The Willary Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to developing ideas and projects that are interesting, creative and imaginative, and which benefit communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Willary seeks to foster groups with unique, innovative, or unusual ideas and efforts.
The Willary Foundation gives competitive grants to nonprofit organizations and community groups with creative, innovative, or unusual ideas that benefit communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its recent grant history shows a strong preference for unrestricted support: Indraloka Animal Sanctuary received $50,000 for general operating in both 2023 and 2024, while Scranton Public Library also received $50,000 for general operating in 2023. Those awards sit alongside support for community institutions, arts groups, and local service providers, reflecting a portfolio built around neighborhood-scale benefit rather than a single issue area. The foundation’s stated approach is to foster groups with unique projects across community development, arts and culture, and related local initiatives. Recent awards also include repeat support for organizations such as Dinners for Kids Inc and Geisinger Health, suggesting an ongoing relationship with some recipients. The pattern is especially visible in grants to organizations serving Scranton and nearby Lackawanna County communities, where general operating and project support both appear regularly. Across the record on file, the foundation appears to back practical community work as well as imaginative concepts that fit its local mission.
Community development is a central theme. In 2025, The Willary Foundation gave $47,500 to Food Dignity Project for farm stands, linking local food access to neighborhood needs. It also supported United Neighborhood Centers of Scranton with $25,000 for the Pine Brook Neighborhood, showing attention to place-based work. Arts and culture appear as another clear lane: Scranton Jazz received $30,000 for general operating in 2023, and The Youth Arts Coalition received $30,000 for general support in 2024. Education and youth-serving work also show up in the record. The foundation gave $50,000 to Saint Joseph's Center for Children’s Learning Center in 2025, and Northeastern PA Educational received $50,000 for general operating in the same year. Health-related grants are present too, including $50,000 to Geisinger Health Foundation for community behavioral health in 2025.
Typical awards cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $16,000, median of $25,000, and p75 of $30,301. The recent record also includes multiple $50,000 grants, which sit above that core range. The foundation’s profile and grant history point to a family foundation using both general operating and project support, often with an unrestricted or operational focus. Recipients also reappear across years, including Indraloka Animal Sanctuary and Dinners for Kids Inc, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants only. The program structure is competitive, with two annual application deadlines, and unsolicited applications are accepted.
$549K
$9.8M
$819K
$648K
Most grants fall between $16K and $30K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$16K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Giving is overwhelmingly local: 84% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the top giving state is PA. Scranton appears repeatedly in the recipient list, along with Dalton, Dunmore, Pittston, Kingston, Edwardsville, Peckville, Wilkes Barre, Clarks Summit, and South Abington Township. The few out-of-state recipients are limited in the record, including Cleveland, OH; Arlington, VA; and Traverse City, MO. The grant pattern aligns with Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Scranton area rather than a broad regional or national footprint.
It supports nonprofit organizations and community groups with creative, innovative, or unusual ideas that benefit communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The recent record includes arts and culture, community development, education, health, and place-based neighborhood projects.
Yes. Many of the recent grants are listed as general operating, general support, or unrestricted-style support. Examples in the record include awards for general operating to local nonprofits and community organizations, as well as project-specific grants tied to a stated purpose.
The typical range is in the mid-five figures: p25 is $16,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $30,301. The recent list also includes several $50,000 awards above that core range.
The foundation accepts unsolicited applications and runs two annual application deadlines through its General Grant Program.
Its giving is concentrated in Pennsylvania, with 84% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is PA. The recipient cities that appear most often are in Northeastern Pennsylvania, especially Scranton and nearby communities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Willary Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations with ideas and projects that are creative, imaginative, unique, innovative, or unusual and that benefit communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania, especially Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.
