Adams County Community Foundation Inc
Adams County Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It promotes charitable giving and builds charitable funds to support communities in Adams County.
Adams County Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Adams County Community Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 104 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,201,681
- +51.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 104
- +13.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,016
- +34.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,488
- Total assets
- $30,126,021
- +12.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (16 of 104, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Adams County Community Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a letter-of-intent process for Adams County Grants. Its website lists LOI deadlines of 5 p.m. January 13 for grants awarded in April and July 6 for grants awarded in October. The program excludes, among others, individuals, private foundations, political campaigns or direct lobbying, completed projects, fundraising events, debt retirement, and certain religious and private-school projects. The foundation also requires grant recipients to sign an agreement and submit a final report documenting use of the funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 25 S 4Th St, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 337-0060
Website: https://adamscountycf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Adams County Community Foundation Inc
Adams County Community Foundation Giving Spree
Adams County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies by nonprofit (matching funds provided)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adams County Community Foundation Grants
Adams County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Adams County Community Grants Program
Adams County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to $15,000 per grant
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Adams County Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Upper Adams School District ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
434 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 367 grants of 434 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s community grant programs serve Adams County, Pennsylvania residents. Its website says Adams County Grants may support organizations based outside the county only when they clearly demonstrate that Adams County residents will benefit. In 2025, 99% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania; the filing also lists recipients in Maryland and Arizona at 0% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 104 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Adams County Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 104 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $55K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $5.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 104 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Adams School District Biglerville, PA | See Statement | $1,222,354 |
| Adams County Historical Socie Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $499,921 |
| South Central Community Actio Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $312,361 |
| Shining Stars Therapeutic Rid Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $297,008 |
| New Hope Ministries Dillsburg, PA | See Statement | $174,975 |
| Adams County Library System Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $134,368 |
| Land Conservancy of Adams COU Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $133,904 |
| Adams Rescue Mission ARM Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $131,394 |
| Bermudian Springs School Dist York Springs, PA | Donor Advised/Designated Fund Grant | $125,077 |
| Gettysburg Cares Inc Gettysburg, PA | See Statement | $94,585 |
Ready to take the next step with Adams County Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,126,021 | $9,845,068 | $5,987,148 | $5,201,681 | 104 | $2,839,916 |
| 2024 | $26,735,391 | $6,742,791 | $4,166,178 | $3,424,083 | 92 | $1,204,487 |
| 2023 | $22,944,094 | $4,206,733 | $3,960,550 | $3,224,638 | 85 | $574,199 |
| 2022 | $20,193,246 | $4,189,136 | $3,742,466 | $3,056,097 | 81 | $142,958 |
| 2021 | $22,715,420 | $6,853,647 | $3,495,038 | $2,755,158 | 72 | $2,556,648 |
| 2020 | $19,212,061 | $3,783,660 | $2,792,994 | $2,100,131 | 64 | $841,436 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds for good, for Adams County, for ever.” Its Adams County Grants program supports affordable housing, food security, mental health services, and workforce development. Other programs support environmental stewardship, nonprofit leadership development, community needs in Littlestown, youth service projects, and coordination among community-based emergency medical services providers.
The foundation supports nonprofits serving Adams County residents, including organizations whose stated missions encompass local history, poverty reduction, equine therapy for people with special needs, library services, land conservation, recovery support, meals for community members, and theatre education and performance. These are descriptions of the grantees’ missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 104 grants totaling $5,201,681. Individual grants ranged from $5,213 to $1,222,354, with a median of $19,488. Among the largest reported awards were $1,222,354 to Upper Adams School District; $499,921 to Adams County Historical Society; $312,361 to South Central Community Action; $297,008 to Shining Stars Therapeutic Riding; and $174,975 to New Hope Ministries. The filing lists most grant purposes as “SEE STATEMENT”; it identifies the $125,077 award to Bermudian Springs School District as a donor-advised/designated fund grant.
Adams County Grants are competitive and offer awards of up to $25,000 for operating or program support. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Adams County residents whose nondiscrimination policies meet the foundation’s policy. The foundation’s grants page says applicants may submit up to two letters of intent per round. The letter, on the nonprofit’s letterhead and no more than two pages, should include the organization’s federal tax identification number, focus area, requested amount rounded to the nearest $1,000, request purpose, planned activities, organizational background, any collaborating organizations and their contributions, and information about other financial support.
Other opportunities include the Adams County Fund for the Environment, which offers grants of up to $5,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Its listed deadline of February 13, 2027 is in the future; the program information says letters of intent may be submitted at any time and full proposals are by invitation, considered March 1 and September 1. The Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment Trust offers competitive grants twice a year to nonprofits benefiting Adams County residents. Donor-advised and designated funds are not open for grant applications; the foundation says it contacts appropriate nonprofits as those funds become available.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ralph M. Serpe as President & CEO. It also lists directors Ed Puhl, Peter Boving, Emily Rice-Townsend, Matt Battersby, Tom Wilson, Julie Ramsey, and Nathan Mares; Jim Dunlop as Treasurer; and Beth Becker as Secretary.
Adams County Community Foundation Inc is led by Ralph M. Serpe, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ralph M. Serpe
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$95K (2020) → $122K (2025)
Cynthia Salisbury
Chair
Secretary → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danny Sebright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Puhl
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Rice-Townsend
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Mares
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Szoke
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Battersby
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Magraw
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Ramsey
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Green
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Boving
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taureen Tory Moses
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyle R. Pitner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Wilson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Morgan Riggs
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Becker
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Dunlop
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: James Kampstra (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: John S. Phillips (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Rupal Satish Shah (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Duane Williams (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: James Chiaruttini (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kay Hollabaugh (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rich Finkenbiner (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ronald E. Bailey (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Bruce Bigelow (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Johnides (2020) — Director
- Former: Loni Buck (2020) — Director
- Former: Matt Crowner (2020) — Director
- Former: Stacey Schlosser (2020) — Director
- Former: Terrence Gingrow (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $122K, to Ralph M Serpe (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Adams County Community Foundation Inc
How much does Adams County Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc gave $5.2M across 104 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.4M across 92 grants.
What is Adams County Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $19,488, and its average grant was $50,016, across 104 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Adams County Community Foundation Inc that year got $25K on average.
Where does Adams County Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Gettysburg, PA (64 grants), New Oxford, PA (7 grants), Littlestown, PA (7 grants) and Hanover, PA (4 grants).
Does Adams County Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 104 grants with a stated purpose on Adams County Community Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Statement" (55 grants), "Giving Spree Grant" (35 grants) and "Donor Advised/Designated Fund Grant" (12 grants).
Who are Adams County Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Upper Adams School District ($1,222,354), Adams County Historical Socie ($499,921) and South Central Community Actio ($312,361), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Adams County Community Foundation Inc?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc reported $30.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.8M.
What does Adams County Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to inspire people and communities to build and distribute charitable funds for good, for Adams County, for ever.” Its Adams County Grants program supports affordable housing, food security, mental health services, and workforce development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Adams County Community Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a letter-of-intent process for Adams County Grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Adams County Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Adams County Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1404848. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Adams County Community Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 28, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Adams County Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Adams County Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/adams-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_e8dccfdfacf043d18bb3be5f9d13c9db
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261404848_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Adams County Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/adams-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_e8dccfdfacf043d18bb3be5f9d13c9db},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Adams County Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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