Women In Philanthropy Awards First Round Of Grants

Scranton, PA – Women in Philanthropy (WIP), the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation that focuses on empowering and transforming the lives of women and girls in Northeastern PA, is proud to announce the first round of grants, recently awarded after a highly competitive grant process. Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Women’s Resource Center, and NEPA Youth Shelter each received $10,000 grants from Women in Philanthropy. During the WIP Spring Meeting and Reception in Scranton on Thursday, April 11, 2019, these organizations presented their innovative projects.

This year, Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is celebrating its five year anniversary and chose to mark that anniversary by launching the competitive grant program. The grant award recipients were selected because of their drive to help women and girls in the region in a variety of Women in Philanthropy priority areas, including but not limited to, helping women and girls learn about and pursue entrepreneurship; advancing the inclusion of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Education; providing transportation solutions that help women and their families; increasing and improving access to restorative dental care for uninsured or underinsured women; and helping low-to-moderate-income women build wealth and advance economically.

“Women in Philanthropy focuses on creating meaningful, positive change in the lives of women and girls throughout the Northeastern Pennsylvania region and this new competitive grant program is just one additional way the initiative is making an impact,” says Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “As Women in Philanthropy celebrates its fifth anniversary, the opportunity to provide grant support to the community is made possible only because of the generosity of Women in Philanthropy supporters.”

Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is comprised of a diverse group of women and men who are committed to transforming the lives of women and girls and their families. Since its inception in 2014, the WIP initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation has provided STEAM education to over 2,000 students; provided 20 mentorships to women trying to start a business; afforded capital in the form of micro-loans to launch 14 local women-owned businesses; facilitated the financial education of over 120 low-to-moderate-income women; provided a $1 for $1 match to low-to-moderate-income women trying to build a savings account; convened over 80 presenters on topics related to community health and wellness; formed a Dental Council of health leaders who are working on a pilot project to improve access to restorative dental care for women; and several other notable accomplishments.

Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in the Lackawanna County region through the development of organized philanthropy. With assets of more than $40 million and more than 180 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation distributed over $1.3 million in grants and scholarships in 2018. Additional information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.

Top row, from left to right: Ellen Burkey, Women in Philanthropy Impact Supporter; Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO; Jennifer Manner, Women’s Resource Center; Diamond Epps, NEPA Youth Shelter.

Bottom row, from left to right: Tricia Thomas, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania Executive Director; Julianne Cucura, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania Development Director; Nancy Ramirez, Women’s Resource Center; Nancy Perri, Women’s Resource Center Grants and Education Program Director; Peg Ruddy, Women’s Resource Center Executive Director; Maureen Maher-Gray, NEPA Youth Shelter Executive Director; T. Brown, NEPA Youth Shelter.