Grants

Welcome to the Community Foundation of Monroe County’s Grants Program.

We’re glad you’re here. CFMC offers several grant opportunities to support the people and organizations doing good work across Monroe County.

Our grants touch a wide range of causes — animal welfare, arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment and historic preservation, and health and human services. Each one reflects our commitment to a stronger, more vibrant Monroe County.

Whether you’re a nonprofit seeking funding or simply curious about our impact, we invite you to explore our current and upcoming opportunities.

Application cycles and criteria vary by grant, so please review the specific requirements and deadlines for any grant you’re interested in.

Before you apply, we’d love to hear about your project. A quick conversation ahead of time helps us understand your goals and lets us be the best possible partner in your funding journey.

CFMC is affiliated with the nationally certified Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF) for back-office and investment services. Applications are submitted through SACF’s Grant Portal.

Questions? Contact Samantha Holbert at Director@cfmcpa.org or 570-213-9083.

Grant Applicants: We use the SACF Grant Portal for our grant-making program, so click on the button above.

Create a new account on the page that says “Welcome to the SACF’s Grant Portal”. (If you have already created an account on the Scholarship Portal, you must still create a new account on the Grant Portal)
On the “Apply” page of the portal, look for the grant to which you wish to apply.

Myra Kyle Fund for the Arts Grant

The Myra Kyle Fund for the Arts will award grants to support community arts projects and programs organized by individuals, arts organizations, businesses, and nonprofits in Monroe County. Grant Awards will not exceed $5,000 each with $18,000 available this year. Apply by clicking on the blue button above on the Grant portal September 1 – 30th each year.

The following criteria MUST be met for a program/project to be considered for a Grant Award:

Projects/programs must benefit the Monroe County community in a public manner;

Any applicant must be an organization or business that has legal standing. If an individual artist wishes to apply, he/she must have a fiscal sponsor who makes the application.
Applicant must submit a plan for the project or program that includes intended purpose, audience, budget, and promotion;

If the program was held before, the applicant must describe the previous program’s outcome.

Applicants must indicate their qualifications and need for support.

The following preferences provide direction on how the applicant pool can be narrowed during the selection process:

Projects/programs serve underserved populations of Monroe County, either in the artist or audience;
The project or program has created a partnership with another entity;
The requested grant will be used to match another commitment of funds.

Grant Selection Process

A dedicated committee designated by the Community Foundation will select grant recipients in accordance with the charitable purpose of the Fund, ensuring that arts initiatives throughout Monroe County continue to receive vital support. Photo at Shawnee Playhouse 2024

Pocono Mountain Free Art and Craft Workshops Grant

The Poconos Free Art Workshops Fund will award grants to support at least two (2) free arts workshops annually in Monroe County, with preference given to workshops held within the Pocono Mountain School District area. Grant Awards will not exceed $1,000 each with $2,000 available this year. Submissions will be accepted through the Scranton Area Community Foundation Grant portal (use the button at the top of the page) September 1 – 30th each year.

The following criteria MUST be met for a program/project to be considered for a Grant Award:

Workshops must benefit the Monroe County community in a public manner;
Workshops must be free to attend;
Grant Awards must be used to support cost of the Workshop and may cover items such as supplies, snacks, location expenses, etc., and compensation to support Workshops with a maximum of $50/hour for Workshop instructor fee (although this hourly fee may be modified in the future based on inflation);
Applicants must submit a plan for the Workshop including intended purpose, audience, budget, and promotion.
Applicants must indicate their qualifications and need for support in their applications.
Any applicant must be an organization or business that has legal standing. If an individual artist wishes to apply he/she must have a fiscal sponsor who makes the application.

The following criteria provide direction on how the applicant pool can be narrowed during the selection process. These criteria do NOT exclude potential applicants outright, but demonstrate intent for preferred candidates:

Workshops held within the Pocono Mountain School District area.
Workshops serve underserved populations of Monroe County, either in the artist or audience.

Grant Selection Process

ESSA Bank and Trust Legacy Fund

The ESSA Bank and Trust Legacy Fund helps Monroe County nonprofits invest in equipment, facilities, and infrastructure that strengthen your organization for years to come.

Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, with approximately $168,000 distributed this year across two funding cycles.

Spring Cycle — education, green spaces, recreation, and the arts —

Applications open: March 1 – April 15 | Awards announced: Late May | Funds distributed: June

Fall Cycle — health and human services and housing

Applications open: July 1 – August 15 | Awards announced: October | Funds distributed: November/December

To be considered, your application must:

Include a project plan (purpose, audience, budget, and promotion)
Describe outcomes from any previous iteration of the program
Confirm your 501(c)(3) status and explain your need for support

Strong applications will show:

Significant reach among Monroe County residents
Lasting impact beyond the grant period (capital and equipment preferred; operational costs and salaries are not eligible)
Potential to leverage additional matching funding
Organizational stability and a plan if the full fundraising goal isn’t met

It’s best to discuss your project with us before applying, and it’s recommended that you do not apply again immediately after receiving funds. Contact Samantha at director@cfmcpa.org or 570-213-9083.

Ready to apply? Use the grant portal at the top of this page to create a profile and apply.

ESSA Bank and Trust Critical Needs Fund

When a crisis hits or an urgent need arises, waiting months for a traditional grant cycle isn’t an option. That’s what this fund is for.

The ESSA Bank and Trust Foundation has established this fund at CFMC to help Monroe County nonprofits respond quickly when it matters most — whether that’s an emergency, a service gap, or a time-sensitive opportunity to better serve your community.

Grants range from $1,000 to $7,500, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions typically within 2-3 weeks.

This fund is a good fit if your need is:

Time-sensitive and can’t wait for a regular funding cycle
Responding to an emergency or crisis situation
Filling a significant gap in services
A timely opportunity to build capacity for vulnerable populations

How to apply: This fund requires a brief pre-application conversation before you submit. Reach out to Samantha at director@cfmcpa.org or 570-213-9083 to describe your situation. If your need meets the qualifications, we’ll provide you with the application QR code to get started.