Pennsylvania Community Development Grants

This program provides financial assistance to fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads in Pennsylvania to improve their facilities, equipment, training, and community outreach efforts.

The Erie Community Foundation is offering Urgent Grants to assist nonprofits facing unbudgeted, unexpected, and time-sensitive crises. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to support the vital work of nonprofits within Erie County by providing crucial, immediate financial assistance during critical junctures. The grant seeks to mitigate the impact of unforeseen challenges, enabling these organizations to maintain their services and stability in the face of emergencies. The target beneficiaries for these Urgent Grants are nonprofits defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. These organizations must be located within Erie County, Pennsylvania, or demonstrate that they serve a sizable population within Erie County. The primary impact goal is to provide swift financial relief, preventing service disruptions and ensuring the continued operation of essential community programs when unforeseen crises arise. The program's priorities and focus are clearly on addressing immediate, unbudgeted, and unexpected crises that require time-sensitive intervention. The grants are designed to be a rapid response mechanism for emergencies, rather than for general operating support or planned projects. The funding amount is capped at $15,000, indicating a focus on addressing specific, urgent needs rather than large-scale initiatives. Expected outcomes include the stabilization of nonprofits facing unexpected financial strain, the uninterrupted delivery of critical services to the community, and the prevention of further deterioration of an organization's capacity due to unforeseen circumstances. While not explicitly stated, measurable results would likely include the number of organizations assisted, the types of crises averted or mitigated, and the continued operation of programs that would otherwise have been jeopardized. The Erie Community Foundation's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, include fostering resilience within the nonprofit sector and ensuring the continued well-being of the Erie County community. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing timely and targeted financial support during crises, they can empower local nonprofits to overcome challenges, sustain their vital work, and ultimately contribute to a stronger, more stable community. The emphasis on local, tax-exempt organizations underscores their commitment to the regional social fabric.

This program provides funding to local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations in Pennsylvania to support various projects that revitalize neighborhoods, enhance community livability, and stimulate economic growth.

In keeping with the wishes of Michael and Sarah Benedum, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is a regional philanthropy focusing on West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Foundation generally invests two-thirds of its grant dollars in West Virginia and one-third in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Foundation serves the entire state of West Virginia. In Southwestern Pennsylvania, the service area includes Allegheny, Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties. This four-county area is a natural connector between Pittsburgh and West Virginia and contains rural communities that may benefit from the Benedum Foundation’s experiences in West Virginia. However, the Foundation recognizes that economic regions do not follow political boundaries, and therefore, the Foundation both encourages projects that cross state lines, and supports economic initiatives that benefit the multi-state economy centered on Pittsburgh. The Foundation makes grants in two program areas that span both states: Education and Economic Development. In addition, the Foundation supports Community Development and Health grants programs in West Virginia, and in Southwestern Pennsylvania supports the major performing arts organizations within the Cultural District.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education is inviting applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to develop or expand experiential learning opportunities. The goal is to engage secondary and postsecondary students in learning about working with students with disabilities, aiming to inspire future special educators. These opportunities include structured activities, programs, or events guided by current educators. The grant aims to foster the establishment or expansion of such opportunities and increase interest in special education careers among secondary and postsecondary students.

The Fairs Capital Improvement Grant Program provides essential funding to certified agricultural fairs in Pennsylvania for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of fairground structures. Eligible fairs can receive up to $25,000 in grants, which require a 50% funding match by the recipients. This reimbursement grant aims to support the physical infrastructure of fairgrounds, enhancing their capacity to host agricultural events. Grant funds can be used for various projects, including new construction, renovation of existing buildings, utility upgrades, fencing improvements, roadway and pathway development, stormwater management, public address system installations, and land purchases. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: June 30th

To encourage human development in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania through strategically placed charitable resources. Guiding Principles The following principles guide the Foundation’s grants programs in those regions: We honor Michael and Sarah Benedum’s belief in “helping people help themselves,” and we seek opportunities to cultivate the creativity of people and communities. We nurture leadership within the communities we serve, and we participate in leadership when it adds value. We encourage planning, projects and programs that cross geographical and political boundaries so that access to services and economic growth is maximized. We expect collaboration among the public, private and nonprofit sectors in order to leverage the resources that each can bring to common concerns. We strive to advance innovative practices that demonstrate measurable and sustainable benefit. We seek projects that contribute to advancement in public policy.

This funding opportunity supports programs that assist grandfamilies in Philadelphia, where grandparents or relatives are raising young children, by improving access to resources and services tailored to their unique challenges.

