GHF Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund Grant Program in Pennsylvania

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) administers the Greater Harrisburg Foundation’s (GHF) Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund, which continues the philanthropic legacy envisioned by Benjamin Franklin. In his 1789 will, Franklin directed that his estate be invested and, after 200 years, half of the accumulated funds be transferred to the State of Pennsylvania for public benefit. The Pennsylvania State Legislature allocated this funding across various community foundations in the state, including TFEC. For the purposes of this fund, TFEC serves Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lebanon, Mifflin, and Perry Counties, as well as the Dillsburg area of York County. Counties not served by their own community foundation are assigned to adjacent counties that do have one. The Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund grant opportunity is intended to support programs and services that enhance knowledge or improve quality of life for individuals and families in the eligible geographic areas. It aims to inspire meaningful and positive outcomes through targeted funding for local organizations. Funding may be used for a wide range of projects so long as they are aligned with the fund’s mission and operate within the defined geographic region. Grants are limited to a maximum of $1,700 per project. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or those recognized by the IRS as nonprofit entities. Organizations that are not registered as 501(c)(3)s may still apply if they use a fiscal sponsor that meets the nonprofit criteria. Projects must directly benefit communities in the designated counties and applicants must demonstrate a strong connection to the fund's mission. Applications for the 2025 cycle open on June 1 and close on September 1. All submissions must be made through TFEC’s online platform. Applicants will be informed of the grant decision by December 1, 2025. Funded projects must occur between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Draft reviews are available upon request up to two weeks before the deadline. Questions and draft review requests can be sent to the Community Investment Team at grants@tfec.org or by calling 717-236-5040. Funding may not be used for advertising or lobbying efforts unless explicitly justified in the application, nor can it support individuals, religious purposes, capital campaigns, retroactive projects, or national organizations without a local presence. Proposals for new staffing must include a sustainability plan. Projects are evaluated based on several criteria including alignment with the fund’s mission, clearly defined target audience and outcomes, diversity and inclusion considerations, budget rationale, and collaboration where applicable. A total of 50 points is available in the evaluation process. Additional support resources, including application tutorials and FAQs, are available to help applicants through the submission process. TFEC encourages early engagement to maximize the potential for successful funding outcomes. For personalized assistance, applicants can also contact Yamit Friedman or Teresa Gonzalez at 717-236-5040 or via email at yfriedman@tfec.org and tgonzalez@tfec.org respectively.