Best Child Welfare Grants in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania child welfare organizations developing child advocacy center satellite locations can access funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, with awards up to US $300,000. Support is limited to National Children’s Alliance–accredited Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams creating CAC satellite sites in counties without enough cases to sustain an independent center.

Focused on child welfare and family support, nonprofits in Pennsylvania can seek funding for programs serving children and youth at risk, abuse prevention, and related services. The Joseph Kennard Skilling Trust supports 501(c)(3) organizations, typically in the Philadelphia community, with US $1,000 - US $10,000 for effective, well-managed social welfare programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania and other AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid markets can apply for Amerihealth Caritas Foundation’s project-specific grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $150,000 to address adverse childhood experiences and promote children’s health. Programs must be community-led, focus on healing behaviors, health care access, or empowering families, and serve communities with many Medicaid enrollees.

Pennsylvania child advocacy centers and direct victim service organizations supporting children subjected to sexual abuse can access funding for prevention, intervention, and victim services projects. Through the Endowment Act CACs/DVSOs Grant Program, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency offers up to US $100,000 over two years for eligible child abuse and neglect initiatives.

Pennsylvania child welfare agencies developing Children’s Advocacy Centers can access funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to expand multidisciplinary investigative teams. Grants up to US $150,000 support establishing National Children’s Alliance-accredited centers in counties without existing CACs to better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse and neglect.

Pennsylvania child welfare and foster care nonprofits can access funding through the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust to support underprivileged children, including those who are orphaned or hard to place. 501(c)(3) organizations serving basic human needs and child foster care and adoption services in Pennsylvania and other eligible regions may be considered.

Local governments, state-related universities, and nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania can seek funding to deliver child passenger safety education, technician training, and car seat distribution in underserved communities. With a mission to improve behavioral highway safety, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provides Pennsylvania child welfare and traffic safety programs with support for data-driven, evidence-based initiatives using NHTSA funds.

Children’s 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing child welfare, health, or educational services in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region can seek program support through the Dover Grants program. Grants from Speedway Children's Charities help organizations serving homeless, foster, orphaned, and trafficked children, as well as those addressing medical, disability, food security, tutoring, and after-school needs.

Child welfare and family service nonprofits in the greater Chicago area can seek McGraw Foundation support for programs serving children and families, including foster care, adoption, crisis intervention, and related services. McGraw Foundation provides U.S. 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1)/(a)(2) organizations with US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operating, project, or occasional capital needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving underprivileged, handicapped, orphaned, or otherwise deserving children in Philadelphia can receive US $2,500 - US $20,000 for care, education, maintenance, support, and recreation. The Paula Steinebach Trust directs funding within Philadelphia County, supporting child welfare and related youth services in Pennsylvania.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations serving underprivileged, orphaned, dependent, neglected, delinquent, or disadvantaged children in Pennsylvania can apply for funding for programs and projects. Focused on child welfare services, Bridge Builders Community Foundations prioritizes work in Cooperstown Borough and nearby Utica Borough, Jackson Township, Canal Township, and within a five-mile surrounding radius.

Nonprofit organizations supporting child welfare, early childhood development, or child abuse and neglect prevention in Pennsylvania may be eligible for child well-being funding through the Doris Duke Foundation. This national program backs bold, community-led, prevention-oriented projects that help children grow up in safe, healthy, and secure families, including initiatives that reimagine child welfare systems like the OPT-In for Families model.

Grants from the US Dept. of Health & Human Services help Pennsylvania child welfare and child foster care organizations provide home studies and post-release services for unaccompanied children. Eligible U.S.-based providers can apply for US $1,000,000 - US $50,000,000 to ensure safe placements, ongoing support, and community connections for these youth.

Joyful Heart Foundation

Since 2004, Joyful Heart has been a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse by building a world that prioritizes survivors’ healing.

Our Areas of Focus

We continue to carry out our mission through programming centered on survivors’ needs. We strive to fill gaps where those needs aren’t being met, without duplicating existing programs. In order to build a more compassionate, more informed culture rooted in the possibility and promise of healing, we focus on three key areas: Awareness and Community Building, Policy and Advocacy and Healing Programs.

• Healing Programs and Resources: Creating and fostering a culture of healing and nurturing for survivors and the professionals who support them.
• Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies and practices that forge a path to safety, justice and hope for survivors.

• Awareness and Community Building: Creating spaces and conversations that channel a drive for change into action and transformation.

Heal the Healers Grant 

Helping alleviate the effects of secondary trauma for the long-term wellbeing of professionals who support survivors

Building for a System of Care and Compassion

Heal the Healers Grantmaking Program provides critical support for professionals who help survivors heal and seek justice. People working on the frontlines of survivor-centered services are subject to the often overlooked effects of secondary trauma that can emerge as a result of continuous exposure to people who have recently experienced abuse and violence.

The Heal the Healers Grant Fund and Grantee Learning Cohorts provide resources to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma among the practitioners responsible for the earliest stages of survivors’ paths to justice and healing. Creating a safer, more compassionate world for the people who do this work helps lay a foundation for lasting change and a world where every survivor’s healing is prioritized.

The Heal the Healers Fund provides micro-grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit, Tribal, or governmental organizations supporting survivors for training, small capital projects, or organizational activities.

Areas of Support

The Joyful Heart Foundation has established the following guidelines for its Heal the Healers Fund grants to support those working directly with survivors in the following areas.

