Best Higher Education Grants in Pennsylvania

Higher education institutions and other eligible public or nonprofit entities in Appalachian Pennsylvania counties can seek Appalachian Regional Commission support for infrastructure, business, and workforce development projects. Grants may fund water, wastewater, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, worker training, education, and leadership initiatives that advance ARC’s strategic goals for regional economic growth.

Pennsylvania higher education and workforce-focused nonprofits and public agencies can seek funding for education and regional economic development initiatives in Allegheny, Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties. Focused on education and economic growth, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation supports projects like teacher development, early childhood learning, expanded learning, and career and college preparation that strengthen local communities.

Nonprofits and community organizations in Pennsylvania working on community health, higher education access, or economic resilience can seek support for programs that improve health and wellbeing. With a mission to build healthier, stronger futures, Highmark provides funding for initiatives such as access to care, health education, workforce and career preparation, and neighborhood and community development.

With a mission to improve lives, the Neag Foundation provides Pennsylvania higher education institutions and other 501(c)(3) organizations with funding for projects, general operations, and capacity building. Nonprofits focused on higher education, healthcare, or arts and humanities programs may be eligible, especially initiatives showing strong community support.

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes in rural Pennsylvania can use this program to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. USDA Rural Development supports projects such as higher-education-related facilities, libraries, telemedicine and distance learning infrastructure, and other community services in towns and rural areas with populations under 20,000.

Pennsylvania higher education institutions, nonprofits, and tribal entities supporting rural entrepreneurship can access funding through the United States Department of Agriculture to serve microenterprises. Grants and loans up to US $500,000 help Microenterprise Development Organizations build rural microloan revolving funds and provide training and technical assistance to very small rural businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

Nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania’s Greater Philadelphia area working on excellence in education or assisting distressed individuals can apply for discretionary grants from the Lindback Foundation. Funding supports time-limited projects, typically completed with a single grant, and must be carried out through existing charitable organizations, including higher education institutions and K–12 partners.

Higher education institutions, local governments, and eligible nonprofits in Pennsylvania can seek funding for coastal planning, research, education, design, acquisition, and construction projects within designated coastal zones, with awards up to US $75,000. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection supports work on issues like polluted runoff, coastal hazards, wetlands, fisheries, public access, and historic coastal sites.

Organizations in Pennsylvania working to strengthen funding for child-serving education systems can seek up to US $500,000 for advocacy-focused projects. Focused on policy and funding reform, the William Penn Foundation invites groups advancing early childhood, K–12, and related research, outreach, or litigation efforts to apply; higher education programs connected to these systems may be eligible.

Nonprofit and school-based programs providing hands-on, in-school arts education for youth ages 5–18 in Greater Philadelphia can apply for William Penn Foundation’s Arts Education School Partnership Programs. Funding supports no-cost, teaching-artist–led partnerships that supplement school arts instruction, prioritize low-income students, and foster youth leadership, creativity, and personal development in Pennsylvania schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Pennsylvania seeking support for secondary and higher education, health care, or social and human services can apply for grants of US $10,000 - US $75,000. Grants from John R Mccune Char Trust No 9721 primarily support board-driven initiatives, though unsolicited requests from southwestern Pennsylvania may be considered.

Adult education and literacy providers in Pennsylvania can receive support to train and coordinate volunteer tutors for adult learners and their families. With a mission to expand adult and family literacy, Pennsylvania Department of Education funds community-based and peer tutoring programs, instructor training, and related administration, support services, and outreach activities.

Grants to established 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania support tangible items for programs in areas including higher education, health, environment, arts, human services, and religion. Grants from Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation help colleges, universities, and related organizations acquire equipment or other concrete needs, with a preference for Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania, awarding up to US $10,000.

Eligible Pennsylvania local education agencies, nonprofits, libraries, colleges, and similar providers can receive support to deliver comprehensive adult basic education, literacy, and English language acquisition services. Pennsylvania Department of Education grants fund year-round instruction, student supports, and workforce preparation activities that help adults earn high school equivalency, transition to postsecondary education, and improve employment prospects.

Higher education institutions and other eligible entities in Pennsylvania can seek funding for recreational motorized trail development, rehabilitation, maintenance, and related educational programs. Focused on trail creation and maintenance, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources invites applicants to support snowmobiling, ATV, four-wheel drive, and off-highway motorcycle trail projects with at least a 20% match.

Focused on higher education and related community needs, the Lewis A. & Donna M. Patterson Charitable Foundation invites Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants of approximately US $5,000. Eligible nonprofits in western Pennsylvania counties may also receive support for arts, cultural enrichment, care for the poor, and health care research.

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.

Pennsylvania higher education institutions, local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on traffic safety can access funding through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for behavioral highway safety projects. This distracted driving observational survey grant supports statewide data collection on cell phone use while driving to inform messaging, programming, and enforcement efforts that improve road safety.

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.

DUI Courts Program

Development and facilitation of a DUI Court system, including judicial training in the area of DUI courts, establishment of new probation officers to monitor DUI court participants, and necessary equipment.

Local governments, Pennsylvania universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania can receive funding to coordinate police traffic services that improve road safety. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation supports impaired driving, occupant protection, aggressive and distracted driving, and pedestrian safety enforcement, including officer overtime, needed equipment, and related training, which may benefit higher education institutions with relevant programs.

Pennsylvania local governments, state system universities, state-related universities, and nonprofit organizations can seek funding to run data-driven traffic safety and behavioral programs that improve road safety statewide. Focused on evidence-based strategies, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation supports projects that provide administrative and technical assistance for law enforcement participation in grant-funded enforcement operations, which may benefit higher education institutions engaged in traffic safety initiatives.

Pennsylvania local governments, eligible universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on traffic safety can access funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to support the Statewide Traffic Records Program. Grants back coordination and services that assist police agencies with crash report filing, which may involve higher education institutions engaged in transportation research or data management.

Local governments, Pennsylvania higher education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania can seek funding to support coordination of a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor and related behavioral highway safety efforts. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) supports traffic safety and law enforcement initiatives that may be housed within colleges and universities or community-based programs.

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.

Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Education, Outreach, and Engagement Projects

Provides education on Pennsylvania’s pedestrian and bicycle laws in communities where vulnerable road users account for a significant share of crashes. Projects should also address emerging issues and incorporate education on new or recent legislation affecting VRUs. Funding may support community engagement efforts that directly involve affected populations in planning future programs. 

Pennsylvania higher education institutions and other eligible rural public or nonprofit entities can seek funding to provide technical assistance, training, and infrastructure support for small rural businesses. USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grants back projects such as business counseling, rural business incubators, distance learning for job training, and community or technology-based economic development, with awards from US $10,000 - US $500,000.

501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting higher education, well-being, civic and arts, or environmental stewardship in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania can apply for Universal Leaf Foundation grants up to Up to US $5,000. With a mission to strengthen communities, Universal Corporation provides funding for scholarships, education programs, basic needs, cultural engagement, and environmental initiatives in its priority locations.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, local government agencies, and some educational entities in Pennsylvania can seek US $2,500 - US $25,000 for public-facing projects improving habitat, trail connectivity, river access, or ecosystem health in the Susquehanna Riverlands. Weconservepa supports work in Lancaster and York counties that also advances environmental stewardship and land and freshwater conservation, including planning and professional services.