Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

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 Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

The PA Agriculture and Youth Program Grant offers funding to youth-centered organizations and projects that promote agricultural, leadership, and vocational skills. With a total of $500,000 available, grants can be direct, non-matching up to $7,500, or matching grants up to $25,000 for capital projects. Eligible applicants include agriculture and youth organizations focused on education, safety training, and community development.

The Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program (HDBA) in Pennsylvania aims to support the growth of small, historically disadvantaged businesses. Managed by the Department of Community and Economic Development, it collaborates with various organizations to provide essential technical assistance and resources. The program includes funding for Business Assistance Service Centers and microgrant initiatives to enhance economic empowerment and increase diverse business participation in government contracts.

The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program supports schools in enhancing access to healthy, local foods and agricultural education for children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. By connecting students with local farmers, the program promotes awareness of the local food system and fosters support for Pennsylvania agriculture. Funding covers training, local food procurement, educational initiatives, and school gardens, with up to $15,000 available per project, emphasizing community involvement and experiential learning.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, established in 2001, has awarded over $17.5 million to combat hunger in its operating areas. This foundation focuses on supporting children at risk of hunger and enhancing the capacity of feeding agencies to provide nutritious meals. They also emphasize nutrition education to mitigate health risks associated with hunger. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits located within 20 miles of a Food Lion store, with applications accepted annually.

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 Joseph L. and Vivian E. Steele Architecture Scholarship, supported by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, offers financial assistance to students from specific Pennsylvania counties pursuing architecture degrees. With over 190 scholarship opportunities available, TFEC aims to empower local students in their educational endeavors. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in accredited architectural programs. The scholarship is renewable, allowing recipients to reapply each year for continued support.

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.

The DCNR Community and Watershed Forestry Program offers financial support to enhance forest buffers, convert lawns, and plant urban trees. Grants start at $50,000, covering up to 80% of project costs, with local matching funds required. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, nonprofits, and other organizations committed to conservation efforts. This initiative aims to strengthen community forestry practices, contributing to environmental sustainability and improved local ecosystems.

The Kroger Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through significant charitable contributions, having donated over $1.9 billion in the past six years. Their focus on combating hunger through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative exemplifies their commitment to social impact. Annually, they provide over $300 million to nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission, promoting health, education, and disaster relief while fostering diversity and inclusion. This initiative reflects Kroger's belief that strong communities are a shared responsibility.

The Manufacturing PA Industrial Resource Center Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers. By adopting modern manufacturing techniques and providing essential resources, this program supports a network of Industrial Resource Centers throughout Pennsylvania. The funding can be utilized for personnel expenses, operational needs, and various initiatives to strengthen the manufacturing sector's capacity and promote growth in key industries.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is inviting applications for funding under the Endowment Act, aimed at distributing $48 million in NCAA penalties to support programs preventing and assisting victims of child sexual abuse. This funding specifically targets Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams (MDITs) to establish Children's Advocacy Centers in counties lacking such resources, thereby enhancing the support for victims and promoting community safety.

Endowment Act - CACs/DVSOs Grant Program

Overview:

Act 1 of 2013, better known as the “Endowment Act,” directs PCCD to distribute $48 million in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) monetary penalties levied on the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) to the victims of child sexual abuse in the Commonwealth.

Act 1 states: “Unless otherwise expressly stated in the agreement, the funds may only be used within the Commonwealth for the benefit of the residents of this Commonwealth and on any of the following:

• Programs or projects preventing child sexual abuse and/or assisting the victims of child sexual abuse.
• Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams established under 23 Pa.C.S. (relating to domestic relations).
• Child Advocacy Centers.
• Victim service organizations that provide services to children subjected to sexual abuse.
• Training of persons who are mandated by law to report child sexual abuse or to treat victims of child sexual abuse.”

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is now accepting applications for funding under the Endowment Act, specifically for Categories 3 (Child Advocacy Centers (CACs)) and 4 (Direct Victim Service Organizations that provide services to children subjected to sexual abuse (DVSOs)). 

Funding Availability:

A total of $3,000,000 in state Endowment Act Categories 3 (CACs) & 4 (DVSOs) funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund 30 grants with budgets not to exceed $100,000 over the 2-year project period.

Applicant agencies may submit only ONE application under this funding announcement. Due to the competitive nature of these funds, PCCD is not able to provide guidance to applicants on which category they should select.

At the direction of the Child Advocacy Center Advisory Committee (CACAC), at least $1.5 million of the funding (50% of the total released) is to be reserved for Category 3 (CACs) applicants. Should the amount requested under Category 3 exceed 50% of the requested funding, then the amount awarded under each category will be dependent on the percentage of the total dollar amount requested under each category. For example, if 60% of the funding is requested under Category 3 (CACs), and 40% of the funding is requested under Category 4 (DVSOs), then $1,800,000 (60% of available funding) would be allocated to support CAC applicants and $1,200,000 (40% of available funding) would be allocated to support DVSO applicants.

PCCD is not liable for costs incurred prior to the official start date of the award. 

HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program

The Pennsylvania HOME Program is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians. HOME funds can be used in a variety of ways to address critical housing needs in the Commonwealth, including market-oriented approaches that offer opportunities such as homeownership or rental activities to revitalize communities with new investment. HOME Program funds are provided to DCED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the annual entitlement appropriation process.

