Grants

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation serves Lehigh and Northampton Counties in eastern Pennsylvania. Some funds of the Foundation also provide grants to non-profit organizations in Monroe County and Upper Bucks County. Grants may also be made to qualified non-profits in other states and other nations. The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has made grants to more than 500 non-profit organizations since its inception. Today, the Foundation grants over $1 million a year to non-profit organizations, primarily in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

The Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations from two types of charitable funds: Discretionary Funds and Donor-Defined Funds. All grants, from all charitable funds of the Foundation, must be approved by the Board of Governors.

Grants from Discretionary Funds are determined by the Foundation’s Grants Committee on an annual, competitive basis.

Grants from Donor-Defined Funds reflect the donor’s choices or direction to varying degrees and do not usually involve an application process. Such funds include Donor-Advised Funds, where grants are made upon the recommendation of the donor. Scholarship and Award Funds make grants according to the criteria established by the donors. Designated Funds are established by donors for the benefit of one or more specific organizations. Other funds have been established with special focuses and invite appropriate organizations to apply for grants.