Allentown, Pa., December 9, 2024—The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) announced the recipients of the Good Neighbor Fund grants. This program, designed to address the growing energy cost burdens faced by households in eastern and central Pennsylvania, awarded a total of $195,000 to fourteen nonprofit organizations. The grants will enable these nonprofit community-based organizations to provide direct financial assistance to families struggling with home energy costs, including electricity, fuel, oil, and even wood pellets.
Grants ranging from $2,500 to $22,500 have been awarded to nonprofits serving 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania. These grants, aimed at organizations with existing utility assistance programs, will provide crucial support to households earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, with aid capped at $1,000 per household.
The funding is supported by the Good Neighbor Fund, an initiative that received initial funding from the the PPL Foundation to address the growing financial challenges faced by families, particularly with rising home energy costs. The program also includes administrative support to help nonprofits manage expenses, ensuring that resources are distributed efficiently and effectively to those in need.
“Energy costs are a significant challenge for families, and we’re proud to provide this crucial support through these organizations.” said Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments at LVCF, “By empowering nonprofits already on the ground with the resources they need, we’re able to get help to families faster. This program underscores the importance of partnership in addressing community challenges.”
The following nonprofit organizations received 2024-25 grants from the Good Neighbor Fund:
- 4 Girls on A Mission – Electric Utility Assistance
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. – CSO Utility Assistance Program
- Family Promise of Berks County, Inc. – Rent and Utility Assistance
- Family Promise of the Poconos, Inc. – Project Lights On
- Lehigh Conference of Churches – Utility Assistance at Lehigh Conference of Churches
- New Bethany – New Bethany’s Housing Advocacy & Assistance
- Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley – Promise Utility Assistance Program
- Raising The House – Family Assistance Program
- Salvation Army of East Stroudsburg -Salvation Army East Stroudsburg Corps Utility Assistance Program serving Monroe County, Pa.
- The Open Link – Upper Perk Valley Utility Assistance
- Third Street Alliance for Women & Children – Third Street Alliance Utility Assistance Program
- Tri County Community Action – Powering Stability: Expanding Utility Support for Families in Need
- Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Inc. – Utility Assistance for Domestic Abuse Survivors
- Valley Youth House – Utility Assistance for Formerly Homeless Youth and Families in Rapid Re-Housing Programs
About the Good Neighbor Fund
The Good Neighbor Fund supports nonprofits offering utility assistance programs in PPL Electric’s service area. This collaborative effort aims to alleviate the financial strain of energy costs on families, ensuring more households can meet their basic needs. For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund and the grant recipients, please visit LVCF’s website.
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