Celebrating 70 years of Scranton Area Community Foundation

Posted on November 6, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Board governors and staff members of the Scranton Area Community Foundation shown seated from left are: Brittany Pagnotti, Donor Relations and Communications Director; Ellen Burkey, Board Chair; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO; Maggie Martinelli, Chief Operating Officer, and Dana Hunter, Operations Manager. Standing same order are: Brad Reid, Philanthropy Manager; Ryan Board Governor; Amy Betts, Community Impact Manager; Frank Caputo, Grants and Scholarships Manager; Barbara O’Hara, Esq., Board Governor; Kenneth Okrepkie, Board Governor; Jana Nelhybel, NEPA Thrives Sustainability Manager; Joseph Bannon, MD, Board Governor; Mary Joyce, Communications Manager; Katie Gilmartin, Board Governor; David Price, Scranton Area Board Governor; Jerry Musheno, R.Ph. Esq., Board Governor; Thomas Minora, MD, F.A.C.P., Board Governor; Rebecca Farrell, Grants and Scholarships Associate; and Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants and Scholarships Director.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is planning a celebration of its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of service and impact in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Foundation has played a critical role in fostering philanthropy, supporting local nonprofit organizations, and improving the quality of life in the region.

To commemorate this milestone, the Foundation is hosting a Platinum Jubilee anniversary event on Thursday, December 5, at Scranton Cultural Center honoring the community, donors, and stakeholders who have made this legacy possible. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation was established as a community trust in 1954 by the Scranton Family, whose initial $1 million gift was the seed that has grown into a permanent vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals while helping to support positive change in our community.

Since its founding, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has been committed to creating a better future for the region by partnering with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to address the most pressing needs.

Over the past 70 years, the Foundation has awarded millions in grants to support local initiatives in education, health, human services, the arts, and economic development. Its leadership in collaborative philanthropy has positioned the Foundation as a trusted resource, enabling donors to make a lasting impact in the region.

“Celebrating 70 years is a remarkable achievement,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “It is a testament to the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our community partners, and the resilience of our region. We are excited to commemorate this milestone and look forward to the future as we continue to foster philanthropy and create meaningful, positive change.”

To honor its legacy and look ahead to the future, the Platinum Jubilee event will bring together community members, philanthropists, and nonprofit leaders for a night of celebration and reflection. The event will feature a retrospective on the Foundation’s 70-year journey, and attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the Foundation’s vision for the next chapter of its work in the region.

For more information on attending the event or supporting the Foundation’s mission, visit safdn.org or contact Mary Joyce, Communications Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

SACF selected for national Economic Mobility Action Network

Posted on October 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to announce it is only one of ten foundations nationwide selected by CFLeads to participate in the Economic Mobility Action Network’s advanced cohort, a network funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Economic Mobility Action Network is made up of twenty community foundations across the nation, chosen through a competitive process, for their work to advance economic mobility in the region they serve, with a focus on equity. The Scranton Area Community Foundation will work with the Rochester Area Community Foundation, North Texas Community Foundation, Cambridge Community Foundation, Foundation For The Carolinas, ACT for Alexandria, and other leading foundations nationwide.

In 2023, CFLeads was awarded a $4.8 million grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its economic mobility work and will support the 20 community foundations in two cohorts with capacity-building support and innovative strategies beginning in September 2024. The goal will be to further strengthen and refine the community’s economic mobility plan with a focus on equity.

The cohort consists of Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO; Ellen Burkey, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board Chair; Vivian Williams, Scranton Area Community Foundation Director of Community Impact; and key partners from the City of Scranton and the Institute for Public Policy.

“This incredible opportunity will provide the Scranton Area Community Foundation with a new national network, allowing it to develop additional relationships with peers who are pioneering innovative approaches to community challenges as well as with funding partners nationwide,” stated Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO.

The Economic Mobility Action Network is led by CFLeads’ Economic Mobility team. More information is available on the EMAN webpage.

CFLeads’ mission is to help community foundations build strong communities by advancing effective practices, sharing knowledge, and galvanizing action on critical issues of our time.

“CFLeads is committed to empowering community foundations to lead change in their local place-based work. With the Economic Mobility Action Network, we’re fostering collaboration among 20 community foundations to advance equitable economic mobility. By aligning our shared focus on racial equity with a community leadership lens, we’re driving systemic change that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities,” stated Mary L. Thomas, CFLeads’ President & CEO.

“I am thrilled to announce the selection of an outstanding group of community foundations to join our Economic Mobility Action Network. The competitive process highlighted the incredible commitment and innovative approaches of applicants across the country. In making our selections, we considered not only the strength of each application but also the scope, geographic diversity, institutional alignment, and deep community engagement demonstrated by these foundations. We are confident that this cohort will drive meaningful change and advance economic mobility in their communities,” stated Dr. Leonard Brock, Vice President for Learning and Impact (Issues) at CFLeads.

To learn more about the Scranton Area Community Foundation, visit safdn.org or contact Mary Joyce, Communications Manager at the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.

$15,000 grant will fund playground equipment at YMCA’s new Olyphant center

Posted on July 3, 2024 by The Dunmorean

The Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of outdoor playground equipment at the Y’s new Early Learning Center in Olyphant which opened in April. Through the opening of the new center, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to offer our community much-needed child care services, allowing parents to work knowing their child(ren) are in a safe and nurturing environment. The center will provide children with the tools and resources needed for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the outdoor playground equipment will provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play.

Shown from left are: Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator; Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, Greater Scranton YMCA; Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA; Barbara O’Hara, Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors; Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO.