The Walter L Schautz Foundation concentrates its giving on local human services in Lackawanna County (Scranton area), prioritizing emergency relief, basic needs and seasonal assistance programs. It directs multi-thousand-dollar gifts to intermediary relief organizations and social service providers that run annual campaigns, holiday meal programs and disaster response. The foundation favors pragmatic, community-level partners that can deliver immediate assistance to vulnerable residents.
A defining feature of Walter L Schautz Foundation’s recent giving is its repeated support for emergency relief in Lackawanna County, including an $85,000 grant in 2025 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief for Lackawanna County and Hurricane Helene and Milton. That same year it also gave $65,000 to Salvation Army of Scranton for Thanksgiving meals and Scranton social services, showing how disaster response, seasonal food support, and local social services sit at the center of its work. The foundation’s grantmaking is built around practical help for people in the Scranton area: meals, basic necessities, relief services, and programs that serve low-income residents, children, and older adults. Its recent grants also show a steady preference for intermediary organizations that can distribute assistance directly, such as United Way of Lackawanna County, Friends of the Poor, and St Francis of Assisi Kitchen. Across the recent record, the foundation’s gifts are often multi-year and recurring, suggesting sustained relationships with local providers rather than one-time support. The pattern is consistent with a funder focused on community-level aid that can be deployed quickly and locally.
Food security appears across several grants, including $45,000 to Friends of the Poor for food for needy, $45,000 to St Francis of Assisi Kitchen for food for the needy, and $45,000 to Meals on Wheels for meals for the needy. The foundation also supports seasonal assistance and broader basic-needs work through $60,000 to United Way of Lackawanna County for annual campaign and Gift of Warmth. Youth programming is another clear theme: Boys and Girls Club of Scranton received $30,000 for after-school program, kids campaign, and summer program, plus $25,000 in 2024 for after-school and summer program support. In older-adult and access-to-services work, the foundation gave $20,000 to Lackawanna Blind Association for client support services, alongside repeated support for other local service providers.
Walter L Schautz Foundation’s recent grants cluster around small-to-mid-sized awards, with a typical range centered at $2,000 at the 25th percentile, a $3,000 median, and $6,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes a smaller set of larger community grants in the tens of thousands, usually to the same local organizations across multiple years. That repetition is notable: United Way of Lackawanna County, Salvation Army of Scranton, Friends of the Poor, Meals on Wheels, and Boys and Girls Club of Scranton each appear more than once. The foundation gives as a private foundation and funds individuals as well as organizations. The grant pattern is local and relationship-based, with recurring support for annual campaigns, year-end appeals, and ongoing service programs.
$522K
$8.7M
$3.2M
$569K
Most grants fall between $2K and $6K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Relatively concentrated giving: a small number of mid-to-large grants per year, with repeat investments in a few local intermediaries (notably United Way) and ad hoc funding for disaster response and seasonal programs.
Notable grantees: United Way of Lackawanna County, American Red Cross, Salvation Army of Scranton
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly Pennsylvania-based, with 93% of grants going to recipients in PA and a local geographic scope. Most grants land in Scranton, with additional support going to nearby Dunmore, Wilkes Barre, Pittston, Jenkins Township, and Kingston-area recipients. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. This is a clearly regional pattern centered on Lackawanna County and adjacent northeastern Pennsylvania communities.
It most often backs local human services organizations in the Scranton area, especially groups delivering emergency relief, food assistance, seasonal aid, and social services. Recent examples include the American Red Cross, Salvation Army of Scranton, United Way of Lackawanna County, Friends of the Poor, Meals on Wheels, and St Francis of Assisi Kitchen.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including United Way of Lackawanna County, Salvation Army of Scranton, Friends of the Poor, Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Club of Scranton, and American Red Cross. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than isolated one-time gifts.
Its grant-size distribution is centered on modest awards: $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $3,000 at the median, and $6,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger strategic gifts to a small set of local service providers.
