Scranton’s New American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program to Aid Residents and Organizations
Variety of grants will help nonprofits and city residents negatively impacted by COVID-19
The City of Scranton has been awarded a total of $68.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impact.
“This pandemic has impacted the quality of life for way too many of our residents over the past two years,” said Mayor Paige G. Cognetti. “Our hope is that this program will help those organizations, businesses, and residents who saw the greatest impact from COVID-19 and give them a boost to getting back on their feet.”
Scranton City Council has approved that this funding be made available as grants to community organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses that have faced economic hardship resulting from or worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first of these grant programs opens July 18 to assist nonprofit organizations who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, either through difficulties raising revenue or an increase in the need for their services.
During the month of August, the city will open additional grants that prioritize funding for programs for:
- Nonprofit grants for literacy/finance programs
- Nonprofit grants for educational catch-up programs
- Drug overdose prevention programs
- Behavior health response and violence prevention programs
- Wellness programs
- Affordable childcare programs
Other programs including those for businesses, homeowners, homebuyers and more will become available over the next several months and more information will follow.
Informational Webinar
An informational webinar will be held Thursday, July 14, at 5 p.m., and an in-person meeting will be held Friday, July 15, at 12 p.m. in the Governor’s Room at Scranton City Hall, 340 North Washington Avenue. Any organization interested in applying for these funds is encouraged to attend.
ARPA Program Application Process
As a subrecipient of the ARPA grant program to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impact, Scranton Area Community Foundation is working with the City of Scranton to administer the ARPA program. Beginning on Monday, July 18, nonprofit organizations seeking ARPA funding will apply through SACF’s online grant management portal.
Please review the instructions on the online grant portal homepage PRIOR to creating a new account. For additional questions about creating a login, please email Grants@safdn.org.