News

Dare to Declare will launch Masterworks 3: Made in America performance at Longwood Gardens in honor of America’s 250th anniversary WEST CHESTER, PA — The Brandywine Valley Symphony’s season finale on June 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Open Air Theater of Longwood Gardens will begin with a powerful Dare to Declare reading of the Declaration of Independence, inviting concertgoers to join community leaders in reading the nation’s founding document aloud together. With an expected 1,000 participants, it will be the largest public reading of the Declaration in the region. Led by the Chester County Community Foundation, Dare to Declare… Read More »

(West Chester, PA – April 13, 2026): The Chester County Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Jennifer Ermilio, Esq., of Buckley Brion McGuire & Morris LLP, as its newest member of the Board of Directors. Jennifer is a partner in the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group, where she focuses on interactive estate planning designed to give her clients confidence and peace of mind as they plan for the future. In her legal practice, Jennifer works closely with individuals and families to develop thoughtful, customized estate plans that reflect their values and long-term goals. Her collaborative approach emphasizes clarity, education,… Read More »

Community invited to attend screenings, watch the film online, and read the Declaration of Independence aloud during America250 WEST CHESTER, PA – April 13, 2026 The Chester County Community Foundation is proud to announce that its short documentary, Dare to Declare: Local Voices Reading the Declaration of Independence, will be featured at three regional film festivals in Spring 2026, bringing this Chester County civic storytelling project to audiences across the region. The film has been accepted to the 2026 West Chester Film Festival in the Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker category, the 2026 Neumann Inspires Film Festival in the Best Documentary category,… Read More »

The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum (NISHM) has announced Karen Simmons, President and CEO of the Chester County Community Foundation, as the recipient of the 20th Annual Rebecca Lukens Award. Simmons is being recognized for her longstanding leadership, commitment to community philanthropy, and impact across Chester County. With over 25 years at the Foundation, she has guided its growth and helped distribute millions in grants and scholarships, strengthening local nonprofits and initiatives. The award honors individuals who embody the leadership and resilience of Rebecca Lukens, a pioneering industrialist. Simmons will be celebrated at an event in May at the… Read More »

Funds benefit Chester County student to “help residents learn traditional trades” to preserve our historical heritage (WEST CHESTER, PA – March 10, 2026): Natalie Anne Wescott Leaf, born in 1903, was a West Chester native and lifelong Chester County resident.  She believed in the value of education to raise awareness and develop skills, spending 42 years teaching elementary school art. In the 1960’s Natalie set out to restore her parents’ 19th century home at 26 West Union Street in the borough of West Chester. She was dismayed to find a lack of craftsmen and artisans capable of the restoration work… Read More »