Designated Funds

This Fund was established in 2003 by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to provide funds to underwrite the costs of a guest speaker to address the members of the NEPA Chapter of the AIA, as well as other interested people and organizations, on the subject of Architecture.

On October 12, 1926, the great New York Yankee Slugger, George Herman "Babe" Ruth, visited Wilkes-Barre and participated in an exhibition game in Artillery Park. Ruth hit a pitched ball home run that was determined by a baseball historian to have traveled in excess of 600 feet making it the longest ball hit by a batter in competitive baseball history. The ball landed in Kirby Park. The intent of this "cause" is to raise funding for up to a "two-fold" commemoration of this truly "superhuman feat." We envision a plaque in Artillery Field in Kingston, where the ball was hit, and an information kiosk in Kirby Park somewhere within the vicinity of the approximate site where the ball landed.

The purpose of The Brass Ring Fund is to raise contributions and awareness to acquire an important local historic icon, the 1909 Carousel formerly at Harvey’s Lake, Pennsylvania. The Fund will help ensure that future generations will enjoy the carousel’s artistic, recreational and historic values as a piece of Luzerne County and Northeastern Pennsylvania history.

This Fund was named in honor of Daylene Burnside, the first Executive Director of The Luzerne Foundation, serving from its inception in 1994 through June 2000. Daylene continues to be an active participant as a board member and on numerous committees. This administrative Fund helps to defray the operational expenses of The Foundation such as employee expenses, phone, rent, postage, etc. The intent of this Fund is to allow The Foundation to be as self-sustaining as possible, with cost-effective financial management, administration, tax reporting and audits for those funds established within The Foundation. This Fund is available to maximize the quality and efficiency of philanthropy to maximize the good for the community. All distributions from the Administrative Endowment Fund are used to defray operational expenses of The Foundation.

This Fund, established by the Hazleton Area School District, is designed to help preserve the structure known as The Castle. By restoring The Castle Auditorium, supporters of The Castle Auditorium Fund will address and/or enhance several elements of a healthy community through its programs and services: arts and culture, education, historic preservation, and improving the neighborhood and community. There are few community efforts that can touch so many aspects of a community in such a profound manner.

This Fund was started by the Board of Directors of the Children’s Service Center in recognition of Joe DeVizia for his many years of service and leadership to the organization and the community,

Charles E. Parente, his family and friends, established this endowment Fund to assist qualified charities that support underprivileged youth in Luzerne County, most notably the Catholic Youth Center (CYC) in Wilkes-Barre.

First Night is an alcohol-free, family-friendly community celebration of the New Year through the Arts and is celebrated in over 100 communities in the United States, Canada and Australia. Between 2,000 and 4,000 people have attended each of our previous events and responses from attendees continue to be very positive. A significant portion of the sponsorship support for First Night Hazleton is made possible through its partnership with The Luzerne Foundation.

The G.A.R. Blue-Gray Fund was established to equip and maintain a state-of-the-art fitness center to support all athletic programs and the general student population at G.A.R. High School.

This Fund was established to support the maintenance and preservation of the Georgetown Settlement Camp, which is under the care of Wilkes-Barre Township.

His Resting Place Maternity Home in Exeter was established to meet the needs of homeless pregnant women in Luzerne County. The faith-based home receives no government funding and is largely run by a dedicated staff of community volunteers who provide a nurturing environment for mothers, education classes, support groups and a bridge to a better future. His Resting Place provides counseling and support services to mothers and babies for one year after they leave the home. Staff is involved with adoption advocacy and prevention programs to decrease crisis pregnancies.

This Fund was established to support programs that preserve, maintain and develop the historic past of the Huber Breaker in Ashley, PA.

The Loyal Patriots of America was a group serving causes in the Pittston area for many years. But due to diminished membership, remaining assets from a trust established in the 1960’s has been transferred to The Luzerne Foundation and through the new Fund will be used to continue to support causes in the area, particularly the Pittston YMCA and the Pittston Memorial Library.

This Fund was established to support the educational programs and events held at The Lands at Hillside Farms in Shavertown, Pennsylvania. The Lands at Hillside Farms is a nonprofit, regional educational center and historic farm estate. Our dedicated mission is to present aspects and benefits of the region's land, history and promotion of lifestyle choices which are healthy, conservation-minded and practical. Each mission component will be demonstrated through family-friendly educational programs, sustainable agricultural activities and living.

