Best Lehigh County Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund: Catalyst Grants, initiated in 2014 by the Open Space Institute, aims to enhance water resource management and land protection. These grants support organizations addressing climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous-led groups. Funded projects should integrate science into conservation plans, focusing on water quality and stewardship. The initiative collaborates with the William Penn Foundation to ensure sustainable water practices across the Delaware River watershed.

The Coastal Zone Management Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, supports projects that protect coastal resources in Pennsylvania's Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie. Open for applications from September 9, 2024, to October 21, 2024, the program promotes initiatives focused on coastal hazards, public access, and ecological preservation. Eligible applicants include local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Grants help fund planning, construction, and research projects essential for sustaining coastal ecosystems and enhancing public access.

The PPL Foundation's Empowering Communities Grants provide up to $50,000 to support initiatives that enhance education, workforce development, and community revitalization. Targeting nonprofits in the PPL Electric Utilities region, these grants focus on environmental stewardship, economic development, and promoting sustainable communities. Eligible organizations must demonstrate their impact in improving community quality of life, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications are limited to one per organization per grant cycle.

The Erie Insurance Giving Network Grant supports organizations focused on community building, safety, and environmental responsibility. Grants under $10,000 can be submitted at any time, while larger requests follow specific deadlines. Priority is given to organizations with community representation in their governing bodies. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and municipalities. The initiative emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, aligning with ERIE's corporate values.

The John and Margaret Post Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations that enhance the quality of life for families in northwest New Jersey and northeast Pennsylvania. Focused on arts, education, environment, health, and human services, the foundation prioritizes grants for capital needs and specific programs. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and primarily serve the designated geographic areas. This grant represents an opportunity for impactful projects that align with the foundation's mission.

The Edna G. Kynett Memorial Foundation Grant supports initiatives that enhance cardiovascular health in the Delaware Valley. Established in 1954, it funds community health, professional education, and research programs targeting high-risk and underserved populations. The Foundation prioritizes innovative proposals focused on prevention and sustainable health improvements, particularly for children and adults. Grants typically do not exceed $50,000 and cover direct program expenses. Eligible applicants include public entities and 501(c)(3) organizations.

The Keystone Savings Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in the Lehigh Valley, focusing on education, health services, arts, community development, and economic revitalization. Grants of $25,000 or more are reviewed annually, with applications due by August 15. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant and can apply for funding in various categories, but restrictions apply to consecutive funding years. The foundation does not support certain fundraisers or debt reduction efforts.

The Housing for Everyone Grant Competition, part of the 2026 Initiative, aims to support eviction prevention in low-to moderate-income communities. This 20th annual initiative recognizes the destabilizing impact of eviction and displacement on families, which leads to job loss, school disruptions, and health issues. By funding innovative organizations, the competition seeks to provide stability for renters, enabling them to stay in their homes and communities.

The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, initiated in 2018, aims to enhance ecosystems in the Delaware River watershed through grants supporting habitat restoration and water quality improvement. With $72.1 million awarded to 239 projects, it has significantly impacted over 26 miles of riparian habitat and 77 miles of stream habitat, along with conserving 1,176 acres of wetlands. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also emphasizes outdoor recreation and community vitality in the region.

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, supports music education and philanthropy through capital support grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Eligible organizations include non-profit, 501(c)(3) music education and performance entities located within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Projects funded may include construction, renovation, or equipment purchases. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that enhance music education while excluding non-music related venues and general operating expenses.

The Home Health Care Foundation Fund Grant, managed by Berks County Community Foundation, supports organizations that provide essential home health care in Berks County and neighboring areas. The grant prioritizes programs that assist residents in recovering from illness at home and those that enhance preventative healthcare. Additionally, it favors initiatives that train family caregivers, ensuring individuals can remain at home and receive compassionate care within their communities.

The Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Fund provides essential financial support for agencies serving homeless veterans in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for transitional and supportive housing programs that also offer vital services like case management and education. With a total funding pool of $150,000, the initiative aims to stabilize and expand existing programs, ensuring sustainability even in the absence of future funding from the Homeless Veteran Fund.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

The PLTW Gateway program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by supporting schools in eligible counties to implement PLTW Gateway units. With a total grant of $20,000, schools are encouraged to offer at least one unit per academic year, fostering real-world skills and engagement in STEM fields. This initiative seeks to increase access and participation in high-quality STEM learning experiences, ultimately preparing students for future careers.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

2026 Medication-Assisted Substance Use Treatment Grant Program 

Overview:

This is a noncompetitive funding announcement open to the 61 counties in Pennsylvania with a county jail. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is now accepting applications for funding under the 2026 Medication-Assisted Substance Use Treatment Grant Program. The primary purpose of this funding is to support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), in combination with comprehensive substance use disorder treatment, to eligible offenders who meet the clinical criteria for an opioid use disorder or an alcohol use disorder, as determined by a physician, while incarcerated and upon release from a county jail. For purposes of this funding announcement, the term "Medication-Assisted Treatment" means the use of United States Food and Drug Administration-approved medications (buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone/Vivitrol), together with nonmedication treatment, as clinically indicated, to treat substance use disorders, including opioid use disorders and alcohol use disorders. Administration of these medications along with comprehensive substance use disorder treatment will allow newly released participants to focus on immediate reentry needs.

Funded counties will adhere to program activities and requirements as discussed in this funding announcement and work collaboratively with local and state partners to ensure effective program operations and successful project outcomes.

Successful projects will allow county jails to better equip reentrants as they transition to the community.