Applying for Funds - Grants, Scholarships and Awards

Schuylkill Area Community Foundation continues to become an increasingly important source of funding to enhance the quality of life for Schuylkill County. Many of our funds are earmarked to help specific organizations and other funds are more broad reaching and address critical needs in the community.

Grant Policy for Unrestricted Funds

The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation established this grant policy for the purpose of outlining and defining the Foundation's administration of the grant program. The Foundation Board may make an exception to this printed policy upon motion duly made, seconded, and passed by a quorum of those members present and voting. A rationale for the exception must be reviewed and stated in the motion.

Purpose of this Policy

The Grant Program provides a means for Schuylkill County nonprofit charitable organizations to apply for financial assistance to fund projects and programs that will enhance the quality of life of Schuylkill County and its surrounding area.

Who We Are

Since 1967, area residents have been turning to the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern - improving the quality of life in Schuylkill County.

The mission of the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation is to serve donors by developing, managing, and investing their contributions and to serve the community by distributing earnings, annually, in accordance with donor wishes to the community at large.

What We Fund

The Foundation awards grants from the unrestricted funds to the following areas of interest:

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Environment
• Health and Human Services
• Youth Programs
• Volunteer Programs

What We Do Not Fund

• Grants to Individuals
• Capital Campaigns
• Political Activities
  
• Operating expenses and/or salaries
  
• Debt Reduction
  
• National or International Organizations

Who May Apply

• Federally recognized 501(c) (3) organizations
• Organizations serving Schuylkill County and its surrounding area

How to Apply

Applications are available here or by contacting the Foundation office at (570) 624-7223

Timeline

The grant applications are accepted from January 1 to March 15. Applications must be received by the Foundation no later than 12 Noon on March 15 to be considered for an award.

Funding Levels

The Board of Directors has authorized the committee to recommend grants. The committee may (a) decline to fund a request, (b) fund a portion of the request or (c) fully fund the request. Normally, these grant awards range from $100 to $2,000.

Procedure

1. Grant Application Form must be filled out in entirety and must include all requested supporting documents. Grant proposals are not considered without submission of a completed application.

2. The Grant Committee reviews and evaluates each application during the month of April. The chairperson of the Grant Committee makes the recommendation to the Board of Directors at the May Board meeting for final approval and funding is made to the successful awardees by July 15th.

3. In reviewing the grant proposals, the Foundation uses the following evaluation criteria:

a. Does the purpose of the project fit with the mission of the organization?
b. Does the organization have the ability to implement this project?
c. Is there an established need for the program or project in the community?
d. Will the Foundation have adequate resources to effectively respond to this need?

Note: The grant committee will not base evaluation criteria on any distributions made to an organization from a donor-advised fund or the fact that an organization has a fund at the foundation.

4. Written notification of the Foundation's action will be sent to the grant applicant.

The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation operates without discrimination as to age, race, religion, sex, or national origin in the overall administration of the Foundation and in the consideration of grant requests from nonprofit organizations serving Schuylkill County and its surrounding area.

If You Receive a Grant

• All public announcements concerning your project or program should indicate the Foundation's participation in the program funding.
• Grant announcements are publicized within the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation's newsletter, web site, press release to media and other marketing materials.

Where to Send the Applications

The foundation office must receive applications, by mail or hand delivery, no later than
March 15 at 12 Noon. Please use the following mailing address:

Schuylkill Area Community Foundation
216 S. Centre Street
Pottsville, PA 17901

Scholarships/Awards
Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, in collaboration with donors and community partners are working together to make higher education more affordable for local residents. Criteria vary with each scholarship.

The Foundation awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to students in 2006, thus surpassing $1 Million for the grand total in scholarship funding!

Scholarships

Scholarships and Awards

Click here for listings
Contact the school office or guidance department for application

Penn State Schuylkill Campus…. If you are currently a high school senior…click here to learn how you can be eligible for the matching scholarship program!