Berks County organizations are among hundreds statewide receiving funding through Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), as part of a $70 million investment announced by the Shapiro Administration to support community revitalization and improve quality of life across the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development approved tax credit awards for 405 projects statewide during the 2025–26 funding cycle. The program provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations working in low-income or distressed communities.
According to state officials, continued funding for the NAP was secured in the 2025–26 state budget following a significant expansion of the program in recent years.
In Berks County, multiple projects across Reading and surrounding municipalities were approved, supporting initiatives focused on food security, housing, workforce development, education, public safety, and neighborhood improvement.
Several food access and nutrition-related projects received funding, including Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, which was awarded tax credits to support food purchases, distribution costs, and the continued development of its Community Kitchen and Annex in Reading. Additional funding will support Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc. for youth nutrition programs and meal distribution, as well as a “Food as Medicine” initiative through the Reading Hospital Foundation aimed at assisting food-insecure patients.
Affordable housing and homelessness prevention efforts were also supported. Habitat for Humanity of Berks County received funding to help construct eight new homes in Mohnton, while Our City Reading Inc. was awarded tax credits for renovations connected to the Helping Harvest Annex project, which will include Head Start classrooms, a playground, and space for additional community services. Safe Berks received funding to upgrade security and safety features at its confidential safe house.
Workforce development and education initiatives in Berks County were another focus of the funding. The Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation received support for a bilingual job training and education program, while the Kutztown University Foundation and Alvernia University were awarded tax credits for entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and small-dollar lending programs aimed at underserved residents. United Way of Berks County also received funding to support literacy tutoring efforts that pair high school students with younger readers.
Additional awards supported community beautification and neighborhood safety efforts, including a youth employment and beautification program operated by the 18th Wonder Improvement Association in Reading, and expansion projects at the Reading Science Center to increase classroom and public learning space.
State officials said the Neighborhood Assistance Program encourages public-private partnerships by offering businesses tax credits of up to 95 percent for contributions made to approved community projects. The program includes several components, including the Neighborhood Assistance Program, Neighborhood Partnership Program, Charitable Food Program, Special Program Priorities, and Enterprise Zone Program.
A full list of approved projects and tax credit awards for the Lehigh Valley region, including Berks County recipients, was released by DCED can be viewed here.
