The Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation (MACF), a regional foundation under The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), offers an annual competitive grant opportunity to nonprofit organizations that serve the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania zip codes 17050 and 17055. This grantmaking initiative supports community-based efforts aimed at improving quality of life and producing measurable, sustainable outcomes for individuals and families in the region.

The MACF grant program provides awards of up to $12,000. Applications open on February 1, 2025, and close on May 1, 2025. Grantees will be notified of funding decisions by August 1, 2025. Projects selected for funding must occur within the defined grant period, which runs from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. Grantees are expected to participate in MACF’s Annual Grant Presentation Program held in Fall 2025, where award checks will be presented.

MACF prioritizes funding for projects aligned with the following focus areas: Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Environment, and Health & Human Services. Additional welcomed areas include initiatives that support town pride in Mechanicsburg, hospice services for local residents, services for individuals with terminal and debilitating illnesses (including Alzheimer’s Disease), and access to early childhood education. Funded projects are expected to be innovative, collaborative, replicable, and to include clear strategies for sustainability beyond the grant term.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor. Proposals must be specific to the Mechanicsburg area and serve individuals residing in the eligible zip codes. The program does not fund capital campaigns, retroactive projects, religious activities, national organizations without local impact, direct lobbying, or new staff positions without a long-term funding plan.

Evaluation of applications is carried out by the MACF Advisory Committee. The committee uses a 50-point scoring rubric, assessing alignment with MACF’s mission, project clarity, collaboration, funding diversification, defined outcomes, and inclusion practices. Site visits and interviews may be part of the evaluation process. Draft reviews are available by request until two weeks before the application deadline. Interested applicants can reach out to the Community Investment Team at grants@tfec.org or 717-236-5040 for assistance.

For additional questions, key contacts include Caitlin Cluck (ccluck@tfec.org), Yamit Friedman (yfriedman@tfec.org), and Teresa Gonzalez (tgonzalez@tfec.org), all reachable at 717-236-5040. TFEC’s main office is located at 200 N. 3rd Street, 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.