Best Grants for International Development in Pennsylvania

The Certified Local Government (CLG) Scholarships program supports Pennsylvania's Certified Local Governments by providing funding for training and education of preservation decision-makers. Scholarships, up to $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for community-hosted programs, can cover registration, travel, and educational materials. This program ensures that local governments have the necessary resources for effective preservation practices, fostering community engagement and education in historical preservation efforts.

The PA Specialty Crop Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, provides funding to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This initiative supports various projects that aim to improve the marketability and sustainability of these crops. Eligible applicants can access resources and guidelines through the USDA SCBGP website, which outlines both eligible specialty crops and ineligible commodities. This program is crucial for fostering agricultural innovation and economic growth within the specialty crop sector.

The Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grants provide funding for nonprofit organizations and local governments in Pennsylvania to support projects aimed at preserving and promoting historic resources. This program focuses on planning and development for publicly accessible sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, encouraging applicants to engage in cultural resource surveys, national register nominations, and community planning. It aims to enhance public access to historic sites while revitalizing local communities.

The Patterson Foundation offers Assistance Dog Program Grants to support organizations providing service animals to veterans and individuals with disabilities. Funding is available for projects that expand capacity, personnel costs related to puppy training, and program support aimed at improving client experiences. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits and can request grants up to $35,000 for capital projects or $10,000 for program support. Applications are accepted through a two-step process.

Armstrong County Community Foundation

The Armstrong County Community Foundation, a public nonprofit corporation,

• Gives grants, scholarships, and organizational support to address the needs of our community.
• Builds a permanent endowment to help our donors create a legacy through this endowment.
• Promotes informed philanthropy to increase and sustain charitable resources for the region.
• Provides leadership and builds partnerships to identify and solve community issues.

Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh Scholarship

The Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by the Geophysical Society of Pittsburgh.

Scholarship Details

• Available to Adult Students
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

The DCNR Non-Motorized Trails Grants support the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of trails for non-motorized recreation. Eligible projects include trail acquisition, planning, and educational programs that promote safety and environmental protection. This funding is essential for enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities and ensuring sustainable trail use throughout Pennsylvania. The grants encourage communities to engage in creating safe and enjoyable spaces for activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Standard's Corporate Giving Program emphasizes community support and employee engagement, reflecting its foundational mission to enhance financial well-being. Established in 1906, the program focuses on Healthy Communities, Disability and Empowerment, Cultural Development, and Education. With a funding range of $500 to $25,000, it aims to make a substantial impact in the lives of individuals and families facing challenges. The Standard Charitable Foundation, launched in 2006, further extends this commitment by supporting organizations that align with its philanthropic goals.

The Pittsburgh Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for 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, graduate schools, and career/technical schools.

Semensky Scholarship Fund

The Semensky Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation in honor of the Semensky Family to provide scholarships to students from Allegheny or Fayette counties who are attending Pennsylvania-based colleges and universities.

• Average Award: Varies
• Award Type: Multi-Year (up to 4 years). Recipients must continue to meet the stated criteria.

The DCNR Motorized Trails Grants program supports the development and maintenance of motorized recreational trails in Pennsylvania. Funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the program aims to enhance trail facilities for snowmobiling, ATV riding, and off-highway motorcycle riding. Eligible applicants include government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profits. Grant funding can cover up to 80% of eligible project costs, ensuring safer and more accessible trails for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Sabina Hilger Walsh and Harold Rex Walsh Scholarship Fund, established by The Pittsburgh Foundation, offers scholarships to students in Pennsylvania who are completing their sophomore or junior year at a two- or four-year college. Eligible applicants must reside in Beaver or Allegheny County, pursue studies in education, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This fund supports educational aspirations, aiming to enhance the quality of life in the community.

The Cycling Activation in PA Mini Grant Program, supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, offers funding between $1,000 and $15,000 for initiatives that enhance cycling assets. Eligible projects include developing bike routes, creating promotional materials, and hosting events that engage local communities and promote inclusivity. The program aims to strengthen partnerships and support the outdoor recreation economy, encouraging greater participation in cycling across Pennsylvania.

The Santander Bank Charitable Giving Program is committed to enriching communities through $100 million in charitable giving. It focuses on community development, emphasizing affordable housing, small business support, and financial education. Eligible applicants must be recognized as public charities by the IRS and demonstrate the capacity to serve community needs. The program aims to foster partnerships to uplift low- and moderate-income communities across its operational footprint, ensuring a lasting impact through philanthropic efforts.

Behavioral Highway Safety Grants

PennDOT’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Unit offers traffic safety grants to support local communities and organizations working to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer. Eligible applicants include local governments, universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania state related universities, and nonprofit organizations.

Grant opportunities focus on proven, data driven strategies that address the most urgent traffic safety challenges across the Commonwealth. Available funds are allocated using formulas based on crash data to ensure resources are directed where they can make the greatest impact.