Deadline: April 1 and October 1
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHEASTERN PA EDUCATIONAL | PITTSTON, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAINT JOSEPH'S CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER |
| GEISINGER HEALTH FOUNDATION | DANVILLE, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH |
| FOOD DIGNITY PROJECT | KINGSTON, PA | $47,500 | 2025 | FARM STANDS |
| SCRANTON AREA FOUNDATION | SCRANTON, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE |
| PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF NE PA | WILKES BARRE, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | BUILDING BRIDGES |
| NORTHEAST REGIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE | SCRANTON, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BASED CANCER |
| CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $26,000 | 2025 | PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS |
| UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | PINE BROOK NEIGHBORHOOD |
| NATIVITY MIGUEL SCHOOL OF SCRANTON | DUNMORE, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | SCRANTON COMMUNITY |
| ALLIED SERVICES FOUNDATION | CLARKS SUMMIT, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | LOCAL ACCESS TO ADVANCED |
| MYCIL CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | TSC IS SPREADING PETALS FOR |
| PENN STATE PHILANTHROPIC FUND | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | TEACHERS BEHAVIORAL |
| UNITED WAY OF WYOMING VALLEY | WILKESBARRE, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | PARENT SUPPORT LINE |
| MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE |
| SPRING HILLS FOUNDATION | N ABINGTON TWP, PA | $6,490 | 2025 | SENSORY SCOUTS |
| THE BLANKET INC | HARRISONBURG, VA | $6,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRONX RIVER ART CENTER | BRONX, NY | $6,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY KITCHEN PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $6,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HISTORIC JAYHAWK THEATRE INC | TOPEKA, KS | $6,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KEYSTONE RESCUE MISSION | WILKESBARRE, PA | $6,000 | 2025 | PATHFINDERS WORKFORCE |
| EVERHART MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND ART | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2025 | OBSERVATION BEEHIVE |
| LACKAWANNA JUNIOR COLLEGE | Scranton, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INDRALOKA ANIMAL SANCTUARY | DALTON, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GREATER SCRANTON YMCA | DUNMORE, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DINNERS FOR KIDS INC | Edwardsville, PA | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SCRANTON COUNSELING CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $38,801 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | CLEVELAND, OH | $30,301 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE YOUTH ARTS COALITION | PECKVILLE, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JUMP START CART | YORK, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KING'S COLLEGE | WILKESBARRE, PA | $26,555 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE | WAVERLY, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON | Scranton, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER INC | TRAVERSE CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE INSTITUTE | SCRANTON, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE FOUNDATION | Harrisburg, PA | $17,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANTHRACITE BIKE COALITION | SCRANTON, PA | $16,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST ANN'S PASSIONIST MONASTERY OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY | Scranton, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHEASTERN PA EDUCATIONAL | PITTSTON, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPRING HILLS FOUNDATION | N ABINGTON TWP, PA | $6,065 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOR GOOD PGH | BRADDOCK, PA | $5,690 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BAY AREA LYME FOUNDATION | PORTOLA VALLEY, CA | $5,690 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TOGETHER IN DANCE | QUEENS, NY | $5,690 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SCRANTON AREA FOUNDATION | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PENN'S NORTHEAST INC | PITTSTON, PA | $3,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INDRALOKA ANIMAL SANCTUARY | DALTON, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING |
NORTHEASTERN PA EDUCATIONAL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
GEISINGER HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
FOOD DIGNITY PROJECT
$47,500FARM STANDS
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF NE PA
$30,000BUILDING BRIDGES
NORTHEAST REGIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
$30,000COMMUNITY BASED CANCER
CATHERINE MCAULEY CENTER
$26,000PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS
UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS OF SCRANTON
$25,000PINE BROOK NEIGHBORHOOD
NATIVITY MIGUEL SCHOOL OF SCRANTON
$25,000AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
MYCIL CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER
$25,000TSC IS SPREADING PETALS FOR
PENN STATE PHILANTHROPIC FUND
$25,000TEACHERS BEHAVIORAL
MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
$20,000SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE
SPRING HILLS FOUNDATION
$6,490SENSORY SCOUTS
THE BLANKET INC
$6,250GENERAL SUPPORT
BRONX RIVER ART CENTER
$6,250GENERAL SUPPORT
HISTORIC JAYHAWK THEATRE INC
$6,250GENERAL SUPPORT
KEYSTONE RESCUE MISSION
$6,000PATHFINDERS WORKFORCE
EVERHART MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND ART
$3,000OBSERVATION BEEHIVE
LACKAWANNA JUNIOR COLLEGE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
DINNERS FOR KIDS INC
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
$30,301GENERAL SUPPORT
THE YOUTH ARTS COALITION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE JUMP START CART
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
KING'S COLLEGE
$26,555GENERAL SUPPORT
WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PENNSYLVANIA HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$17,000GENERAL OPERATING
ANTHRACITE BIKE COALITION
$16,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST ANN'S PASSIONIST MONASTERY OF SCRANTON
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHEASTERN PA EDUCATIONAL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPRING HILLS FOUNDATION
$6,065GENERAL SUPPORT
TOGETHER IN DANCE
$5,690GENERAL OPERATING
PENN'S NORTHEAST INC
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT