Who We Are

Philanthropic organizations across Northeastern Pennsylvania have a strong history of coming together to address the region’s most urgent challenges. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the region was among the first in the nation to establish a coordinated philanthropic response. The NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund united foundations, businesses, donors, and community partners to mobilize more than $1 million, awarding 183 grants to nonprofit organizations in just three months. This effort showed how quickly philanthropy and the public sector can come together, combine resources, and maximize support for the people and organizations that need it most.

That same spirit of collaboration continues through NEPA Gives, the region’s largest day of giving. Since launching in 2020, NEPA Gives has raised more than $8.3 million for nonprofits across Northeastern Pennsylvania. By bringing together community foundations, businesses, sponsors, donors, and nonprofits, NEPA Gives shows what our region can accomplish when we work—and give—together. In addition, prior to the official formation of the NEPA Workforce Funder Collaborative, a subset of the founding partners pooled millions in funding to support critical health care jobs and maintain ongoing operations at two local hospitals in danger of eminent closure. Those funds provided the time needed to transition to new ownership, with the hospitals still in operation today.

Today, the NEPA Workforce Funder Collaborative builds upon this legacy. By bringing philanthropic organizations together around shared workforce priorities, the Collaborative is advancing a more sustained approach to regional investment—one that aligns resources, strengthens partnerships, and expands economic opportunity across Northeastern Pennsylvania.