Best Grants for Preschools in Pennsylvania

The Appalachian Landscapes Project Capital Grant, offered by the Open Space Institute, supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and enhancing landscape connectivity. Established in 1974, the OSI has protected over 2.5 million acres in the Eastern US and Canada, focusing on land that ensures clean drinking water and wildlife habitats. This grant is specifically for projects within the Appalachian Landscapes Project service area, promoting sustainable community benefits.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust – Falk Catalyst Awards support high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with up to $350,000 in funding over one to two years. These awards aim to address critical scientific challenges and enable the translation of innovative research into clinical practices. Projects focus on identifying biological markers, therapeutic targets, and developing interventions to disrupt disease processes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.

The Wellness Across the Lifespan Grant supports the health of communities by providing access to nutritious food and essential nutrition education. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in areas where Sprouts Farmers Market operates. This funding emphasizes health and nutrition education, as well as programs that promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition security, ultimately benefiting adults and vulnerable populations.

The Growing Healthy Kids Grant, funded by The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, aims to support community-based programs that enhance children's nutrition access and health education. With grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, this initiative focuses on hands-on programs that promote healthy habits among children and their families. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Sprouts Farmers Market operates, helping to ensure that the funds directly benefit local communities.

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 Sports Marketing and Tourism Account Program, established under Section 1721-A.2 of the Fiscal Code, aims to enhance Pennsylvania's tourism by attracting high-quality amateur and professional sporting events. This initiative seeks to boost year-round tourism, economic impact, and overall quality of life through sports, contributing to the state's economic development and community engagement.

The H2O PA – High Hazard Unsafe Dam Projects provides essential funding for the repair, rehabilitation, or removal of high hazard unsafe dams in Pennsylvania. Established in July 2008, this program offers grants ranging from $500,000 to $20 million for eligible state and local entities, including municipalities and independent agencies. The initiative aims to enhance public safety while addressing critical infrastructure needs, ensuring the integrity of Pennsylvania's water management systems.

The Lehigh Valley High School Graduate Scholarship, established by the Andrew Budraitis Foundation, offers a $5000 award annually to a high school senior or recent graduate from the Lehigh Valley planning to pursue post-secondary education. Priority is given to applicants demonstrating financial need and those intending to study in STEM fields. This scholarship honors Andrew Budraitis, a veteran who valued education and aimed to support the community's youth in achieving their academic goals.

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.

Pay-It-Forward Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior attending Penn State University as a full-time student who is a permanent resident of Lackawanna county, who is employed full-time at Penn State through work-study or an outside employer and continues working as a full time student, and who has maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher. When the recipient is in a position to do so in the future, he or she must commit to offering a similar scholarship opportunity to others.

The Express Health Information Outreach Awards aim to enhance public health by increasing access to biomedical information for U.S. health professionals and the general public. These awards support projects that improve health information literacy among consumers and caregivers, ensuring they can effectively find and utilize health information. Focused on partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve health outcomes through informed decision-making.

The John R. McCune Charitable Trust, established in 1979, honors the philanthropic legacy of John R. McCune IV by funding tax-exempt non-profit organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $75,000, focusing on education, health care, and social services. While primarily board-driven, unsolicited proposals are considered. The Trust does not support individuals or organizations outside the U.S. and aims to continue Mr. McCune's commitment to charitable giving without seeking public recognition.

The Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant supports dairy farmers in enhancing their operations for sustainable success. This funding aids in modernizing outdated systems and implementing innovative solutions that improve farm viability, milk quality, and worker conditions while addressing climate impacts. Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, cooperatives, and service providers across Northeast states. Awards range from $15,000 to $100,000, requiring a 25% match contribution.

The Essential Foundation Grants aim to enhance the quality of life in communities served by Aqua and Peoples, supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental initiatives, education, and emergency services. With a strong commitment to corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism, the foundation focuses on funding projects that promote community growth while ensuring compliance with nondiscrimination laws. This initiative reflects Essential Utilities' dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of over 5 million people across nine states.

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)

Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas.

Statement of Purpose

The goals of NAP are to provide resources to assist low-income and distressed neighborhoods and communities, encourage positive health outcomes, and address the safety and welfare of their residents. As a result, NAP encourages communities to pursue and achieve fiscal well-being and self-sufficiency.

These Programs are intended to benefit low-income populations. Applicant’s proposed projects must not result in the displacement or forced relocation of low-income individuals or households.

The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits (“Applicants”) apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies (“Contributors”).

Project Priorities

In FY2026-27, the Department will prioritize applications that align with the vision and goals of newly developed Commonwealth’s Housing Action Plan & Economic Development Strategy in addition to childcare. These priorities include:

• Affordable Housing Development
• Affordable Housing Support Services
• Access to Affordable and Reliable Childcare

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program (OSTC) : Organizations

Introduction and Purpose

Tax credits may be awarded to business firms that make contributions to Opportunity Scholarship Organizations contained on a list published by the Department. The current organizational list can be found on DCED’s website at dced.pa.gov/OSTC.

A business firm may receive a tax credit equal to 75% of its contribution to an approved Opportunity Scholarship Organization that is included on the current list published by the Department, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. The tax credit may be increased to 90% of the contribution made, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year, if the business firm agrees to provide the same amount of contribution to an organization for two consecutive years.

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish the process whereby an Opportunity Scholarship Organization may be included on the list of organizations approved and published by the Department.

Initial Application

For Opportunity Scholarship Organizations completed applications will be reviewed by the Department and the applicant will be notified within 60 days from date of receipt whether or not the application has met the requirements of the Article and guidelines. If the Department determines that the application meets the requirements, the applicant's name will be included on the Department's list of approved Opportunity Scholarship Organizations for the fiscal year in which the application was received. 

