Best Small Grants for Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

The Louisville Institute's Postdoctoral Fellowship offers early career theological educators a unique opportunity for vocational and professional growth through a two-year placement at ATS-accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada. With a stipend of $30,000 annually, housing, and insurance benefits, fellows engage in a structured formation program, attend three annual gatherings in Louisville, KY, and receive peer mentorship, enhancing their journey towards becoming effective theological educators.

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.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company Scholarship Award

The Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company Scholarship Award consists of ten $1,000 scholarships awarded annually to graduating high school seniors who are customers of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, or who have a parent or guardian who is a customer, and who plan to pursue postsecondary education.

PetSmart Charities' Adoption Prep Grants aim to support organizations that facilitate the adoption of homeless pets through in-store programs. Eligible partners must demonstrate a commitment to increasing adoptions, with grants reaching up to $75,000 in the U.S. and $40,000 in Canada. The funding can be utilized for vaccinations, spay/neuter services, staffing, and volunteer support. This initiative focuses on building sustainable adoption programs that break down barriers to pet adoption.

The Ladies’ Branch of the New Bedford Port Society Scholarship, managed by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, supports students with familial ties to the sea or descendants of seamen. This scholarship aims to promote education in maritime-related fields. Eligible applicants must reside in specific SouthCoast communities or plan to pursue maritime sciences. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over $50 million to enhance the region's educational, humanitarian, and cultural landscape.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

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.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from a Lackawanna County High School.

Ruth Luka Kaaiahua Prince Scholarship Fund

The fund was established in 2025 to provide scholarship grants to graduates of McKinley High School and Farrington High School seeking higher education.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

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.

This fund provides two (2) scholarship awards each year to support an incoming Freshman or incoming/rising Sophomore who is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at either Johnson College, Lackawanna College, Keystone College, or Penn State Scranton Campus.

In even-numbered years, one (1) scholarship will be awarded to a student at Keystone College, and one (1) scholarship will be awarded to a student at Johnson College. The spendable balance will be split evenly between each recipient.

In odd-numbered years, one (1) scholarship will be awarded to a student at Penn State Scranton, and one (1) scholarship will be awarded to a student at Lackawanna College. The spendable balance will be split evenly between each recipient.

The DoW Orthopaedic Applied Research Award supports innovative research aimed at improving treatment and functionality for individuals with combat-related orthopaedic injuries. Applicants are required to present preliminary data and focus on applied research that evaluates new solutions, including pharmacologic agents and rehabilitation techniques. This initiative emphasizes the importance of military relevance, aiming to benefit Service Members, their families, and Veterans, while clinical research proposals are not permitted.

The FY26 Orthopaedic Research Program Clinical Research Award supports vital clinical research addressing orthopaedic-specific factors and interventions. It aims to generate evidence that optimizes patient outcomes and informs clinical care, benefiting Service Members, Veterans, and the public. Applications should focus on priority areas such as Ligamentous Trauma and Military Women’s Health, ensuring significant impact on patient care and mitigation of orthopaedic injuries.

The ETC Equipment Grant supports U.S.-based non-profit organizations, schools, and government entities by providing essential lighting technology. This initiative, part of ETC's Light the Way Program, aims to enhance training in performance arts through equipment grants. Recipients can choose from a variety of packages, including consoles and LED fixtures, tailored to their facility's needs. ETC also offers training for all awarded equipment, ensuring recipients maximize the impact of their grants.

Join Maddie's Fund every Monday at 11am PT for the Weekly Community Conversations, a supportive platform for animal well-being professionals. Engage in discussions about innovative programs and share valuable insights with peers. Each month, attendees have the chance to win up to $10,000 in grants by participating in the calls or watching on-demand. This initiative fosters collaboration and addresses crucial topics in the field.

The AHA: Rapid Response Funding offers crucial support to nonprofit organizations facing urgent campaign needs in the final stages of policy advocacy. This funding is intended for grassroots organizing, coalition building, polling, and media relations to successfully push for policy passage or defend against harmful legislation. Only organizations that are tax-exempt and have exhausted other resources are eligible, ensuring that funds are directed to campaigns with critical needs.

KaBOOM! Multi-Sport Courts provide innovative playspaces designed to meet the needs of older youth. These customizable sports courts allow communities to engage in various sports such as basketball and volleyball, addressing the lack of play opportunities. With guidance from KABOOM! Project Managers, applicants can fundraise and collaborate with community members to create an inviting space for active play, ensuring sustainable maintenance and ownership post-project completion.

The Dr. Alfred W. Stone Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports students pursuing degrees in psychology, art, education, or technology. Eligible applicants must have graduated from a PA high school or cyber school and completed their first year at Allegheny College or Edinboro University with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This scholarship can be renewed for up to three years, contingent upon academic progress.

