Scranton Area Community Foundation Encourages ‘Leave 5%’ to Support Future

As the season of gratitude and giving begins, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is renewing its call for residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania to consider a lasting act of generosity: pledging to leave just 5% of their estate to strengthen their local community for generations to come.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is one of more than 40 community foundations across the Commonwealth participating in the PA Giving Pledge, a statewide initiative of the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA) designed to inspire Pennsylvanians to give back where they live, create sustainable funding for local nonprofits, and address community needs.

“The PA Giving Pledge is a powerful reminder that every one of us can leave a lasting legacy,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “By committing even a small percentage of what we leave behind, we can create permanent, local resources that make life better for our neighbors—today and for generations to come.”

According to data from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, more than $418 billion is expected to transfer between generations across the Commonwealth by 2030. If just 5% of that wealth were dedicated to charitable causes through the PA Giving Pledge, it could generate $21 billion in permanent community endowments to support critical needs—such as education, healthcare, workforce development, and the environment—across Pennsylvania.

Locally, that potential impact is equally remarkable.

“Here in Lackawanna County, a 5% legacy commitment from residents could generate more than $12.6 million every year to support nonprofits and causes that make our region stronger,” Ducceschi noted. “It’s a simple but transformative way to give back to the place you call home.”

The Scranton Area Community Foundation and its statewide partners also engage professional advisors, business leaders, and philanthropists to spread awareness of the opportunity and help clients plan charitable gifts that reflect their values and vision for the future.

“We’re honored to have the Scranton Area Community Foundation as a leading voice in this effort,” said Michael L. Batchelor, President of the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association. “Together, we have the opportunity to leave a shared legacy that will benefit Pennsylvanians forever.”

Residents can learn more, calculate their potential impact, and take the PA Giving Pledge by visiting PAGivingPledge.org.