Pennsylvania Community Development Grants

The Sarah Ralston Foundation's Innovative Project Support grants target organizations that develop novel solutions for the aging population in Philadelphia, focusing on serving older adults residing in Philadelphia County. Grants range from $25,000 to $125,000 annually, with potential multiyear support up to 3 years. The foundation encourages projects that offer new approaches to care, support, and socialization for older adults, including co-funding opportunities with other funders. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 1st

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Allegheny County to hire consultants for projects that strengthen their capacity and enhance their impact through collaboration.

This funding opportunity supports innovative arts initiatives by nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Pennsylvania that enhance community vitality and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This program provides entrepreneurial training and resources to aspiring business owners in the Bradford, Pennsylvania area, helping them develop ventures that positively impact their community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations seeking to improve or develop Pre-K education programs across the USA.

This funding opportunity provides $5,000 to small arts organizations in Pennsylvania to support their administrative and program-related expenses, helping them thrive and serve their communities.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This program provides financial assistance ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses in Pennsylvania that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, conducts an annual competitive grant program to benefit nonprofits serving Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The foundation’s purpose is to invest in programs and services that produce positive outcomes for residents and families. The program prioritizes innovative and collaborative approaches that demonstrate achievable outcomes, potential for replication, and sustainability beyond the grant term. Funding aligns with arts and culture, community development, education, environment, and health and human services. Additional areas of interest include music and the arts, cancer related health services, services for people in need or with special needs, programs for children with special or accessibility needs, and access to early childhood education. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or projects using a qualified fiscal sponsor that serve Franklin County. Grants do not fund advertising, capital campaigns, direct lobbying, individuals, umbrella organizations without a local presence, new staff roles without a sustainability plan, religious purposes, or retroactive projects. Awards are typically up to 7,000 dollars, with an overall stated range from 1,000 to 10,000 dollars, for projects occurring between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Applications are submitted through TFEC’s process by May 1, 2024. Proposals are assessed for community impact, collaboration, and alignment with stated priorities. Official details are provided by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

This funding program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania that serve communities at risk of hate crimes, enabling them to improve their security and safety measures.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide career development programs for Black youth aged 14-24 in designated NBA markets.

The McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) awards grants through its McKean County Community Development Fund, an unrestricted fund aimed at enhancing the economic and community well-being of McKean County. This initiative aligns directly with the MCCF's mission to support community development, ensuring that vital resources are channeled to areas that will foster significant growth and improvement within the region. The grants are designed to be a catalyst for positive change, focusing on broad community benefit rather than specific individual needs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit agencies operating within McKean County that are dedicated to community development initiatives. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the county by funding projects that address critical community needs and foster sustainable growth. While specific target populations within the county are not explicitly detailed, the focus is on initiatives that benefit the community as a whole, thereby elevating the quality of life for all residents. The MCCF prioritizes innovative projects that demonstrate a clear plan for long-term sustainability. The grants are not intended to cover an agency's direct operating expenses but rather to enhance existing programs or support the development of new, impactful initiatives. This strategic focus ensures that funding is used to build capacity and create lasting solutions, rather than simply maintaining the status quo. The foundation's theory of change emphasizes investment in creative solutions that have the potential for enduring community benefit. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of innovative community development projects that contribute to the economic vitality and overall well-being of McKean County. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on innovation and sustainability suggests that successful projects would demonstrate tangible improvements in community indicators relevant to economic and social development. Approximately $10,000 is available this year, with a maximum grant request of $2,000 per applicant, indicating a strategy to support multiple smaller, impactful projects across the county.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Schuylkill County affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, helping them recover losses and retain jobs for low- to moderate-income individuals.

This grant provides funding to non-profit arts organizations and local government entities in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to support accessible arts projects and programs for the community.

Access Microfund is a reimbursement program offered by the Arts Council, providing up to $500 to support arts and culture organizations, collaboratives, and artists in Pennsylvania. The fund aims to assist in providing accommodations for patrons and artists with disabilities, including American Sign Language interpretation, audio description, captioning, and materials in alternative formats. Looking for one-time assistance in making your arts event more accessible? The Arts Council’s Access Microfund is a reimbursement program that provides up to $500 to help arts and culture organizations, collaboratives and artists provide accommodations to patrons and artists with disabilities, such as American Sign Language interpretation, audio description, captioning, or materials in alternative formats. No deadline. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. APPLY If you have questions about eligibility, please email Mia Hooper, director of development and grantmaking, or call 412-391-2060 ext. 222. Funding for Access Microfund comes from the National Endowments for the Arts. Claire leading an accessibility workshop Claire leading an accessibility workshop Eligibility Nonprofit arts organizations, artist collaboratives, and independent artists serving or working in the nine counties of southwestern Pennsylvania (Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland) are eligible to apply. The Access Microfund is meant for those that are providing arts programming to the public. Funding through the Access Microfund is not intended to support accessibility accommodations for an organization's full series of scheduled programs. Instead, the fund is for an accommodation outside your scheduled accommodated programs or if you are planning a one-time public program and need additional accessibility assistance. Examples of eligible accommodations American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation of one performance Audio description of a single museum tour Development of a Braille program Interpretation, captioning, or other accommodations for an artist or patron with a disability Ineligible accommodations Series of regularly scheduled ASL interpreted performances Audio description of tours and performances that have already happened Adding a wheelchair ramp Ongoing accommodations for employees or volunteers with disabilities A group of individuals gather for a picture at the LEAD Conference in Pittsburgh. There are seventeen smiling people, and one service dog. LEAD Conference Pittsburgh Application Process Applications can be submitted at any time and support will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Arts Council will make every effort to review your needs as quickly as we can, making decisions and seeking input from representatives of the disability community when appropriate. You must submit following information in your application: Organization or collaborative name and contact information The type of accommodation you would like to provide or are seeking reimbursement for, the approximate cost of that service, and how you determined the cost of the accommodation The date you wish to offer the accommodation Why you want to provide the accommodation In exchange for a reimbursement through the Access Microfund, you must: Provide your accommodation policy or agree to create an accommodation policy no later than two months after receiving funding; and Either provide some matching funds or agree to create a line item in your next budget to cover future programmatic accommodations. National Endowment for the Arts Statement of Equitable Funding The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council continues to support diverse and vulnerable populations, understanding that we should always inform our work through a lens of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. The Arts Council does not discriminate against applicants based on gender identity, race, religion, color, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

This funding opportunity provides $5,000 to small arts organizations in specific Pennsylvania counties to support their administrative and program-related expenses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to various organizations in Pennsylvania for projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution and improving water quality in impaired watersheds.

This funding opportunity provides $5,000 to small arts organizations in Pennsylvania with annual revenues between $10,000 and $200,000, allowing them to address various administrative and programmatic needs to better serve their communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life for residents in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, focusing on areas such as arts, education, health, and community development.

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to restore and sustain forests and freshwater habitats in Central Appalachia, benefiting native wildlife and engaging local communities in conservation efforts.