The AO North America Long-Term Fellowship Program offers vital support for the education and training of orthopedic trauma surgeons. This initiative connects experienced mentors with trauma fellows, ensuring a high standard of educational content and methods. The program focuses on continuous improvement, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources such as workshops and grants. Administered by AO North America, it aims to enhance postgraduate education in orthopedic trauma surgery.

The Alice R. Moomy Pennsylvania State University Scholarship, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, awards funds to Erie County students pursuing degrees in STEM or nursing at any Penn State campus. With over $800,000 distributed in 2023, this scholarship aims to support academically promising individuals, particularly encouraging female applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.0. It reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities within the community.

The NEA Big Read Grant, managed by Arts Midwest, aims to foster community engagement through shared reading experiences. This initiative funds nonprofit organizations to host diverse reading programs, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and creativity. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, organizations can conduct book discussions, workshops, and creative events to strengthen community ties and promote civic engagement. The program highlights local voices and invites participation from various audiences, creating a vibrant literary culture.

The Dr. A. Jean Ayres Doctoral Candidate Scholarship, funded by The American Occupational Therapy Foundation, supports emerging OT scientists focusing on sensory integration and processing research. This $5,000 scholarship aids doctoral candidates in conducting impactful studies, contributing to the field of occupational therapy and enhancing care delivery. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program, have defended their dissertation proposal, and conduct research at a US institution. The scholarship emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices for underserved communities.

The James P Geiss And Margaret Y Hsu Foundation offers subvention awards to support not-for-profit academic presses in publishing books that align with its mission. Awards range from $5,000 to $7,500, with the possibility of exceeding this for projects requiring additional resources. Eligible applicants include publishers with not-for-profit tax status. The Foundation prioritizes applications that support first-time authors and enhance publications with visual elements like maps or illustrations.

The Dr. Carolyn Baum Cognitive Function in Daily Life Mentor Award, funded by the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, supports mid-to senior-level occupational therapy researchers mentoring assistant professors or post-doctoral fellows. This $10,000 stipend aims to enhance understanding of cognition's role in daily life through research. Dr. Carolyn Baum, a pioneer in the field, inspires this initiative, promoting the advancement of functional cognition in occupational therapy.

The William and Sally Vaun Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports local students pursuing degrees in medicine or environmental studies with an emphasis on ecology and conservation sciences. This scholarship provides an average award of $1,500 to eligible applicants from the NCCF's 20-town service area. The foundation is dedicated to championing community causes through thoughtful grant-making and scholarships, ensuring impactful support for future leaders.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

National Welch’s Fred Killian Memorial Scholarship

The National Welch’s Fred Killian Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by the National Grape Cooperative and Welch’s to honor the memory of Fred Killian, a Washington State grower.

The Banfield Foundation's Disaster Relief Grants support nonprofit animal welfare organizations and government agencies affected by natural disasters. Since 2015, the foundation has provided resources to help pets in crisis, including medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. Grants are also available for organizations assisting those impacted by disasters. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and directly help animals and their owners in the U.S., ensuring that pets receive the care they need during emergencies.

The PEDIGREE Foundation offers Program Development Grants aimed at enhancing dog adoption rates by supporting shelters and rescues across the U.S. Established in 2008, the foundation prioritizes initiatives such as transport, matching, and foster programs. Funding is available to 501(c)(3) designated organizations committed to improving the quality of care for dogs and ultimately increasing their chances of adoption, ensuring that every dog finds a loving home.

The Apolonia Stanulis Scholarship, offered by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, supports college students residing in NCCF's 20-town service area. With awards ranging from $300 to $1,500, this scholarship aims to empower students in their educational pursuits. NCCF is dedicated to fostering community development and connecting donors with local nonprofits, ensuring that the causes important to the community are championed effectively.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, established by George P. Mitchell in 1997, supports the preservation of historic interiors through grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits, while individuals may apply if their project involves a National Historic Landmark. The competitive selection process typically concludes within three months, with grant recipients required to match funds dollar-for-dollar. This initiative promotes education and planning activities crucial for maintaining historic interior integrity.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

W.R. "Bill" Asplund Scholarship

W.R. “Bill” Asplund (1932-2022) was a well-loved teacher in the Science Department at Wenatchee High School (WHS) from 1963 through 1987. He was a mentor to many students, instilling an appreciation for chemistry, scientific curiosity, and the natural world. He also introduced many to the outdoors as an advisor to the WHS Alpine Club, and later as an outdoor sports retailer in Wenatchee.

His childhood was harsh; he was homeless for a time. This gave him a life-long appreciation for those who helped him become a teacher and an advocate for wilderness conservation.