WILKES-BARRE — The Luzerne Foundation on Friday announced the creation of the “Nonprofit Accelerator.”
David Pedri, President and CEO of the Luzerne Foundation, said this teaching and coaching initiative, made possible through a partnership with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, will provide local nonprofits with the tools they need to secure future success.
Pedri said the Luzerne Foundation Nonprofit Accelerator was developed as a pilot program to provide a cohort of four nonprofit organizations with structured coaching and consulting sessions as well as $50,000 in operating funds.
The program is designed to connect smaller Northeastern Pennsylvania nonprofits with funding opportunities and give them the means to succeed through a focused mentorship program aimed at alleviating poverty-related issues within our community.
Pedri said there will be 4 nonprofits chosen in 2025 and a different 4 nonprofits in 2026.
“We are so lucky to have so many nonprofits in Northeastern Pennsylvania that provide a hand to those in need; however, many of them are just scraping by year after year,” Pedri said. “The Nonprofit Accelerator initiative will make sure that these nonprofits are supported and given the tools to grow so that they could make an even bigger difference in the lives of those in need.”
Both The Luzerne Foundation and the Weinberg Foundation share a commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations working to alleviate poverty in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Small organizations are often limited in resources and lack capacity to seek the critical funding they need.
Organizations who wish to be considered for the program’s first cohort in 2025 are encouraged to check eligibility and apply via the online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) application process by March 13, 2025.
The application includes responses to key prerequisite program requirements which align with the foundation’s priorities. Successful applicants will commit to attending a course of 8-10 classes throughout the year which will feature keynote speakers and local educators beginning in March 2025.
At the conclusion of the program, participating nonprofit organizations will:
• Complete a capstone project, which includes submission of grant request.
• Develop skills to secure future funding sources.
• Empower key leaders.
• Receive $50,000 in operating funds through an Organizational Fund established at the Luzerne Foundation, plus additional incentives.
The Accelerator Program will be administered by Lindsay Landis, the Luzerne Foundation’s Community Impact Director, who brings a wealth of development and training expertise to the Luzerne Foundation’s nonprofit partners.
For information on The Luzerne Foundation Nonprofit Accelerator, apply online at luzfdn.org.