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Partners in Purpose

TFEC + TheBurg: Partners in Purpose is a community-centered opportunity designed to elevate the stories of local nonprofits doing meaningful work in Dauphin and Cumberland counties. Through this program, three nonprofits will be selected by a community-based committee to be featured in an in-depth story in TheBurg’s print and digital publications in 2026. Written by TheBurg’s in-house journalists, each feature will highlight the nonprofit’s mission, impact and role in strengthening our region, while increasing visibility with more than 20,000 readers across South Central Pennsylvania. This opportunity is offered at no cost to participating organizations with support from TFEC.

Timeline

  • Applications open Feb. 18, 2026.
  • Applications must be received by March 27, 2026.
  • Selected applicants will be notified by April 15, 2026.
  • Stories will be promoted in TheBurg throughout the remainder of 2026.

 

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How to Apply

To apply, please log on to TFEC’s grant portal https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=tfec to complete the Partners in Purpose application. If you do not already have an account created in the TFEC grant portal, please create a new account by using your email address and creating a password.

To locate the Partners in Purpose application in the grant portal, please click on APPLY at the top of your Dashboard and search for the Partners in Purpose 2026 Opportunity. If you encounter issues with your application, please email grants@tfec.org.

Please complete the application by the March 27th deadline.

Grant Eligibility
  • Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
  • Eligible nonprofits must be located in Cumberland or Dauphin County
  • Eligible nonprofits must offer services to the residents of Cumberland or Dauphin County
  • Eligible nonprofits must have an annual revenue of $2.5 million or less
What to Expect if You Are Selected

Nonprofits selected for TFEC + TheBurg: Partners in Purpose should be prepared to participate in the storytelling and engagement process actively.

If selected, organizations can expect to:

  • Work with a reporter from TheBurg to share their nonprofit’s story, mission and community impact
  • Participate in an interview and respond to questions promptly to meet publication deadlines
  • Provide high-quality photos, logos and graphics to support the feature story
  • Review basic factual information for accuracy as part of the editorial process
  • Attend TheBurg Bash on Sept. 3 and TFEC’s Inspire & Ignite celebration on Nov. 16 to help celebrate and amplify the partnership

This program is designed to be collaborative and respectful of each organization’s time, while ensuring stories are published on schedule and supported through community engagement opportunities.

Community Selection Committee

The selection committee is comprised of the following individuals.

 

  • Rachel Alden, director of consumer digital, Sheetz
  • Larry Binda, co-owner, TheBurg
  • John Lovastik, attorney, JAL Law Group
  • Keaton Macut, partner, Asset Strategy Retirement Plan Consultants
  • Lauren Maurer, co-owner, TheBurg
  • Paige Shoppe, communications manager, Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC

 

If you are interested in volunteering with The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), please complete this form.

For over 100 years, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) has been supporting the philanthropic interests of donors who want to effect change in their communities.

Our mission is to inspire giving by partnering with donors to achieve their charitable goals and to strengthen our local communities by investing in them now and for future generations.

Paramount to our mission is the practice of handling donated assets and the creation of permanent funds, investment and grantmaking for the benefit of local nonprofits and the furtherment of its goals within the community it serves.

TheBurg is Central Pennsylvania’s community news organization, offering a free monthly print publication and daily online coverage focused on the greater Harrisburg region. The print issues are published monthly, typically a day or two before the beginning of the month. They distribute copies of TheBurg to more than 500 locations in the greater Harrisburg area, including in Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Adams and Perry counties. Their current print magazine circulation is 20,000+.

Over more than 17 years, TheBurg has built a reputation for quality reporting, writing and design as they serve the community in south central Pennsylvania.