Community Action Lehigh Valley Receives $100K Grant, Honored at Musikfest

BETHLEHEM, PA – August 14, 2023 – Local anti-poverty nonprofit Community Action Lehigh Valley (Community Action) has received a $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support its housing counseling, financial coaching, small business and neighborhood revitalization programs. Community Action’s Executive Director, Dawn Godshall, was recognized at Musikfest for the organization’s work to improve the quality of life for people in the Lehigh Valley, the region’s largest free music festival.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to Wells Fargo for their transformative grant to Community Action Lehigh Valley,” said Godshall. “This contribution, a part of a remarkable six-year commitment through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program (PA NPP), empowers Community Action to drive economic progress in our region. Wells Fargo’s commitment to community enrichment is exactly the kind of partnership that helps Community Action to do the great work that we do."

Wells Fargo Greater Pennsylvania Regional Branch Network Executive, Laura Haffner, presented the grant to Community Action and thanked them for their work to advance economic opportunity in the region.

“As the Bank of Doing, Wells Fargo takes action to put people and communities first and has long supported Community Action Lehigh Valley,” said Haffner. “And ‘doing’ goes far beyond the investments we make. It is the sum of the impact we have when we work together to tackle societal challenges. Community Action gets this – they make our community stronger, and we are proud to support them in their efforts.”

A portion of the $100,000 donation is part of a six-year $300,000 grant from Wells Fargo via the state of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Many of Community Action’s areas of impact – including housing and business start-up and develop – align with Wells Fargo’s community impact and philanthropic focus areas.

Because Musikfest is a celebration of art, community and partnership, the organizations utilized this platform to honor the service and deep impact of Community Action. In addition to today’s presentation at Festplatz tent, Wells Fargo community bank branch employees were onsite throughout the festival distributing fans and keeping event-goers cool.