Hellman Foundation (San Francisco, CA)

The Hellman Foundation has announced its latest strategic investment as it accelerates its funding and prepares to close its doors by 2034. The multi-year investment, which has provided $12.5 million in grants to date, aims to support the transformation of parks and green spaces in Richmond, California.

The public-private partnership is funded by the Hellman Foundation and led by the Richmond Park Equity Project (RichPEP), a collaborative of community organizations, parks and open space advocates, private philanthropy, the City of Richmond, and technical experts. RichPEP brings together residents and city staff working together in new ways to address gaps in park services and to ensure that Richmond’s parks are high-quality, well-maintained, and well-used.

Launched in 2023, RichPEP completed its first phase of work in 2025 and is now entering Phase Two of its multi-year plan. In this phase, collaborative members will:

  1. Launch vibrant programs at key park locations across Richmond that engage the community and build support for local parks;
  2. Advance community-led park design processes and construction plans at Lucas Park, MLK Park and Community Center, the Richmond Greenway, and Nicholl Park to inform future park improvements; and
  3. Develop and advance recommendations for new policies and procedures to support long-term park maintenance and capital improvements.

The following partners are working together to advance park equity in Richmond:

  1. Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
  2. City of Richmond
  3. Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia’s Office
  4. East Bay Pickleball Association
  5. East Bay Regional Park District
  6. FIERCE Advocates
  7. Healthy & Active Before 5 (HAB45)
  8. Hellman Foundation
  9. PlaceWorks
  10. Pogo Park
  11. Rich City Rides
  12. Rising Juntos
  13. Trust for Public Land
  14. Urban Tilth
  15. YES Nature to Neighborhoods

For more information about the Richmond Park Equity Project, visit richpep.org.

Pottstown Regional Community Foundation (Pottstown, PA)

The Pottstown Regional Community Foundation (PRCF) launched its 2026 Spring Grant Round. The foundation began accepting applications on March 1, 2026.

Key dates for the grants cycle include:

  • March 1—Spring 2026 Grant Cycle opens
  • March 31—Spring 2026 Grant Cycle closes 11:59 pm
  • April – May—Submitted grants under review
  • After June 1—Grant notifications sent out

For more information about grants, click here.

In addition, the Pottstown Regional Public Library (PRPL) has established a $150,000 endowment through the PRCF to provide long-term support for library services and programs. The fund will be known as the Clayton M. Ryce Endowment, honoring his long service to the library and will benefit the Pottstown Regional Public Library for generations to come. The endowment was established with a unanimous vote from the PRPL board of directors at the September board meeting.

Contact: Samuel Mirarchi at 610.323.2006 or SMirarchi@PottstownFoundation.org.

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