Established through a grant from the First Federal Charitable Foundation, the Luzerne County Cooperative Extension Association can implement a nutrition and educational program of food and facts to improve the health of families in the community and facilitate a healthy eating lifestyle. This is a community task force.

Mission: Raise the consciousness of area residents concerning their heritage, thereby enabling them to better understand the area’s uniqueness and its place in today’s world. Three funds make up the designation for The Luzerne County Historical Society. The funds are designated to maintain and expand the collection and facilities of The Luzerne County Historical Society, the only organization dedicated solely to preservation of the cultural heritage of Luzerne County. Facilities include the Bishop Memorial Library, Swetland Homestead, Dennison House and the Society Museum.

This Fund was established in 2001 by the Board of Directors of Leadership Wilkes-Barre in memorial to Hannah Kline, the late mother of then Executive Director Sue Kline Kluger. The income from the Fund is designated to provide scholarship assistance for applicants to the Master’s Leadership Series of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, a program for adults of retirement age who have a desire to acquire new skills and increase their contribution to, and involvement in, our community.

Under the leadership of Sue Kluger from 19891 to 2003, Leadership Wilkes-Barre grew from a fledgling group of initial participants into a nationally recognized program, nurturing the leadership potential of a broad spectrum of people from high schoolers and business executives to retirees. This Fund, founded in Sue’s honor on the occasion of her retirement as Executive Director in September of 2003, will ensure that her legacy of leadership, community service and love of her community will continue to benefit generations to come through Leadership Wilkes-Barre.

This Fund was established in 1996 by the Board of Directors of Leadership Wilkes-Barre on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the organization to honor Msgr. Andrew J. McGowan, the first Chair of its Board of Directors. Proceeds are directed to scholarships for Leadership Wilkes-Barre participants to assist with their tuition.

This Fund was established to support activities and services to residents of the Meadows Nursing Home in Dallas, PA.

This Fund was created to raise money and generate community support to renovate, equip and maintain a fitness facility at E.L. Meyers High School, Wilkes-Barre. The fitness facility is available to all students at Meyers and is intended to help them gain confidence and become physically fit. An average of 50 students per day use the facility that opened in January of 2002.

This is a designated Fund established to accept and safeguard contributions to support the athletic opportunities and potential for the youth of the Mountaintop area.

This Fund was established by the Flack Family as an endowment to support cultural programs of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic.

The River Common is a special place along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre that welcomes everyone. It inspires many and is shared by all. It is a recreational and entertainment venue that reconnects us with nature, brings us together as a community and encourages us to seek a common ground. It is a once in a lifetime creation by this generation and a gift to those to come. This Fund was created to provide a means for donations to support annual programming and an endowment for the future.

The Reverend Joseph Streit Fund was established to honor the man who ministered to patients and families at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, for twenty years. The Fund keeps alive his legacy of unconditional love and comfort to the sick and dying by supporting his favorite charities: Covenant House in New York City, NY; Food for the Poor, Deerfield Beach, FL; St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton, PA; St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

This Fund is intended solely to provide funds for a Tri-Centennial celebration in the Borough of Wyoming in 2076. With an initial balance of $493, this Fund is estimated to approximate $800,000, depending upon interest rates, by 2076.

Bill and Connie Umphred established this Fund to support specific organizations they hold dear to their hearts both now and in perpetuity, most notably the United Way of Wyoming Valley and the Osterhout Free Library.

Established by friends and family of students of VITAL House, this Fund will help maintain, support and foster the VITAL House services of lifestyle training, independent living, and educational opportunities for young adults with disabilities in the Greater Hazleton Area.

A Fund of The Luzerne Foundation

These funds are related to the Wyoming Valley West School District.

The primary purpose of thie Fund is to actively support and enhance the various athletic programs, services, facilities, administration and coaching personnel of the Wyoming Valley West School District. These funds are separate from the District and are designated solely to enhance the opportunities for the District’s scholar-athletes, including those programs that directly motivate the tams (such as cheerleaders.)

This Fund was established by Sally's family and friends in loving memory and honor of her many years of committed service to the youth of her community. The endowment benefits the Sarah "Sally" Yudichak Expressive Arts Program for the Children's Service Center of the Wyoming Valley - a therapeutic arts program for children.