Most grants go to Pennsylvania recipients, and the recent record is heavily concentrated in Scranton. Other recipient locations include Dunmore, Wilkes Barre, Pittston, and Jenkins Township, all in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Food security, disaster relief, youth programming, and local social services show up repeatedly. Examples include Thanksgiving meals, meals for the needy, disaster relief for Lackawanna County and hurricanes, after-school and summer programs, and client support services for a local blind association.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALVATION ARMY OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $65,000 | 2026 | THANKSGIVING MEALS & SCRANTON SOCIAL SERVICES |
| UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY | SCRANTON, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN & GIFT OF WARMTH |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | SCRANTON, PA | $45,000 | 2026 | MEALS FOR THE NEEDY |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WILKES BARRE, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | DISASTER RELIEF FOR LACKAWANNA CTY |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI KITCHEN | SCRANTON, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR THE NEEDY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $25,500 | 2026 | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, KIDS CAMPAIGN & SUMMER PROGRAM |
| FRIENDS OF THE POOR | SCRANTON, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR NEEDY |
| LACKAWANNA BRANCH PA ASSOC FOR THE BLIND | SCRANTON, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | CLIENT SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE FOR THE BLIND |
| UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER OF NEPA | SCRANTON, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | FEED A FRIEND, ANNUAL CAMPAIGN & FOOD FOR NEEDY |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | PEDIATRIC REHAB & OPERATIONS |
| GREATER SCRANTON YMCA | DUNMORE, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | YEAR END APPEAL, ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, SUMMER CAMP & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| WEINBERG FOOD BANK | JENKINS TWP, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR NEEDY |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | WOUNDED WARRIOR ASSISTANCE |
| ST VLADIMIR'S CHURCH | SCRANTON, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHURCH PROJECTS & HELP PEOPLE OF UKRAINE |
| PENN STATE UNIVERSITY SCRANTON CAMPUS | DUNMORE, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND & STUDENT HARDSHIP FUND |
| COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES & INFANT CARE |
| ST JOSEPH'S CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| ST MARY'S VISITATION CHURCH | DICKSON CITY, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | HEATING BILLS, CHURCH PROJECTS & ELECTRIC & AC |
| ELAN SKILLED NURSING & REHAB | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | SERVICE FOR THE AGING |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | SACRAMENTO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | HELPING CHILDREN |
| WVIA PUBLIC MEDIA | PITTSTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOSPICE OF THE SACRED HEART | DUNMORE, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | SUSTAIN SUPERIOR & PATIENT CARE |
| BREAD BASKET | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | FOOD FOR NEEDY |
| WRC | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON | SCRANTON, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | LEAHY CLINIC |
| SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | RENOVATIONS & ANNUAL FUND |
| GEISINGER HEALTH SYSTEM FND | DANVILLE, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS |
| MASONIC CHARITIES OF THE GW GRAND LODGE | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | MASONIC CHARITIES |
| LACKAWANNA PRO BONO INC | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | LEGAL FEES FOR THE POOR |
| JESSUP HOSE CO #2 | JESSUP, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | FUNDRAISER FOR NEW TRUCK |
| FRIENDS WITH PAWS RESCUE | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | VET CARE & FOOD |
| ST MARY'S VILLA RESIDENCE | ELMHURST, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | CARE FOR ELDERLY |
| GRIFFIN POND ANIMAL SHELTER | S ABINGTON TWP, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | VET CARE & FOOD |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EXPENSES |
| WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE | WAVERLY, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | DESTINATION FREEDOM |
| THE ARC OF NORTHEASTERN PA | SCRANTON, PA | $3,000 | 2026 | CHILDRENS PROGRAM |
| DOOLEY INTERMED | FOREST HILLS, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | HEALTH CARE FOR THE NEEDY |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | MEDICAL SUPPLIES |
| SCRANTON JAZZ FESTIVAL | SCRANTON, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | 19 YEAR ANNIVERSITY |
| KEYSTONE COLLEGE | LAPLUME, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NORTHEASTERN PA PHILHARMONIC | WILKES BARRE, PA | $2,500 | 2026 | SUPPLIES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| SISTERS OF IHM FOUNDATION | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | 2024 IHM SISTERS CELEBRATION |
| EASTER SEALS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIVITY MIGUEL SCHOOL | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN |
| FRIENDSHIP HOUSE | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | AUTISM PROGRAM |
| LACKAWANNA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | BUILDING REPAIRS |
| NORTHEAST REGIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | SCREENING |
| EVERHART MUSEUM | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL APPEAL |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN SUPPORT |
| SERVING SENIORS INC | SCRANTON, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION |
SALVATION ARMY OF SCRANTON
$65,000THANKSGIVING MEALS & SCRANTON SOCIAL SERVICES
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY
$60,000ANNUAL CAMPAIGN & GIFT OF WARMTH
MEALS ON WHEELS
$45,000MEALS FOR THE NEEDY
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SCRANTON
$25,500AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, KIDS CAMPAIGN & SUMMER PROGRAM
LACKAWANNA BRANCH PA ASSOC FOR THE BLIND
$20,000CLIENT SUPPORT & ASSISTANCE FOR THE BLIND
UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER OF NEPA
$15,000FEED A FRIEND, ANNUAL CAMPAIGN & FOOD FOR NEEDY
YEAR END APPEAL, ANNUAL CAMPAIGN, SUMMER CAMP & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
ST VLADIMIR'S CHURCH
$10,000CHURCH PROJECTS & HELP PEOPLE OF UKRAINE
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY SCRANTON CAMPUS
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND & STUDENT HARDSHIP FUND
COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$5,000OPERATING EXPENSES & INFANT CARE
ST MARY'S VISITATION CHURCH
$5,000HEATING BILLS, CHURCH PROJECTS & ELECTRIC & AC
ELAN SKILLED NURSING & REHAB
$5,000SERVICE FOR THE AGING
WVIA PUBLIC MEDIA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
HOSPICE OF THE SACRED HEART
$5,000SUSTAIN SUPERIOR & PATIENT CARE
BREAD BASKET
$5,000FOOD FOR NEEDY
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
$5,000LEAHY CLINIC
SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER
$3,000RENOVATIONS & ANNUAL FUND
GEISINGER HEALTH SYSTEM FND
$3,000HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS
MASONIC CHARITIES OF THE GW GRAND LODGE
$3,000MASONIC CHARITIES
LACKAWANNA PRO BONO INC
$3,000LEGAL FEES FOR THE POOR
JESSUP HOSE CO #2
$3,000FUNDRAISER FOR NEW TRUCK
FRIENDS WITH PAWS RESCUE
$3,000VET CARE & FOOD
ST MARY'S VILLA RESIDENCE
$3,000CARE FOR ELDERLY
GRIFFIN POND ANIMAL SHELTER
$3,000VET CARE & FOOD
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
$3,000GENERAL EXPENSES
WAVERLY COMMUNITY HOUSE
$3,000DESTINATION FREEDOM
THE ARC OF NORTHEASTERN PA
$3,000CHILDRENS PROGRAM
DOOLEY INTERMED
$2,500HEALTH CARE FOR THE NEEDY
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$2,500MEDICAL SUPPLIES
SCRANTON JAZZ FESTIVAL
$2,50019 YEAR ANNIVERSITY
NORTHEASTERN PA PHILHARMONIC
$2,500SUPPLIES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
SISTERS OF IHM FOUNDATION
$2,0002024 IHM SISTERS CELEBRATION
EASTER SEALS
$2,000ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
NATIVITY MIGUEL SCHOOL
$2,000EDUCATION FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
$2,000AUTISM PROGRAM
LACKAWANNA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000BUILDING REPAIRS
NORTHEAST REGIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
$2,000SCREENING
EVERHART MUSEUM
$2,000ANNUAL APPEAL
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$2,000CHILDREN SUPPORT
SERVING SENIORS INC
$2,000PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION