Foundation will offer up to $30,000 in micro-grants for businesses, nonprofits

Small businesses and nonprofits in Lebanon County can soon apply for grants of up to $3,000 through the Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Micro-Grant Program.

The foundation expects to award up to $30,000 in total funding, according to a news release. The program is intended to help local organizations make investments that strengthen their operations, support growth, and contribute to a more resilient local economy, the release said.

Applications open at 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, and will be accepted through 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Recipients will be notified Dec. 11, and funds are scheduled for distribution beginning Jan. 4, after required grant documents are completed and approved.

Grant funding is available in four focus areas:

• Professional development, including leadership training, certifications and education.
• Paid internships, covering wages for students from local or regional high schools and colleges, as well as for unemployed people seeking to reenter the workforce.
• Business improvements, such as interior and exterior painting, awnings, signage and displays.
• Technology upgrades, including hardware, software, connectivity and point-of-sale systems.

Eligible applicants are for-profit businesses or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that operate in Lebanon County and have 25 or fewer employees. Applicants do not need to be members of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce or any other organization.

Karen Groh, president and CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber and the Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation, said the program is returning after its initial run two years ago.

“The response during our 2024 launch of the micro-grant program showcased the need and impact that a micro-grant can have on a small business or non-profit,” Groh said in the release. “Through the generosity of the HerZimBa Foundation, we are able to bring the program back and continue it for many years.”

The foundation launched the program in September 2024 with up to $40,000 available. That round drew 40 applications seeking more than $109,000, and the foundation’s board of directors reviewed and scored each one before selecting 14 organizations for awards of up to $3,000 apiece, which were announced in December 2024.

Recipients of the first round included Annville Inn Bed & Breakfast, Developmental Disability Services of Lebanon Valley, Pennsylvania Chautauqua, Panaderia y Reposteria Ceballos, South China Buffet, and The Caring Cupboard, along with several other small businesses and nonprofits.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online through the foundation’s website, though paper applications will also be available.

Eligibility requirements, application information and answers to frequently asked questions are posted at lvchamber.org/foundationgrants. Questions may be directed to Groh at kgroh@lvchamber.org or 717-273-3727.

The Lebanon Valley Chamber Foundation, based at 989 Quentin Road in Lebanon, supports scholarships, micro-grants and other programs aimed at strengthening the county’s community, workforce and economy.

The HerZimBa Foundation was founded to be a transformational force in the Lebanon Valley through significant grants to charitable organizations, according to the release. It was established by three former senior managers of PRL Inc. after the sale of the companies.