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<p>PLAINS TWP. &#8212; Some 33 charitable organizations presented their cases to The Luzerne Foundation on Wednesday morning as they seek grants to help them further their missions.</p><p>Another 33 groups will get their turn Thursday.</p><p>Charles Barber, foundation president and CEO, said 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the group. Barber said to commemorate that occasion, the foundation is funding 25 $5,000 grants and one $25,000 grant sponsored by the Weinberg Foundation.</p><p>To add to the excitement, Barber said an anonymous donor has agreed to match all 25 $5,000 grants so that each recipient will receive $10,000 total.</p><p>&#8220;We are beyond excited to see more than a quarter-million dollars distributed to address a myriad of community needs,&#8221; Barber said.</p><p>So for two days, the 66 nonprofits&#8212; 33 each day &#8212; get to tell their stories. They are each given five minutes to explain what they do and the challenges they face.</p><p>&#8220;This is a great opportunity to showcase the diverse needs of our community and to explain what each organization does to provide vital services to our neighbors,&#8221; Barber said.</p><p>Barber said grants will be made in seven key areas:</p><p>&#8226; Social Services</p><p>&#8226; Education and Scholarships</p><p>&#8226; Arts and Culture</p><p>&#8226; Neighborhoods and Community Development</p><p>&#8226; Youth Issues</p><p>&#8226; Historic Preservation and the Environment</p><p>&#8226; Health &amp; Wellness</p><p>Organizations selected to receive a grant will be recognized at the foundation&#8217;s 25th anniversary dinner May 9 at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>Barber said in its 25 years, the foundation has awarded more than $151 million in grants.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Luzerne Foundation board member Megan Kennedy announces the social services portion of the foundation&#8217;s NonProfit Forum at the Holiday Inn in Plains Township on Wednesday morning. Charitable groups are getting their chance this week to make funding pitches to the foundation. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL032119luzerne-foundation1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Luzerne Foundation board member Megan Kennedy announces the social services portion of the foundation&#8217;s NonProfit Forum at the Holiday Inn in Plains Township on Wednesday morning. Charitable groups are getting their chance this week to make funding pitches to the foundation. </caption0><photoCredit0>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL032119luzerne-foundation2-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Luzerne Foundation president and CEO Charles Barber speaks between presentations at the foundation&#8217;s NonProfit Forum on Wednesday. The foundation is hearing pitches from charity groups on why they deserve grants. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL032119luzerne-foundation2-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Luzerne Foundation president and CEO Charles Barber speaks between presentations at the foundation&#8217;s NonProfit Forum on Wednesday. The foundation is hearing pitches from charity groups on why they deserve grants. </caption1><photoCredit1>Aimee Dilger | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Charitable groups seeking grants</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Luzerne Foundation hears funding pitches from nonprofits