the Community Coalition MISSION
We are much more than a financial umbrella.
The Community Coalition is an innovative model of collaboration among five non-profit organizations in southeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to fundraising together and sharing resources so that expenses are cut and more donor money can go directly to programs. Our member organizations are represented as members of our Board of Directors, and we all decide by consensus how dollars are raised and spent.
The Coalition grew out of an understanding that by collaborating instead of competing – both in fundraising and in programming – the community, the individual organizations, and the donors would be best served. It’s a model that makes good sense and provides value to the organizations beyond simple dollars.
OUR vision
The Community Coalition strives to leverage every dollar raised so that the investment made to the member organizations helps to accomplish the valuable work they do every day. Since 1991, this unique approach has brought together organizations doing very different work while sharing these key and unshakable values:
Celebrating every human life and striving to treat every person with respect and dignity.
Believing in community—in neighbor helping neighbor—to make a safer, healthier and more enriching place to live for everyone.
Recognizing that working together to ensure unduplicated and full spectrum services offers the greatest benefit to all.
Organizational Values:
Community
The Community Coalition recognizes the importance of the Southeastern Pennsylvania community in all that we do. We believe in neighbor helping neighbor, making the community a safer, healthier, and more enriching place for everyone. Our work seeks to build a sense of community and cooperation among all of our constituents – from donors to volunteers to member organizations and the people they work with to the community at large.
Efficiency
The Community Coalition structure reduces costs. Member organizations work closely with the people they serve and donors know that more of their dollar goes where it is needed most. Distributions to member organizations are unrestricted allowing them to determine the best use of funds.
Collaboration
The Community Coalition member organizations are mutually invested in each other’s success. The nature of our work and relationships fosters sharing, trust, and support and we are all stronger because of our affiliation.
Humanity
The Community Coalition celebrates all members of our community, embracing diversity by valuing all individuals and respecting each one without label or prejudice. Our work values the dignity and contributions of all.
OUR history
The Community Coalition has 5 member organizations and community supporters that raise funds together to advance each of their missions.
Established in 1991, The Coalition grew out of an understanding that by collaborating instead of competing – both in fundraising and in programming – the community, the individual organizations, and the donors would be best served. This creative approach combines efficient business practices with the commitment to furthering the diverse work of its member organizations.
1991 ‒ Citizen Advocacy, Open Hearth, and Orion Communities agreed to come together and create the “Coalition model”
1992 ‒ First fundraising events in Philadelphia and New York
1995 ‒ Received 501(c)3 charitable status from the State of Pennsylvania and hosted our first Washington, D.C. fundraising event
1996 ‒ Joan Rivers hosts her first of many Chester County Auctions for us
1999 ‒ Our Young Friends Program in Philadelphia and our Tomorrow’s Leaders in NYC launches
2000 ‒ Launched our first website and reached a benchmark of distributing $1 million to our member organizations
2001 ‒ Walter Cronkite narrated our first of two marketing videos
2003 ‒ Association for the Colonial Theatre becomes a member and first Palm Beach fundraiser that continues today. Casper Weinberger kicked off his first of several Business Speaker Luncheons
2005 ‒ PAPA (Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives) becomes our latest member organization and we successfully launch an endowment campaign
2006 ‒ Celebrated 15th Anniversary at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia
2007 ‒ Hired an Executive Director
2009 ‒ The first Scavenger Hunt
2011 ‒ 20th Anniversary Gala at The Foundry in Phoenixville
2014 ‒ Since inception, $6 million distributed to our member organizations
2016 ‒ 25th Anniversary Gala with Downton Abbey theme
2019 ‒ Finance Policy refined to provide more structure to our member organizations and stability to the Community Coalition and started The Immortals Legacy Program
2021 ‒ Over $8.6 million distributed to date to our member organizations and 30th Anniversary Gala at the Union League of Philadelphia
1991 ‒ Citizen Advocacy, Open Hearth, and Orion Communities agreed to come together and create the “Coalition model”
1992 ‒ First fundraising events in Philadelphia and New York
1995 ‒ Received 501(c)3 charitable status from the State of Pennsylvania and hosted our first Washington, D.C. fundraising event
1996 ‒ Joan Rivers hosts her first of many Chester County Auctions for us
1999 ‒ Our Young Friends Program in Philadelphia and our Tomorrow’s Leaders in NYC launches
2000 ‒ Launched our first website and reached a benchmark of distributing $1 million to our member organizations
2001 ‒ Walter Cronkite narrated our first of two marketing videos
2003 ‒ Association for the Colonial Theatre becomes a member and first Palm Beach fundraiser that continues today. Casper Weinberger kicked off his first of several Business Speaker Luncheons
2005 ‒ PAPA (Phoenixville Area Positive Alternatives) becomes our latest member organization and we successfully launch an endowment campaign
2006 ‒ Celebrated 15th Anniversary at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia
2007 ‒ Hired an Executive Director
2009 ‒ The first Scavenger Hunt
2011 ‒ 20th Anniversary Gala at The Foundry in Phoenixville
2014 ‒ Since inception, $6 million distributed to our member organizations
2016 ‒ 25th Anniversary Gala with Downton Abbey theme
2019 ‒ Finance Policy refined to provide more structure to our member organizations and stability to the Community Coalition and started The Immortals Legacy Program
2021 ‒ Over $8.6 million distributed to date to our member organizations and 30th Anniversary Gala at the Union League of Philadelphia