Best Grants for Museums in Pennsylvania

The AIPG Pennsylvania Section Scholarships support undergraduate geology students in Pennsylvania, helping cover educational costs and encouraging their involvement with the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Eligible applicants must be at least sophomores, enrolled in accredited institutions, and be AIPG student members. This initiative not only promotes academic achievement but also fosters a commitment to professional standards and advocacy within the geological sciences community.

The Bill and Sarah Ransom Community Service Award, established by the Waverly Rotary Foundation in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers, honors individuals committed to community service in the Valley Area. This award, named after Bill and Sarah Ransom, recognizes their significant contributions to local organizations. Annually, nominees are evaluated through a formal process, and the recipient chooses a local charity to receive the award funds, ensuring the legacy of civic engagement continues.

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.

PennDOT 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.

These grants are funded through federal programs administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under 23 U.S.C. §402 and §405. Funding follows the federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30.

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.

Community Traffic Safety Project (CTSP)

Traffic safety educational outreach programs to schools and communities targeting local safety issues identified through data analysis. Provide support towards national and statewide enforcement mobilizations and other programs. Applicants for these grants must be a PA county government.

PennDOT 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.

These grants are funded through federal programs administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under 23 U.S.C. §402 and §405. Funding follows the federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1 through September 30.

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.

Child Passenger Safety Educational Initiatives

Supplements efforts provided by the existing statewide child passenger safety project organized by the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) by providing additional trainings for CPS technicians across the state, broaden outreach efforts, and distribute car seats to underserved communities.

The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation focuses on granting funds to small, dedicated animal welfare organizations in the Northeast US. Established in 2007, the foundation supports various initiatives, including humane societies, rescue organizations, and wildlife rehabilitation services. With a commitment to making a difference, they aim to empower groups with limited assets and fundraising capabilities to enhance animal welfare through essential services and educational programs.

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 Ron Goellner Conservation Fund Award, administered by the Cryptobranchid Interest Group, offers grants up to $2,000 for projects focused on the conservation of giant salamanders. This initiative supports innovative research, field conservation, and educational initiatives that aim to protect these species and their habitats. Open to all applicants, the fund prioritizes projects that demonstrate broad conservation impact and partnerships. Applications are automatically considered for two separate grants of up to $1,000 each.

The Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant supports organizations seeking physical donations of materials that align with their focus areas, including safety, sustainability, workforce development, and thriving communities. This grant is available year-round, with no application deadline. Recipients must be located within Norfolk Southern territory and are encouraged to apply for resources that will enhance their community projects and initiatives, fostering growth and resilience.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

Vipond Family Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a current or forthcoming student of Keystone College who demonstrates characteristics of good citizenship and community service.

TC Energy’s Build Strong program supports vital organizations in communities near its operations. By providing grants, scholarships, and in-kind support, the program aims to enhance safety, education, environmental protection, and community well-being. Eligible applicants include non-profits and community groups addressing local needs. Ineligible activities include operational expenses and for-profit endeavors. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating measurable community impact, fostering a collaborative relationship between TC Energy and local stakeholders.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

ON Semiconductor Foundation

onsemi is a leading semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, has named PLTW a strategic partner and made an additional investment to support grants for schools in onsemi communities to implement or expand the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2027 school year.

PLTW Biomedical Science - New Program

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools may implement any PLTW Biomedical Science courses of their choosing.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

ON Semiconductor Foundation

onsemi is a leading semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, has named PLTW a strategic partner and made an additional investment to support grants for schools in onsemi communities to implement or expand the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2027 school year.

PLTW Biomedical Science- Program Expansion

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools may implement any PLTW Biomedical Science courses of their choosing.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

The Raoul Wallenberg and Carol Rittner Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a current or forthcoming student of Keystone College who demonstrates characteristics of good citizenship and community service.

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

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.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

The Caroline J. S. Sanders Trust 1 Grant, established in 1968, aims to support charitable causes with a focus on education, social welfare, and training for the handicapped. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $15,000, with a preference for organizations based in Pennsylvania. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. The trust does not fund endowments, general operating expenses, or political support, making it a valuable resource for community-focused initiatives.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

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 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 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant program, part of Governor Wolf’s Jobs that Pay Initiative, aims to bolster Pennsylvania's manufacturing sector by funding projects that enhance workforce readiness and entry-level job placements. This initiative focuses on engaging youths and individuals facing barriers, ensuring they are aware of career opportunities in manufacturing. Funds can be allocated for various purposes, including training services, equipment purchases, and program development, thereby supporting local manufacturers and fostering community growth.

The Clarence W. Winter Charitable Trust, established from Mr. Winter's Will, provides annual grants of $3,000 to $5,000 to support tax-exempt organizations focused on charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. While there are no geographic restrictions, the Trust prioritizes organizations in Bucks County, PA. With a commitment to community betterment, Mr. Winter's legacy continues to support impactful initiatives for years to come.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Mini Grant Programs offer the Statewide Waterway Access Grant (SWAG) to support projects enhancing public access to waterways. Grants of up to $30,000 are available, with a required 1:1 match. This initiative prioritizes non-profit organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions focused on improving recreational access and advancing the mission of fostering stewardship of Pennsylvania's waterways. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2025.

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.

Gerstbrein/McCanna Scholarship for the Arts

After a long and rewarding career in Landscape Design and Art Education, Lisa Gerstbrein/McCanna wanted to promote the Arts and Industrial Arts in the community where she made her home and her livelihood. Her career brought her tremendous joy in pursuits that she loved as well as the satisfying reward of helping students find inspiration in the worlds of Art and Industrial Art. She is a true believer in the concept of STEAM based education. Accordingly, she established a fund to provide scholarships for the advanced education of advancing Senior High School Students in these areas who are residents of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and are pursuing higher education in an approved program within 300 miles of their respective school - Armstrong High School, West Shamokin High School or Lenape Technical School. 

Scholarship Details

• Available to High School Seniors
• Nonrenewable

All ACCF Scholarships are merit based.

The DCNR Circuit Rider Grant offers funding to support the hiring of full-time staff for regional park, recreation, and conservation initiatives. Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments, as well as multi-municipal agencies. Grant funding covers salaries and approved training expenses, decreasing over four years from 100% in the first year to 25% in the fourth year. This program enhances local capacity for effective recreation and conservation management.