STATE COLLEGE — Centre Foundation has announced the relaunch of its transformative Centre Inspires grantmaking program, an innovative initiative designed to spark bold ideas, creative partnerships, and visible community impact across Centre County.
Originally launched in 2014, Centre Inspires invested more than $500,000 into projects that reimagined how nonprofits, businesses, artists, educators, and community leaders could work together to strengthen the region. The program was paused in 2020 during the pandemic and is now being reignited as part of Centre Foundation’s 45th Anniversary celebration.
The competitive grant program will once again award up to $100,000 to a visionary project that demonstrates innovation, collaboration, and broad community benefit. The funding is intended to support new projects or significant expansions of existing efforts rather than ongoing operational or programmatic support.
“Centre Inspires was created to encourage organizations to dream bigger, collaborate in unexpected ways, and bring transformational ideas to life,” said David Lieb. “As we celebrate 45 years of community impact, there could not be a more fitting time to relaunch a program that has helped spark some of the most creative and community-centered initiatives in Centre County. We are incredibly excited to see what bold ideas emerge next.”
Over the years, Centre Inspires has helped launch and support several highly visible projects that continue to leave a lasting impact on the community, including:
- Good Day Café — A welcoming community café and workforce development initiative that provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities while creating a gathering space centered on inclusion and belonging.
- The Rivet — A collaborative makerspace and innovation hub that provides tools, technology, creative resources, and educational opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists, students, and community members.
- Book Benches of Centre County — A public art and literacy initiative featuring artist-designed benches inspired by children’s books, placed throughout the county to celebrate reading, creativity, and community connection.
- Acres Project Greenhouse — A greenhouse and agricultural initiative supporting food access, vocational opportunities, sustainability education, and community engagement.
- Centred Outdoors — A countywide initiative encouraging residents and visitors to explore local parks, trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities while promoting wellness and environmental appreciation.
- Food Centres — Community-based efforts focused on improving food access, nutrition education, and local food distribution for families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Nathaniel Rasmussen, Centre Foundation’s Community Impact Director, said the relaunch represents an exciting opportunity to once again catalyze ideas that might not otherwise happen through traditional grantmaking.
“Centre Inspires challenges organizations to think beyond their usual boundaries and imagine what is possible when creativity, collaboration, and community vision come together,” said Rasmussen. “Projects funded through this program have become defining community assets. We’re excited to help ignite the next generation of ideas that can inspire, connect, and strengthen Centre County in new ways.”
Eligible applicants include qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental units and agencies, and unincorporated groups applying through a qualified fiscal sponsor. Centre Foundation strongly encourages nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, community groups, and collaborative partnerships from across Centre County to apply. Organizations of all sizes are invited to bring forward bold ideas that address local needs, strengthen community connections, and inspire new possibilities for the future. Proposed projects must take place in Centre County, encourage residents to become more engaged in their community, and demonstrate measurable impact. Priority consideration will be given to highly visible, collaborative projects that serve a broad segment of the community.
The application process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI), which opened June 8, 2026. Applicants can start by submitting a brief overview of their idea, its potential community impact, and how funding would help bring it to life. Letters of Intent must be submitted through Centre Foundation’s online application portal by July 9 at centrefoundation.org/grants/for-nonprofits/. Organizations selected to advance will be invited to submit a full application.
Organizations interested in learning more about the opportunity are invited to attend Centre Foundation’s Competitive Grants Webinar on June 23, 2026, at noon. The webinar will feature information about several Centre Foundation grant programs, including Giving Circle, Field-of-Interest (FOI) Grants, the Equitable and Inclusive Communities Fund, Centre PACT, and Centre Inspires. Prospective applicants will have the opportunity to learn
more about Centre Inspires, review eligibility requirements, and ask questions during a dedicated Centre Inspires information session.
For more information, please contact Nathaniel Rasmussen at Centre Foundation at (814) 237-6229.
