December 2020
Strategic Response Team
Technical Assistance Working Group

The Strategic Response Team (SRT) launched in the wake of COVID19 to provide a rapid, informed, and coordinated approach to assessing community need and quickly allocating dollars to the areas of greatest need. Soon afterwards, the SRT spun out a Technical Assistance Working Group to ensure area non-profit organizations have the specialized resources, information, and support they need to continue operations and respond to rapidly changing community needs. The TA Working Group is a community collaboration consisting of representatives from funding organizations, local government, grassroots community organizations, health networks, community health and non-profit organizations who bring their varied perspectives to the table to create the most effective impact.
Nonprofit Survey Update
Thank you to everyone who has filled out the State of Lehigh Valley Nonprofits’ Survey. As of November 30, 2020, we had received 80+ responses from organizations working all across the Lehigh Valley, in every budget category, providing for a wide spectrum of needs. The data from this survey will be used to help inform the Technical Assistance Team of the highest priorities across the nonprofit organizations. The survey will remain open until December 10th and if you have not already filled out the survey, we appreciate your responses and insights. Click the button below to do that.
Community Conversations
In response to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, the Strategic Response Team will be reinitiating the Community Conversations in a similar format that was used at the onset of COVID-19. These conversations are designed to bring the nonprofit sector together to be informed on up to date key issues impacting our community and specifically the nonprofit sector. Each of the calls will be moderated and will feature local experts in key areas such as health, government and education. Nonprofits are encouraged to attend. The December meetings are scheduled as follows:
  • Tuesday, December 8th 4:00-5:30PM (Register using the link below)
  • Monday, December 14th 4:00-5:30PM (Registration link to come)
COVID-19 Updates
The Lehigh Valley has officially seen over 20,000 cases of COVID-19 since March, with over 8,000 new cases in Pennsylvania on 11/27, a record high for the state. The holiday season poses increased threats for the health and safety of Lehigh Valley residents, and we encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others. The Pennsylvania state government has imposed new restrictions, including quarantines for those travelling into PA, stronger restrictions on gathering limitations and increased compliance during in-person schooling. As always, the best ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a mask, social distance, and practice good hand hygiene.
Project Equity
This new initiative aims to bring together nonprofit stakeholders to create a common vision, values, and strategies for redesigning an equitable and sustainable nonprofit sector in light of COVID-19. Project Equity centers the community’s experience in producing solutions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic that explicitly focus on social justice. The project is jointly managed between the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The lead consultant on this project is FACES International and the Learning and Evaluation consultant is TCC Group.