The Pearls with a Passion Fund was established at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania in 2013. This women’s giving society brings together women from a variety of backgrounds with a common goal – to create powerful communities through passionate giving. Their enthusiasm, passion for our communities and financial resources will bring about change through grants to nonprofits organizations serving the residents of northcentral Pennsylvania.
Available to Grant
$32,000
Minimum request amount = $5,000. Maximum request amount = $10,000.
2024 Program Goals
Mental health services/therapies for residents of any age in Columbia, Lycoming, Northumberland, Tioga and/or Union counties
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) nonprofit organizations, or a unit of 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
- Religious organizations may only apply through a secular qualified (501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for community-wide programs/projects
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, office expenses/supplies
- Salaries for new staff for new programs or program enhancements may be considered
- Multi-year funding requests
- Operating or program deficits
- Re-granting, on a case-by-case basis
- Clubs, sports teams, or services limited to a select membership
- Loans, scholarships, fellowships, honorary awards, or travel grants
- Requests from individuals
- Organizations with open grants or outstanding final reports from previous grants from this fund cannot apply
General Criteria for Reviewing Requests
- Impact a broad range and diverse group of people in the services area(s)
- 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
- Leverage or generate other funding sources and/or propose use of grant to attract matching funds
Preference given to requests that benefit more then one county
Deadline and Notification
- Online application will be available for submission through MARCH 1
- Final funding notification to the approved nonprofits will be made in MAY
- Public announcement will be made at the May Discovering Pearls and Awards Reception event (date TBA)