• Training and/or program development on self-care practices such as training in trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, etc.
• Small capital items and equipment that specifically allow staff and volunteers to address their self care needs such as daylight lamps for staff or new furniture for a break room.
• Staff activities to build and support connections between colleagues such as, trust building experiences, monthly pizza nights, or bagel Fridays.
• Or any combination of the above. 

In addition to the financial support, grantees will also be invited to join a peer learning community cohort that includes:

• Opportunities to amplify their fellowship/cohort experiences to inspire others in the field
• Virtual peer-to-peer networking opportunities
• Virtual training/presentations by leading healers, therapists and other professionals with expertise in cutting edge vicarious trauma, empowerment, leadership and therapeutic modalities

The Stout Foundation Grant supports organizations aligned with the values of its founder, Mr. Stout. Grants are awarded exclusively to entities with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and focus on charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Preference is given to organizations with low overhead costs and those located in areas frequented by Foundation members. The Foundation aims to promote effective use of funds while remaining flexible in its grant-making approach.

The Kids Trust Fund Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations focused on helping children aged 0-18 who have suffered from abuse or neglect. Established in memory of Gary L. Houck, Jr., this fund encourages innovative programs that enhance existing services and empower affected families. Eligible activities include therapeutic recreation, early intervention, and mental health services. The foundation seeks collaborative solutions that yield measurable outcomes, ensuring long-term support for these vulnerable children.

The Dale Jr. Foundation, founded by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., has raised over $8 million since 2007 to support various charities focusing on youth and underprivileged communities. The foundation emphasizes empowerment, education, wellness, hunger relief, and hope, aiming to provide resources that enhance confidence and opportunities for children facing hardships. Through fundraising efforts and partnerships with organizations like Make-A-Wish, the foundation strives to positively impact lives and foster a sense of normalcy among children in need.

Youth who are or have been in Nevada foster care and plan to pursue college, trade, or vocational programs can apply for the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Foster Children Education Scholarship, awarding $1,000 - $5,000. Pennsylvania child welfare organizations serving eligible Nevada foster youth may help students access and renew this education-focused support.

The Joyce Price Johnson’s Samaritan Fund provides scholarships for young people in North Carolina who are exiting foster care or facing poverty. Eligible candidates include undergraduates, graduates, and adult re-entry students attending various accredited institutions. Applications for NCCF scholarships open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026. Preference is given to applicants from Wayne County and adjacent areas, ensuring support for those with exceptional financial need.

Colorado foster care alumni pursuing post-secondary education can receive scholarships of US $1,000 - US $10,000 to study at accredited U.S. institutions. The Denver Foundation provides this support for youth who spent at least 12 months in foster care, with selection based on academic performance, potential, and financial need; Pennsylvania child welfare organizations may share this opportunity with eligible youth.

The ISF New Student Scholarship supports orphaned or former foster care students in their pursuit of higher education. By providing financial assistance and mentoring, ISF empowers these students to overcome obstacles and thrive academically. Recipients are selected based on their moral character, commitment to personal growth, and readiness to engage in leadership training. This initiative aims to transform lives and foster the next generation of leaders.

The EMF Family Building Grants, offered by the Expect Miracles Foundation, support young adult cancer survivors in their fertility treatment and family-building efforts. These grants are designed for applicants with a clear family-building plan and financial strategy, helping bridge the gap in costs associated with fertility preservation, assisted reproductive technologies, and related services. By prioritizing those actively engaged in their journey, the foundation aims to empower survivors to pursue their dreams of family.

The Seneca Foods Foundation Grant supports philanthropic initiatives focused on empowering youth and strengthening communities. Since 1988, it has provided funding for education, community assistance, and internships. The Foundation prioritizes organizations connected to Seneca employees, located near its operational facilities, and those that align with its mission. It requires documented performance results and considers only one request per organization annually, ensuring that grants foster measurable impact within the communities served.

The When Georgia Smiled Grant, established by the Robin McGraw Revelation and Dr. Phil Foundation, focuses on aiding victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. The foundation prioritizes programs that provide shelter, education, and mental health services to ensure safe and fulfilling lives for affected individuals. Additionally, it supports initiatives for children and disaster relief, fostering community resilience and family reunification efforts. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the U.S. with a commitment to inclusivity.

The Susan E. Kraus/Robert W. Gill Fund, managed by the Berks County Community Foundation, provides financial support to adults who previously lived in foster care in Berks County. Grants, capped at $1,000 per year, are aimed at assisting individuals with transitional housing costs and educational expenses, helping them achieve stability and independence as they transition to adulthood.

The Dr. Gary King Sharp Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Priority is given to those connected with Hospice services or in the foster care system, and to first-generation college students. This scholarship serves as a vital resource to empower students in their educational pursuits and enhance community life.

About Us

Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. is a public, 501-C-3 charity. There are 30 community foundations in Wisconsin and more than 750 in the nation. The purpose of all community foundations is to accumulate charitable dollars that impact a specific geographic region in areas such as education, the arts, economic development, recreation, environmental protection, health care, and social services. They may be relatively small, as we are (assets of $14 million), or very large, as is the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (assets over $400 million).

Most people are familiar with private foundations, established by individuals, families, or corporations. Typically, in order to establish a private foundation, one has to have considerable wealth. You could say Community Foundations are much more democratic. We are, in a sense, an umbrella foundation containing many small foundations. We call those small foundations “funds.”

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting Scholarship (2025)