The Williamsport Lycoming Competitive Grant Program considers requests from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the residents of the City of Williamsport and Lycoming County, with missions relating to art & culture, education, health & human services, youth, environment, and economic development.

Available to Grant

  • Up to $1.2 million
  • Minimum request amount = $5,000. Maximum request amount = $250,000

Deadline and Notification

  • Online application will be available for submission through APRIL 1
  • Final funding notification will be made as follows:
    • Requests $25,000 – $250,000 after the JUNE FCFP Board meeting
    • Requests $5,000 – $24,999 after the SEPTEMBER FCFP Board meeting

Who May Apply

  • 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
  • Applicants must apply with a minimum request of $5,000 – maximum request of $250,000
  • Applicants’ programs must benefit the residents of Lycoming County

Ineligible Requests

  • Annual campaigns
  • Costs that were or will be incurred prior to the anticipated grant approval date
  • Endowments
  • General operating expenses such as salaries for current staff positions, rent, utilities, insurance
    • Salaries for new staff may be considered
  • 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 candidate
  • Loans, scholarships, fellowships, honorary awards
  • Requests from individuals
  • Previous awardees with incomplete/open grants or outstanding final evaluations cannot apply

General Criteria for Reviewing Requests

  • Impact 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
  • Higher consideration will be given to organizations with DEI practices in place

Easily apply for any of our grants in one place!

Learn about the application process

Apply Now