Uses

New construction and rehabilitation of housing units for affordable rental or homeownership opportunities; rehabilitation of owner-occupied dwelling units, assistance to first-time homebuyers, including acquisition and rehabilitation assistance; assistance to Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) engaged in eligible CHDO rental or homeownership projects. All eligible uses must benefit very low-, low- and/or moderate-income households.

Funding

• Maximum funding availability varies by HOME eligible activity.
• Applicants seeking Existing Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation and Homebuyer activities funding will be limited to a maximum of $500,000 as a town, borough or township. Cities and county applicants are limited to $750,000.
• Applicants seeking rental housing and homebuyer – new construction activities will be limited to a maximum funding request of the per unit subsidy limits for the Metropolitan Statistical Area for the proposed activity.
• All applicants must demonstrate matching contributions equal to 25% or greater for ALL HOME rental housing projects. Eligible match contributions may include cash contributions from non-federal sources, value of donated property, forbearance of fees, cost of on-site infrastructure improvements directly required for the HOME-assisted project and other eligible sources more specifically detailed in 24 CFR 92.220.

The Gordon Kirkland Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded biennially by the Pennsylvania Chapter of The Wildlife Society, honors mid-career or later professionals for their exceptional contributions to wildlife ecology and conservation in Pennsylvania. This peer-nominated award recognizes individuals for their achievements and dedication through wildlife-inspired artwork, emphasizing their impact on conservation efforts. Support letters are crucial in the nomination process, highlighting candidates’ academic, professional, and community engagement in wildlife-related initiatives.

The Tutoring Program for Adults, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, aims to enhance adult literacy through community-based programs. It emphasizes training volunteer tutors to provide essential support in adult education and literacy activities. Applicants are encouraged to seek necessary funding to meet performance standards, with a focus on one-on-one tutoring for Adult Basic Education and ESL students. This initiative strives to improve the lives of uneducated and undereducated adults and their families in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Program aims to protect and enhance Pennsylvania’s waterways.

The program - administered by DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation - provides technical and financial assistance to partners to carry out activities that improve watershed health and/or provide water-based outdoor recreation opportunities.

Although the program name emphasizes rivers work, it supports initiatives that benefit all types of waterways and significant water resources.

Initiatives included in the DCNR Rivers Conservation Program are:

• Grants for projects to restore and protect rivers and watersheds, and provide waterway access and recreation
• Scenic Rivers
• Rivers Registry
• River of the Year and sojourns
• Water trails
• Stream and wetland restoration
• Small dam removal
• Boat launch, boardwalk, and fishing access installation

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.

5430 - Unlocking Value and Opportunities from Carbon Flows in Water Utilities

Grant Information

• Identify carbon flows across drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, and advanced treatment systems. Carbon flows may include source water, stormwater, process emissions, process inputs, residuals, and biogas.
• Identify the most relevant carbon recovery, capture, conversion, storage, and avoidance opportunities.
• Evaluate value creation pathways, including products, avoided costs, and environmental attributes, and mechanisms and partnerships needed to put them into practice.
• Assess how opportunities vary across system types and local contexts by focusing on more common scenarios for utilities.
• Provide practical, research-based insights to support identification, prioritization, evaluation, and advancement of carbon management opportunities under site-specific conditions and constraints.
• Evaluate implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, environmental attribute claims, and other potential benefits across pathways.

Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program

The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program helps fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm—designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers.

Grants support projects like these:

• Enhancing a farm's long-term success with business and management strategies.
• Transitioning farm ownership and operation to new people.
• Passing ownership and operation within the family.
• Diversifying agricultural production with new plans.
• Expanding or seeking financing for growth.
• Ensuring farms with conservation easements remain profitable and protect public investments.

Funding opportunities

• The grant is $15,000, covering 75% of project costs.
• It's a reimbursement grant.
• The repayment is based on approved costs. These are for approved projects by the applicant, during the grant's fiscal year.
• Grants are given based on available funds.
• In-kind support won't count as part of the applicant's contribution.
• The Department of Agriculture will give up to $500,000 for program grants in 2026-2027.
• Costs from July 1, 2026, to the grant agreement must be in the work plan for reimbursement.

Entergy’s Open Grants Program aims to enhance community well-being through funding initiatives in arts, education, social services, and community improvement. The program prioritizes support for organizations that serve diverse populations, including children and low-income communities. Eligible entities must have 501(c)(3) status or equivalent nonprofit recognition. Applications should be submitted three months in advance, allowing ample time for review. Entergy focuses on projects that foster self-sufficiency and enrich local neighborhoods.

The Dunkin’ Prom Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to bring joy to teenage patients unable to attend their own prom due to illness. By funding hospitals to host prom-like events, the program ensures these patients experience this significant milestone. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, supporting the creation of memorable events with themes, food, entertainment, and formal wear for the teens, making a positive impact in their lives.

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 Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

The Hillman Foundation, established in 1951, aims to enhance the quality of life in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. It focuses on strategic grantmaking for economic development, health, education, human services, the arts, and the environment. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster community growth, support arts and culture, and address social determinants of health. It primarily funds tax-exempt organizations serving the ten counties of southwestern Pennsylvania.

The HRG Charitable Foundation Scholarship, administered by Scholarship America, aims to eliminate financial barriers for current high school seniors in the mid-Atlantic region pursuing STEM degrees. With a focus on expanding access for underrepresented students, the scholarship supports full-time undergraduate education at accredited institutions. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative reflects Scholarship America's commitment to educational equity and student success, ensuring every student can achieve their academic goals.