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
