Connections + Community
Every community in Pennsylvania faces tremendous challenges. While needs are increasing, civic leadership structures are often strained. In many communities, local community foundations are increasingly making connections, leveraging resources, encouraging partnerships, and bringing new ideas to town. This work helps us have an impact even greater than that made possible by our grantmaking dollars.
The first goal of PACFA is to create value-add learning opportunities to create connections and to build community within our membership. From this base, we will also find ways to act collectively. All of us, together, have a greater ability to influence legislation and public policy. All of us, together, can better encourage increased local philanthropy and broader philanthropic partnerships. All of us, together, can best address the challenges faced by our communities and by our Commonwealth.
Over time, you can expect a vibrant array of in-person and on-line training and capacity building materials. Please visit this website often and reach out to us with your ideas and comments.
Who's Behind the Scenes?
Mike Batchelor, President
Mike began his tenure as president of the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA) on July 1, 2021. Previously, he served as president of The Erie Community Foundation for 31 years. During his tenure, assets grew from $20 to $340 million. Named endowments increased from 53 to 900. He raised $415 million while overseeing grantmaking of $330 million.
His leadership transformed The Erie Community Foundation from a quiet and reactive grantmaker to a regional leader that is increasing access to health care and workforce training. He helped create Wayne School Based Health Care Center, Erie Women’s Fund and founded the Nonprofit Partnership, a significant capacity building project.
He established Erie Vital Signs, a key indicator project and Erie Gives, a very successful on-line giving day. Recently, he created the Susan Hirt Hagen Fund, and Center, for Transformational Philanthropy. This led to the establishment of Pennsylvania’s first new community college in decades and the expansion of Magee Women’s Research Institute from Pittsburgh to Erie.
Mike has on-site consulting experience with over 50 community foundations. He was an instructor for the Center for Community Foundation Excellence and was active in field-wide governance and continuing education. As president of PACFA he will help Pennsylvania community foundations connect, learn and, where appropriate, act collectively.
814.868.8930