The Wyomissing Foundation

The Wyomissing Foundation was established in 1927 by Ferdinand Thun, Henry Janssen, and Gustav  Oberlaender, German industrialists who founded and operated successful businesses in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The Wyomissing Industries, as their business ventures were called, included  Textile Machine Works, the Narrow Fabric Company, and the Berkshire Knitting Mills. 

Philanthropy and good citizenship have always been recognized as hallmarks of the Foundation.  Today, its mission continues to be carried out by community leaders and Thun family members,  descendants of Ferdinand and Anna Thun, the leading developers of the Foundation. 

In keeping with the vision of the founders, the work of The Wyomissing Foundation continues to  have a positive and meaningful impact on initiatives that improve the quality of life in the  communities it serves. 

The Wyomissing Foundation is a private Foundation established in Berks County, Pennsylvania and  formed for the promotion of such charitable, scientific, literary and educational activities as the  Trustees of the Foundation in their discretion may select.  

• We use our vision, leadership and resources to address a broad spectrum of critical  community needs in order to create measurable impact 

• We are proactive in our grant making and are interested in investing in the sustainability of  community initiatives 

• We promote social justice through our grant making and seek grants that address the  pressing needs of those most vulnerable 

• We seek out organizations or individuals who have the vision and skills to impact critical  community issues, especially for those whose voices are not often heard 

• We will be a catalyst to mobilize others to invest in critical community issues 

• We identify the strengths of communities where impact can be meaningful and effective and  we design initiatives that build from these strengths 

• We value diversity, which brings multiple perspectives to enrich our work and our  community; work toward equity in access to resources and the opportunity for all to achieve  their full potential; and believe that inclusive practices serve to recognize and welcome  differences, not diminish or suppress them 

Website: https://wyomissingfoundation.org

The Wyomissing Foundation’s work with The Harwood Institute

  • After the Reading Thriving, Together report was released, The Wyomissing Foundation  joined a coalition of local funders to support a two-year community initiative. 

  • Previous experience with the Institute while working on staff of the United Way of Berks  County.

PAT GILES

President

Pat has held various volunteer and professional nonprofit leadership positions in Berks County and beyond. Before joining The Wyomissing Foundation staff in 2017, she spent 17 years at United Way of Berks County as Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. Prior to that, she spent five years as Director of Grants and Programs at Berks County Community Foundation. She currently serves as a Trustee of Alvernia University and as a Board member of Berks Community Health Center. She previously provided Board leadership to a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Junior League of Reading, Association of Junior Leagues International and Planned Parenthoods of Berks County and Northeast PA.

 

KAREN RIGHTMIRE

Immediate Past President | Chief Strategy Officer

Karen has had a long career in the health and human service field. She served as the Executive Director of the Community Child Care Program and later the Executive Director of Community and Human Services under the BCIU and the President of United Way of Berks County, holding both positions for approximately 20 years each. She has served on the Albright College Board of Trustees, the VIST Bank Board, the Reading Hospital Board and currently sits on the Tower Health Board and the Reading Hospital Foundation Board.