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.

Report to the Community

The Scranton Area Foundation publishes a yearly "Report to the Community". Included in the report are Foundation funds, recent grants and a report of our most recently audited financial statement.

But most of all we are pleased to recognize and thank our many donors and friends.

Again, many thanks to those who make it possible.

DOWNLOAD PDF: Report to the Community (NOTE: this is s 3MG PDF file)