Pennsylvania Social Advocacy Grants

The IMPACT Bucks grant, supported by BLBB Charitable, Bucks County Foundation (BCF), and Foundations Community Partnership, aims to strengthen communities by fostering economic self-sufficiency and opportunity for socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals. This initiative directly aligns with BCF's mission to identify and address community concerns, particularly for underserved populations, and to promote creative and collaborative solutions to community problems. The grant seeks to support nonprofits whose work in Bucks County directly improves the lives of residents. The target beneficiaries for the IMPACT Bucks grant are socially and/or economically disadvantaged people within Bucks County. The overarching impact goal is to create safe, healthy, and thriving communities by improving economic self-sufficiency and opportunity for these individuals. BCF emphasizes supporting underserved populations and promoting solutions that address the root causes of community problems, rather than just the symptoms. The grant prioritizes innovative projects and collaborative efforts among community groups or organizations to address unmet needs. BCF is looking for proposals that respect individual concerns while seeking community-wide solutions. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) nonprofits with a Bucks County client population that constitutes 50% or more of their total client base, and whose proposed projects directly benefit Bucks County. Expected outcomes include improved economic self-sufficiency, increased opportunities for disadvantaged individuals, and stronger, more resilient communities within Bucks County. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the grant's focus on addressing community concerns and promoting solutions suggests that successful projects will demonstrate tangible improvements in the economic well-being and overall health of the target population. This one-time, 12-month grant award of $75,000 per partner (totaling $225,000 for the IMPACT grant award opportunity) signifies a strategic commitment from the foundations to drive meaningful and measurable change at the community level.

READY Community Foundations, part of ARC's READY Appalachia initiative, offers no-cost training to community foundations in Appalachia. Participants will build skills in financial management, fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic planning. Eligible foundations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding to implement capacity-building projects post-training. Applications are due by July 5, 2024.

The United States Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Caribbean United for Women's Economic Empowerment (CUWEE) project. This grant program is fundamentally aligned with the mission of addressing systemic barriers and socio-cultural attitudes that challenge gender equity and equality within the Caribbean economy. The funding is sourced from the FY 2023 Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Economic Support Funds (ESF), signaling the Department of State's strategic priority on advancing economic security through gender equality initiatives in the region. The project is anticipated to be executed through a cooperative agreement and will be administered by the WHA's Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (PPC). The primary target beneficiaries of the CUWEE project are women and adolescent girls aged 16 and older in the Caribbean. The overarching impact goals are to build their economic resilience and skills capacity. By achieving this, the project aims to enable these beneficiaries to successfully enter the labor force and obtain economic security, thereby contributing to broader regional stability and growth. The initiative's theory of change appears to center on strengthening the ecosystem of local support to create sustainable economic opportunities for women. The strategic priorities and focuses of the project are multi-faceted, with a strong emphasis on empowering local civil society support actors. A central requirement is that proposals demonstrate how the grantee will strengthen local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in advancing women’s economic security. The project is expected to first focus on identifying problematic country-specific and/or regional systemic barriers and socio-cultural attitudes, and then partner with local CSOs to directly address these identified obstacles. The CUWEE project details two key mechanisms for implementation. First, it intends to support a competition designed to promote local CSOs to develop and implement pioneering solutions tailored to overcome specific local systemic barriers to economic security for women in their respective country or region. Second, the project mandates the provision of a training curriculum that builds the capacity of, and strengthens, the regional Caribbean network of local CSOs dedicated to women’s economic security. WHA intends to issue one award, subject to funding availability, not to exceed $1,973,359, for a project period of up to three years, with a target start date of October 2024. The expected outcomes are the provision of greater economic gender equity and equality across the Caribbean region through the development of local capacity and innovative, localized solutions.

The Ridgway Borough Charitable Fund, established by Sara-Jane Stackpole, provides financial support to non-profit organizations serving the residents of Ridgway Borough. The fund has an Advisory Board consisting of five individuals representing various groups in the borough, who make grant recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Directors. The average awards range from $3,000 to $5,000, but can go as high as $10,000. The application deadline is September 15th. Link to Application: https://elkcountyfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ridgway-Borough-Grant-Application-fillable-10-14-19-1.pdf