The Acorn Grants, administered by The Erie Community Foundation, are designed to bolster newer and smaller organizations by helping them establish a robust and stable foundation. This grant program aligns directly with the Foundation's broader mission to support and strengthen the non-profit sector within Erie County. By focusing on organizational capacity building, the Foundation aims to cultivate a resilient ecosystem of community-focused entities, ensuring that vital services and initiatives continue to thrive. The primary beneficiaries of The Acorn Grants are non-profit organizations located within Erie County, or those that serve a significant population within the county, and are defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code. The impact goal is to empower these emerging organizations to better identify and address community needs by enhancing their operational capabilities. This includes strengthening their infrastructure, developing strategic plans, and improving their ability to deliver effective programs. The program prioritizes organizations that clearly articulate a specific need and convincingly demonstrate how the requested funding will directly contribute to building their capacity. While not explicitly stated as "strategic priorities" or a "theory of change" in the traditional sense, the focus on foundational support for newer and smaller organizations implicitly reflects the Foundation's strategy to foster long-term community well-being by investing in the stability and growth of its grassroots organizations. Expected outcomes include increased organizational efficiency, enhanced program delivery, and a greater ability for recipient organizations to sustain their operations and expand their reach. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on identifying needs and explaining capacity-building indicates an expectation that organizations will demonstrate tangible improvements in their operational health and impact within the community. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, suggests a targeted approach to providing essential funding that can make a significant difference to smaller entities.

The 2024 BLOOM Grant Program aims to support small businesses in York County, Pennsylvania, by providing grants to improve productivity, expand services, or enhance their operations. Eligible applicants must be for-profit businesses located in York County, have generated revenue as of January 1, 2024, and employ no more than 50 full or part-time employees. Grants, ranging from $500 to $1,500, are intended for tangible business improvements such as renovations, equipment upgrades, and marketing expenses. Funds must be utilized within six months, and applicants must match 10% of the grant's capital value. Priority is given to businesses that have not previously received a BLOOM grant, as well as those owned by women, veterans, and Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.

The William Penn Foundation is offering a grant of over $1 million for one to two-year projects aimed at securing and preserving urban garden and farm parcels in Philadelphia, with activities including planning, technical assistance, stewardship, advocacy, and direct acquisition, open to 501(c)3 public charities, educational institutions, and government entities.

This program provides $145 million in financial assistance to hospitality businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through county-established grant programs.

The York County Community Foundation is offering a three-year grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for municipalities, county agencies, school districts, and non-profit organizations in York County, Pennsylvania, to preserve and protect open spaces, natural habitats, and waterways through land acquisition, planning studies, and ordinance assistance, with a focus on public access, recreational opportunities, and natural resource protection.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Philadelphia that provide programs focused on preventing gun violence, mentoring girls, and offering trauma-informed services, particularly during the summer months.

The Historical & Archival Records Care (HARC) Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and the State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB), provides competitive grants to non-profits and local governments for the preservation of historically valuable original documents. The grants support projects such as surveying, inventorying, preserving, arranging, describing historical records, and reformatting or purchasing supplies and equipment. The program aims to enhance public access to Pennsylvania's historical records. Projects must adhere to professional archival standards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in central Pennsylvania facing challenges due to federal funding instability, helping them maintain essential community services and improve quality of life.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Forfeiture Fund is designed to support community-based anti-crime and anti-narcotics organizations in accordance with the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances Forfeiture Act and a court order from Sourovelis v. City of Philadelphia. This grant specifically focuses on organizations targeting at-risk youth through various programs, including after-school activities, violence and addiction prevention, recovery and rehabilitation from addiction, and reintegration and employment post-imprisonment with an emphasis on anti-crime/drug/violence initiatives. Funding is guided by the Office of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and the US Department of Justice, aimed at grassroots community groups in Philadelphia with budgets of $5 million or less. The current grant cycle, running from 02/03/2025 to 03/14/2025, prioritizes Re-entry and Workforce, offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

This funding opportunity supports community-led initiatives in Philadelphia that aim to reduce violence and enhance neighborhood safety, particularly for young Black and brown men, through various programs like job training, educational outreach, and trauma-informed care.

The Joe DeMott Port Allegany Community Development Fund, administered by the McKean County Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications. This grant program aims to support a wide array of projects, aligning with the Foundation's broader mission of fostering community well-being and development. The fund's focus areas, including arts, community development, education, environment, and health and social services, reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse needs within the Port Allegany School District. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are organizations operating within the Port Allegany School District, specifically 501c3 organizations, schools, municipalities, or religious organizations that serve the public. The impact goal is to enhance the quality of life and promote growth in these key areas. By supporting local initiatives, the fund seeks to empower community groups to implement projects that create positive, tangible changes for residents. The program prioritizes projects that fall under the aforementioned categories: arts, community development, education, environment, or health and social services. This broad scope allows for a variety of innovative and impactful projects to be considered. The strategic priority of the McKean County Community Foundation, as evidenced by this fund, is to invest in local communities to cultivate sustainable development and address critical needs across multiple sectors. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the nature of the supported areas implies a desire for improved community infrastructure, enhanced educational opportunities, increased access to arts and cultural experiences, a healthier environment, and more robust social support systems. The theory of change behind this fund is likely that by providing financial resources to local organizations, they can effectively implement projects that lead to a stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient Port Allegany community. The maximum grant amount of $1400 suggests an emphasis on supporting numerous smaller-scale, impactful initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for individuals, non-profits, and municipalities to create arts and culture projects that positively impact the community in Lackawanna County, PA.