CATALIZING
CHANGE
The Wyomissing Foundation has created positive change in the Greater Reading Area for nearly 100 years, through its strategic leadership, collaboration and grantmaking.
WHAT WE DO
Founded in 1926, The Wyomissing Foundation is a private foundation that uses its resources to serve as a catalytic agent, creating community impact that goes beyond providing financial support to nonprofit organizations. We provide thought leadership on critical community issues, develop and support place-based coalitions and engage in community-wide collaborations and initiatives. In addition, we provide critically needed financial support through grants made for charitable purposes to address issues in health and human services, arts, education, environment, and community development.
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Working with residents and local organizations rooted in critical neighborhoods in and around the City of Reading, we strategically support community development, educational and cultural initiatives with the objective of enhancing the quality of life and building the wealth of marginalized, underserved individuals and families residing there.
GRANT MAKING
We annually invest charitable grants in nonprofit organizations to fund new programs or projects, expand or enhance effective existing programs or projects, support organizational development and capacity building, support capital campaigns, and provide general operating support to organizations (in limited situations.
Health &
Human
Resources
Community
Development
Education
The
Arts
The
Environment
WHAT WE FUND
The Wyomissing Foundation invites submission of grant proposals and respectfully requests that organizations seeking funding carefully review the grant purpose and process information published on this website.
THE HISTORY OF THE WYOMISSING FOUNDATION
The Wyomissing Foundation owes much to many remarkable people and their noteworthy accomplishments of the past. The foundation was established in 1926 by the founders of the Wyomissing Industries, which was comprised of Textile Machine Works, Berkshire Knitting Mills, and Narrow Fabric Company. The vast business enterprise employed 9,000 workers in its heyday and was home to the largest full-fashioned stocking mill in the world. The foundation was formed to deliver on the values of the founders to give back to the community by supporting various charitable endeavors in the community. The Wyomissing Foundation of today is proud to benefit from the legacy of Anna and Ferdinand Thun by continuing to positively impact the Greater Reading community in such meaningful ways.