NCC Receives Grant Funding from The Provident Bank Foundation
Mia Rossi-Marino
27 August 2025
Northampton Community College (NCC) has recently received a $20,000Empowerment Grantfrom The Provident Bank Foundation. This is the inaugural year for the grant, and NCC is the first community college to be awarded the grant. The Empowerment Grant program, PBF’s core funding opportunity, is designed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of high-impact nonprofits serving communities across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Grant partners are selected for two years of flexible funding support based on their proven ability to deliver meaningful, measurable change within the Foundation’s priority areas: Education, Human Services, and Workforce Development. We are honored to be one of the first to receive the Empowerment Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation. This support will allow NCC to launch a program aimed at removing the obstacles that prevent students from accessing a quality education,” said President of NCC, David A. Ruth, Ph.D. The prestigious grant will allow NCC to launch the Tools of the Trade program. The program provides emergency funding for students who need assistancepurchasing equipment, supplies, and tools required by their programs of study that are not covered in tuition. Vice President and Executive Director of The Provident Bank Foundation, Samantha Plotino, says, “We are proud to partner with organizations that are leading transformative work in their communities – particularly those addressing systemic barriers to opportunity – to help ensure that all individuals have the resources and support to thrive.” Established in 2003 by Provident Bank, The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) supports nonprofit organizations in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that are building strong, inclusive communities. Through grants focused on education, human service, and workforce development, PBF invests in programs that expand access to opportunity and promote economic self-sufficiency. Since its founding, PBF has awarded more than $30 million in funding to organizations driving meaningful, community-rooted change. To learn more, visit the foundation online,or join the conversation onLinkedIn.