Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in Pennsylvania

PennDOT provides traffic safety grants to local governments, PA state-related universities and PA State System of Higher Education universities, and nonprofit organizations to improve highway safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes. First-time applicants must be pre approved by first submitting a letter of interest to RA-PDSHSO_GRANTS@pa.gov. Letters must be written on agency letterhead and include the organization’s FEIN, a summary of the proposed project, a budget estimate, and the specific local grant opportunity listed below that the agency intends to pursue.Distracted Driving Outreach provides education and outreach to change dangerous driving behaviors across PA, especially among teen drivers.

The DCNR Park Rehabilitation and Development Grants support projects aimed at enhancing public parks and recreation facilities. Eligible applicants include local governments and educational institutions, with grants ranging from $60,000 to $100,000. Projects must comply with federal and state regulations, and focus on rehabilitation, new development, or river conservation initiatives. A 50% match is typically required, encouraging community involvement in maintaining and improving local green spaces.

Community Planning Technical Assistance Program (C-TAP)

Overview The Community Planning Technical Assistance Program (C-TAP) helps local and county governments, along with municipal partner organizations, plan, prepare, and implement strategies that support long-term growth and development. 

The Community Planning Technical Assistance Program (C-TAP) helps local and county governments, along with municipal partner organizations, plan, prepare, and implement strategies that support long-term growth and development. Whether updating ordinances, scoping a larger study, or moving a completed plan into action, eligible applicants receive hands-on, tailored support from experienced planners. C-TAP helps communities move confidently from idea to implementation, with up to 400 hours of technical assistance available per project.

Funding

This program does not provide funding. C-TAP helps communities move confidently from idea to implementation, with up to 400 hours of technical assistance available per project.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life in North East by building charitable endowments and philanthropic partnerships that fuel transformative change.

Scholarships

Through the generosity of members of the community, The North East Community Foundation has been helping make students’ dreams come true. Scholarships are awarded annually, in varying amounts.

James R. Meehl Memorial Scholarship

James Meehl was a lifelong resident of North East, owner of Eureka Electrical Products, and a founding member of Lakeview Country Club. He excelled in academics and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

This scholarship is renewable for four years.

The David M. Dolan Scholarship, offered by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, supports master's and Ph.D. students engaged in applied environmental statistics and modeling related to the Great Lakes. The scholarship provides a $3,000 award, complimentary conference registration, and IAGLR membership. Recipients must present their research at the annual IAGLR conference. Eligibility is limited to those whose research aligns with Dr. Dolan's work, and previous awardees are not eligible.

The HDR Foundation Grant Cycle supports community organizations aligned with HDR's values, focusing on education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship. This employee-funded initiative emphasizes the importance of employee engagement in grant proposals, requiring a clear scope of work and completion within a year. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal governments, while grants are not provided for faith-based organizations or individual support.

The UNICO Foundation offers the Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science, providing two scholarships worth $2,500 each to U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in physical or life sciences. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time in accredited programs. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to supporting educational pursuits in scientific fields while fostering Italian American heritage and community service.

The Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Office of Commonwealth Libraries, support public libraries in planning, acquiring, constructing, or rehabilitating their facilities. Grants cover up to 50% of eligible costs for projects like ADA upgrades and energy-efficient renovations. Matching funds are required, and grants are awarded competitively based on established criteria. This program aims to enhance library services and resources for Pennsylvania residents.

The Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship, offered by UNICO Foundation, provides $1,250 to students of Italian descent pursuing engineering degrees in various disciplines. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in accredited programs, and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. This scholarship not only supports academic achievement but also promotes the heritage and contributions of the Italian American community, continuing UNICO's legacy of service and support.

Impact100 Philadelphia provides impactful grants aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area. With a focus on addressing unmet needs, the program encourages applications from diverse organizations that demonstrate financial stability and community impact. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities serving specific Pennsylvania counties, with at least three years of financial statements. The program prioritizes initiatives in arts, education, environment, family, and health sectors, enabling organizations to strengthen their core missions.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Kevin P. Rimmell Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Kevin P. Rimmell Memorial Scholarship Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation was created to honor the memory of Kevin Rimmell who died tragically at the age of 34. He loved his work in the field of electronics and always credited his education at Pittsburgh Technical College as having prepared him to achieve great things. This scholarship is intended to provide financial support for a student of high academic achievement who has financial need.

Award Type: Renewable Award (subject to committee recommendation). 

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5416 - Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O&M for Nature-based Installations

Grant Information

• Identify and evaluate innovative design, construction, and management approaches that extend the functional lifetime of nature-based installations and reduce ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements.
• Develop practical guidance on key factors affecting nature-based solution (NbS) longevity, including hydraulic optimization, engineered media selection and replacement, plant selection, sediment management, and construction-phase best practices.
• Survey utilities and other NbS owners to document current maintenance practices, costs, and hours, and establish benchmarks to inform targets for improvement.

The Corning Nonprofit Grants program supports community-based initiatives in education, human services, and culture. Eligible nonprofits that align with our criteria may apply for funding on a rolling basis. The application window for invited organizations runs from February 10 to September 15. We emphasize local impact within a 20-mile radius of Corning, NY, ensuring that our contributions foster collective growth and engagement in the community.

