Nonprofit organizations across Lackawanna County are navigating a wide range of challenges, pressures, and changes that are affecting their ability to meet community needs.
These challenges include, but are not limited to:
- Funding uncertainty
- Rising costs
- Operational strain
- Policy shifts
- Staffing pressures
- Increased demand for services
SACF understands that recent federal and state funding reductions, delays, and policy changes are shaping the current landscape, while also recognizing that nonprofit organizations face a wide range of interconnected needs and risks beyond any single funding source.
What We Are Asking
To better understand these realities, the Foundation is asking nonprofit organizations to share what you are experiencing right now—openly and honestly through a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
This LOI is a listening and learning opportunity, designed to help us better understand:
- The challenges nonprofits are facing and how they are affecting the communities you serve
- The urgency, scale, and nature of emerging organizational and community needs
- How future grant opportunities could be structured to respond thoughtfully, effectively, and equitably
What This LOI Is — and Is Not
- This is not a competitive grant application.
- Responses will not be used to evaluate or rank individual organizations.
- We are looking for patterns, trends, and shared pressures across the sector, not polished proposals.
Candid, specific responses are encouraged and will not disadvantage your organization.
Submitting an LOI does not guarantee funding, and respondents may or may not be invited to apply for future support.
We ask that responses reflect the values of trust, transparency, and responsiveness. Your insights will directly inform the Foundation’s learning and future strategy during this period of change.
Timeline/Procedure
LOIs will close on January 31st, 2026.
Following the LOI deadline:
- Foundation staff will review submissions to identify themes, trends, and priority needs
- The Foundation may design one or more grant opportunities informed by LOI responses
- Some organizations may be contacted for follow-up conversations or invited to apply
As feasible, all respondents will receive a general update summarizing what the Foundation learned and next steps.
Who Should Submit an LOI?
Lackawanna County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of all sizes are encouraged to submit an LOI if they:
- Are going through significant changes or have significant financial needs; or
- Anticipate significant impacts within the next 6–12 months; or
- Have been directly impacted by federal, state, or other funding reductions, eliminations, delays, or policy changes
How to Apply
- Log into the Scranton Area Community Foundation grant portal at safdn.org/grants (or click the button below).
- On the “Apply” page, look for the “2026 SACF Community Support Initiative” and click “apply” to begin.
We recognize the additional burden that uncertainty and funding disruptions place on nonprofit organizations. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and insights. Your input will help guide how the Foundation listens, learns, and responds during this period of change.