Over a decade ago the idea of a Community Foundation for Monroe County was born to a small group of influential and forward-thinking local Monroe County citizens.  It took many years, as dreams often do, to come to fruition.

In 2021 the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC), an affiliate of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, joined the effort and progress was made.  NCAC leveraged $60,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and with the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, helped recruit local leaders to develop a founders committee. NCAC utilized $60,000 as a cash match to secure the funding to develop a board of directors, articles of incorporation, bylaws, logo, mission and vision statements, strategic plan, website and marketing materials. Remaining funds were used to provide initial funding for a part-time Executive Director. The law firm of Myers Brier & Kelly, LLP donated legal services to the worthwhile effort.

Funds have been committed by various local private foundations and the dream of a Community Foundation of Monroe County is becoming a reality.   Now we need the support of so many other large and small donors to help this Foundation start helping our community!

The Community Foundation of Monroe County is affiliated with the nationally certified Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF) for back-office administrative and investment services.  This agreement draws on Scranton Area Foundation’s 70 years of experience and we benefit from economies of scale in their larger investment portfolio and shared service costs.  The Scranton Area Community Foundation is accredited by the National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations, philanthropy’s most rigorous standards for operational excellence in community philanthropy.