Renewal Applications

For each state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) following the fiscal year in which an Opportunity Scholarship Organization has been initially included on the Department’s list of approved Opportunity Scholarship Organizations, the organization may submit a renewal application to the Department to ensure that the organization continues to be included on the Department’s approved list. A renewal application may be submitted to the Department anytime on or after November 1.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Marketing to Attract Marquis Events (MTAME) / Marquis Events Grant Program

The 2026 Marquis Events Grant Program was established by Tourism Promotion Fund legislation (Act 109 of 2018) and funded by Section 1934-A(e) of Act 45 of 2025 (P.L. 156, No. 45). This program seeks to promote the Commonwealth as a premium host of large-scale events by providing the funds necessary to secure and execute large-scale events at world-class levels. To accomplish this goal, the Office of Tourism will establish a grant program for entities responsible for hosting major events—such as sports tournaments and series, large-format public festivals, multi-day cultural or sports activations, fan zones, or signature celebrations.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Local Share Account (LSA) – Statewide

The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71), as amended, provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Enterprise Zone Program Designations

Offers communities the opportunity to designate areas of a municipality or region for targeted investment and development for a period of five years. Designation includes the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and/or implementation of a strategy to address those needs. Applicants may request designation for an Enterprise Zone (EZ). An EZ focuses on the deteriorated, distressed, and blighted industrial or manufacturing areas of a community.

This program does not provide funding but does offer eligibility consideration for the Neighborhood Assistance Program and a variety of other DCED programs.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) works every day to ensure Pennsylvania is a premier state to do business, where we adopt and innovate the next generation of breakthroughs in a diverse mix of industry clusters, where we cultivate a resilient economy, and where we invest in our people and our communities to build a stronger Pennsylvania that works for all the residents, workers, businesses, and entrepreneurs that call our Commonwealth home.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program: Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations

Introduction and Purpose

Tax credits may be awarded to business firms that make contributions to Scholarship Organizations and/or Educational Improvement Organizations and/or PreKindergarten Scholarship Organizations contained on a list published by the Department. The current list of qualified organizations can be found at dced.pa.gov/pre-kindergarten-scholarship-organizations. 

A business firm may receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed to a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization during the taxable year, and may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of any additional amount contributed during the taxable year, up to a maximum of $200,000 per taxable year. Agreeing to a two-year commitment will have no impact on the tax credit calculations outlined in this section.

The purpose of these guidelines is to establish the process whereby a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization may be included on the list of organizations published by the Department. 

Initial Application

For Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations completed applications will be reviewed by the Department and the applicant will be notified within 60 days from date of receipt whether or not the application has met the requirements of the Article and guidelines. If the Department determines that the application meets the requirements, the applicant's name will be included on the Department's list of Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organizations for the fiscal year in which the application was received. 

Renewal Applications

For each state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) following the fiscal year in which a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization has been initially included on the Department’s list of approved Opportunity Scholarship Organizations, the organization may submit a renewal application to the Department to ensure that the organization continues to be included on the Department’s approved list. A renewal application may be submitted to the Department anytime on or after November 1.

The Grundy Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Bucks County, particularly in Bristol Borough, focusing on capital projects and specific programmatic support. Established through the will of Joseph R. Grundy, the foundation prioritizes projects that benefit the community and comply with 501(c)(3) regulations. The foundation emphasizes collaboration with other funding sources and seeks innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the community while avoiding regular contributions for operating costs.

The Ritton Family Foundation, along with Par Mar Stores, offers the Par Mar Stores Scholarship Program to support students pursuing higher education. This initiative awards multiple scholarships annually to eligible high school seniors and undergraduate students residing in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, or Kentucky. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need, with opportunities for reapplication each year.

Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Program (AMDATP)

Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (the “Authority”) for abandoned mine drainage, abatement, and treatment. Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) is one of the largest sources of stream impairment in Pennsylvania. Billions of gallons of AMD impair over 5,500 miles of streams within the Commonwealth.

Uses

Projects which involve the reclamation of Abandoned Mine Well(s), construction of a new AMD site, remediation and repair of existing AMD project sites, operation and maintenance maintaining current AMD remediation sites, establishment of trust fund to ensure ongoing maintenance is achieved, and monitoring of water quality to track or continue to trace non-point source load reductions resulting from AMD remediation projects.

Funding

Grants shall be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that do not exceed $1,000,000. The grant requires a least a 15% match of the total project cost.

Overview

Program provides tax credits to taxpayers who increase their annual taxable payroll by $1,000,000 through the creation of new full-time jobs.

The Manufacturing Tax Credit Program (“Program”) was established by Act 84 of July 13, 2016 (the “Act”) for the purpose of providing tax credits to taxpayers who increase their annual taxable payroll by $1,000,000 through the creation of new full-time jobs (“Manufacturing Tax Credit”). The taxpayer must agree to retain the new jobs and the increase in payroll for at least five years from the start date. The Program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (the “Department”).

Uses

Tax credit awards shall be equal to 5% of the taxpayers increase in annual taxable payroll, if increased by at least $1,000,000 above a pre-determined base year amount.

Funding

The commonwealth shall issue no more than $4,000,000 in tax credits per fiscal year.

The PA AmeriCorps Grant, administered by PennSERVE, supports local service initiatives in Pennsylvania. This grant seeks to empower individuals and communities to address pressing social issues through service. Focus areas include disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and support for veterans and military families. By fostering collaboration and innovative solutions, the grant aims to enhance the impact of national service and improve lives across the state.

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.