The Essa Bank & Trust Foundation focuses on place-based capital and facility investments in Monroe County and the surrounding Poconos, underwriting building campaigns and major improvements for community institutions. Its portfolio emphasizes public-serving infrastructure — historical/cultural institutions, emergency services, faith congregations, social service providers and recreation centers — often providing large, one-time capital grants. The foundation favors local organizations and pragmatic projects that increase community capacity and resilience.
A $1,000,000 capital campaign grant to the Monroe County Historical Association stands out in the Essa Bank & Trust Foundation’s recent giving and captures its preference for place-based investments that help local institutions build or improve facilities. The foundation’s portfolio is centered on community infrastructure in Monroe County and the surrounding Poconos, with grants commonly directed to capital campaigns, building projects, and major improvements for organizations that serve the public. That pattern is visible across historical and cultural institutions, emergency services, faith congregations, social service providers, and recreation centers. The foundation has backed large, project-specific awards for organizations such as West End Fire Company, which received $133,333 in both 2023 and 2024 for a capital campaign, and Developmental Education Services Foundation, which received $125,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for a capital campaign. It has also supported capital improvements for groups including The Salvation Army in East Stroudsburg and Pocono Family YMCA in Stroudsburg. The overall picture is of a funder that favors one-time facility investments rather than broad unrestricted support.
In historical and cultural preservation, Essa Bank & Trust Foundation gave $1,000,000 to Monroe County Historical Association for a capital campaign. In emergency services, it awarded $133,333 to West End Fire Company in Brodheadsville for a capital campaign in 2024, matching the same amount it gave there in 2023. The foundation also supports education and human services facilities. Developmental Education Services Foundation received $125,000 in 2024 and another $125,000 in 2025 for a capital campaign. The Salvation Army in East Stroudsburg received $100,000 for capital improvement in 2024, following a $100,000 capital improvements grant in 2023. Other recent awards show interest in recreation and community-facing amenities. Pocono Family YMCA in Stroudsburg received $54,371 in 2023 and $43,141 in 2024 for capital improvement, while Animal Welfare Society of Monroe and Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center each received facility-focused support in Stroudsburg.
Typical grants cluster around a modest-to-mid range for capital work: the median award is $10,000, with a p25 of $5,000 and a p75 of $20,000. The recent list also includes larger, project-driven gifts well above that range, reflecting a capital-investment style rather than broad operating support. Recipients appear across multiple years, including West End Fire Company, Developmental Education Services Foundation, The Salvation Army, Northampton Community College Foundation, and Pocono Family YMCA, which points to repeat support for specific projects. The foundation is a local grantmaker, and its giving is restricted/project-specific rather than individual-focused.
$5.6M
$0
$161K
$5.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Concentrated, place-based capital giving: relatively few but large grants focused on facility/capital campaigns and improvements in the local region, with several repeat grants to the same organizations.
Notable grantees: Monroe County Historical Association, West End Fire Company, Developmental Education Services Foundation, The Salvation Army, Pocono Family YMCA
Essa Bank & Trust Foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly Pennsylvania-based: 100% of grants in the recent data go to recipients in PA. Stroudsburg appears frequently, including Monroe County Historical Association, Developmental Education Services Foundation, Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, and Community Foundation of Monroe County. Other recurring recipient cities include Brodheadsville, East Stroudsburg, Bethlehem, and Allentown. Grants also reach nearby Pennsylvania communities such as Delaware Water Gap, Newfoundland, Tobyhanna, Saylorsburg, Scranton, and Upper Darby.
The foundation focuses on capital campaigns, facility construction, capital improvements, capital equipment, and infrastructure upgrades. Recent awards supported historical and cultural facilities, fire company expansion, education-service buildings, faith congregations, recreation centers, and animal welfare or wildlife rehabilitation projects.
The typical award size is $10,000. In the recent data, the lower quartile is $5,000 and the upper quartile is $20,000, though the foundation also makes much larger project grants for major capital campaigns and building work.
In the recent grants data, 100% of grants went to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the foundation is described as making local grants. The recipient cities include Stroudsburg, Brodheadsville, East Stroudsburg, Bethlehem, Allentown, Scranton, and Upper Darby.
Both patterns appear, but the giving is strongly project-based. Some organizations received support in multiple years, such as West End Fire Company in 2023 and 2024, Developmental Education Services Foundation in 2024 and 2025, and The Salvation Army in 2023 and 2024.
