Keystone Savings Foundation – Small Grant Program (2026)

Grants Under $25,000 for Lehigh Valley Nonprofits

The Keystone Savings Foundation accepts grant requests of less than $25,000 from nonprofit organizations serving communities throughout Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Unlike the Foundation’s larger grant requests, which are considered only once annually, requests under $25,000 have three application deadlines each year.

The upcoming deadline is November 15, 2026, with another opportunity available November 15.

Organization: Keystone Savings Foundation
Support Type: Community foundation grants
Funding Amount: Under $25,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily Lehigh, Northampton, and southern Carbon counties, Pennsylvania
Next Deadline: November 15, 2026
Application Cycle: Three times annually

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

The Keystone Savings Foundation was established in 1986 to support nonprofit organizations serving the historic footprint of Keystone Savings Association.

The Foundation invests broadly in organizations improving quality of life across Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Its giving priorities span education, health and human services, arts and culture, civic engagement, conservation, affordable housing, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization.

What This Program Supports

Small grant requests may fall within five broad categories.

Education

Support may include:

• Public school programs
• Secondary education
• Dropout prevention
• Libraries
• Higher education
• Educational initiatives

Health & Human Services

Funding may support:

• Youth services
• Programs for older adults
• Disability services
• Health organizations
• Human service agencies
• Community-based support programs

Culture & Arts

Eligible organizations may include:

• Museums
• Libraries
• Cultural organizations
• Performing arts organizations
• Visual arts programs

Civic & Community Development

Projects may address:

• Community improvement
• Leadership development
• Conservation
• Environmental protection
• Civic participation

Economic Development

Funding may support:

• Neighborhood revitalization
• Affordable housing
• Economic development
• Community stabilization projects

Eligible Organizations

Applicants must generally be recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Organizations should have a meaningful connection to the Foundation’s Lehigh Valley geographic focus.

Only one application for one purpose may be submitted per organization each year.

Geographic Focus

Priority is given to organizations serving:

• Lehigh County
• Northampton County
• Southern Carbon County

Applicants should clearly identify the communities and populations that will benefit from the requested funding.

Funding Amount

💰 Small Grant Requests: Less than $25,000

The Foundation does not publish a minimum request amount.

Requests of $25,000 or more are handled separately through the Foundation’s annual large grant process.

Organizations seeking less than $25,000 can apply during one of the Foundation’s three annual review cycles.

Small Grant Deadlines

The Foundation considers smaller requests three times per year.

📅 April 15: For May Board consideration
📅 August 15: For September Board consideration
📅 November 15: For December Board consideration

Current Opportunity

📅 Next Deadline: November 15, 2026
📅 Expected Review: December 2026

Types of Support

Organizations may request:

• Project support
• Technology
• Equipment
• Challenge grants
• Matching grants
• Certain capital expenses
• Other eligible program needs

Program & Operating Expenses

Eligible expenses may include:

• Scholarships
• Residencies
• Cultural programs
• Equipment
• Supplies
• Transportation
• Training
• Planning
• Maintenance
• Technology

The Foundation does not fund staff salaries.

Program and operating grants generally will not be awarded to the same organization for more than three consecutive years.

After receiving program or operating funding for three consecutive years, an organization must generally wait one year before applying again.

Capital Requests

Smaller capital projects may also be considered.

Eligible capital expenses can include:

• Construction
• Renovation
• Landscaping
• Code improvements
• Technology purchases and installation

Foundation funding for a capital project may not exceed 10% of the project’s total cost.

Capital funds will not be released until construction has begun.

Ineligible Requests

The Foundation does not support:

• Golf tournaments
• Dinners
• Luncheons
• Auctions
• Similar fundraising events
• Endowment funds
• Debt reduction
• Staff salaries

This program is therefore best suited for a defined charitable project or organizational need rather than event sponsorship.

Required Application Materials

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Current operating budget
• Current audited financial statement
• Annual report
• Most recent Form 990
• IRS determination letter
• Current W-9
• Board and officer list
• Financial resource information
• Information about current debt

Optional letters of support may help demonstrate community need and collaboration.

What the Application Asks

Applicants should explain:

• Organization history
• Amount requested
• Type of support requested
• Project cost
• Proposed activities
• Use of funds
• Timeline
• Target population
• Geographic communities served
• Other sources of funding
• Other corporate or foundation requests
• Organizational finances

Applicants should be particularly clear about what a grant under $25,000 will accomplish.

For smaller requests, a tangible and easy-to-understand use of funds can help reviewers quickly see the value of the investment.

Application / Request Process

Applications may be submitted online or by mail.

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://keystonesavingsfoundation.org/application-requests/

Foundation Website:

➡️ https://keystonesavingsfoundation.org/

Applications may also be mailed to:

Keystone Savings Foundation
Attn: Michele Linsky, Secretary
P.O. Box 1066
Bethlehem, PA 18016

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

• Hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Serve the Lehigh Valley
• Need less than $25,000
• Have a clearly defined program or project
• Work in education, human services, health, arts, housing, conservation, or community development
• Need equipment, technology, supplies, or other tangible project support
• Can clearly explain how a relatively modest investment will benefit local residents

The multiple annual deadlines make this opportunity particularly useful for nonprofits that need smaller, project-specific funding without waiting for a once-a-year grant cycle.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Funding Amount: Under $25,000
Next Deadline: November 15, 2026
Application Cycle: April 15, August 15, and November 15 annually
Geographic Focus: Lehigh, Northampton, and southern Carbon counties, Pennsylvania
Eligible Organizations: 501(c)(3) nonprofits
Application Frequency: One request per organization per year
Staff Salaries: Not eligible
Best Suited For: Lehigh Valley nonprofits seeking smaller project, equipment, technology, program, or community development grants
Key Strategy: Make a specific request and demonstrate the tangible local impact that a grant of less than $25,000 will create.