03/31/2026
VIM and The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development 2026
We are seeking businesses to commit $5,000 and above per year and receive a 75% to 95% tax credit in return, depending on the program and length of commitment.
In the next few weeks, with the support and endorsement of our county’s, state and federal political officials, Volunteers in Medicine will be applying for Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Grants to better help the communities in Schuylkill County that we are already serving. Specifically, The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit (NAP), the Special Program Priorities (SPP), and the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP).
The goals of NAP are to provide resources to assist neighborhoods and communities with fiscal difficulties, encourage positive health outcomes, and address the safety and welfare of their residents.
As a result, NAP encourages communities to pursue and achieve fiscal well-being and self-sufficiency.
The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood.
Our organization provides vital healthcare services to the Pottsville community, yet our ability to sustain this mission is currently hindered by significant infrastructural instability.
The Problem: Housing Instability Currently, the Schuylkill Community Coalition(SCC) • VIM: High-quality healthcare for the uninsured. • The Beverly Mattson Memorial Food Bank: Feeding over 1,500 neighbors monthly. • H.E.L.P.: Providing essential medical equipment at no cost. • Bridges of Support: Navigating systemic and language barriers. • Allied Artists & Block of Art: lacks a permanent headquarters, and the VIM Clinic operates out of a facility that is slated to be sold.
While we have secured a two-year lease, this is a temporary bandage on a long-term problem. Without a permanent home, our ability to provide consistent, high-quality care to our neighbors is at risk.
The Solution A Five-Year Vision: We have developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to acquire and either build or renovate a dedicated facility. This building will serve as the permanent home for both VIM and the Coalition, ensuring healthcare equity and social support services remain anchored in Pottsville for decades to come.
The Proposal: Initializing the Plan We are requesting SPP Grant funding to transition our project from the planning phase to ex*****on. The first year of funding will be utilized to: • Professionalize Leadership: Transition the VIM CEO role from a volunteer position to a paid Part-Time or Full-Time position to oversee this large-scale capital project. • Expert Consultation: Hire a part-time consultant specializing in non-profit infrastructure to navigate the complexities of property acquisition and development. • Operational Milestones: * Identify and secure a suitable property within city limits. • Develop a comprehensive project budget and architectural feasibility study. • Launch Phase 1 of construction/renovation using initial grant disbursements.
Long-Term Sustainability Following the first year of the SPP Grant, we will utilize subsequent funding (years two through five) to complete the physical project. By securing a permanent location, we will eliminate the burden of rent and the threat of displacement, allowing 100% of our future fundraising to be reinvested directly into patient care and community programs. We look forward to the opportunity to discuss how this investment will not only stabilize VIM and the Coalition but also contribute to the revitalization of the City of Pottsville.
VIM will be focusing on the following projects.
Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) Projects are designed to improve access to job and economic opportunities, quality education, affordable housing, quality-of-life amenities, and other key factors in building healthy communities.
Special Program Priorities (SPP)
Projects in this category must demonstrate a significant impact on specific needs in a distressed area(s) and are based on collaborations, partnerships, and goals. VIM’s multiple Clinic sites, will spur community economic development because of the jobs we will add, deal with diversity issues in rural settings, while addressing the needed supportive services for vulnerable and at risk populations. We will work with Veteran’s groups, as needed to help veterans’ initiatives and work with existing health care systems to integrate health and housing initiatives. If we are able to purchase our own building, we will even be able to help with blight elimination.
Eligible applicants can receive 90% -95% Tax Credit
Eligible NAP Project Activities
VIM will be seeking businesses to partner with us monetarily and by donating: Financial assistance, labor, material, or technical advice, pre-development, land acquisition, site control, title clearance, market studies, environmental costs, energy conservation and “green” building services, design services, legal, and other technical assistance services.
Our projects certainly will address Community Economic Development with activities that revitalize or stabilize distressed areas, through one or more of the following: (1) The construction or rehabilitation of commercial or industrial buildings, The removal or elimination of physical blight, (2) Increased access to job training, employment opportunities, education, and community services opportunities, (3) Crime and violence prevention within the designated area, or (4) Community Services: Services such as counseling, case management services, and advisory services, emergency assistance, food assistance, or medical care furnished to individuals or groups in a distressed area intended to stabilize or revitalize the area.
Projects or services that address the decline of a neighborhood or the needs of a vulnerable population and have primary or secondary benefits to the stabilization of a distressed area, will be a focus in everything we do.
The Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) component of NAP is rooted in a community strategic plan, collaborations with partners, and long-term business relationships. The NPP is expected to create energy in the community by completing projects based on specific development needs in a targeted area that produce measurable outcomes. NPP is a long-term program that secures business commitments for five (5) years or longer. We are seeking businesses to commit $5,000 to $50,000 and more per year and receive a 90%- 95% tax credit in return.
NPP Specific Application Requirements
VIM will establish “Neighborhood Partnership Advisory Committees” that include representatives from the contributors and NPP area stakeholders such as members of the applicant, subcontractors, government representatives, other organizations related to the NPP, and residents. b. The committee is expected to:
• Assist with the initial and subsequent planning of the NPP • Provide ongoing input to the neighborhood organization applying for and carrying out the NPP project
• Meet at least quarterly to discuss the progress of the project, any issues that arise, and to relay and update information about the community.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. When is the applications deadline? Application window has not opened yet, but deadline will be May 29th.
2. Do all Commitments need to be above 50k? No, deductions can be 5k – 500,000
3. Will tax credit deductions be for STATE deductions only? Yes they are state tax credits
4. Can you apply for more than 1 Grant? Yes, you can apply for other DCED grants if you are eligible, but this particular one is a tax credit program that involves contributors partnering with your organization. You can only apply for one NAP grant.
Interested businesses should direct inquires to Robert Alonge, CEO at [email protected] or call him directly at 570-617-4620.
