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Scranton Area Community Foundation Celebrates a Record Year of Grantmaking

12.13.23

Scranton Area Community Foundation Celebrates a Record Year of Grantmaking

Recognizes Notable Community Partners and Funds during its Annual Community Celebration


Scranton, PA – On the evening of Thursday, December 7, the Scranton Area Community Foundation hosted its 2023 Annual Community Celebration at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, celebrating a record year of grantmaking and recognizing the impact of notable charitable funds and community partners making a difference. Over 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the impact and accomplishment made possible by the Foundation’s generous partners, donors, funds, and more.

At the event, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi, along with members of the Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors, thanked the donors and friends whose contributions enabled the Foundation to distribute nearly $8 million in grants and scholarships from charitable funds and an additional $2 million from foundations under management, the highest since the Foundation’s inception in 1954.

The Foundation also acknowledged and celebrated community partners and funds who have led the way in making a significant impact in 2023. Featured Funds included the Fendrock Family Fund, the Susan Burke Foundation for Colon Cancer, and the Sondra G. and Morey M. Myers Charitable Gift Fund. Featured Community Partners were Scott R. Thorpe, Accountant/Partner, Ostrowski Beckley, and Thorpe PC; Chris Bohinski and WBRE-TV.

The event also paid tribute to Attorney Jack Nogi, who was a dedicated trustee of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. Attorney Nogi was instrumental in working with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to distribute over $2 million in grants from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation since 2016.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With nearly $95 million in assets under management and more than 330 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954.

The Foundation leads various initiatives, including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.


Pam Fendrock accepts the 2023 Featured Fund Award on behalf of the Fendrock Family Fund.
The children of Susan Burke accept the 2023 Featured Fund Award for the Susan Burke Foundation for Colon Cancer (l-r): Abbey Burke and Katherine Fangs, daughters of Susan Burke; Bill Hines, recipient of a grant from the Susan Burke Foundation for Colon Cancer; Jamie Ksiazek, son of Susan Burke.
Mr. and Mrs. Morey and Sondra Myers accept the 2023 Featured Fund Award for the Sondra G. and Morey M. Myers Charitable Gift Fund (l-r) Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO; Morey and Sondra Myers; Dr. Jay Bannon, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board Governor.
Scott Thorpe accepts the 2023 Featured Community Partner Award
Chris Bohinski accepts the 2023 Featured Community Partner Award (l-r): Ken Okrepkie, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board Governor; Chris Bohinski, Host/Producer, WBRE-TV; Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO.
(l-r) Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO, pictured with Jack Nogi, Esq. earlier in the year.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With nearly $95 million in assets under management and more than 315 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954.

The Foundation leads various initiatives including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.