Community Impact Grants

The TFEC Community Impact Grants program is administered by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, a regional community foundation dedicated to improving quality of life across South Central Pennsylvania. The foundation works by connecting donors, nonprofits, and community partners to address pressing local challenges through strategic philanthropy. This grant program is designed to strengthen community capacity by investing in nonprofit organizations and collaborative partnerships that produce measurable outcomes and long-term sustainability. The funder prioritizes initiatives that align local resources, improve access to essential services, and address diverse community needs through data-informed approaches. The purpose of the Community Impact Grant is to support projects that generate meaningful and lasting change within the foundation’s service area. Funding is intended to enhance organizational effectiveness, expand program delivery, and foster cross-sector collaboration. Emphasis is placed on initiatives that demonstrate sustainable strategies, measurable outcomes, and equitable benefits for the broader community. Eligible projects may span a wide range of focus areas including education, health and wellness, environment, homelessness and hunger, housing stability, mental health, seniors, animal welfare, and targeted community initiatives supported by designated funds. The program also integrates special funding opportunities such as the Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund, which prioritizes projects serving Mifflin and Juniata counties. Grant funds may be used to support programmatic activities, infrastructure improvements such as strategic planning, and initiatives that strengthen long-term organizational capacity. However, certain uses are explicitly restricted, including capital campaigns, lobbying efforts, retroactive funding, and projects primarily serving religious purposes. Projects must demonstrate a clear need, defined target audience, and a structured implementation plan with measurable outcomes. Applicants are also expected to present a diversified funding strategy and a detailed budget outlining how grant funds will be utilized. Eligibility is open to nonprofit organizations of all sizes, including those recognized as 501(c)(3) entities or those operating under a fiscal sponsor with appropriate nonprofit status. Faith-based organizations are eligible provided their programs serve the broader community without requiring participation in religious activities. Projects must serve residents within Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, or Perry Counties, or the Dillsburg area of Northern York County. Additional funding considerations may apply to specific geographic areas or populations through designated community funds. The application process is conducted online and requires submission of all materials by the stated deadline. Applicants may request a draft review of their application up to two weeks prior to submission, which provides an opportunity for feedback and refinement. While specific application components are not exhaustively listed, proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as alignment with program mission, clarity of project design, defined roles and partnerships, funding sustainability, measurable outcomes, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The grant timeline begins with applications opening on June 1 and closing on September 1. Applicants are notified of funding decisions by December 1. Funded projects must be implemented within the grant year, which runs from January 1 through December 31 following the award cycle. The program operates on an annual cycle, making it a recurring funding opportunity. Interested applicants can contact the foundation’s grants team via email or phone for guidance throughout the application process.

Ensure strong alignment with community impact goals, include measurable outcomes, demonstrate funding diversification, and clearly define partnerships and roles