Best Youth Sports Grants in Pennsylvania

The Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, provides operational funding to support Pennsylvania museums and county historical societies. Grants range from $2,500 to $65,000, aimed at enhancing the museum community and allowing institutions to address their unique operational needs. Eligible applicants must have a substantial operating budget and professional staff. This funding promotes accessibility and the preservation of Pennsylvania's rich cultural heritage.

The Sewage Facilities Grant Program, established under Act 13 of 2012, utilizes funds from the Marcellus Legacy Fund to support compliance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. This program aims to cover costs associated with the necessary planning work under Act 537, facilitating effective sewage management across the state.

The Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program aims to enhance apprenticeship opportunities in Pennsylvania by supporting registered programs. It provides funding for eligible applicants to cover instructional costs that complement on-the-job training. The program allows sponsors to request up to $3,000 per apprentice annually for a maximum of three years, enabling employers to recruit and develop talent effectively. For detailed guidelines, refer to the FAQs provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Tourism Accredited Zoos Program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, supports accredited zoos in enhancing their facilities and promoting attendance through marketing initiatives. This funding is pivotal for zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the Zoological Association of America, ensuring high standards in animal care and conservation practices. By investing in infrastructure and outreach, the program aims to strengthen community engagement and wildlife conservation efforts.

The Watershed Restoration and Protection Grant Program, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, aims to restore streams affected by nonpoint source pollution. Funded by the Marcellus Legacy Fund established under Act 13 of 2012, the program supports projects that improve watershed protection through Best Management Practices. This initiative is crucial for maintaining healthy water ecosystems and removing impaired waters from the Department of Environmental Protection's list.

The Northeast Agricultural Education Foundation Grant supports educational and leadership initiatives focused on agriculture within the Northeastern United States. Established as a private foundation, it provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations that promote agricultural leadership, enhance understanding of food production, and improve farmers' quality of life. The Foundation prioritizes programs that educate youth about agriculture and promote farm safety awareness. Grants are primarily directed towards statewide or larger projects that align with these objectives.

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 Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation, established in 2007, supports small, impactful organizations in the Northeast US. The foundation prioritizes projects that alleviate suffering for people or animals and considers applications from 501(c)(3) organizations outside its usual funding parameters. Key areas of support include education, after-school programs, rehabilitation, arts, nutrition, and emotional support initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering local community development through thoughtful funding.

The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund aims to promote environmental justice through community forestry initiatives. This grant supports workforce development in forestry, focusing on job training for historically marginalized communities. It encourages partnerships with educational institutions and local organizations to create equitable job opportunities in tree planting and maintenance. The fund is co-led by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and various community partners, emphasizing a collaborative approach to improve health and sustainability in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship offers unique research opportunities for graduate students from member universities. Eligible candidates can conduct research at the Smithsonian in diverse fields such as anthropology, ecology, and history of science. The fellowship provides a stipend of $45,000 per year, with additional research allowances, and supports both U.S. and international students. This initiative fosters collaboration among leading academic institutions to advance knowledge and innovation.

The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund - Track II focuses on enhancing tree canopy to improve public health and environmental resilience in disadvantaged communities. This initiative aims to address air pollution, stormwater management, and ecological challenges through community-driven tree planting and maintenance projects. Supported by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and various local organizations, this program emphasizes participatory decision-making and requires community recommendations for project proposals, fostering local engagement and sustainability.

The Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund aims to enhance community-based organizations' capacity for urban forestry through training and support. This initiative focuses on addressing environmental justice issues across the Mid-Atlantic region, promoting health and sustainability through increased tree canopy. By fostering inclusive decision-making, the Fund empowers organizations historically marginalized in securing funding. Projects must align with EPA's disadvantaged community criteria, ensuring equitable access to resources for environmental stewardship.

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 AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation Grant aims to prevent and mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to promote healthier outcomes for children. With a focus on empowering families, healing behaviors, and access to healthcare, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide comprehensive care and resources. Grants range from $100,000 to $250,000, totaling up to $1.945 million for project-specific initiatives. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in states where AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid markets exist.

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.

