Allentown, Pa., September 23, 2024— The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF), in partnership with the PPL Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of the Good Neighbor Fund, a new grant program to provide much-needed financial assistance to help households struggling with energy costs. Grants will be issued to nonprofits that offer utility assistance programs and who serve the 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania that make up PPL Electric’s service area. Nonprofit organizations can apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 beginning Monday, September 23, 2024.
The Good Neighbor Fund was created by the PPL Foundation in response to the growing financial hardships many families are facing, particularly in meeting essential home energy costs. This initiative will enable nonprofits with existing utility assistance programs to offer direct financial aid to households dealing with high energy bills, including electric, fuel, oil, and even wood pellet costs.
Lissette Santana, President of the PPL Foundation, emphasized the critical need for this new program: “Energy costs are a significant burden for many families, and we recognize that nonprofit organizations are on the front lines, helping households meet these challenges. The Good Neighbor Fund allows us to expand our reach and support those who need it most, and we’re calling on other utilities across Pennsylvania to join us in this vital initiative.”
Grant awards will include an administrative fee to help nonprofits manage program costs such as staffing and other direct expenses. Nonprofits receiving grants will ensure funds are distributed to households whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, with a cap of $1,000 per household. Funds must be used within six months, with final reports submitted by June 2025.
Monique Saunders Moreno, Program Officer for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy at LVCF, who is managing the grant program, added, “This fund will make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families facing energy hardships. By providing flexible support to nonprofits already doing this important work, we can ensure resources are distributed quickly and efficiently to those who need it most.”
Key Dates for the Good Neighbor Fund Grant Program:
– Application Opens: Monday, September 23, 2024
– Application Closes: Monday, October 21, 2024
– Grant Notifications: November 2024
– Final Reports Due: Monday, June 9, 2025
Nonprofit organizations interested in applying can do so through LVCF’s online portal, Foundant. For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund and how to apply, please visit [Lehigh Valley Community Foundation webpage: Good Neighbor Fund Grants – Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (lehighvalleyfoundation.org).
Questions about the grant program can be directed to Monique Saunders Moreno at mailto:monique@lvcfoundation.org.
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