The Great Lakes Protection Fund Grant aims to support projects that deliver significant ecological improvements to the Great Lakes region. The Fund seeks transformative initiatives that involve collaboration among diverse stakeholders and rely on scientific rigor. Eligible applicants include non-profits, universities, and businesses, and the projects must demonstrate a positive environmental impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Importantly, the Fund does not support advocacy or compliance-related activities.

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Pennsylvania provide essential funding to organizations that support very-low- and low-income families in constructing their own homes in rural areas. These grants enable recipients to offer technical assistance and supervision as families collaborate in building each other’s homes. Eligible applicants include government non-profits, federally-recognized tribes, and private non-profits. Funds are not allowed for hiring construction workers or purchasing materials.

The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program aims to enhance apprenticeship opportunities in Pennsylvania by supporting registered programs. It provides funding for eligible applicants to cover instructional costs that complement on-the-job training. The program allows sponsors to request up to $3,000 per apprentice annually for a maximum of three years, enabling employers to recruit and develop talent effectively. For detailed guidelines, refer to the FAQs provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

Happ Grover Scholarship

Provides scholarships to Central Bucks School District area students who choose to attend Delaware Valley College or Bucks County Community College. This scholarship is not available for students to apply online and is awarded through the colleges.

Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida connects people who care with causes that matter. Since 1964, we have served the citizens of Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker, Clay, and Putnam counties through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. We believe in Giving Back. Forever Forward.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, The Community Foundation offers several scholarships each year that benefit students in Northeast Florida who are seeking post-secondary degrees.

Dorothea B. Shaw Scholarship

The Dorothea B. Shaw Scholarship will provide $8,000 ($2,000 per year for 4 years) to support tuition, books, fees, room & board, and degree-related expenses for a student graduating from a Duval County public or private school and attending an accredited post-secondary institution in the Northeastern United States. Northeastern states are identified as: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT. In selecting the successful candidate, the review committee will consider academic achievements, leadership experience, desire for personal growth and financial need. 

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Established by law in 1978, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) serves as the justice planning and policymaking agency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. By bringing together a wide range of experts in the fields of criminal and juvenile justice, victim services, and related professions, PCCD coordinates the collective examination of problems, proposes solutions, and evaluates the impact of those solutions.

Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction (SAEDR) Grants: Category One

Overview

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is now accepting applications for funding under the state Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction (SAEDR) Category One funds. 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508.1 (relating to Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Fund) establishes PCCD’s responsibility for the administration of the SAEDR Fund.The primary purpose of these funds is to support projects designed to educate the public about the dangers of substance abuse and/or reduce demand for these substances. The Act mandates SAEDR grant funds to be awarded to eligible organizations for use in specifically defined categories. Category One funding is available only to nonprofit organizations. 

Nonprofit organizations may partner with governmental entities, including school entities, provided the nonprofit organization is the applicant. 

Bucks County Foundation

Since our founding in 1979, the staff at BCF have been working closely with donors, local leaders, and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Bucks County. Our work with local charitable organizations helps to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families across the county.

Scholarships

The Bucks County Foundation is proud to support students throughout Bucks County in their pursuit of higher education and attainment of academic, trade and life skills that translate into economic self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of donors in our region, we manage over 100 scholarship distributions for a wide variety of students with diverse educational journeys.

Dominic Garofalo Memorial Scholarship

Provides scholarships to students at Bensalem and Neshaminy High Schools who are planning to attend Bucks County Community College. This fund also provides scholarships to students at Girard College High School who plan to major in a science field.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Continuing College Education Scholarship Fund

The Continuing College Education Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for rising college sophomores, juniors or seniors living in Western PA for continued study at a 4-year college or university.

Award Type: Single Year Award. 

The Jack R. Luskay Memorial Scholarship supports practicing or prospective school librarians in Pennsylvania to attend the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association conference. Established by The Pittsburgh Foundation, this scholarship covers essential expenses such as transportation, registration fees, and accommodations. It aims to enhance the professional development of librarians dedicated to improving educational resources and library services in schools. Eligible applicants must reside in Pennsylvania and be enrolled in a school library certification program.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Established in 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest community foundations and as of 2022 is the 18th largest of more than 750 similar foundations across the United States.

As a community foundation, its resources comprise endowment funds established by individuals, businesses and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of improving quality of life for all in the region. The Foundation currently manages about 2,500 individual donor funds and, together with its supporting organizations and its affiliate, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, has assets of $1.386 billion (2022). Grantmaking benefits a broad spectrum of basic needs and development opportunities within Pittsburgh and beyond.

Scholarships

The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County provide scholarship opportunities for local students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four-year universities and career/technical schools.

Leonard and Annette Silverman PITT Pharmacy School Fund

The Leonard and Annette Silverman University of Pittsburgh Pharmacy School Fund was created at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships to students who are currently enrolled in the Doctoral program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. The Fund is in memory of Leonard Silverman, a graduate of the School of Pharmacy in 1951.

Award Type: Single Year. Previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in consecutive years.

The PDCED Flood Mitigation Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, supports projects aimed at reducing flood risks across the state. It allocates funds from the Marcellus Legacy Fund to eligible applicants for projects costing $50,000 or more. This initiative is crucial for communities facing flood challenges, ensuring they receive the necessary resources to implement effective mitigation strategies.