Women In Philanthropy

Since it began in 2014, Women in Philanthropy has focused on empowering and transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Women in Philanthropy engages supporters in collective decision making to help move women to levels of personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency.

Women in Philanthropy began as a small group of engaged, community-minded women at the Scranton Area Community Foundation that wanted to create meaningful, positive change in the lives of women and girls in the Lackawanna County region.

A New Kind of Philanthropy

Women in Philanthropy (commonly referred to as ‘WIP’) is designed to confront the many issues facing women, girls, and their families through a process of engaged, collective, and active philanthropy where members are a part of the funding process within several priority areas—areas that are poised to make systemic change. As an initial measure, two funds were created at the Scranton Area Community Foundation: an endowed fund, which will generate resources for these initiatives in perpetuity, and a non-endowed fund, meant to provide immediate funding for ground-breaking, innovative programs. Working simultaneously and working together, Women in Philanthropy will empower and transform the lives of women, girls, and their families throughout Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Become part of the solution

Through the generosity of our 150+ supporters, Women in Philanthropy has provided:

Grant Funding
✓ Over $100,000 provided to local nonprofit organizations helping women, girls and their families, including critical COVID-19
emergency grants.

STEAM Education
✓ Nationally renowned STEAM Education to over 2,000 students in K-12 public schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
✓ $25,000 in full ‘STEAM Stars’ Scholarships to the nationally recognized Level Up Program at Lackawanna College where students obtain their associates degree in a STEAM field while in high school.

Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses
✓ Loan capital and training support to help launch nearly 15 local women-owned businesses in NEPA in partnership with Peoples Security Bank and the SBDC.
✓ Grant support to 21 women business owners in Lackawanna County facing hardship due to COVID-19.

Financial Education and Matching Funds
✓ Nearly $300,000 in matching funds to 70+ women trying to build their savings, purchase a home, auto, or finance education, through a $1 for $1 match program.
✓ Certification in Financial Education for 124 local women through a special program with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center and Kania School of Management, University of Scranton.

Dental Care
✓ Restorative Dental Services through Building Confident Smiles, a program developed with Scranton Primary Health, provided to 17 uninsured women seeking employment.

Transportation
✓ Improved transportation access to health services through a multiyear pilot partnership with Geisinger, and transportation
access to workforce opportunities for clients at local social service agencies.

Civic Engagement
✓ Developed an informational webinar in partnership withWomen’s Whistle Stop, Scranton, to advance voter education and
promote voter registration.

Women in Philanthropy is actively shaping its next set of priorities! These priority areas include Civic Engagement and Advocacy, Affordable Childcare, and Affordable Housing. Women in Philanthropy continually responds to issues that
matter most to women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania!

To learn more about Women in Philanthropy or how you can become involved as an active WIP Supporter, contact us today!