WSFS CARES Foundation Provides $15,000 in Grants to Seven Local Nonprofits in Conjunction with the Satell Institute CEO Conference

The WSFS CARES Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WSFS Bank, recently announced it has provided $15,000 in grants to be split among seven local nonprofit organizations as part of the Satell Institute’s recent CEO Conference “Impact 2022: A New Era in CSR.”

As Chair of this year’s CEO Conference, Rodger Levenson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSFS, committed to donating to various attending nonprofits.

Loree D. Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Philabundance, and Alan J. Cohn, CFP, Co-President, Co-Founder of Sage Financial Group, were given the opportunity to select the grant awardees and chose the following organizations:

Chester County Food Bank (Exton, Pa.) – $5,000

The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization serving more than 160 partner agencies in Chester County, Pa. Through its network of food cupboards, hot meal sites, shelters, and other social service organizations, it distributes over 3.5 million pounds of food to neighbors with limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

“As we continue to face rising costs and rising need in Chester County, we are thankful for the support of our community, and specifically our business community partners like WSFS, Satell Institute and Philabundance,” said Andrea Youndt, Chief Executive Officer of Chester County Food Bank. “Together, we can make an impact and support our food insecure children, seniors and families in their time of need.”

Philabundance (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $5,000

Philabundance was founded in 1984 with the simple belief that no one should go hungry while healthy food goes to waste. Its mission is to drive hunger from our communities today and to end hunger for good. Philabundance works with over 350 agency partners in 9 counties to provide food to people who need it.

African American Chamber of Commerce (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $1,000

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ and DE (AACC) is the leading advocate for minority owned business in the Delaware Valley and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to enhance the growth and effectiveness of African-American owned businesses in the Delaware Valley, and thereby, to improve the economic conditions within the regional African-American community. It’s primary goal is to further the interests of businesses by responding to the needs of the business community and serving as an advocate for the purpose of increasing economic opportunities for the African-American community.

Coded By Kids (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $1,000

Coded by Kids, a tech education nonprofit, focuses on providing young people aged 8 to 18 years old from underrepresented groups with software development, digital design, computer science, and tech startup-focused entrepreneurship programs. Its programs are designed to provide young people of all backgrounds with beginner to advanced level tech skills in areas where the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion are the greatest. It focuses on preparing students for career and entrepreneurship opportunities with significant earning and growth potential.

Make the World Better Foundation (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $1,000

Make the World Better Foundation (MTWB) was founded in 2013 by Connor Barwin, and his mom Margaret Bailey, during his first season playing in Philadelphia. In 2018, MTWB merged with partner organization Urban Roots. MTWB connects people and inspires stewardship through public space revitalization projects. It designs with and for the community—pushing beyond typical play space design, and has built community garden plots and a media lab, painted murals and all of its projects have included green stormwater infrastructure.

PAR-Recycle Works (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $1,000

PAR-Recycle Works is a nonprofit electronics recycler that provides transitional employment to people returning from prison. The organization deconstructs electronics and destroys data to generate revenue and pay its employees. By providing its employees with skills and opportunities, PAR-Recycle Works helps to build safer communities and contribute to stronger families while saving taxpayer money.

Philadelphia Youth Basketball (Philadelphia, Pa.) – $1,000

Philadelphia Youth Basketball (PYB) is a community-built youth empowerment organization that leverages the iconic game of basketball to help today’s urban youth overcome the most urgent and systemic issues facing underserved communities. Built of, by, for, and with the communities it serves, PYB’s unique equity-building model combines engaging group activities and Sport & Society modules with real-world life lessons – from health and wellness to personal growth and leadership. This holistic approach to youth development hinges on the accessible, culturally credible Coach-Mentors at PYB, many of whom come from the same neighborhoods and circumstances as the young people they serve.

“During my first opportunity to participate in a Satell Institute program, I was struck by far more than the caliber of corporate and civic leaders in the room,” said Kenny Holdsman, Co-founder and CEO of Philadelphia Youth Basketball. “The quality of learning through tabletop conversations, plenary session panels, and of course the informal networking was of high value and filled with candor and generosity of spirit. I look forward to becoming more deeply involved with the work and mission of the Satell Institute. We would also like to thank Alan Cohn for selecting Philadelphia Youth Basketball as one of the organizations receiving this generous contribution from WSFS.”

“It was an honor to serve as Chair of this year’s Satell Institute CEO Conference, and we thank and congratulate Loree and Alan for their contributions in making the conference a success,” said Levenson. “We are proud to provide grants to these seven deserving nonprofits whose work closely aligns with the core tenets of the WSFS CARES Foundation by investing in improving communities and fostering a spirit of inclusion and diversity.”