Our Mission:
To Ensure Nurses For Tomorrow
The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania was established in 1983 to be the premier charitable organization for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our mission to ensure nurses for tomorrow is made possible by the generosity of friends and supporters of the nursing profession. With the ever-increasing cost of higher education, NFP is committed to providing qualified nursing students with the financial support they need and rightfully deserve.
Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the NFP is a 501(c)(3), Type II, Supporting Organization under the broad umbrella of community benefit organizations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Each year, through the generosity of friends and supporters like you, NFP awards scholarships to nursing students across Pennsylvania. Past recipients have gone on to do meaningful work, conduct valuable research, and provide high-quality patient care.
Our Mission
To ensure nurses for tomorrow.
Our Vision
To be the premier charitable organization for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Accomplishments
Over the past thirty years, NFP has distributed more than $480,000 in scholarships to students for nursing education and nursing research grants. Since our inception, we have successfully facilitated and acknowledged the gifts and bequests that help uphold our mission to ensure nurses for tomorrow.
Our Beliefs
Nurses are trusted, hardworking, and essential members of the health care community. Having an adequate number of nurses in every health care setting is critical for optimal patient care and outcomes. All qualified nurses should have the financial support and career resources necessary to succeed in their career goals, from students just beginning their nursing education journey to successful practitioners working to progress in their education or take part in vital research projects.
Our Goal
NFP’s goal is to advance the educational and professional standards of nursing and the nursing profession by distributing scholarships for study, instruction, research, and scholarly pursuits in nursing.
Our Board of Trustees
- M. Christine Alichnie, PhD, RN │ Board President │ Chair and Professor Emerita, Bloomsburg University & President, PNC-ARE, (Nurse Consultant) Inc.
- Molly McCullough, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNDLTC │ Board Vice President │ St. Clair Hospital, LPN Clinical Instructor, Greater Johnstown Career & Training Center
- Anna Teresa Bickert, DNP, RN │ Board Treasurer │ Geisinger Health System (Retired)
- Oralia Dominic, PhD, MS, MA │ Board Secretary│ Founder and President of National Institute of Rural and Minority Health, Inc.
- Marilyn Harris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN | Independent Hospital & Health Care Professional (Retired)
- Stephanie Ingalsbe, LPN │Director of Nursing, Ecumenical Retirement Community
- Thomas Murt, Ed.D │ Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserves (Retired), Teacher/Operations Assistant
- Ruth Phillips, BSN, MS, OCN, BCMAS │ Vice President, Medical Affairs, Blue Spark Technologies, Inc.
- Ellen Schauerman, BSN, RNC-NIC │ Neonatal Nurse, UPMC-Hamot
- Gale Shalongo, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC │ System Director of Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Practice & Policy; Center for Nursing Excellence, Geisinger
Our Team
- Wayne E. Reich, Jr., MSN, MBA, RN │ CEO
- Cheryl Bradford │ Development Coordinator
Our History
1980s
NFP was founded in 1983 as a private, 501(c) (3) foundation.
In 1984, NFP, with support from the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), built the Kathryn Grove Center for Nursing. Many historical nursing documents, research journals and pertinent clinical resources were housed within the building’s Dorothy Novella Library.
NFP hosted annual educational programs for the state’s psychiatric nurses, held its first fundraising art auction, and awarded its initial scholarships.
1990s
In support of its mission to ensure nurses for tomorrow, NFP launched its scholarship program in 1995 to provide financial assistance to dedicated and deserving nursing students.
NFP was used as a template for other states within the American Nurses Association (ANA). NFP received a $25,000 grant from PennDOT for its Safe Kids Seatbelt campaign.
2000s
NFP sponsored a nursing research conference in collaboration with a regional hospital system.
NFP received approval from the IRS to become a supporting organization of PSNA. Under the direction of PSNA’s CEO, a decision was made to rejuvenate NFP by enhancing the organizational structure, revitalizing processes, and promoting donations to support PSNA/NFP’s vision and mission.
2010s
NFP was accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) as having met all the requirements of the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector and has maintained its accreditation through today.
In partnership with the VFW Department of Pennsylvania, NFP launched the Jack E. Barger Sr. Memorial Nursing Scholarship for nursing students in Pennsylvania who have a personal connection to the United States Armed Forces.
Through a loving memorial, NFP created the Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship to provide scholarships.
A generous endowment established by the Former Alumni Association of the Albert Einstein Medical Center Nursing School of Philadelphia brought new scholarships to NFP’s growing program.
In 2018, NFP hosted its first Black and Gold Gala, a memorable evening of fine dining, dancing, and connection as we celebrate nurses. Each year, hundreds of nursing professionals from across Pennsylvania and across generations—from current practitioners to retired nurses and student nurses—attend the gala with their colleagues, friends, and families. Today, the Black and Gold gala remains NFP’s signature event, raising crucial funds in support of our mission to ensure nurses for tomorrow.
2020s
NFP began offering the Alumni Association of the Former Abington Memorial Hospital Dixon School of Nursing Scholarship, which is made possible through generous funding from the association that shares its name.
In support of diversity, equality, and inclusion, NFP introduced its Tubman Scholar Scholarship and the Theta Eta Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. Scholarship to provide financial assistance to nursing students in Pennsylvania who identify as Black or African American.
NFP further expanded its scholarship program with the addition of the JoAnne Goss Memorial Nursing Scholarship. Established in loving memory of JoAnne by her family, the award honors the dedicated nurses who cared for JoAnne during her courageous medical struggles.
NFP introduced the Evelyn Benson Nurse Leadership Scholarship to provide financial assistance specifically for RNs working toward advanced nursing degrees. The award was established in honor of Evelyn Rose Benson, who dedicated her life to helping others as a public health nurse, educator, author, and mentor.
NFP launched a scholarship earmarked for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with the Audrey Jackson-Graham Memorial Scholarship, established by Audrey’s family in remembrance of her commitment to the nursing profession.
NFP celebrated the 30th anniversary of its annual scholarship program in 2025. Since the program’s launch, NFP has provided financial assistance to hundreds of deserving nursing students who have gone on to do meaningful work, conduct valuable research, and provide high-quality patient care.
