Major grants.

PPL Foundation awards select grants of $25,000+ to Pennsylvania nonprofits dedicated to improving education and promoting development of sustainable communities.

Why major grants?

To support education initiatives; promote diversity, equity and inclusion; and strengthen community resources. Funds will be used to inspire students to explore career opportunities, facilitate community conversations on diversity and inclusion, encourage environmental conservation in the next generation and much more.

10+

nonprofit organizations

$500K

in sustaining grants awarded

A typical grant timeline

Find out where we are in our current grant cycle and whether you can apply today.

Aug. 1- Sept. 15

Major Grants applications accepted

October – November

Applications reviewed and approved

December

Winners notified and grants dispersed

Frequently asked questions.

Don’t see your question below? Connect with us.

Any nonprofit organization (501c3) working to improve the community through initiatives focused on:

  • Education
  • Community revitalization
  • Workforce development

Municipalities, churches, schools and chambers of commerce are not eligible. Applicants should be located in a region served by PPL Electric Utilities. Grant requests from organizations located outside the PPL Electric Utilities region may be considered, but the organization should prove that its activities benefit the PPL Electric Utilities region in addition to other areas.

Our goal is to be a catalyst for change by supporting nonprofits working in the areas of education and development of sustainable communities. The PPL Foundation contributes millions annually to organizations in three focus areas:

  • Education
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Sustainable Communities

Major grants should focus on major expansion of programming. Capital expenditures will be considered where it will assist with the expanded capacity to serve.

Our objective is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, with a particular focus on the 29 Pennsylvania counties served by PPL Electric Utilities. We serve the following regions in PA:

  • Berks
  • Bucks
  • Carbon
  • Chester
  • Clinton
  • Columbia
  • Cumberland
  • Dauphin
  • Juniata
  • Lackawanna
  • Lancaster
  • Lebanon
  • Lehigh
  • Luzerne
  • Lycoming
  • Monroe
  • Montgomery
  • Montour
  • Northampton
  • Northumberland
  • Perry
  • Pike
  • Schuylkill
  • Snyder
  • Susquehanna
  • Union
  • Wayne
  • Wyoming
  • York

Only one major grant will be approved per organization per year, and only one proposal can be submitted per organization per grant cycle. But a sustaining grant recipient may also apply for a sustaining grant.

  • PPL will not be the sole contributor to capital campaign requests.
  • No multi-year commitments will be made.
  • Requests from political, labor, religious groups, individuals or small groups of individuals will not be considered.
  • Requests for scholarship funding will not be considered.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

All recipients of grants, sponsorship dollars and in-kind support from any of PPL’s giving programs must not discriminate in their hiring practices or delivery of services on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, pregnancy, genetic information or service in the uniformed services. Specific exclusions necessary to the essential operation of a program(s) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. (example: women’s shelter)

The PPL Foundation contributes millions annually to organizations in three focus areas:

  • Education
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Sustainable Communities

All applications will be reviewed by regional committees of local PPL employees and the officers and board of the PPL Foundation.

All applications will undergo the same review process, with a focus on whether projects:

  • Align with the PPL Foundation’s core mission and focus areas of education; diversity, equity and inclusion; and sustainable communities.
  • Address an urgent need in the community.
  • Target underserved populations.
  • Fill a unique niche or complement other ongoing efforts in the community.

The regional committees are made up of employees who live and work in the communities they serve to ensure local consideration of each grant application.

The PPL Foundation expects to award more than $3 million annually through all its grants and scholarships, including funding for United Way.

PPL Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization. Funded solely by PPL Corporation, the foundation was formed to support community initiatives in the areas served by PPL Corporation’s utilities.

Applications for Major Grants will be accepted from Aug. 1- Sept. 15. Decisions will be made by December. Please see our Grant Timeline on this page for more info.

  • Click here to access the portal to apply.
  • During a grant cycle, a link for the application portal will be available under one of the PPL Foundation grants.
  • First-time users in our application portal will need to complete a profile and create a password.
  • Click Start a New Major Grant Application to begin. You will need to provide the following:
    • Contact info
    • Organizational profile
    • A summary of your request
    • Uploads of any relevant documents (Ex: annual budget, program budget, annual reports, brochures, etc.)

Yes. You can save a draft. You can also print a copy of the application if needed.

You will be able to review your application before submitting. Once submitted, applications are no longer open for editing. If you run into technical issues, contact our technical support by clicking on the Need Support? Link at the bottom of each page.

Decisions on major grants will be made in December of each year. Grant applicants will receive written notification of the grant award decision. Applicants will be able to view the status of their requests in the Foundation’s online portal.

Still have questions? Contact us to learn more.

2022 Recipients

  • African American Museum of Bucks County in Langhorne received a grant of $25,000 to support the development of video programming and educational events featuring the untold stories and hidden figures of Bucks County. 
  • American Rescue Workers in Williamsport received a grant of $50,000 to support the installation of a kitchen in the men’s shelter to provide a space that helps life-skill development.
  • Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley received a grant of $25,000 for a digital inclusion initiative that will provide broadband access to families in Allentown and Lehigh County to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Children’s Museum in Bloomsburg received $27,500 for a STEM ambassador program and conference focused on increasing girls’ interest and participation in science, technology, engineering and math.
  • For the Cause in Berwick received $25,000 for the development of a youth entrepreneur academy that aims to provide career exploration and hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom.
  • Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library in Columbia County received $25,000 to support the creation of a literacy cooperative, which would include public librarians, school librarians, elementary reading teachers, middle and high school English language arts teachers, and preschool teachers in a coordinated effort to encourage literacy and to provide books and e-resources to the children of Columbia County.
  • Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity received $25,000 to support the Open Doors initiative that aims to expand access to affordable housing and engage more of the community to participate in the housing solution through volunteer efforts.
  • Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation received $27,500 to support the expansion of a successful summer camp focused on careers and technical education.
  • New Bethany in Bethlehem received $20,000 to provide housing advocacy and service navigation assistance to help low-income households obtain and maintain safe and stable housing.
  • O.S. Johnson Technical Institute in Scranton received $65,000 for the creation of a STEM learning lab to serve students in four school districts in Northeast Pennsylvania.
  • Pocono Mountains United Way in Stroudsburg received $25,000 for Generation NEXT, a program that ensures first-generation and underserved students receive the support they need to access higher education.
  • The Century Promise in Allentown received $25,000 for a public-private engagement program that brings together business and college communities in developing collaborative solutions to prepare Allentown graduates to be college, career and community ready.
  • The Cooperage Project in Honesdale received $25,000 to support engaging afterschool programming, serving students in three school districts in Wayne County.
  • The Kindness Project in Emmaus received $25,000 to support foster families and the children in their care across eastern Pennsylvania by supplying clothing, shoes, furniture and other essential items free of charge.
  • The Lancaster Science Center received $30,000 for the development of a new interactive exhibit that teaches students about sustainable energy resources.
  • The Urban Regenerative Farm in Harrisburg received $35,000 for a program that transforms abandoned city lots into income-generating, community-run vegetable gardens.
  • Valley Youth House in Bethlehem received $20,000 to support the renovation of a youth shelter, ensuring that the children being served have a safe space that meets their emergency needs.