News & Press

The NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund, which launched last month, was created to rapidly deploy responsive and flexible resources to nonprofit, community-based organizations working with those who are impacted by COVID-19 and the related economic, social, and health-related consequences of the outbreak. The Scranton Area Board of Governors and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation trustees made an initial special distribution into the Fund, which has since been supported by many generous foundations, funds, and charitable individuals.

The Fund is designed to expand local capacity to efficiently address aspects of the outbreak, particularly to those that might be unable to secure resources elsewhere.

The Foundation makes grant decisions on this fund from input from an advisory committee composed of partner organizations and representatives from the foundation, nonprofit, and civic sectors, based on available funds. Funding recipients in the first round include Community Intervention Center, United Neighborhood Centers, VNA Hospice and Home Health of Lackawanna County, Serving Seniors, and many others. The second round of grants is expected to be awarded next week and the cycle will continue on a rolling basis during the crisis and recovery phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, as funds allow.

We are all joining together to help in this unprecedented time. To date we have raised over $800,000 for the Fund, none of which would have been possible without the generosity of our many partners. But the need continues. Please continue to spread the word about the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund and give what you can to help your neighbors and your community. Every donation helps, no matter the size.

We are deeply grateful for the many generous partners and donors who have come together to support our region’s community-serving nonprofits, our friends, and our neighbors through the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund.

FUND PARTNERS

The Robert Cavanaugh Family Trust

DONORS
Anonymous (6)
Artabane Family
Linda Barrasse
Bender Family Foundation Fund
Dorrance and Susan Belin
Bolus Freight Systems
The Broderick Family Fund
Broxton Family Trust
Bill Burnell
Susan and William Calpin 
Melissa Ann Cook
Ann and Christopher DiMattio
Sharon and Robert Durkin
Gregory Scott Dustman
Laura Ducceschi
Reno and Beverly Ducceschi
Dr. Jeremiah W. Eagen
Carolyn Elliott
Cathy Fitzpatrick
Charlotte Courtright Franco
Beth Gallagher
Virginia Goodrich
Gelb Foundation Fund
Kathleen Graff
Dorothy June Grill
The Max Grochowski Fund
Margret Hatch
Kate Holod
Gretchen Ludders
John and Cathy Mascelli Fund
Jerome Musheno, Esq.
Alan Mazzei
Brittany Pagnotti
Susan J. Price
Mary Rhodes
Gemma Rosato
Ross Family Foundation
Eleanor Samojlowicz
Amie Talarico
Dawn Leanne Talley
Temple Israel
Mary Thomas
Tempesta Family
Walsh-Nasser Family Fund

We are moved by the collective generosity of individuals, foundations, businesses, and community partners. In times of crisis, coordination is vital and valued in getting critical resources to communities who are most impacted. Thank you all for your contributions.

Support the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund

In addition to establishing the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is maintaining a rolling critical needs grants pool and traditional grant funding pool. We have also implemented the NEPA Nonprofit Resources Google Group, a popular discussion-focused group created for nonprofit, civic, government, and funding organizations to be able to quickly share information, needs, questions, and resources with each other. Additionally, we have established a program of weekly webinars to help nonprofits, including training programs on crisis management, operations management, increasing fundraising revenue, and building sustainability, among other topics. Learn more about our response at safdn.org/covid19.