Nuestras subvenciones
Subvenciones de la Scranton Area Community Foundation
Explore todas las oportunidades de subvención disponibles en nuestro portal de gestión de subvenciones en línea
The Scranton Area Community Foundation works with nonprofit organizations to strengthen our community and respond to needs and opportunities across Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Grant funding is available through several different sources, including the Foundation’s unrestricted Community Needs resources, charitable funds established by donors, and private and family foundations administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
Each opportunity has its own eligibility requirements, funding priorities, geographic focus, and application process.
Not sure where to start? Explore the options below to find the opportunity that may be the best fit for your organization.
How Grantmaking at the Foundation Works
The Scranton Area Community Foundation brings together charitable resources from many different sources to support nonprofit organizations and respond to needs across our community.
Depending on your organization and request, funding may be available through one of the following:
Community Needs & Responsive Grantmaking
Unrestricted gifts to the Scranton Area Community Foundation give us the flexibility to respond to changing needs and opportunities throughout Lackawanna County.
Rather than limiting this funding to one traditional annual grant cycle, the Foundation uses a more flexible, community-informed approach to learn from nonprofits throughout the year and determine where resources can make the greatest difference.
In 2026, the Community Support Initiative Letter of Inquiry (LOI) serves as the primary starting point for organizations that would traditionally seek Community Needs funding.
Grants from Charitable Funds
The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers more than 450 charitable funds established by individuals, families, organizations, and others who want to make a difference in our community.
Some of these funds provide grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations working within a particular field, geographic area, or charitable purpose.
Current opportunities may include funding for areas such as animal welfare, arts and culture, historic preservation, health and wellness, and other community needs.
Foundations Administered by SACF
The Scranton Area Community Foundation also provides foundation management and grantmaking administration for private and family foundations.
These foundations maintain their own charitable priorities, eligibility requirements, geographic areas of focus, and grant cycles.
Current opportunities include funding through the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, the NEPA Health Care Foundation, and the Sheldon Family Foundation, among others.
OPORTUNIDADES DE SUBVENCIÓN DISPONIBLES
Community Support Initiative
Status: OPEN — LOIs reviewed on a rolling basis
In place of the traditional Community Needs Grant cycle this year, the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF) will use the Community Support Initiative Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process to better understand emerging nonprofit needs and respond more flexibly throughout 2026.
This approach allows SACF to remain responsive to nonprofit needs as they evolve throughout the year rather than limiting funding to a single grant cycle.
Nonprofit organizations across Lackawanna County are navigating a wide range of challenges—from funding uncertainty and rising costs to staffing pressures and increased demand for services.
Through this LOI process, SACF hopes to listen and learn from nonprofit organizations about the challenges they are experiencing and the needs emerging in the communities they serve.
This LOI will serve as the starting point for SACF’s 2026 grantmaking process.
Please Note:
• This LOI is not intended to be a competitive grant application
• Submission of an LOI does not guarantee funding
• Information shared may lead to follow-up conversations, invitations to apply for funding, or other support opportunities
Organizations are encouraged to be candid and specific. Sharing challenges will not disadvantage your organization.
Who Should Submit an LOI
Lackawanna County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of all sizes are encouraged to submit an LOI if they:
• Are experiencing significant organizational changes or financial challenges
• Anticipate meaningful impacts within the next 6–12 months
• Have been affected by federal, state, or other funding reductions, eliminations, delays, or policy changes
• Have not previously submitted a Community Support Initiative LOI
• Would normally apply for Community Needs funding
Please note: If your organization has already submitted a Community Support Initiative LOI, you do not need to submit another LOI at this time.
Subvenciones Robert H. Spitz
Fall 2026 LOI period: CLOSED
Invited application deadline: Septiembre 30, 2026
The Robert H. Spitz Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Please note: If the applying organization has received grant funding from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for three consecutive years, it must wait one full year (two grant cycles, 1 Spring and 1 Fall) before applying again.
Fall 2026 priority areas for funding include:
Animal Welfare
Including but not limited to programs that support humane education, adoption for homeless animals, spay/neuter, trap neuter release (TNR), rescue, veterinary care, and which help the economically disadvantaged and the elderly to keep their companion animals.
Environmental
Programs/projects that seek to preserve and/or protect the environment; raise awareness and/or educate about climate/environmental issues; and seeks to mitigate the impact of harmful practices to the environment and promote recreation/public health.
Veterans’ Affairs and Veteran-oriented Programs
Programs that support veterans and their families through access to healthcare, housing, job training, mental health services, and reintegration support. This includes initiatives addressing homelessness, PTSD, disability benefits, and community-based outreach tailored to the unique needs of those who have served in the military.
Questions?
Please contact grants@safdn.org with questions about the Robert H. Spitz Foundation Fall 2026 grant cycle.
Subvenciones para necesidades críticas (hasta 5.000 $)
Status: OPEN — Reviewed on a rolling basis
Grant requests: Up to $5,000
Critical Needs Grants provide timely support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations facing urgent, unanticipated needs.
Funding may support emergency operational needs, sudden revenue shortfalls, unexpected funding reductions, emergency repairs or equipment failures, or other situations that could interrupt the delivery of essential programs or services.
These grants are designed for needs requiring a response within approximately six to eight weeks.
Proceso de solicitud de subvenciones
As part of our ongoing commitment to building the capacity of our nonprofit professionals and to better serve our grant seekers, we have recently simplified our grant application process. Our grant application process is now streamlined through our online grant management portal.
The grant application process begins with submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the online portal.
To submit an LOI, you will need to first create an account in our online grant management portal.
All applicants are required to create an account. [Note that your LOI/grant application can be saved as a draft, and when you log on again it’s easy to return to that draft, make edits, and submit the application when you’re ready to do so.
Para crear su cuenta e iniciar el proceso de solicitud de subvención, introduzca la siguiente información:
- Un nombre de usuario que sea una dirección de correo electrónico
- Sus datos de contacto
- Your organization’s information, including the EIN/Tax ID number
- Información de contacto del Director Ejecutivo de la organización
We have provided additional resources, including a written tutorial, to help you with our new grant application process. To access the written applicant tutorial, visit Applicant Tutorial – Grants.
Please note that the Scranton Area Community Foundation will ONLY accept grant requests through the online portal. No paper or emailed applications will be accepted.
The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grants and Critical Needs grants are awarded to registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that help to enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County. Grant applications are evaluated according to specific criteria including community impact, organizational capability, and project feasibility and sustainability. We will also take into account the challenges nonprofits face in this turbulent time.
If you have any questions about our grant application process, please contact us at 570-347-6203 or grants@safdn.org.