Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Cycle

Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Cycle

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania
Amount: US $5,000 - US $25,000
Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Summary

The Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Cycle, led by the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. The initiative emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to address systemic issues like racism through community engagement. With a commitment to sustainable development and innovative solutions, the grant encourages collaborations that enhance social impact while fostering a commitment to DEI strategies in organizations.

Overview

About FCFP Founded in 1916, First Community Foundation Partnership is the leading resource for philanthropists in North Central PA. Drawing from a deep well of experience, we can help anyone who wants to make a difference make it happen. Whether through a modest donation or a substantial endowment, we help donors grow their contributions and reinvest the gains back into our region. Our partnerships are as diverse as the public we serve. We oversee projects ranging from small, donor-directed funds to Raise the Region, our area’s largest and most celebrated charitable event. And the initiatives we sustain support causes from scholarships and fine arts to healthcare and food security. We’re determined to broaden our reach and deepen our impact in the counties we serve. We’re committed to driving positive social change for another hundred years—and ensuring everyone who shares our vision can get involved. Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Cycle FCFP is using its leadership platform to address critical issues impacting the quality of life for all members of the community it serves. FCFP’s values include visionary leadership, which is further defined by creative, resourceful thinking that leads a community through action to achieve a common goal. In June of 2020, the FCFP Board of Directors endorsed the staff’s selection of “Systemic Racism” as the critical issue to be addressed in the inaugural “First Focus Project”. The First Focus Project will serve as FCFP’s leadership platform to bring diverse groups together across the region through education and conversation with a goal of creating a collective community response to a critical issue. FCFP values organizations that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their staff, board, program partners/service providers, and constituencies. We are seeking an understating of potential grantees’ capacity and hopes to effectively navigate DEI issues.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Greater Susquehanna Valley Competitive Grant Cycle considers requests from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the residents of Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and/or Union County, with missions relating to art & culture, education, health & human services, youth, environment, and economic development.Nonprofit organizations that are qualified to receive tax-exempt contributions as defined by the IRS – in the vast majority of cases, applicants will be 501(c)(3) organizations, or a unit of local government as described in Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status may work through another qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is willing to serve as a Fiscal Sponsor.General Criteria for Reviewing RequestsImpact a broad range and diverse group of people.Address community needs and/or opportunities in innovative and creative ways Result in attainable and measurable goals.Illustrate financial strength to ensure long-term self-sustainability, especially when seeking start-up or seed funding.Show collaboration with other nonprofits without duplicating efforts Leverage or generate other funding sources and/or propose use of grant to attract matching funds.FCFP values organizations that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their staff, board, program partners/service providers, and constituencies. We are seeking an understanding of potential grantees’ capacity and hopes to effectively navigate DEI issues.

Ineligibility

Limitations:General operating expenses such as salaries for current staff positions, rent, utilities, insurance Salaries for new staff may be considered Costs that were or will be incurred prior to the anticipated grant approval date Indirect costs: costs not directly related to carrying out the funded project Multi-year funding requests Operating or program deficits Re-granting, on a case-by-case basis Religious organizations may only apply through a partnering secular qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization School Districts and School District Foundations School Districts may apply if collaborating with one or more other Districts Political advocacy that supports or promotes the interests of any one political party or candidateLoans, scholarships, fellowships, honorary awards Requests from individuals Organizations with outstanding or overdue final reports from previous grants cannot apply