Scranton Area Community Foundation

How to Speak Up Without Burning Out: Strategic Communication Made Simple
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
How to Speak Up Without Burning Out: Strategic Communication Made Simple is the final installment of the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence’s upcoming 4-part series, Facing Forward: Tools for Uncertain Times.This series is designed for professionals who are carrying the weight of doing more with less, while wondering what comes next. Together, we’ll hold space for honest conversation, share tools to stay informed and resilient, and explore how to take action (even when things feel out of our hands).Presenter: Dr. Christine KiesingerDrop-in Topic: How to use your voice strategically and with confidence to advocate for yourselves and others with impact.Description: Navigating change can be exhausting—especially when you feel pressure to stay quiet or “just get through it.” This session is designed to help frontline staff become strategic communicators who can speak up effectively for themselves and those they serve while staying grounded and avoiding burnout.You’ll learn:

An effective strategy for managing your internal state, so you can stay calm, centered, and clear during high-stakes conversations

Strategic and empowering methods for using your voice in public and interpersonal contexts

The “rule of 3” method for organizing your thoughts and ideas so that you can share them on the fly and with impact

How to use “strategic storytelling” to support and empower your message.

Register Here!

Bells Across PA Unveiling & Celebration 🔔
2025-09-04 17:30 - 19:30 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
Join us at the Scranton Area Community Foundation @ The Century Club for a signature celebration of art, heritage, and community spirit, featuring:Bells Across PA Dedication: Unveiling a one-of-a-kind fiberglass bell sculpture, part of America250PA’s statewide public art initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Theme: “A City of Hope, A State of Giving,” honoring the Greater Scranton area’s generosity, strength, and pride.

Designed by artist Cherie Fruehan, sponsored by the Scranton Area Community Foundation with generous support from Susan & Dorrance Belin.

Remarks from community leaders and America250PA representatives.

National Votes for Women Trail Marker Dedication: Honoring Kate Chapman and celebrating the pivotal contributions of the Century Club and our community to the women’s suffrage movement.Pop-Up Art Exhibit: featuring work by Cherie Fruehan

Browse a special collection of the artist’s creations inside our beautiful historic home at The Century Club.

Meet the artist in person and enjoy light refreshments as you browse.

Secure Your Spot!

Kindly RSVP by emailing Danielle@America250PA.org. Space is limited.

Mark This Milestone With Us

This is more than an unveiling — it’s a celebration of Lackawanna County’s history, artistry, and spirit of giving, hosted in one of Scranton’s most historic and inspiring spaces. One of just 108 bells to be placed across Pennsylvania, this sculpture will stand as a lasting symbol of our community’s past, present, and future.Be part of this exciting moment as we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary—and the power of art, philanthropy, and civic engagement to unite and uplift.

Venue and Parking Information

General Parking is available in the rear lot on Moir Court, between Olive Street and Pine Street. Overflow Parking is available in the adjacent lot just before Pine Street (enter from Moir Ct). Accessible drop-off and entry is located at the rear of the Century Club, on Moir Court. Please use Moir Court entrance via Olive Street as shown below.

2025 NEPA Learning Conference
2025-09-17 08:00 - 2025-09-19 17:00 | Fiorelli’s, 1501 Main Street, Peckville, Pennsylvania, 18452, United States
We are excited to announce that the 2025 NEPA Learning Conference is scheduled for September 17-19, 2025!In partnership with the Moses Taylor Foundation and through our Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, the Learning Conference will provide nonprofit organizations and professionals across the region with invaluable training from both regional and nationally recognized experts.This year’s event will take place at Fiorelli’s, located at 1501 Main Street, Peckville, PA. Stay tuned for more information and details in the weeks to come. We look forward to seeing you there!

Navigating the Big Beautiful Bill: Tax & Estate Planning Insights
2025-10-23 16:00 - 18:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
The Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the NEPA Estate Planning Council, invites you to a timely presentation by Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP on the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).This insightful program will cover key changes in estate and gift tax credits, charitable deductions, and business tax strategies—essential knowledge for attorneys, advisors, and their clients. CLE/CE Accredited: Continuing Education credit is available, including 1 SUB for attorneys and 1 hour of CFP® Continuing Education credit for investment professionals.Networking, cocktails, and appetizers will follow the presentation.

Register Here!

