The PPL Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on broad, community-level human services in the Lehigh Valley, primarily channeling very large contributions to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to support collective impact and local partner services. It also makes targeted emergency/utility-relief funding in the region (e.g., Operation Help PPL). The foundation gives few, high-dollar grants rather than many small awards, signaling an emphasis on system-level support and crisis assistance.
Highly concentrated: very large, repeat grants to a single primary intermediary (United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley) plus occasional targeted regional relief grants; few total grantees.
A repeated pattern at Ppl Foundation is its large program-support grants to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, including $2,755,136 in 2025 and $2,218,492 in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that favors coordinated local service delivery over scattered one-off awards. The foundation’s recent grants also show emergency relief alongside community support: Operation Help Ppl - Allentown PA received $500,000 in 2023, and ArtsQuest received $351,900 in 2025. Together, those awards suggest a regional funder working through established intermediaries and place-based nonprofits to address basic needs, resilience, and community vitality. The grant list also includes substantial support for Rhode Island organizations, showing that the foundation’s reach extends beyond Pennsylvania. United Way of Rhode Island received $336,806 in 2024 and $316,907 in 2025, while Wildlands Conservancy Inc and The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science each received six-figure support in 2025. The mix of human services, emergency assistance, education, and community programming indicates a broad community-benefit orientation rather than a single-issue strategy.
Human services are a central thread in the foundation’s giving. United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley received $2,755,136 in 2025 for program support, and the organization also appears multiple times in the recent grants list with similarly large awards, underscoring the foundation’s reliance on coordinated community partners. Emergency and utility-related relief is another clear theme. Operation Help Ppl - Allentown PA received $500,000 in 2023 for program support, which aligns with the foundation’s utility-hardship assistance activity in the region. Education is also present in both direct and intermediary forms. Scholarship America Inc received $122,500 in 2024 and $92,500 in 2023, while The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science received $260,000 in 2025. Arts and civic life appear as well: ArtsQuest received $351,900 in 2025, and William Allen High School Enhancement Program received $50,000 in 2025.
Typical awards are small relative to the largest grants: p25 is $500, median grant size is $3,400, and p75 is $10,000. The recent-grants list, however, shows a separate tier of very large program-support grants, especially to established intermediaries. The grantmaking pattern is recurring rather than one-off, with multiple awards to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Ppl Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several of its active grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including Pennsylvania and Rhode Island community grant programs and education-related grantmaking.
$6.5M
$53.9M
$3.1M
$6.6M
Most grants fall between $500 and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Operation Help PPL - Allentown PA, Local human service partners served via United Way (collective network)
Grantmaking is concentrated in Pennsylvania, which accounts for 71% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s home state. The list shows repeated giving in Allentown, plus other Pennsylvania cities including Bethlehem, Emmaus, Harrisburg, Reading, Scranton, Sunbury, Philadelphia, and Williamsport. Rhode Island is another recurring recipient state, with Providence appearing several times. Outside the U.S., none of the recent grants are listed.
The foundation most often funds community-serving intermediaries and local nonprofits in human services, education, and community vitality. Recent examples include United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley for program support, Operation Help Ppl - Allentown PA, ArtsQuest, The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science, and Wildlands Conservancy Inc.
Yes. The recent-grants list includes repeated awards across multiple years, especially to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, United Way of Rhode Island, and Scholarship America Inc. That pattern suggests ongoing support rather than isolated one-time gifts.
