Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Scranton Area Foundation Inc

EIN 23-2890364 · Scranton, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SCRANTON AREA FOUNDATION STRIVES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, BY DEVELOPING AND MANAGING PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUNDS; AS A GRANTMAKER, BY GIVING SUPPORT TO ENABLE THE COMMUNITY TO RESPOND TO EMERGING AND CHANGING NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES; AS A CHARITABLE RESOURCE, BY ENCOURAGING AND EDUCATING DONORS AND PROVIDING A FLEXIBLE VEHICLE FOR INDIVIDUAL DONORS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE; AS A CATALYST, BY MOBILIZING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN RESPONSE TO ISSUES. IT IS A CHARITABLE RESOURCE THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TO ASSIST DONORS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN THEIR COMMUNITY WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR CHARITABLE INTENT.

Income
$13.7 million
Spending
$10.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
22.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
21
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$230,469, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $8.9 million spent. FUND ADMINISTRATIONCELEBRATING ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (SACF) SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDED ITS IMPACT, DISTRIBUTING OVER $5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HUNDREDS OF NONPROFIT AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND $776,660 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 207 AREA STUDENTS ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE FOUNDATION ADDED 54 NEW FUNDS IN 2024, INCLUDING 30 NON-ENDOWED FUNDS AND 24 ENDOWED FUNDS, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FUNDS TO 370. THIS GROWTH REPRESENTS STRONG COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE IN SACF'S STEWARDSHIP AND EXPANDING PHILANTHROPIC ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE REGION.THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALSO SERVED AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR TWO PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, THE NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION AND THE ROBERT H. SPITZ FOUNDATION, OVERSEEING OPERATIONS, GRANTMAKING, AND COMPLIANCE.COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LEADS SEVERAL COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THESE PROGRAMS BRING TOGETHER DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS-NONPROFITS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, EMPLOYERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS-TO CREATE LASTING SOLUTIONS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING. WORKING TOGETHER, THESE INITIATIVES BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES AND CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.NEPA THRIVESNEPA THRIVES, AN EQUITY-DRIVEN WORKFORCE INITIATIVE, ADVANCED COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS REGIONAL WORKFORCE CHALLENGES ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE INITIATIVE DEEPENED PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN ASSET MAPPING, IDENTIFYING CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, HOUSING, AND BROADBAND ACCESS GAPS THAT IMPACT WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION. AS A HOST SITE FOR THE NEPA WORKFORCE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASPEN INSTITUTE, NEPA THRIVES BEGAN IMPLEMENTING KEY RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED BY THE 2023 FELLOWS, TRANSLATING CROSS-SECTOR INSIGHTS INTO ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, NEPA THRIVES IS WORKING TO CREATE SYSTEMS-LEVEL CHANGE AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY ACROSS THE REGION.NEPA MOVESNEPA MOVES, A TRANSPORTATION EQUITY INITIATIVE, ADVANCED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MOBILITY ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE INITIATIVE HOSTED REGIONAL FORUMS UNITING EMPLOYERS, TRANSIT AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS TRANSIT CHALLENGES. IT LAUNCHED THE NEPA TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS SURVEY TO GATHER CRITICAL INPUT FROM RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYERS ABOUT MOBILITY CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. NEPA MOVES ALSO WORKED WITH WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION PARTNERS TO BETTER ALIGN TRANSIT ACCESS WITH TRAINING PROGRAMS AND JOB HUBS, WHILE EXPLORING MICROTRANSIT, VANPOOLING, AND LAST-MILE SOLUTIONS WITH REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS. THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS ARE HELPING TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE, RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE TO OPPORTUNITY ACROSS THE REGION.WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY (WIP)IN 2024, SACF'S WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE AWARDED $35,000 IN STRATEGIC GRANTS TO ADVANCE EDUCATION, ECONOMIC MOBILITY, AND HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE INITIATIVE EXPANDED ITS FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS-OFFERING MATCHED SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS-WHILE ALSO ADVANCING A PILOT PROGRAM TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO RESTORATIVE DENTAL CARE. WIP CONTINUED TO INVEST IN LOCAL WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES THROUGH ITS MICRO-LOAN PROGRAM AND SUSTAINED ITS COMMITMENT TO STEAM EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS. WITH MORE THAN 125 ACTIVE SUPPORTERS AND OVER $1.6 MILLION RAISED SINCE ITS INCEPTION, WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY REMAINS COMMITTED TO CATALYZING TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE FOR WOMEN, GIRLS, AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. NEPA ANIMAL WELFARE COLLABORATIVETHE NEPA ANIMAL WELFARE COLLABORATIVE, A REGIONAL INITIATIVE CONVENED BY THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, CONTINUED STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS AND PROMOTING HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE COLLABORATIVE SUPPORTED INCREASED ACCESS TO LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER AND VETERINARY SERVICES, HOSTED REGIONAL ROUNDTABLES TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES, AND PROVIDED CAPACITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL SHELTERS AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGH SHARED RESOURCES, ADVOCACY, AND COLLABORATION, THE INITIATIVE WORKED TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR ANIMALS AND THE COMMUNITIES CARING FOR THEM.NEPA GIVESIN JUST 24 HOURS, THE FIFTH ANNUAL NEPA GIVES RAISED OVER $1.23 MILLION FOR 241 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF NEARLY 7,000 DONORS. HOSTED BY THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WITH REGIONAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, THE JUNE 6-7 GIVING EVENT AWARDED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN PRIZES AND MATCHING FUNDS TO AMPLIFY DONOR IMPACT. SINCE 2020, NEPA GIVES HAS RAISED OVER $5 MILLION, STRENGTHENING LOCAL NONPROFITS THROUGH THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE GIVING.CENTER FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE OF THE SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO BUILD CAPACITY AND STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP ACROSS NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA'S NONPROFIT SECTOR. THE CENTER OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF ACCESSIBLE WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS, AND TRAININGS ON BOARD GOVERNANCE, FUNDRAISING, COMMUNICATIONS, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. PLANNING IS ALSO UNDERWAY FOR THE 2025 NEPA LEARNING CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BRING TOGETHER NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS FOR CONNECTION, COLLABORATION, AND SKILL-BUILDING. THROUGH ITS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, THE CENTER REMAINS A VITAL RESOURCE FOR REGIONAL NONPROFITS SEEKING TO ENHANCE THEIR IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.