The Scranton Area Foundation is a tax-exempt public, community charity created by and for the people of Scranton and Lackawanna County. Established in 1988 when it qualified as a fully tax exempt charitable organization under Sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation had been formed in 1954, and operated as a private foundation in the early years.

Our purpose is to meet a wide variety of educational, cultural, human service and other charitable needs throughout Lackawanna County. We carry out this purpose through the distribution of income from endowment funds established by donors.

Over the years, grants of more than $10 million have been made to assist the educational, human service, environmental, civic, and arts & cultural organizations in our area. As the Foundation's endowment continues to grow, there will be increased opportunity for positive impact on community issues through grantmaking.

A description of the Scranton Area Foundation is that it is Lackawanna County's permanent savings account to help fund the needs of our changing community over the years to come. The Foundation's grants are sound venture capital to enable good ideas to become effective programs and services for all our citizens.

In summary, the Scranton Area Foundation is...

... a vehicle through which individuals, businesses and other foundations can support non-profit organizations throughout Lackawanna County. We are not the users of the funds.  We are the conduit to help people who want to improve their community now and for generations to come.

... a grantmaker and community partner helping charitable groups to provide needed services in health, education, human services, environment and culture to all the people of our area.

... a tax-exempt organization formed to attract, manage and distribute income from gifts of capital for the benefit of the community.

We're one of more than 700 community foundations nationwide and the only one serving Scranton and Lackawanna County.

... of, for, and by the people.

We help plant the seeds of community by assisting donors to carry out their charitable giving through organized philanthropy. By providing a convenient, flexible vehicle for our donors, we are able to help you make a permanent contribution to the community.

We gather information, track local agencies, and monitor the community to determine the unique needs of our community.   Our grant-making facility allow us to pool the charitable donations of many donors into a coordinated investment.   It is through these generous donor contributions that we are able to provide many services and resources that offer long-term benefits for the residents of Lackawanna County.

FOR THE COMMUNITY: We are a local organization with deep roots in the community.  We provide leadership, encouraging philanthropy, and build permanent resources to raise awareness and increase giving in our community.


FOR THE PEOPLE: Through the generous contributions of our donors we are able to to fund needed resources and support community services that benefit the people of Scranton and the surrounding communities in Lackawanna County.   


FOR THE DONORS: We are here to help donors to achieve current and long term philanthropic goals. From one-time gifts to starting a fund to promote your legacy, we offer a number of options for giving now and giving later

Over the years, grants of more than $10 million have been made to assist the educational, human service, environmental, civic, and arts & cultural organizations in our area. As the Foundation's endowment continues to grow, there will be increased opportunity for positive impact on community issues through grant-making.

The Foundation's grants are sound venture capital to enable good ideas to become effective programs and services for all our citizens.

We do what we do because of you!

Our donors are the key to the great things we are able to accomplish.  It is because of the generous contributions from our donors that we are able to help the residents of Scranton Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities of Lackawanna County

We carry out this purpose through the distribution of income from endowment funds established by donors.