The Scranton Area Community Foundation believes Community Impact is one of its three key strategic pillars.
We’re excited to introduce our new monthly e-newsletter, Community Impact Highlights, designed to keep you informed about the powerful work happening through our community impact initiatives. From new projects to ongoing efforts, we’ll share how these initiatives are making a real difference in the community, and the progress and stories behind this work.
We’re only able to make this all possible because of your support. Thank you for all you do for our community! To learn more about our community initiatives, visit our website at safdn.org.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Joins National Effort to Address Housing Crisis
The Scranton Area Community Foundation recently participated in the National Housing Crisis Task Force’s first meeting of 2025, held in Atlanta, where innovative solutions to the growing housing crisis took center stage. The cross-sector, bipartisan task force is comprised of community foundations, legislators, and others.
As part of this initiative, the Task Force hosted a workshop bringing together senior leaders from community foundations across the country, including those from San Diego, Oregon, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Philadelphia, and Maine. This collaborative session highlighted successful models and programs that can serve as part of the solution to the national housing crisis, and explored how community foundations can strategically leverage both financial and social capital to tackle local housing challenges.
By joining this national dialogue, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is not only helping to elevate and address the issue but also bringing valuable leading practices back to our community. We are committed to exploring impactful solutions that address housing needs right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort and look forward to continuing our work alongside community foundations nationwide to create positive change.
NEPA Gives ‘Academy’ Kicks Off Early Registration
At the Scranton Area Community Foundation, we’re gearing up for the region’s largest day of giving! NEPA Gives registration is now open to nonprofit organizations, with Early Bird registration available until March 23.
On February 12, we kicked things off with ‘NEPA Gives Academy’ at Lackawanna College, where dozens of local nonprofit organizations gathered to receive the tools and tips to set them up for success during NEPA Gives 2025, which will take place on June 5-6, 2025.
2025 AWC Pet Expo at Viewmont Mall 🐾 Join Us on March 1st!
The 2025 NEPA Pet Expo/Animal Care Summit, hosted by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Viewmont Mall in Scranton, PA from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Open to all, the Pet Expo will feature:
- Pet care & safety demonstrations
- Local shelter & rescue booths
- Adoptable animals
- Vendors
- And more!
This event will raise essential funds for the NEPA AWC to continue to advance animal welfare causes in our community.
Center to Host Upcoming Nonprofit Training Series
The Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence at the Scranton Area Community Foundation is excited to announce an informative 3-part series designed to help local nonprofits enhance their grant applications and amplify their impact. From finding funding opportunities to crafting compelling success stories, this series provides valuable resources to support nonprofit organizations’ growth and mission.
Part 1: Unlocking Grant Opportunities
Looking for grants to support your organization’s work? Join us for an engaging Lunch & Learn with the SACF Grants & Scholarships Team. Discover the wide range of grant opportunities available throughout the year and learn valuable tips on how to navigate the grant search process.
Part 2: Budget for Greater Success
A well-crafted budget can make all the difference in your grant application. Join Ken Okrepkie for an in-depth workshop on creating budgets that effectively support your funding requests while demonstrating financial responsibility and transparency.
Part 3: Communicating Your Success Story
Your organization is making a difference—let’s make sure your story resonates with the community and beyond! Join the SACF Communications Team for an insightful Lunch & Learn that will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to craft powerful press releases and share compelling success stories with your community and beyond.
Breaking Down Workforce Barriers in NEPA:
Join the NEPA Thrives Workforce Summit 💻
The Scranton Area Community Foundation, through its NEPA Thrives initiative, is leading the charge to address workforce recruitment and retention challenges in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Join us for the NEPA Thrives Workforce Barriers Summit, now offered virtually, to explore real-world solutions that benefit employers, workers, and families across our community.
Workforce challenges impact all sectors, from healthcare to education and beyond. This Summit brings together industry leaders, employers, community organizations, and education providers to collaborate on actionable solutions that drive economic growth and strengthen organizations throughout NEPA.
The Summit features a series of expert-led discussions, including:
- Workforce Landscape & Sector Collaboration: Insights into in-demand occupations and labor market trends.
- Care Economy Strategies: Solutions to recruitment and retention challenges in healthcare and human services.
- Strengthening Organizations & Community Partnerships: Innovative practices to enhance organizational impact.
The NEPA Thrives Workforce Barriers Summit is a platform to engage in transformative discussions that will shape the future workforce landscape in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
For questions, contact Koren Clark, Community Impact Manager, at koren@safdn.org. Visit safdn.org for full session details and registration information.
NEPA Learning Conference is Back for 2025 🎉
We are excited to announce that the 2025 NEPA Learning Conference is set for September 17-19, 2025!
In partnership with the Moses Taylor Foundation and the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, we’re bringing top training from regional & national experts to empower nonprofit professionals.
This year’s conference will take place at Fiorelli Catering in Peckville, PA — stay tuned for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!
At the Scranton area community FOundation
We are committed to responsibly stewarding resources and inspiring transformative philanthropy to build a strong and vibrant community.
Our initiatives—including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, NEPA Thrives, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative—are making a real difference.
We also proudly host and facilitate impactful events like NEPA Gives every June and the NEPA Learning Conference biennially.