The Mary Gourlay Charitable Trust Grant, established in 2017, aims to support institutions that assist the blind in Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia. The trust honors Mary Gourlay and is dedicated to funding projects in arts, education, health, and human services. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt, while grants are strictly for supporting blind persons. Notably, salaries are not covered by this funding, ensuring resources directly benefit the intended beneficiaries.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Safety First Grant Program aims to enhance community safety across its 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, it supports organizations that provide safety services or promote safe behavior. This program reflects Norfolk Southern's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, empowering employees to engage locally. By investing in safety and workforce development, Norfolk Southern fosters thriving communities, demonstrating its dedication to social responsibility and community well-being.

Apprenticeships on the Move

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $4,000,000 in funding for Apprenticeships on the Move: Advancing Pennsylvania’s Workforce. 

The purpose of this NGA is to support the development of new registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, or the expansion of existing registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships that strengthen Pennsylvania's workforce and advance the Commonwealth's economic development priorities. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project addresses workforce needs within the industry or occupation served and supports the goals of Governor Shapiro's Ten-Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development and the Pennsylvania WIOA Combined State Plan.

Each year, Pennsylvanians generate an estimated 25,000 tons of household hazardous waste such as pesticides, old paint, drain cleaners and pool chemicals. Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are those wastes produced in households that are hazardous in nature but are not regulated as hazardous waste under federal and state laws. These wastes, when not properly managed, can create environmental and public health hazards.

HHW Collection Programs give Pennsylvanians an opportunity to safely dispose of these wastes. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourages HHW collection events by providing financial and technical assistance to collection programs that register with DEP. These programs provide sites for residents or small businesses to drop off their HHW. The materials collected at these sites are then reused, recycled, and, when necessary, disposed of at hazardous waste facilities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is authorized through the United States Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to issue grants for the purpose of reclaiming abandoned mine lands (AML) and abating abandoned mine drainage (AMD) as defined in Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.

The goals of the Program include:

• Reclaiming serious human health and safety problems resulting from abandoned coal mines.
• Completing AMD abatement and treatment projects to assist in meeting watershed restoration goals where Hydrologic Unit Plans and Qualified Hydrologic Units have been established.
• Addressing the operation and maintenance needs and/or upgrades of existing AMD treatment systems to avoid the loss of restored stream miles.
• Achieving significant, measurable water quality improvements for watershed restoration.
• Completing AMD projects with alternate or third-party funding available for the operation and maintenance of the facility

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.

The Boating Facility Grant Program, established by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), aims to enhance public boating facilities across the Commonwealth. This initiative supports the planning, acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of these facilities, ensuring that recreational boaters in Pennsylvania have access to high-quality amenities. By investing in such projects, PFBC fosters a vibrant boating community and promotes recreational opportunities on the state's waterways.

Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives

This 2026/27 JAG Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives requests applications from eligible governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations seeking to implement projects and programs that directly address the objectives and goals outlined in PCCD’s approved 2026-2030 Strategic Framework. 

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) invites applications for funding under the Endowment Act, distributing $48 million from NCAA penalties to support child sexual abuse prevention and victim assistance. This funding specifically targets Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams (MDITs) to develop satellite Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) in counties lacking sufficient cases. The goal is to enhance support for child abuse victims and improve response capabilities across the Commonwealth.

Chester County Community Foundation

The Chester County Community Foundation connects people who care with the causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever.

We are entrusted with 430+ family, individual, community group & nonprofit legacy funds. We are a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.  

Direct Service Programs/General Operations Grant

• Grants focus on Chester County causes & issues; but are not limited to Chester County.
• Charitable nonprofits working in all fields of interest are considered, such as: Arts, Culture, Heritage; Education, Libraries; Environment, Animals; Health; Human Services; Social Justice, Civic Engagement
• General operating grants are encouraged - Clear, succinct, compelling descriptions are appreciated: mission, aims, results & impact. 
• Nonprofits with higher GuideStar ratings receive stronger consideration.  
• Proposals can be submitted anytime all year.
• Grant decisions are made intermittently all year, as Fund Advisors desire.

PCCD Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's (PCCD) Victims Compensation Assistance Program is designed to support individuals who have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm due to a crime. This program offers financial aid for various expenses to help alleviate the financial burden on victims and their families.

On average, VCAP receives over 12,000 new claims and pays an average $13 million per year on behalf of crime victims. VCAP is able to reimburse insurance co-pays, out-of-network expenses and other out-of-pocket costs.