Provident Bank Foundation: Empowerment Grant

The Provident Bank Foundation's Empowerment Grant focuses on uplifting marginalized communities by providing flexible funding for initiatives that promote economic self-sufficiency. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 over two years, the program supports organizations in education, human services, and workforce development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate meaningful community impact and align with the Foundation's funding priorities, which include promoting quality education, social safety nets, and career development opportunities.

The Empowerment Grant program provides two years of flexible funding support for programs, projects, or initiatives that are based within our geographic footprint and that align with at least one of PBF’s newly revised funding priorities and the corresponding areas of interest. Funding requests must demonstrate community enhancement and meaningful impact over the grant term.
Funding Priorities and Areas of Interest
Organizations applying for an Empowerment Grant must measure their program’s impact in a manner that aligns with at least one of our newly revised funding priorities and one of the specific areas of interest.
Education Quality education and vocational training to build the skills needed to participate fully in the economy.Areas of Interest:Community collegesVocational programsSpecial education servicesHuman Services Social safety nets to support vulnerable populations in times of greatest need.Areas of InterestHousing assistanceFood securityHealthcare access for un-/underinsured individualsYouth mental health servicesWorkforce Development Career opportunities and skills development to support pathways to economic self-sufficiency.Areas of Interest:Job trainingEmployment supportsReentry programs
Funding
Empowerment Grants will be awarded in the range of $5,000-$10,000 per year for two years for organizations with operating budgets between $50,000-$1 million per year, and in the range of $10,000-$25,000 per year for two years for organizations with operating budgets between $1 million-$15 million per year.

Eligibility

Organizations must meet a specific set of eligibility criteria to apply for an Empowerment Grant based on the size of its current fiscal year operating budget.Operating Budget: $50,000–$1 million501(c)3 AND 509(a)1 or 509(a)22+ full operating yearsForm 990 / 990-EZ990-N e-postcards are not accepted!Not in an active grantServes at least one community where there is a Bank branch, or a community contiguous to a branchOperating Budget: $1 million–$15 million501(c)3 AND 509(a)1 or 509(a)22+ full operating yearsAudited/reviewed financial statementsForm 990 / 990-EZ990-N e-postcards are not accepted!Not in an active grantServes at least one community where there is a Bank branch, or a community contiguous to a branchPBF aligns its funding support to Provident Bank’s extensive branch network across parts of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.Use of FundsGrant funds can be used for a variety of purposes within the program, project, or initiative detailed in your funding request, including but not limited to:Overhead expenses and administrative salariesProgram expensesEquipment purchasesNew program start-up expenses in an established organizationPBF only accepts one (1) grant request per organization per calendar year.

Ineligibility

The Provident Bank Foundation will not consider requests from, or in support of, the following:Organizations with annual operating budgets less than $50,000Organizations with annual operating budgets more than $15 millionOrganizations with fewer than 2 operating yearsPrivate foundations or grants to other grant-making organizationsOrganizations using a third-party fiscal sponsor’s Tax ID or exempt statusMunicipalities or government agenciesSponsorships of any kind, including, but not limited to, galas, golf outings, performances, or other eventsScholarships, fellowships, grants, stipends, or loans given directly to individualsSectarian religious activitiesPolitical lobbying or legislative activitiesEndowments or capital campaignsConstruction projects that will not occur during the grant termExisting deficits, retroactive funding, or debt reductionOrganizations that discriminate based on race, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations