Pennsylvania Science and Technology Grants

This program provides funding for community organizations and local governments to acquire technology devices to help bridge the digital divide for those facing affordability challenges.

The Adams County Community Foundation announces a competitive request for proposals, for up to $1,000, for nonprofit leadership development. Donor Name: Adams County Community Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: Adams County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/02/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Objective Enable Adams County nonprofit executive directors and boards of directors to participate in training opportunities that increase their knowledge and effectiveness. Consideration may be given to training for strategic planning, reorganization, leadership development of staff and/or board members, and any other activities that will strengthen the nonprofit’s ability to carry out their mission. Eligibility Criteria  The Community Foundation Distribution Committee will award grants based on the following criteria: The applicant must be in a paid or volunteer leadership position for a qualified charity 501(c)(3) as the Executive Director or in a position that could lead to promotion to Executive Director or Board Chair. Financial need of the organization and/or the financial need of the individual may be considered. College courses, certification programs or professional conferences in finance, fundraising, human resources or other skills are eligible for grants. Travel and lodging costs may be covered. The expected outcomes must be sound and measurable. The grant will be paid to the nonprofit, not the individual. For more information, visit ACCF.

The Bunbury Fund supports non-profit organizations making significant impacts across central New Jersey, and most specifically Mercer County, to strengthen their capacity to effectively advance their missions toward sustainable, organizational maturity. Donor Name: Princeton Area Community Foundation State: New Jersey, Pennsylvania County: Bucks County (PA), Burlington County (NJ), Huntingdon County (PA), Mercer County (NJ), Middlesex County (NJ), Somerset County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Bunbury Fund’s mission is to strengthen the ability of nonprofit organizations to do their best work. They refer to this work as capacity building. It is work that helps your organization deliver its mission with greater confidence. They respect that what an organization might need in terms of capacity building is best identified by its staff and board. The Bunbury Fund Advisors strongly support and encourage projects and organizations that embrace and promote anti-racism strategies and conduct projects that place racial equity at the core of their work. Funding Information One year capacity-building grants: up to $50,000 Strengthening the board governance Succession planning for board and staff leadership Developing strategic partnerships and program collaborations Strategic and scenario planning Systems upgrades to improve service delivery and measurement Embracing practices that support racial equity and inclusion Supporting the strategic and capacity building needs of start-ups and newly launched initiatives Strengthening Human Resources systems Improving technology/communications Multi-year capacity building grants: up to $150,000 and up to three years Foundation will also review proposals for multi-year projects that focus on developing organizational effectiveness over a period of up to three years. This is work that might be accomplished in phases where the completion requires more than one year. Planning Grants: up to $10,000: A planning grant helps an organization evaluate the resources required to undertake a more comprehensive capacity-building project. This is often an initial step in determining the needs and viability associated with a larger capacity building project. Eligibility Criteria  An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, be a publicly supported charity under Section 509, and be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs as a charity in good standing. Applications will be accepted from organizations that operate and provide services within the geographic region covered by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, defined as follows: Mercer County Eastern Bucks County, PA, including New Hope, Morrisville, Washington Crossing and Yardley Northern Burlington County, including Bordentown and Bordentown Township Southern Hunterdon County, including Lambertville, West Amwell, adjacent parts of East Amwell Southern Middlesex County, including Plainsboro and Cranbury Southern Somerset County, including Montgomery, Rocky Hill, and adjacent sections of Franklin Twp. For more information, visit PACF.

This program provides $200 million in competitive funding to improve broadband access in underserved areas lacking reliable internet service of at least 25/3 Mbps.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The $2 trillion economic relief package aims to protect the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Act 2A of 2020, known as the COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2019, appropriated $10,000,000 from the COVID-19 Response Restricted Account to the Department of Health. Through a sub-grant, the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer this program to eligible applicants for the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments, and therapies in response to COVID-19. Financial Info: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The $2 trillion economic relief package aims to protect the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. Act 2A of 2020, known as the COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2019, appropriated $10,000,000 from the COVID-19 Response Restricted Account to the Department of Health. Through a sub-grant, the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer this program to eligible applicants for the rapid advancement of vaccines, treatments, and therapies in response to COVID-19.

