The 1889 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Established in 1993 and granted tax-exempt status in January 2016, the foundation raises, manages, and distributes funds to support innovative programs and initiatives that improve and transform the overall health and wellness of the region. The organization operates with a small staff of 4 employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.5M
+13.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+4.7% YoY
Grant Count
31
+19.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$127K
-12.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To support innovative programs and initiatives that improve and transform the overall health and wellness of our region.
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Population Health Strategies
- Community Health and Wellness Programs
- Housing Stabilization
- Early Childhood
- Physical Health & Wellness
Grantmaking
The 1889 Foundation actively distributes grants with typical award amounts ranging from $5,842 to $1,075,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Pennsylvania and Florida, with particular emphasis on Cambria and Somerset Counties in Pennsylvania. Recent grants have specifically targeted work within Johnstown city proper.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $15,506,804
- Total Revenue: $3,031,898
- Total Expenses: $6,338,745
- Total Liabilities: $2,940,000
- Total Giving: $4,191,640
The foundation maintains a Four-Star rating with a 96% overall score based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,506,804 | $13,690,033 | $12,558,915 |
| Revenue | $3,031,898 | $1,850,909 | $2,387,507 |
| Expenses | $6,338,745 | $5,759,293 | $5,908,699 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $869,663 | $49,561 | $355,593 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from 1889 Foundation Inc
1889 Foundation Discretionary Grants
1889 FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
1889 Foundation Sponsorship Inquiries Grant
1889 FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Impact Grants (United Way Partnership)
1889 FOUNDATION INC
Amount
$5,000 - $200,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James Hargreaves – Board Chairman
- Sue Mann – President
- Debra Costlow – Director of Programs & Development
- Wendy Reitnauer – Director of Finance
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCOTT BECKER | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN SARACENA CPA | VICE CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| KIM CRAIG | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL KERR | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| TREVOR ANDERSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| BRUCE DUKE III MD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LAUREN PRESSER ESQ | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SARAH REDDING MD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ALANNA WILSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| FRANK QUITONI | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL SMITH | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SUSAN WILLIAMS MD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| SUSAN MANN | PRESIDENT/CEO | 24 | $328,077 |
| WENDY REITNAUER | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 20 | $184,198 |
| DEBRA A COSTLOW | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $170,109 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Major Initiatives:**
The 1889 Foundation established a significant partnership with Jefferson College of Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In 2016, the foundation announced a $7.5 million, five-year gift establishing the 1889 Foundation-Jefferson Center for Population Health in Johnstown. This center identifies, quantifies, and develops strategies for improving health outcomes in Cambria and Somerset Counties through data analysis and evidence-based interventions.
1889 Foundation and Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance Announce Creative Health**Recent Grants and Programs:**
Continued partnership with Hosanna Industries providing free basic home repairs for Johnstown residents, with a $500,000 grant in 2024 supporting work on at least 25 homes
1889 Foundation grants $500,000 to Hosanna Industries, Inc for home repairsFunding for youth participation in multiple running events and races throughout the region to support early childhood and physical health & wellness priorities
Support for Stop the Bleed training initiatives
1889 Foundation supports Stop the Bleed trainings - 1889 FoundationCollaboration with Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance on Creative Health Impact Grant Awards
1889 Foundation and Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance Announce Creative HealthContact Information
Address: 4 Valley Pike, Johnstown, PA 15905
Phone: 814-532-0100
Fax: 814-532-0103
Website: 1889foundation.org
Email: foundation@1889foundation.org
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am–4pm (subject to change; closed holidays and weekends)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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