Luzerne Foundation: Grants for Pennsylvania
/OVERVIEW: The Luzerne Foundation supports social services, education, arts and culture, health and wellness, youth issues, neighborhoods, community development, historic preservation and the environment in Pennsylvania.
FUNDING AREAS: Social services, education, arts and culture, health and wellness, youth issues, historic preservation, environment, neighborhoods, community development
IP TAKE: This local community funder supports nearly any type of nonprofit need and is definitely an ally for Pennsylvania charities.
PROFILE: Established in 1994, the Luzerne Foundation is a community foundation based in Luzerne, Pennsylvania. It administers over 300 funds representing seven distinct fields of interest. The foundation “works to enhance the lives of Luzerne County residents by evaluating and addressing community needs through strategic grantmaking, promoting responsible philanthropy and connecting donors to causes that matter to them.” It funds local efforts for social services, education, arts and culture, health and wellness, youth issues, neighborhoods, community development, historic preservation and the environment.
The Luzerne Foundation supports a broad range of nonprofit needs within its county. It awards grants through general purpose grantmaking funds, such as the Fund for Luzerne County and the McGowan Fund. Other awards come from donor-advised, designated, field-of-interest, organizational endowment and scholarship funds. The Millennium Circle and Youth Advisory Committee also award grants. The funder hosts an annual nonprofit forum in which nonprofits can present a five-minute story about their needs and have an opportunity to receive a grant. Organizations should register to attend the event online or by phone. In addition to making grants, the foundation also provides educational seminars and serves as a logistical clearinghouse to effectively community and use resources.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $50,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Luzerne County in Pennsylvania. Past local grantees include the F.M. Kirby Center, CASA of Luzerne County and Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley.
This foundation may accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits at certain times, but the primary opportunities with this funder are at the annual nonprofit forum. Direct general questions to the staff at info@luzfdn.org or 570-822-2065.
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