This program provides financial assistance ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

The Franklin County Community Foundation (FCCF), a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), conducts an annual competitive grantmaking program for nonprofit organizations serving Franklin County. Donor Name: Franklin County Community Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: Franklin County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Priorities FCCF’s strategic grantmaking focus is to invest in innovative, collaborative approaches and solutions to community problems, and to support projects that demonstrate achievable outcomes, the potential for replication as a model program, and plans for sustainability beyond the grant term. The overarching goal is to fund programs and services that have the potential for the greatest impact on the quality of life and positive outcomes for individuals and families living in Franklin County. CCF requires that applicant organizations be aligned with one or more of the following funding priorities: Arts & culture Community development Education Environment Health & human services FCCF’s additionally pleased to welcome grant applications that address: Programs & projects in the field of music & the arts Health services with particular emphasis on cancer Services for the in-need, elderly, & people with special needs Programs that benefit children with special needs or accessibility needs Programs & projects that focus upon or nurture access to early childhood education Funding Information Up to $7,000 Proposed projects may take place at any time during the grant year beginning September 1, 2024 and ending August 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria This opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations serving Franklin County. Applicants must either be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or have a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization act as a fiscal sponsor for the proposed project. Grants cannot be fund Advertising Capital campaigns Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations Individuals National and statewide umbrella organizations that cannot demonstrate a local presence New staff positions without a substantial plan for sustainability Religious organizations for religious purposes Retroactive projects For more information, visit TFEC.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is seeking applications for its Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants. Donor Name: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection State: Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: AFIG has approximately $5 million in funding available to school districts, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in Pennsylvania that want to transition to cleaner fuel transportation. Supported alternative fuels include electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, propane, hydrogen, hythane, biodiesel, ethanol, methanol, and other advanced biofuels. Grant funding covers: Incremental costs related to retrofitting vehicles to operate on alternative fuels; Incremental costs to purchase alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to purchase and install the necessary fleet-refueling or home-refueling equipment for alternative fuel vehicles; Cost to perform research, training, development, and demonstration of new applications or next-phase technology related to alternative fuel vehicles. Priorities Businesses whose headquarters or principal place of business are located in Pennsylvania; Zero emission vehicle projects; Medium-duty and light-duty fleet refueling infrastructure projects; Renewable natural gas vehicle and infrastructure projects; Projects located in or predominantly serving environmental justice areas; Minority-, veteran-, or woman-owned businesses. Funding Information Applicants will be eligible for a maximum grant award across all applications of $500,000. Individual application awards are still capped at $300,000. Eligibility Criteria DEP will award at least 20% of AFIG funding to the following entities, depending on applications received: Counties, townships, municipalities, or municipal authorities; Public school districts, including brick and mortar charter schools; Organizations registered as a 501(c)3 that provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type; Businesses that are registered with the Commonwealth as a Small Diverse Business or registered with one of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services approved third-party certifications; and Organizations that are county/local government supported or contracted to provide services to seniors, low-income individuals and families, individuals with disabilities, veterans, or medical services of any type. For more information, visit DEP.

The Vision Partnership Program (VPP) – Cash Grant is a grant available to Chester County municipalities and multi-municipal groups seeking to improve their planning programs while achieving consistency with and implementation of the goals, objectives, recommendations, and map of Landscapes3. Donor Name: Chester County State: Pennsylvania County: Chester County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/25/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program Purpose Recognizing the benefits of grant awards to municipal planning projects, the Chester County Board of Commissioners established VPP in 1996 to promote cooperation between local governments and the County while implementing Landscapes, the County’s Comprehensive Plan.  The program was revised in 2010 to reflect Landscapes2 and revised again in 2019 to reflect Landscapes3. The purpose of VPP is to advance consistency with and implementation of the county comprehensive plan while accomplishing impactful, lasting, and positive benefits for municipalities through innovative municipal planning; multi-municipal planning; and new and revised municipal plans, ordinances, and planning studies that address opportunities and issues of community concern. Funding Information Plans or Ordinances Adopt $50,000 plus $10,000 for each additional municipality. Planning Studies Accept $30,000 plus $5,000 for each additional municipality. Eligible Costs The following costs are considered eligible for reimbursement if they are included in and directly related to the project scope of work attached to the executed grant contract: Professional planning consultant fees; Data collection and analysis; Mapping and graphics; Monthly duplicating costs of deliverables; Mailing costs, such as for mailings to municipal residents, not to exceed five (5) percent of the total eligible costs for the project; Review of draft materials by non-planning professionals, such as attorneys or engineers, not to exceed ten (10) percent of the total eligible costs for the project (note: this must be described specifically in the project scope of work); Travel costs, such as mileage for required meetings, not to exceed two (2) percent of the total eligible costs for the project; and Publication of the adopted document, up to thirty (30) copies. Eligible Projects  Comprehensive Plan Open Space, Park, and Recreation Plan (to include a greenway plan) Zoning Ordinance and Amendments (to include amendments specific to topic areas such as agriculture, historic resources, natural resources, housing, traditional neighborhood development, form based code, transfer of development rights, and establishing mixed-use, diverse, walkable communities) Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and Amendments (to include amendments specific to topic areas such as bicyclist/pedestrian circulation, natural and cultural resource protection, woodland inventories, and forestation/woodland management plans) Official Map and Ordinance Urban Center Revitalization Plan Resource Protection/Stewardship Plan (addressing topics such as open space, natural resources, parks, scenic resources, historic and cultural resources) Environmental and Community Sustainability/Resilience Plan/Study (to include energy conservation, clean energy transition) Community Design Guide (addressing topics such as housing, historic resources, and villages) Village Master Plan Heritage Interpretation Plan (in accordance with Preserving Our Places, CCPC, 1998) Historic Resource Survey (in accordance with PHMC standards) Housing Plan/Study Economic Development Study Transportation Corridor Plan/Study Streetscape Master Plan Multimodal Plan/Study Trail Feasibility Study Plans/Ordinances that support transition to renewable or alternative energy Agricultural Economic Development Plan Eligibility Criteria  Meeting eligibility requirements is not a guarantee of grant funding under the Vision Partnership Program. Eligible Applicants  The VPP cash grant program is open to all Chester County municipalities which have endorsed or acknowledged Landscapes3. Eligible applicants include a single municipality or a multi-municipal group, which may consist of two (2) or more contiguous municipalities or two (2) or more municipalities when located in the same school district. The application shall identify and be submitted by a lead municipality in the case of a multimunicipal group application. To ensure proper grant administration and promote successful completion of projects, municipalities are encouraged to complete VPP projects funded under previous rounds before applying for additional VPP funding. However, the Chester County Planning Commission may consider approving municipalities to undertake more than one VPP funded project at a time on a case-by-case basis. Municipalities involved in a multi-municipal comprehensive plan shall not be eligible for VPP funding to undertake a full comprehensive plan update at the same time as the contract term of the multi-municipal plan. Partial updates to a specific comprehensive plan section, such as the historic resources plan, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. General Project Eligibility  The project shall advance one or more of the Landscapes3 goals and objectives, and implement one or more of the Landscapes3 recommendations at the municipal or multimunicipal level. Projects enabled by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, as amended, such as comprehensive plans (or elements thereof) or ordinances, shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the MPC. Projects not adopted under the provisions of the MPC are defined as “Planning Studies” for the purposes of VPP. General project types that may be eligible include plans, ordinances, ordinance amendments, and planning studies. Projects shall be supported by a municipal or multi-municipal comprehensive plan that was adopted within the prior ten (10) years, unless the municipality has undergone the formal review process as outlined in Section 301(c) of the MPC or the applicant provides documentation identifying why the urgency of the proposed project supersedes the need for an update of their comprehensive plan. For more information, visit Chester County.

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, powered by Innovation Works and funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, creates cross-sector partnerships to solve some of community’s most pressing problems. Donor Name: Innovation Works State: Pennsylvania County: Allegheny County (PA), Armstrong County (PA), Beaver County (PA), Butler County (PA), Fayette County (PA), Greene County (PA), Indiana County (PA), Lawrence County (PA), Washington County (PA), Westmoreland County (PA) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 07/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, an annual competition to promote entrepreneurship that makes a lasting community impact in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2015, the UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge has allocated more than $3.1 million in investments, grants, and educational assistance to local nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and other participants. Prize Information The top three finalists will receive a combined $300,000 in prize monies and accelerator assistance to launch or expand startups using technology to address social inequities. First Place: $125,000. Second Place: $100,000. Third Place: $75,000. Eligibility Criteria You must be 18 years old or older The submitting nonprofit, business, or individual must be based in one of these counties in Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. The startup’s impact must also be in one of these counties. Must ensure that their participation does not violate their employer’s policies or procedures or any other third-party rights or obligations (e.g. non-competition agreements). The applicant company leaders or individual and their immediate family members must not be employed by or affiliated with BNY Mellon, Innovation Works, or any of their/the parent and affiliate companies. Have not received funding of $50,000 or more in previous UpPrize cycles. For more information, visit UpPrize.

The van Ameringen Foundation provides grants exclusively in the five boroughs of New York City and within the city limits of Philadelphia, as well as advocacy support at the national level. Donor Name: van Ameringen Foundation State: New York and Pennsylvania County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Within its broad focus on mental health, the Foundation encourages innovative and practical grant proposals in areas which: increase the accessibility of mental health services to people and communities with limited financial means and opportunities; offer preventive and early-intervention strategies; advocate for systemic change with local or national impact. Types of Grant The van Ameringen Foundation provides general support and project specific grants in two overall categories: Direct Service Grants The Foundation funds programs and projects that provide a direct service, such as case management, assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric care, training, or jobs, housing, and other supports to people and communities confronting significant mental illness. Non-Direct Service Grants Advocacy The Foundation funds strategies that seek to create changes in the law, public policy, or in the perceptions and practices of the public and private sectors responsible for improving mental healthcare, particularly in unserved or underserved communities. Media/Dissemination The Foundation funds efforts which seek to share research findings, best practices, and knowledge related to improving the mental health safety net and system. This may be in the form of a publication, training, or media project using traditional or new forms of communication. Training The Foundation funds activities that provide learning and skill-building opportunities for mental health providers, advocates, people living with mental illness, policymakers, and family or community members who are seeking to deepen their understanding, knowledge, treatment, or social change efforts. Funding Information Direct Service Grants Duration: Up to three years Between $25,000 – $75,000 annually Non-Direct Service Grants Duration: Up to three years Advocacy Grant Size: Up to $250,000 annually Media/Dissemination & Training Grant Size: Between $25,000 – $75,000 annually. The foundation does not fund The Foundation is not active in programs for intellectual disability or physical disability, nor do they make grants directly to individuals. Given the limited resources, the Foundation also is not able to support endowment campaigns, capital projects, annual fund-raising drives, or international activities and institutions. Foundation is no longer providing grants outside of New York City or Philadelphia. For more information, visit VAF.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Greater Philadelphia that provide engaging arts education programs for young people aged 5 to 18, fostering creativity and personal growth through partnerships with skilled teaching artists.

The McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) award grants from the McKean County Community Development Fund, an unrestricted fund administered by the Foundation s from any nonprofit agency that provides support to community development initiatives that will enhance the economic and community well-being of McKean County. Donor Name: McKean County Community Foundation State: Pennsylvania County: McKean County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects should include activities that are innovative and have a plan to sustain themselves. A grant will not cover the direct operating expenses of an agency, rather it intends to enhance already established programs or support the development of new programs.  Funding Information There is approximately $10,000 available to award this year, with the maximum grant request to be $2,000 per applicant. For more information, visit MCCF.

This program provides funding and support to small businesses in Pennsylvania that are historically disadvantaged, helping them access capital and improve their participation in public contracts.

This program provides free technical assistance to small Pennsylvania businesses to help them improve their operations and competitiveness by connecting them with expert resources and solutions for specific technical challenges.

The Upper Bucks Community Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the Palisades, Pennridge, and Quakertown School Districts of Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania, supporting programs in visual, performing, and industrial arts, agricultural education, conservation of rural life, science, and technology.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania for a variety of charitable projects, including education, health services, social welfare, environmental conservation, and the arts.

This program provides financial assistance to municipalities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for improving and developing public parks and recreational trails.

This funding opportunity provides matching funds to Pennsylvania dairy farms seeking to invest in innovative technologies that improve efficiency, production, and sustainability.