The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) is thrilled to announce significant changes to their Signature Grants for the coming year. These changes come in response to feedback received from applicants in recent years and their respective organizations' ever-changing needs. The Foundation is honored to create more opportunities to address the increasing challenges that local communities are facing.

Increased Funding Amount

For 2019, the Foundation’s board has approved three $100,000 Signature Grants—one for each funding priority area. These substantial grants, which are intended to address and provide solutions to systemic needs or challenges through long-term, sustainable change, will be used to help fund organizations within three specific areas:

• Community Enrichment: to fund community and economic development programs addressing obstacles to workforce development.
• Education: to fund innovative programming that expands access to and improves the quality of academic development opportunities.
• Health, Youth & Families: to fund innovative solutions to chronic problems that impact quality of life for people of all ages and means, such as safe and affordable housing, access to healthcare, and crisis assistance.

The decision to increase the amount this year was made in response to the meaningful impact that was made possible in the past when $100,000 Signature Grants were available. “The Signature Grant we received from The Provident Bank Foundation in 2016 did exactly what it was intended to do,” said Phil Salerno, president and chief development officer at Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “It provided critically needed funding to launch a vitally impactful telemedicine program to an underserved pediatric population in great need. Most importantly, it enabled our patients to take a quantum leap toward living to their fullest potential.”

Improved Application Process

In addition to the grant increase, the application process has been updated and streamlined—making it easier for an organization to successfully apply. Going forward, there will be one Signature Grant application cycle—instead of three—with a Letter of Intent (LOI) becoming available on January 2, 2019 on the Foundation’s website.

For more information on the Signature Grant and the application process, PBF has prepared a guidelines package and introductory video to give viewers a guided overview of the process.

"It is our responsibility to listen to the needs of the community and be prepared to meet them where they are,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “These improvements will greatly benefit local organizations and we are honored to be able to make such a meaningful impact in these communities."

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About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $24 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit www.theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.