Mayor John Linder addresses Grant Makers

Hon. Mayor John Linder spoke to a full room of foundation representatives interested in learning about plans for Chester City’s future and potentially making grants available for the revitalization of Chester City emphasizing, “…growth through an understanding of how each facet of the community feeds the other and makes possible its survival from homes to industry and in between.” 

 The funder briefing on Chester City, hosted by Delaware Valley Grantmakers and The Delaware County Community Foundation, sponsored by Widener University, The HBE Foundation, and Wells Fargo Bank, featured expert panelists previously and currently facilitating programs for citizens throughout the city. Following an in depth opening by Mayor Linder depicting the needs assessment for the city and his overall twenty first century vision for its progress, Jim Turner, Director of Marketing for the Chester Water Authority’s Business Development and Government Relations Team, moderated the panel and subsequent Q&A session. Expert speakers included Cheryl Cunningham, head of the Chester Education Foundation, Steven Fischer, Executive Director of The Chester Housing Authority, Carl Montoya, a federal employee and member of the Chester SC2(Strong Cities Strong Communities) Team with an extensive career in intergovernmental affairs, Janet Riley Ford, Director of the Chester Youth Collaborative and native of Chester, and Doreen Storey, Executive Director of the United Way of Southeast Delaware County, also a native of Chester. Each speaker gave an in depth view of their respective organization and its significance to the Chester community. 

Jim Turner, also a devoted member of the Chester Community and its spiritual leadership, began the panel with a history and cross section of the landscape and its inhabitants and concluded with his message for all Grantmakers present, “Chester is stable, but fragile. The opportunity and ability to solidify and sustain is here.” 

 Delaware Valley Grantmakers (DVG) is a membership association of nearly 150 institutional and individual funders dedicated to building stronger communities in the greater Philadelphia region by increasing the impact and effectiveness of philanthropy. DVG brings together community, civic and philanthropic leaders to address common issues and strengthen the collective power of the region's grant making. For more information about DVG, please visit www.dvg.org.

Delaware County Community Foundation supports charitable giving in Delaware County through grant making, charitable vehicles, fund management and community resources and supports non-profit organizations through seminars to help build capacity.  We believe that a vibrant philanthropic spirit enhances the quality of life for everyone in Delaware County.  We connect people who care with causes that matter.  For more information about DCCF, visit www.delcocf.org.