The Behavioral Traffic Safety Unit is not permitted to fund equipment only grant requests. All funded projects must include programmatic or behavioral safety components aligned with evidence based countermeasures.

Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program

Provides administrative and technical support for state and local law enforcement participation in grant-funded enforcement operations in alignment with National Law Enforcement Liaison Program standards and best practices.

The Associates Board Community Grant from The Foundation for Delaware County aims to empower nonprofits with grants of $2,500, supporting initiatives in public health, racial equity, housing support, food security, and crisis response. Organizations with operating budgets between $50,001 and $500,000 are eligible to apply, fostering collaboration to address unmet community needs. This initiative reflects a commitment to building a prosperous and unified county where every individual can thrive.

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.

Economic Opportunity Scholarship in Trade and Apprenticeship

The Economic Opportunity Scholarship in Trade and Apprenticeship Scholarship Fund was established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide scholarships for residents, ages 18 to 25, of Western Pennsylvania (Allegheny and the 6 surrounding counties) who are pursuing completion of a program at a trade school.

Award Type: Multi-Year (up to 2 years)

The Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, provides operational funding to support Pennsylvania museums and county historical societies. Grants range from $2,500 to $65,000, aimed at enhancing the museum community and allowing institutions to address their unique operational needs. Eligible applicants must have a substantial operating budget and professional staff. This funding promotes accessibility and the preservation of Pennsylvania's rich cultural heritage.

The Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation Direct Grants program provides support to non-profit organizations in focus areas including STEM education, sustainable construction, and workforce development. The foundation aims to foster community development and environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited educational institutions in the U.S. The Foundation prioritizes partnerships that allow employee involvement and volunteer support, aiming to build meaningful relationships with grantees.

The Kaufman Foundation's New Investigator Research Grants support innovative scientists in Pennsylvania transitioning to independent academic roles. Proposals should tackle fundamental questions in biology, physics, and chemistry, aiming for transformative advances. Up to six awards of $150,000 over two years are available. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a recent terminal degree, and have not received substantial NIH funding. Preference is given to those without major external research awards.

The Sprouting School Gardens Grant, provided by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, supports school-based gardening and cooking programs to foster healthy eating habits in children. Grants between $5,000 and $10,000 help cover program operations, supplies, and educator stipends. Eligible applicants include schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas served by Sprouts Farmers Market, promoting meaningful connections between local teams and school gardening initiatives.

The Pipeline Grants Competition by the Russell Sage Foundation aims to bolster early-career scholars and enhance diversity in the social sciences. It supports innovative research focusing on economic mobility and systemic inequalities in the U.S. Eligible applicants can receive up to $35,000 individually or $50,000 in teams. The foundation emphasizes methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging novel data usage. Projects should align with RSF's mission to improve social conditions, prioritizing underrepresented scholars from under-resourced institutions.

The Kaufman Foundation's New Initiative Research Grants aim to foster interdisciplinary collaborations among experienced researchers in Pennsylvania. By encouraging partnerships that blend expertise across biology, physics, and chemistry, this program seeks innovative approaches to fundamental research questions. Up to four grants of $300,000 over two years will be awarded to proposals that showcase transformative intellectual advancements. Investigators must be affiliated with Pennsylvania institutions and reflect diverse scientific backgrounds to effectively address pressing research initiatives.

The NCDDG program supports innovative research aiming to discover and develop new treatments for mental disorders, including substance use and alcohol use disorders. This initiative encourages collaborations between academic and industry partners to advance neurostimulation techniques and drug/device development. Applicants are invited to submit proposals that focus on specific projects utilizing the U01 mechanism, with a clear emphasis on rationally designed candidate agents and cutting-edge technologies. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the submission deadline.

The National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) program invites applications to foster innovative research in treating mental disorders and substance use issues. This initiative promotes collaboration between academia and industry, supporting diverse, multidisciplinary projects aimed at developing rational therapies and neurostimulation techniques. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days before the proposal deadline to enhance project alignment with funding goals.

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 Local Share Account (LSA) funding program in Washington County, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance community and economic well-being. Established by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, this program allocates portions of local share assessments from licensed gaming facilities to support various local initiatives. Interested applicants should contact the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County for further details on the application process.

Creative Innovation and Impact Grant Program

About the Creative Innovation & Impact Grant

The Creative Innovation and Impact Grant program supports new, multi-year strategies that empower, connect, and amplify creatives and creative industries and their contributions to Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and workforce.

The Creative Innovation & Impact Grant program is designed to support initiatives that drive innovation and sector visibility. Applications to this program should feature creative sector projects that address either visibility, innovation, or both.

• Visibility – Enhance public awareness of creatives and creative industries through marketing, branding, and outreach efforts.
• Innovation – Support new ideas, models, and partnerships that expand the role of creativity in Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and workforce.

Applications must describe projects that clearly extend beyond the applicant’s regular programming or services.