The foundation’s stated grant-size distribution is p25 of $500, a median of $3,400, and p75 of $10,000. Recent grants also include much larger program-support awards, showing that the distribution has a long tail toward high-dollar grants.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Pennsylvania and Rhode Island Empowering Communities/Community grants and Energizing Education Grants. The foundation also lists EITC-related education funding channels in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, and 71% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s home state. Recent Pennsylvania recipient cities include Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Harrisburg, Reading, Scranton, Sunbury, Philadelphia, and Williamsport.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $3,108,912 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF RHODE ISLAND | PROVIDENCE, RI | $498,533 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $400,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ARTSQUEST | BETHLEHEM, PA | $352,200 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | PROVIDENCE, RI | $88,950 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY UNITED WAY | SUNBURY, PA | $73,419 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOOD BANK | HARRISBURG, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN RI FOOD PANTRY | CUMBERLAND, RI | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MCAULEY CORPORATION | PROVIDENCE, RI | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DOWNCITY DESIGN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER PHILADELPHIA YMCA | CONSHOHOCKEN, PA | $24,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY | POTTSVILLE, PA | $20,899 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA | WASHINGTON, MD | $20,867 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF LANCASTER COUNTY | LANCASTER, PA | $20,117 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CEDAR CREST COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,100 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| URI FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT | KINGSTON, RI | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PENN STATE HARRISBURG | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SMITH COLLEGE | NORTHAMPTON, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS MID CENTRAL PA CHAPT | HARRISBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE SANDRA FEINSTEIN GAMM THEATRE | WARWICK, RI | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INSPIRING MINDS | PROVIDENCE, RI | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BETHLEHEM, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JONNYCAKE CENTER OF WESTERLY | WESTERLY, RI | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KSU THOROBREDS FOUNDATION INC | FRANKFORT, KY | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RISING TIDE COMMUNITY LOAN FUND | BETHLEHEM, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES | SCRANTON, PA | $19,957 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE CAPITAL REGION | ENOLA, PA | $19,129 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE COOPERAGE PROJECT | HONESDALE, PA | $18,600 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $17,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER HAZLETON | HAZLETON, PA | $17,126 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE PENN STATE PHILANTHROPIC FUND ON BEH | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $17,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| POCONO SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $17,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROVIDENCE AFTER SCHOOL ALLIANCE INC | PROVIDENCE, RI | $16,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LEHIGH VALLEY ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | SCHNECKSVILLE, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOR THE CAUSE INC | BERWICK, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF NEWPORT COUNTY | NEWPORT, RI | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER PROVIDENCE YMCA | PROVIDENCE, RI | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MANUFACTURERS RESOURCE CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND FOUNDA | LINCOLN, RI | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY | NEWPORT, RI | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FIRETREE PLACE | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF THE GREATER LEHIGH | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LEADERSHIP RHODE ISLAND EDUCATIONAL FOUN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MIDWEST FOOD BANK | MIDDLETOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF WYOMING VALLEY | WILKES BARRE, PA | $14,217 | 2026 | PRO |
| VARIETY THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | WEXFORD, PA | $14,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAN DO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HAZLETON, PA | $13,200 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE COMMITTEE INC | BETHLEHEM, PA | $12,600 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT | ENOLA, PA | $12,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY
$3,108,912PROGRAM SUPPORT
LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$400,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHERN RI FOOD PANTRY
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DOWNCITY DESIGN
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY
$20,899PROGRAM SUPPORT
CEDAR CREST COLLEGE
$20,100PROGRAM SUPPORT
PENN STATE HARRISBURG
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SMITH COLLEGE
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS MID CENTRAL PA CHAPT
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
INSPIRING MINDS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
JONNYCAKE CENTER OF WESTERLY
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KSU THOROBREDS FOUNDATION INC
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RISING TIDE COMMUNITY LOAN FUND
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF GREATER HAZLETON
$17,126PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE PENN STATE PHILANTHROPIC FUND ON BEH
$17,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
POCONO SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
$17,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROVIDENCE AFTER SCHOOL ALLIANCE INC
$16,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
LEHIGH VALLEY ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOR THE CAUSE INC
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND FOUNDA
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEWPORT TREE CONSERVANCY
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FIRETREE PLACE
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS OF THE GREATER LEHIGH
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LEADERSHIP RHODE ISLAND EDUCATIONAL FOUN
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MIDWEST FOOD BANK
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CAN DO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$13,200PROGRAM SUPPORT
PARTNERSHIP FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT
$12,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Ppl Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Rhode Island; applicants should consult the Empowering Communities Grants Guide for full eligibility details.
Deadline: Two annual application periods: February 1 - March 15 and August 1 - September 15.
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