COATESVILLE, PA — The Alliance for Health Equity has awarded $350,000 to 16 nonprofit organizations through its 2026-27 Seed-and-Scale Match Fund, an initiative designed to expand investments in health, education, housing and economic opportunity across the Greater Coatesville area while leveraging additional philanthropic support.
The organization said every dollar contributed to the fund will be matched, allowing this year’s investment to grow to as much as $1.05 million if matching funds are secured.
The grants were announced Saturday during a community block party at AHE’s Brandywine Center, where more than 350 residents gathered as the organization launched celebrations marking its 25th anniversary. The event also recognized the first anniversary of Union Community Care as the Brandywine Center’s primary healthcare provider.
The funding supports programs across five focus areas: health access, education, economic stability, social and community services, and neighborhood development.
The largest grants include $40,000 awards to Chester County OIC for its Workforce Reintegration Program and Friends Association for its 5 STEPS to Self-Sufficient Housing initiative. Educational Equity Alliance and Open Hearth each received $35,000, while The Bridge Academy was awarded $30,000 and Coatesville Youth Initiative received $25,000.
Additional grants include $20,000 awards to The Parkesburg Point, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and Believe & Achieve Foundation. Union Community Care, Coatesville Center for Community Health and Max’s Kicks for Kids each received $15,000, while the Maternal and Child Health Consortium, Crime Victims Center of Chester County, Mitzvah Circle and Community Warehouse Project of Chester County each received $10,000.
According to the Alliance for Health Equity, the funded organizations will expand school-based healthcare, workforce development, housing assistance, food access, youth programming and family support services throughout the Coatesville area.
“We’ve partnered with other local funders and philanthropists to unlock community support,” Alliance for Health Equity President and CEO Kevin Ressler said. “Matching every gift means everyone can be a philanthropist.”
The organization is seeking public donations to the Seed-and-Scale Match Fund to increase this year’s awards. Information about the program and participating organizations is available at https://alliancehealthequity.org/seed-and-scale-2026/, while donations can be made at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026seed-and-scale/.
Saturday’s event also featured more than 25 local vendors, live music, children’s activities and a community vote that awarded a $500 grant to a nonprofit selected by attendees. The Alliance for Health Equity also distributed 200 LeakAlertors and household kitchen items to residents.
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