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 │ Consultant, PNC, Inc. (Semi-Retired)
- Molly McCullough, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CNDLTC │ Board Vice President │ St. Clair Hospital, LPN Clinical Instructor, Greater Johnstown Career & Training Center
- Anna Teresa (Terri) Bickert, DNP, RN, NEA │ Board Treasurer │ Adjunct Faculty, Doctoral Program, Geisinger Hospital (Semi-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
Focus was placed on the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (PANOs) Standards for Excellence accreditation status.
Through a loving memorial, NFP created the Florence (Madden) Grady-Fasick Scholarship to provide scholarships.
A second scholarship from the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund of the Former Albert Einstein Medical Center Nursing School of Philadelphia.
NFP proudly acquired the Seal of Accreditation for Standards of Excellence from PANO.
NFP successfully hosted its first Black & Gold Gala in 2018.
2020s
In 2024, the NFP celebrated its Ruby Anniversary, commemorating 40 years of excellence in supporting nursing students and registered nurses and in assisting them in their pursuit of degrees in areas such as advanced practice, education, research, and administration.
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.
