Robert H. Spitz Foundation

About The Robert H. Spitz Foundation

Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as administrator of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation since 2016. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Formed in 2015 through the estate of Mr. Spitz, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation supports an array of projects and programs that improve the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations, providing support for programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty, remove economic barriers, and encourage independence in adults and children through access to safe, affordable housing, transportation, and education. Priority areas for funding also include veterans’ affairs and veteran-oriented programs, animal welfare, and support for Jewish culture, heritage, community, and cemetery support. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has provided over $6 million in funding to the community.

Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton in 1955 and was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. Before retirement, Mr. Spitz had been employed by the U.S. Department of Labor and was also the owner of several local Arby’s restaurants.

Robert H. Spitz 2025 Grant Cycles

Beginning on Friday, August 1, 2025, applications will be accepted for the fall 2025 grant cycle.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is pleased to announce the Fall 2025 grant cycle and invites local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to apply for grant funding. The grant application process begins with submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through this online portal.

All submitted LOIs will be reviewed, and selected organizations will be invited to submit a full grant application through the online portal before the grant application deadline.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awards grants to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Please note that the trustees of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation have not set funding parameters for this grant process.

Fall 2025 Priority Areas for funding include:

Animal Welfare
Including but not limited to programs that support humane education, adoption for homeless animals, spay/neuter, trap neuter release (TNR), rescue, veterinary care and which help the economically disadvantaged and the elderly to keep their companion animals.

Environmental
Programs/projects that seek to preserve and/or protect the environment; raise awareness and/or educate about climate/environmental issues; and seeks to mitigate the impact of harmful practices to the environment and promote recreation/public health.

Veterans’ Affairs and Veteran-oriented Programs
Programs that support veterans and their families through access to healthcare, housing, job training, mental health services, and reintegration support. This includes initiatives addressing homelessness, PTSD, disability benefits, and community-based outreach tailored to the unique needs of those who have served in the military.

Deadlines

Deadline to submit Letter of Intent (LOI): Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
Deadline to submit application: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM.

Apply Here