July 17, 2025 -- To celebrate America's 250th birthday, the Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture will award a $1,000 grant to each of the county's 40 municipalities in January 2026, according to Alysia Scazafabo, program coordinator.

To be eligible for the grant, the municipality must use the funds to create a community project or expand an existing project that celebrates the area's history.

The grant is entirely funded by the Arts and Culture Department.

Projects created with the grant money will be among 250 county events throughout the year that celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Celebratory projects will receive special marketing and America250 PA media coverage.

Municipalities must apply online for the grant using the Lackawanna County Municipality Application. The application is available here. The Arts and Culture Department will award the grants in January 2026. Municipalities will then have the months leading up to July to prepare their project.

The application is now open, and the municipalities have until Dec. 1 to apply for funding.

Each municipality is eligible to receive only one grant. If two or more towns plan to collaborate, only one of them should apply for the grant. Each town will receive $1,000 for the chosen project.

The county is coordinating its celebration of America's 250th birthday with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and America250, a nonprofit organization that supports the commission.

"America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country," Scazafabo said.
On July 4, 2026, Lackawanna County will celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in conjunction with the America250 PA nationwide event.

"The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond," America250 said.

The Arts and Culture Department encourages all municipalities in Lackawanna County to apply for the grant and join in celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

LACKAWNNA COUNTY AMERICA250 GRANT APPLICATION AVAILABLE HERE.