On May 20, 2026, Berks County Community Foundation hosted its annual scholarship luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Reading. The luncheon gathers scholarship recipients, scholarship fundholders and donors, award judges and reviewers, as well as local high school, college, and university leadership.
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, Berks County Community Foundation manages more than 130 scholarship funds. This year, $800,950 was distributed from those funds to deserving scholarship recipients.
Individuals who received scholarships range in age and degree of academic rigor. Students pursuing degrees and certificates from trade schools, undergraduate programs, and postgraduate programs were in attendance. The 2026 Berks’ Best winners, which are graduating high school seniors who achieve excellence in academia, civic life, and their chosen fields of study, were also acknowledged. Kutztown University President, Dr. Philip Cavalier, delivered the keynote speech. Cavalier urged students to remain open-minded and present throughout their academic journeys.
“This year’s distribution of scholarships is one of the foundation’s largest yet,” says Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer. “We are committed to nurturing the minds of Berks County residents and engaging the community throughout the scholarship process. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and the individuals who volunteer their time to read applications.”
Since inception, Berks County Community Foundation has distributed more than $15,500,950 in scholarships.