Scholarship Evaluator Recruitment Night
2025-11-03 17:00 - 19:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
Each year, the Scranton Area Community Foundation helps connect hundreds of local students with life-changing scholarship opportunities—awarding more than $700,000 annually through over 180 scholarship funds established by generous donors who believe in the power of education.To make this possible, we rely on dedicated community volunteers to help review applications and ensure that scholarship funds are awarded fairly and thoughtfully to deserving students across Northeastern Pennsylvania.Join us for our Scholarship Evaluator Recruitment Night to learn how you can get involved!

Register Here

What do Scholarship Evaluators do?

Review student applications using clear scoring rubricsOffer fair, confidential, mission-aligned evaluationsHelp the community award funds where they matter most

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?*

Community members, educators, counselors, professionals, and alumni who care about educational opportunity

No prior experience required—training provided!

Why Volunteer?

Make a direct impact on local students

Small time commitment during the review window

Network with peers and community leaders

*If you can’t attend but would like to serve as an evaluator, email Cathy Fitzpatrick (Director of Grants & Scholarships) at Cathyf@safdn.org, and we’ll share the training materials and next steps.

evening agenda:

Welcome & overview of the scholarships program

Evaluator role, scoring rubric, and timeline

Hands-on walkthrough of the online review portal

Q&A and next steps

To ensure a smooth arrival, please review the parking instructions and refer to the event parking map.Together, we’re opening doors to higher education, honoring the generosity of our donors, and helping local students achieve their dreams through the power of scholarships.

Register Here

2025 Women in Philanthropy Annual Celebration
2025-11-05 17:00 - 19:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
Join us on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, as we celebrate the impact Women in Philanthropy has made on the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania this past year—and get a glimpse of what’s to come for WIP in 2026.This special evening will:

Celebrate the dedication of our WIP supporters

Highlight the incredible impact we make together each year

Share exciting updates and future plans for Women in Philanthropy

Honor the recipients of the Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award and the Roseann Smith Alperin Award—two awards that celebrate exceptional women dedicated to strengthening our community.

Stay tuned—registration details and more information will be coming soon!

NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative's Pet Holiday Event
2025-11-08 12:00 - 16:00 | The Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18503, United States
The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is excited to announce our Pet Holiday Event on Saturday, November 8th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at The Marketplace at Steamtown. Join us in promoting adoptable pets and spoiling our beloved furry family members.This special event will feature:

Adoptable pets from local shelters and rescues

Adoptable pet portraits from AFA Gallery’s Arts to the Rescue partnership

Pet-focused vendors offering gifts, treats, and services

We invite you to attend, participate, and support our region’s animal welfare community!

Listening Differently to Build a Strong Case for Action
2025-11-13 11:00 - 12:30
Learn to move beyond surface-level listening and uncover the aspirations, values, and stories that drive community action. This session teaches diagnostic listening—helping leaders identify key themes and motivations to craft messages that resonate, inspire, and mobilize meaningful systems change.

Start 2026 strong and continue the momentum from the NEPA Learning Conference!If you work in and around systems change, social justice, or in a social service capacity, these sessions are for YOU.As a continuation of what we explored with Dr. Tiffany Manuel at the Learning Conference, these upcoming sessions are designed to deepen your practice, reinforce key skills, and set us all up to hit the ground running in 2026. Each session will build on the principles introduced at the conference—helping you strengthen your Strategic CaseMaking™ approach and apply it in meaningful, actionable ways.

Register Here

NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Advocacy Committee Lunch & Learn
2025-11-14 12:00 - 13:00
The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is inviting members and community partners to participate in the next Advocacy Committee meeting.

The Advocacy Committee:

Participates in advocacy events and shares materials during professional development sessions.

Helps with advocacy outreach and awareness.

Works to inform legislators about animal welfare issues and community priorities.

If you’re passionate about advancing humane policies and collaboration across our region, we encourage you to join this important conversation. Questions? Contact us at awc@safdn.org.Let’s work together to strengthen animal welfare advocacy across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Sign Up to Register

NEPA Moves : Exploring How Smarter Land Use Can Strengthen NEPA Communities
2025-11-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, 222 Mulberry Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18503, United States
In partnership with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Scranton Area Community Foundation will welcome Molly Wood from the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) for an engaging session on transit-supportive land use—what it means, why it matters, and how it can benefit our region’s developers, planners, and communities.Molly Wood, a planner and land use specialist at LANTA, helps communities across the Lehigh Valley design neighborhoods that make it easier for people to use public transit and walk safely between destinations. With experience in architecture, city planning, and community development, she collaborates with local governments and developers to make sure growth happens in ways that support both people and places.During her presentation, Molly will share how thoughtful land use decisions can help attract new development, speed up project approvals, improve access to jobs, and increase public transit use—providing practical ideas for planners, investors, and community leaders here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.By understanding how land use decisions shape transportation options, workforce access, and neighborhood vitality, we can make more informed investments and choices that benefit everyone who calls Northeastern Pennsylvania home.

