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How Centre Foundation is Rethinking Philanthropy for Centre County’s Future 

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This article originally appeared in The Centre Daily Times on December 9, 2024, written by Melissa Saenz-Lopata

Let’s start with a truism, one that feels increasingly urgent: philanthropy is changing. Not in the abstract but at a boots-on-the-ground level where community needs evolve faster than many organizations can pivot. And here’s the thing about community foundations—they’re no longer just passive vessels for charitable dollars or endowments focused solely on building wealth. Instead, they’ve become the eyes and ears of their communities, hyper-attuned to challenges and opportunities while connecting donors, nonprofits, and public and private entities to drive meaningful impact.

Centre Foundation exemplifies this transformation. Since its inception in 1981, the Foundation has awarded over $44 million in grants and scholarships to more than 1,200 organizations in Centre County. Now, with a new five-year strategic plan and refreshed brand identity, the Foundation is making a bold declaration: it doesn’t intend to merely keep up with change; it aims to lead it.

This isn’t a top-down recalibration. It’s a philosophy deeply rooted in listening—extensively and exhaustively—to the people who live and breathe Centre County’s needs. That sustained presence shaped four key priorities: creating lasting impact, strengthening nonprofits, accelerating growth, and enhancing capacity. These priorities will allow the Foundation to expand services, improve effectiveness, and build the resources needed to address both present challenges and future opportunities.

Centre Foundation is dedicated to making philanthropy accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of age or income. Through donor programs like Giving Circles, donor-advised funds, and Centre Gives—a 36-hour online giving event that raises millions annually for local nonprofits—the Foundation invites everyone to participate in creating meaningful change. Its reach is further amplified through volunteer opportunities, strategic partnerships, and training programs that nurture a thriving nonprofit ecosystem.

A shining example of the Foundation’s new visionary approach is the upcoming launch of a Press Forward chapter, made possible by a $1 million investment from the Knight Foundation. With local news outlets facing mounting challenges due to shifting financial models and dwindling resources, this transformative funding will revitalize local journalism. By building essential infrastructure, the new initiative aims to strengthen this vital resource—a cornerstone of keeping communities informed, connected, and empowered.

Molly Kunkel, the Foundation’s President and CEO, distills this work into one luminous sentence: “Centre Foundation’s new strategic plan reflects our shared commitment to a brighter, more inclusive future where every voice matters, and every person has the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and realize their full potential.”

The plan’s origins trace back seven years, to an unassuming coffee meeting between Board Chair Kate Bennett Truitt and Kunkel. What began as casual brainstorming grew into something far bigger.

“Kate and I realized how quickly the community around us was shifting,” Kunkel said. “We started asking: How do we not just react to these changes but get ahead of them? How do we build something sustainable and visionary for the future of this region?”

Bennett Truitt recalls, “That conversation evolved into an ambitious plan—one that didn’t shy away from hard questions, like ‘What gaps exist in nonprofit support? Where is equity falling short? How can relationships with donors and community leaders become true partnerships instead of transactions?”

By the time the Foundation formally embarked on its strategic planning process last year, the groundwork was already laid. Months of listening sessions with nonprofits, donors, volunteers, and community leaders followed, resulting in a plan guided by four transformational pillars, and steeped in aspiration.

If this sounds high-minded, consider the real, human stories it enables. Take Leslie Laing, a volunteer and community leader dedicated to creating more inclusive spaces in State College. She’s particularly energized by the Foundation’s new Equitable & Inclusive Communities Fund.

“This fund isn’t just about equity as a concept,” Laing said. “It’s about building the infrastructure to make it happen—supporting leaders who are equity-centered and expanding resources to underserved areas. It’s meaningful, actionable change.”

Or consider Greg Scott, CEO of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC). His organization recently unveiled its own strategic plan and sees Centre Foundation as a natural complement.

“The collaboration opportunities are incredible,” Scott noted. “This plan will elevate us all.”

The Foundation’s updated tagline, Inspiring a Community of Possibilities, and its reimagined logo—a swirl of vibrant colors evoking connection and growth—are more than aesthetic updates. They symbolize a shift in how the Foundation sees itself: as a dynamic partner, an innovator, and a bridge-builder.

What truly sets Centre Foundation apart is its willingness to embrace the complexity of modern philanthropy. The stakes are high, and the work isn’t easy. But the potential—to create communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive—is limitless.

For Centre Foundation’s staff and board, the hope is simple yet profound: that this plan doesn’t just move the needle but redefines what’s possible for Centre County.

And if the energy behind this effort is any indication, the community is ready to rise to the challenge.

If you live in Centre County and want to make a meaningful impact—whether as a donor, volunteer, or nonprofit seeking funding—visit centrefoundation.org to discover how you can collaborate with Centre Foundation to bring your vision to life.