Recent grantees include Monroe County Historical Association for a capital campaign, West End Fire Company for a capital campaign, The Salvation Army in East Stroudsburg for capital improvement, Pocono Family YMCA for capital improvement, and Stroudsburg United Methodist Church for a capital campaign.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SCRANTON, PA | $5,487,792 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EAST STROUDBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $16,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NEPA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION ASSOCIATION (WVIA) | PITTSTON, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| DEVEREUX ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | NEWFOUNDLAND, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| GARDEN OF GIVING | SAYLORSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BETHLEHEM, PA | $8,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| KETTLE CREEK ENVIROMENTAL | STROUDSBURG, PA | $6,500 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FUSIA COMMUNITY ARTS | STROUDSBURG, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| LEHIGH VALLEY MONTHLY MEETING (LV QUAKERS) | LEHIGH VALLEY, PA | $2,637 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| POCONO TOWNSHIP | TANNERSVILLE, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| CAMP PAPILLON ANIMAL SHELTER | STROUDSBURG, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | DONATION IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM P. DOUGLASS |
| DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOUNDATION | STROUDSBURG, PA | $125,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| STROUDSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | STROUDSBURG, PA | $80,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CYPRESS HOUSE BAKERY | SCRANTON, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| VALOR CLINIC FOUNDATION | BRODHEADSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SUBURBAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES | STROUDSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| STROUDSBURG WESLEYAN CHURCH | STROUDSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MCTI FOUNDATION | BARTONSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MATERNAL AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES | WILKES BARRE, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| YOUTH INFUSION INC | DELAWARE WATER GAP, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BETHLEHEM, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| QUIET VALLEY LIVING HISTORICAL FARM | BARTONSVILLE, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| WEST END FAIR ASSOCIATION | GILBERT, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| CLYMER LIBRARY | POCONO PINES, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER | STROUDSBURG, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| EAST STROUDBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EAST STROUDBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH BAND PARENT BOOSTERS INC | EAST STROUDBURG, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| WEST END FIRE COMPANY | BRODHEADSVILLE, PA | $133,333 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOUNDATION | STROUDSBURG, PA | $125,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY OF MONROE | STROUDSBURG, PA | $80,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER | STROUDSBURG, PA | $65,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| POCONO AREA TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PATH | STROUDSBURG, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| POCONO FAMILY YMCA | STROUDSBURG, PA | $43,141 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| KIWANIS CLUB OF STROUDSBURG SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FEEDING FAMILIES MINISTRY INC | NEWFOUNDLAND, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT |
| POCONO PRIDE | SAYLORSBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MONROE COUNTY | STROUDSBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| POCONO SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT |
| NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BETHLEHEM, PA | $13,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHILD HUNGER OUTREACH PARTNERS | TOWANDA, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| BARRETT TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE CO | CRESCO, PA | $8,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT |
| EAST STROUDBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $8,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK CALV | NAZARETH, PA | $7,500 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| FOOD DIGNITY | FORTY FORT, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT |
| KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 11935 | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT |
| FRIENDS OF STROUD REGION OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| ARTS QUEST | BETHLEHEM, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SCRANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
| WYOMING VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KINGSTON, PA | $2,500 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT |
SCRANTON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$5,487,792CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NEPA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION ASSOCIATION (WVIA)
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
DEVEREUX ADVANCED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
GARDEN OF GIVING
$10,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
KETTLE CREEK ENVIROMENTAL
$6,500CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FUSIA COMMUNITY ARTS
$5,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
LEHIGH VALLEY MONTHLY MEETING (LV QUAKERS)
$2,637CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
POCONO TOWNSHIP
$2,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
CAMP PAPILLON ANIMAL SHELTER
$1,000DONATION IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM P. DOUGLASS
DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOUNDATION
$125,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
STROUDSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$80,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CYPRESS HOUSE BAKERY
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
SUBURBAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
$10,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
STROUDSBURG WESLEYAN CHURCH
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MCTI FOUNDATION
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
YOUTH INFUSION INC
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$8,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
QUIET VALLEY LIVING HISTORICAL FARM
$7,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
WEST END FAIR ASSOCIATION
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
CLYMER LIBRARY
$5,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
EAST STROUDBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH BAND PARENT BOOSTERS INC
$2,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
WEST END FIRE COMPANY
$133,333CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOUNDATION
$125,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE SALVATION ARMY
$100,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY OF MONROE
$80,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER
$65,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
POCONO AREA TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PATH
$50,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
POCONO FAMILY YMCA
$43,141CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
KIWANIS CLUB OF STROUDSBURG SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$25,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FEEDING FAMILIES MINISTRY INC
$20,000CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
POCONO PRIDE
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MONROE COUNTY
$15,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
POCONO SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
$15,000CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
BARRETT TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE CO
$8,000CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK CALV
$7,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
FOOD DIGNITY
$5,000CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 11935
$5,000CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
FRIENDS OF STROUD REGION OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION COMMISSION
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
SCRANTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
$5,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
WYOMING VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$2,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT