cultural, Arts and Humanities Organizations; Education and College Scholarship criteria; Health and Wellness organizations; Historic Preservation; Workforce Development/Economic Opportunity, Environmental Sustainability.
- Working knowledge and familiarity of the proposed beneficiaries of the program.
- Working knowledge and familiarity with the Rules of Law and Ethics.
- Knowledge of Finance and experience with disbursement of monies.
Meeting Schedule
The BCA will meet a minimum of every other month and will meet more frequently as necessary to evaluate cases of need.