Register Here

NEPA Moves/Thrives Combined General Collaborative
2025-11-21 09:00 - 11:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
Adam Scavette from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will present findings from the new report on “Occupational Exposure to Generative AI in the Third Federal Reserve District,” offering insight into how AI may shift tasks, skill needs, and workforce strategy in our region.Following the presentation, we will provide a brief year-end wrap-up of the work accomplished across 2025 and share priorities and next steps as we move into 2026.We will also hear a special announcement from our JobsFirstNYC collaborative partner that will help shape the next phase of our efforts.

Register Here

Navigating the New Tax Landscape: Wealth and Philanthropy Giving Under the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill'
2025-11-24 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Scranton Area Community Foundation and PNC Private Bank for an informative session on how the recently enacted ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ may influence charitable giving, estate planning, and nonprofit strategy.As new tax laws take effect, understanding their implications on both personal philanthropy and organizational sustainability is essential. Experts from PNC will share valuable insights on navigating this evolving landscape—from how individuals and families can adjust their giving plans to how nonprofits can best position themselves to attract and steward charitable support.Featured speakers include:

Jennifer M. Stull, Vice President, Senior Wealth Strategist, PNC Private Bank

Mary Prescott, Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Advisor, PNC Private Bank

Tisha Hyter, CSRIC, Senior Non-Profit Specialist, Non-Profit Strategy & Solutions Group, PNC Institutional Asset Management

This virtual event is ideal for donors, fundholders, nonprofit leaders, and anyone interested in understanding how the new legislation may shape the future of philanthropy.Registration is free but required. Reserve your spot today and gain practical insights to help you give and lead with confidence under the new tax landscape.

Register Here

NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Q4 Meeting
2025-11-25 17:00 - 19:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
We’re excited to invite you to our NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Fourth Quarter Meeting — an opportunity to connect, share, and learn with others committed to advancing animal welfare in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Register Here

Unlocking Leverage Points for Systems Change
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:30
Discover how small, strategic actions can create big shifts in complex systems. Using tools from systems mapping and Strategic CaseMaking™, participants will pinpoint where power lies, identify barriers, and develop targeted strategies to activate the most promising leverage points for lasting change.

Start 2026 strong and continue the momentum from the NEPA Learning Conference!If you work in and around systems change, social justice, or in a social service capacity, these sessions are for YOU.As a continuation of what we explored with Dr. Tiffany Manuel at the Learning Conference, these upcoming sessions are designed to deepen your practice, reinforce key skills, and set us all up to hit the ground running in 2026. Each session will build on the principles introduced at the conference—helping you strengthen your Strategic CaseMaking™ approach and apply it in meaningful, actionable ways.

Register Here

2025 Annual Community Celebration
2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00 | The Scranton Area Community Foundation at the Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 18510, United States
Join us as we come together to celebrate community, impact, and generosity across Northeastern Pennsylvania!The Scranton Area Community Foundation invites you to our signature year-end event on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 5 PM recognizing the donors, partners, and organizations who help strengthen our region every day.This year holds special meaning as we mark our first year in our new home at the historic Century Club of Scranton—a welcoming space made possible through the generosity, vision, and partnership of donors like you.Our theme, “Celebrating Community: A Year of Impact, Partnership, and Possibility,” highlights not only what the Foundation has accomplished—but what you have made possible. Together, we’ll reflect on the milestones that shaped 2025, from transformative grants to strategic initiatives, and recognize the community partners whose collaboration is creating meaningful, lasting change.This evening is an opportunity to:

Hear inspiring stories of impact made possible through your generosity

Connect with fellow supporters, partners, and community leaders

Celebrate our shared accomplishments and the progress we’ve made together

Look ahead to the opportunities and momentum building for 2026

Enjoy live music, meaningful conversations, and refreshments as we gather to honor a year of extraordinary collaboration and shared purpose. The evening will begin at 5 PM with networking and dinner stations, followed by a brief program at 6 PM highlighting key moments, milestones, and stories of impact from across our community.

RSVP Here!
