EMMAUS, Pa. — When he became a borough councilman in 2019, John Hart realized there was a big limitation to what the local government could do to pursue desired projects.
“The borough is not permitted by law to solicit donations for desirable projects outside of the budgeted tax base,” Hart said.
So he started conversations with council members Chris DeFrain and Chad Balliet to find ways outside of the local government to grow what they could do for the community.
Now, Hart leads a new nonprofit filled with familiar faces in Emmaus politics and businesses. It's looking to fund ambitions local government would not be able to do on its own.
The Emmaus Community Foundation was founded and incorporated in 2022; since then it's recruited support and sought 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
According to its website, it seeks to “connect passionate donors with meaningful local causes” that are “investing in the future of Emmaus.”
Its members include business leaders, such as Dustin Grim of Schantz Funeral Home and attorney Janie Slamon, as well as current and former council members like DeFrain, Balliet and Hart.
Borough manager Shane Pepe serves as an ex officio member without a vote. He provided assistance in getting the initiative off the ground.
The full list of board members can be viewed on the Emmaus Community Foundation website.
Hart, who serves as chair of the board and president, said the group's first goal would be to fulfill the township's comprehensive plans for updating and renovating its parks.
He said the inability to ask for donations for initiatives can be frustrating, but forming an external foundation can be a way around that to do future projects that can't make it into the borough budget.
Desired fundraising grants are listed on the foundation's projects page, and also include preservation work for historic properties in the borough and arts projects.
Hart, retired senior vice president of operations at Lehigh Valley Health Network, said some funds are donated for general use while others are earmarked for specific goals. Donations can be made via the nonprofit's website.
Currently, the only completed project listed on the website is the $4,600 financing of new furniture for the borough's recently renovated Central Station for fire and EMS.
“We know there's a lot of costs that are going on with road construction, the sewer system, the water issues that we have here.”Chris DeFrain
“We know there's a lot of costs that are going on with road construction, the sewer system, the water issues that we have here,” former councilman DeFrain said.
“So realistically, we know that there's just no way some of these things you're going to get funded unless we get private residents or businesses to step up and hopefully have a passion for some of the things that are happening in Emmaus.”
Defrain noted the park plans, with all of its “neat and cool ideas” may not be implemented if their funding is based on the budget alone.
“That's the main area we're going to focus on first, the parks, because a lot of work has already been done in the background on that.”
Majordonors listed already for the nonprofit include Comcast, Schantz Funeral Home and Kappe Associates.
“I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to each and every one of you sitting here and taking your time to come here and put your time and resources into this project,” Councilman Roy Anders said.
“It's exciting that you have that much desire for the community. So thank you for your time, your energy, and your commitments.”
