Current opportunities
The Community Foundation supports the work of nonprofits through grants to organizations directly from our donors and competitive grantmaking in Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset counties.
Community Initiatives: Applications are closed. Decisions will be announced in the coming months.
Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator: Applications are closed. Decisions will be announced by the end of June.
Discover Bedford County 2026 Tourism Growth Initiative: Applications are open. The deadline for applications is July 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Early Childhood Care and Education: Application is now closed. Decisions will be announced in the coming months.
Fall 2026: Applications are open now until Friday, August 28.
Spring 2026: Applications are closed. Decisions have been announced.
Sustainable Energy Fund: The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund will make grants to fund a variety of energy efficiency projects to nonprofits, government entities, and small-businesses within the Met-Ed and Penelec utility areas. CLICK HERE to learn more or apply.
Click on the grantee portal below to learn more about these grant opportunities, to log in to your applicant dashboard, or to create a username and password. If this is your first visit, CLICK HERE to open a PDF of tips for how to use our online application system.
Grant FAQs
Please click here to open a PDF of tips and guidelines for using the online grant portal.
If you received a grant from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies prior to June 2020 (Spring or Fall grant rounds, the Early Childhood Education Fund, or the Community Initiatives Fund), OR if you received a grant from the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund at any time, please CLICK HERE to fill out a Final Grant Report. After you register or log-in, you will need to click on "APPLY" and then enter this access code to fill out this report: CFA$Report.
If you received a grant from the Community Foundation (other than a COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund grant) after June 2020, you will receive an email on how to access your final grant report via your dashboard in our application system. (In that system, below your application, you will see the final grant report form listed. Click on the blue “Edit” link to the right of the form to access the form. You can save the form as often as you need but remember to submit by the due date.)
CLICK HERE for a link to helpful tips and guidelines about the online system. If you have any additional questions, reach out to CFA Grants Administrator Samuel Barber at [email protected].
All applicants can periodically check their dashboard within the application system to verify the status of their request. Declinations as well as grant award winners will be notified of the results via email. The email will be sent to the email address of the person who was listed as the contact person in the grant application.
The following are eligible for Community Foundation grants: nonprofit organizations that serve Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and/or Indiana counties with evidence of IRS designation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; governmental entities; volunteer fire companies with a 501(c)(4) status; and organizations that the IRS has determined to be tax-exempt, such as a church.
Projects and expenses that will not be funded by the Community Foundation:
- Debt
- Activities that occurred prior to the beginning date of the grant
- Individuals
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Government entities for basic services
- Projects that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any veteran status.
- Indirect costs, general overhead expenses, and administrative costs particularly for large educational institutions and/or research institutions.
CFA's Nonprofit Resource Library provides access to a database of more than 17 million grant opportunities. We have certified staff available to help you navigate the database and find resources to help your organization grow and thrive. CLICK HERE to find out more.
You can also reach out to CFA Program Officer, Emily Wood to schedule a visit: [email protected] or 814-208-8448.
In addition, a list of resources for opportunities outside of CFA can be found HERE.
CLICK HERE for a list of our grantees from the Spring 2025 Grant round.
CLICK HERE for a list of our grantees from the Fall 2025 Grant round.
CLICK HERE to see the full list of grants distributed from all of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ funds during FY 2025.
Applications will be screened for eligibility and completeness by Community Foundation staff. Applications that may fit the criteria for other funding sources that we are aware of may be forwarded to those funders for consideration. Our Distribution Committee will evaluate eligible applications and will forward grant recommendations to our Board of Directors for final approval.
The Community Foundation publicizes grants and grant stories through media relations, social media, publications, and our website. We find this helps bring communities together on common interests and activities. We encourage you to also share success stories and photos so we can create additional partnerships to help make the Alleghenies an even more enjoyable place to live. Please CLICK HERE for guidelines to help you publicize your program.
The Community Foundation provides charitable service administration for the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund and the Pitcairn-Crabbe Foundation.
CLICK HERE for information about the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund.
CLICK HERE for information about the Pitcairn-Crabbe Foundation.
Discover Bedford County Tourism Growth Initiative
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies is partnering with Discover Bedford County to administer their 2026 Tourism Growth Initiative grant.
Discover Bedford County is committed to strengthening the region’s tourism economy through grantmaking. They aim to boost visitation, elevate the visitor experience, and support the development of tourism-focused assets throughout the county.
The Tourism Growth Initiative (TGI) is a competitive grant opportunity for larger marketing projects and destination development. Funding decisions are guided by Discover Bedford County’s 2025-2030 Strategic Tourism Development Plan and comply with the Pennsylvania Tourism Promotion Act.
Please read the full program guidelines below before beginning and submitting an application to ensure eligibility, or contact Program Officer Emily Wood at [email protected] with any questions.
TGI Program Guidelines
Priority will be given to projects that meet the following objectives:
- Generate measurable economic and tourism impact in Bedford County.
- Strengthen regional perception and awareness of Bedford County as a destination.
- Deliver clear, complete, and well-executed applications.
- Support overnight visitation and off-peak travel growth.
Applicants must:
- Be a nonprofit organization or municipality located in Bedford County.
- Propose a tourism-related project, event, or initiative that targets visitors from outside the county.
- Have an active Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Be in good standing with any prior Discover Bedford County grant obligations.
- Paid media placements (print, radio, TV, digital, social media)
- Boosted social media content or paid campaigns
- Website and email advertising related to visitor outreach
- Signage or wayfinding for tourism assets
- Capital enhancements tied to visitor experience
- Video and photo production for destination marketing
- Digital tools (QR codes, self-guided tour platforms, apps)
- Operating costs (staff time, rent, utilities)
- Promotional merchandise (hats, mugs, etc.)
- Internal communications or membership lists
- Volunteer hours or in-house labor as an in-kind match
- Advertising that includes political, religious, or membership-driven content
All funded materials must follow Discover Bedford County's brand guidelines and include the proper credit.
Required branding:
- Print & digital ads: clearly display the Discover Bedford County logo
- Radio: must include the tagline, "Promotion in cooperation with Discover Bedford County"
- TV/Video: Logo must appear on screen for a minimum of three seconds
- Social media: Follow logo placement and sizing rules. Avoid watermarks; use corner branding with keystone mark if necessary
Required public acknowledgement:
"Funding provided through a grant made possible by Discover Bedford County."
Logos and brand assets can be downloaded here.
- Tourism impact/room night generation - 30%
- Project clarity and execution - 25%
- Regional marketing reach - 20%
- Financial structure and match readiness - 15%
- Innovation and long-term impact - 10%
All awards are reimbursed after successful completion of the funded project. To receive payment, grantees must submit:
- Final marketing proofs of documentation (with Discover Bedford County branding)
- Paid invoices and receipts
- Completed final report