The District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) Family Services Administration (FSA) is offering multiple grant opportunities to provide health services and education to refugees resettled in the District of Columbia. This initiative aims to address health disparities and improve the well-being of the refugee population in the area. The program aligns with the DHS/FSA's mission to support vulnerable populations and ensure access to essential services. The primary beneficiaries of this program are refugees resettled in the District of Columbia. The impact goals are to provide domestic medical screening and follow-up, enhance health literacy, and reduce gaps in health services. This will be achieved through two main projects: the Refugee Medical Screening project and the Refugee Health Promotion project. The Refugee Medical Screening project prioritizes the provision of initial medical screenings and subsequent follow-up care for newly arrived refugees. The Refugee Health Promotion project focuses on improving health literacy and addressing service gaps through various interventions. These interventions include workshops, wellness and support groups, and medical case management, all designed to empower refugees with the knowledge and resources to manage their health effectively. Expected outcomes include comprehensive medical screening for refugees, increased health literacy within the refugee community, and a reduction in unmet health service needs. Measurable results will likely involve the number of refugees screened, participation rates in health promotion activities, and improvements in health indicators for the target population. The grants aim to create a sustainable framework for health support for refugees in the District.

The Sarah Ralston Foundation's Innovative Project Support grants target organizations that develop novel solutions for the aging population in Philadelphia, focusing on serving older adults residing in Philadelphia County. Grants range from $25,000 to $125,000 annually, with potential multiyear support up to 3 years. The foundation encourages projects that offer new approaches to care, support, and socialization for older adults, including co-funding opportunities with other funders. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 1st

The van Ameringen Foundation focuses on improving mental health services, particularly for those with limited financial means, within New York City and Philadelphia, and through national advocacy. Its mission is to increase accessibility to mental health services, offer preventive and early-intervention strategies, and advocate for systemic change. The foundation offers both general support and project-specific grants, aligning its funding directly with its core mission of fostering a more equitable and effective mental healthcare system for underserved populations. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are individuals and communities confronting significant mental illness, particularly those with limited financial means and opportunities. This includes people needing direct services like case management, counseling, psychotherapy, and psychiatric care, as well as those who benefit from systemic changes in law, public policy, and public perception. The impact goals are to enhance the mental health safety net, improve access to services, and create lasting, positive changes in mental healthcare delivery and perceptions. The foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated into two main categories: Direct Service Grants and Non-Direct Service Grants. Direct Service Grants support programs that provide immediate and tangible assistance to individuals, such as housing, jobs, and various forms of mental health treatment. Non-Direct Service Grants encompass advocacy efforts to change policies, media/dissemination projects to share best practices and research, and training initiatives for mental health providers, advocates, and community members. The foundation explicitly does not fund programs for intellectual or physical disabilities, direct grants to individuals, endowment campaigns, capital projects, annual fundraising drives, or international activities. Expected outcomes include increased accessibility of mental health services, successful implementation of preventive and early-intervention strategies, and significant systemic changes with local or national impact. Measurable results could include the number of individuals served, improvements in patient outcomes, policy changes enacted, increased public awareness, and the number of mental health professionals trained. The foundation encourages innovative and practical proposals that demonstrate a clear path to achieving these outcomes. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on fostering innovation and practical solutions within the mental health sector. Its theory of change posits that by investing in direct services, advocating for policy reforms, disseminating knowledge, and building capacity through training, it can effectively address disparities in mental healthcare access and quality. This multi-pronged approach aims to create both immediate relief for individuals and long-term structural improvements in the mental health landscape, primarily within its specified geographic areas and at a national advocacy level.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and county veterans' offices in Pennsylvania to develop and enhance services that address critical needs for veterans and their families, focusing on areas like mental health, transportation, and employment.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public schools in selected states to implement sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and community resilience programs that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to address community needs and improve the quality of life for residents, particularly those who are underserved or disadvantaged.

This fellowship provides early-career professionals in the Greater Philadelphia area with funding and support to work on projects that drive systemic change in youth justice, child welfare, education, and health.

This fund provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that help meet basic human needs and improve access to education and safe recreational activities for marginalized groups, particularly children, seniors, and individuals with special needs, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the tri-state area focused on addressing gun violence, improving community safety, and enhancing education and police relations.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Philadelphia that aim to improve civic engagement and strengthen the relationship between residents and local government.

This funding opportunity supports small organizations in Philadelphia and surrounding areas to create inclusive and accessible arts and culture programs that engage diverse communities and enhance public access to the arts.

This grant provides financial support for Penn State undergraduate students to pursue independent summer projects in various fields, fostering creativity and academic exploration.

This funding opportunity supports Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh Region to implement programs that empower and uplift the local Black community through various initiatives.

This grant provides funding to community organizations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to implement programs that address the root causes of poverty and promote economic stability for underserved populations, including unemployed individuals and those facing financial constraints.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh that are dedicated to preventing violence and enhancing community safety in neighborhoods most affected by crime.

This award provides $15,000 to women, trans, and gender nonconforming artists in the Greater Philadelphia area who have dedicated at least five years to using their art for social change.