04-04-2025
Luzerne Foundation's Nonprofit Forum provides $165,000 to 30 area nonprofits
Apr. 3—KINGSTON — David Pedri, president and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, on Thursday said there are many areas of need at each nonprofit organization that are vital to having a safe, happy and healthy community.
"The Luzerne Foundation is proud to support these great organizations that are helping others here every day in Northeastern Pennsylvania," Pedri said.
The Luzerne Foundation held its annual Nonprofit Forum on Thursday at the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston.
The forum provides $165,000 to area nonprofits in grants.
Pedri said 30 local nonprofit organizations offered presentations to the Board of Directors of the Luzerne Foundation. Each nonprofit will receive at least a $5,000 grant and three will receive a $10,000 grant, which will be announced next week.
"The Nonprofit Forum allows many different types of nonprofits to tell their story, ranging from larger nonprofits such as the FM Kirby Center and Luzerne County Head Start, to small organizations run completely by volunteers such as TWIGS Restoration Ministry," Pedri said.
The Luzerne Foundation received more than 80 grant applications for the Nonprofit Forum, which had to be pared down through an approval process. The Luzerne Foundation also invited other local foundations to sit and listen to Thursday's presentations in hopes that there would be a project they could collaborate on together.
"A rising tide lifts all boats and having our other foundation partners at the table is a key piece of how we will continue to move Northeastern Pennsylvania forward," Pedri said.
Each nonprofit was also provided with a free ticket to the Luzerne Foundation's Community Champion event that will be held next week at the Westmoreland Club where the three $10,000 winners will be announced.
Each of the following nonprofits offered presentations at the event and will receive a $5,000 grant:
—F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
—Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society.
—Philharmonic Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
—Freeland Recreation Board.
—Restored Church.
—Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association.
—We're Empowered By Science (WEBS).
—Helping Hands Society.
—Luzerne County Head Start Inc.
—Hazleton Integration Project.
—Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.
—Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
—Wild Wellness NEPA.
—A Moment of Magic.
—Institute for Human Resources and Services.
—SPCA of Luzerne County.
—Victims Resource Center.
—Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
—St. Joseph's Center.
—Sabb Community Living.
—TWIGS Restoration Ministry.
—United Way.
—American Red Cross.
—Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono.
—Dinners For Kids.
—Osterhout Free Library.
—Hazleton Area Recreation Program.
—Youth Beyond Grateful.
—Junior Achievement of NEPA Inc.
—Variety the Children's Charity.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
