About

After the sale of the Berwick Hospital from nonprofit to for-profit ownership, the Berwick Health & Wellness Foundation was created with a $28 million endowment to continue charitable impact in the Berwick community.

Through the thoughtful decision of our visionary founders, the original Foundation transitioned to a regional community foundation. The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation’s mission included a broader footprint across five and a half counties to serve a variety of charitable needs and issue areas.

Seventeen students from Berwick Area High School participated in the launch of the Youth in Philanthropy program, exposing young leaders to philanthropic giving, community needs, and the grantmaking process. (In 2025, the program reached a regional milestone, including all public schools across the region, 20 school groups, and over 250 students.)

The Foundation proudly achieved national accreditation through the Council on Foundations’ National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, recognizing the highest levels of transparency, accountability, ethical practice, and financial stewardship in philanthropy. (While not required, we remain accredited to this day!)

The Foundation led sustainability and recovery efforts in the wake of COVID-19, distributing over $650,000 through the Disaster Relief Fund and partnering with other agencies to distribute state and federal funding. In December, the Foundation also revealed a new brand and name—Community Giving Foundation—celebrating the community's philanthropic spirit and collective impact.

2024 marked 25 years of community giving through the Foundation, a journey of growth made possible through affiliate partnerships, generous donors, dedicated nonprofits, and our visionary leaders. Over its history, the Foundation has distributed over $50 million across the region to create lasting impact through 350+ unique charitable funds.

In practical terms, this asset milestone signals long-term strength, credibility, and opportunity to serve the region at a much larger scale. As the Foundation celebrates this accomplishment, we remain committed to building and managing our community endowment to meet local needs—today, tomorrow, and forever.