Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania is a public charity based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It provides investment capital and business support to innovative startups, manufacturers, and business incubators in a 21-county Northeastern Pennsylvania region.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA at a glance
In short: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA gave $348K across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $348,215
- -27.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 23
- -17.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,140
- -11.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,750
- Total assets
- $71,421,350
- +7.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (7 of 23, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% 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 Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA
- Contact
Mailing address: 116 Research Drive Plaza Level, Bethlehem, PA 18015-4731
Phone: (610) 758-5200
Website: https://nep.benfranklin.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was IHE BEV ($28K). Together the top 10 received $234K.
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 130 grants of 130 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website identifies a 21-county service area: Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in Pennsylvania. Its 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to Pennsylvania recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 23 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 65% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
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 $316K (2022) to $804K (2020). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $348K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| IHE BEV Williamsport, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $27,500 |
| Jed Pools Old Forge, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $27,500 |
| Nova Tech Automation Bethlehem, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $27,500 |
| American Crane and Equipment Douglassville, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $27,500 |
| Human Active Technology Easton, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $27,500 |
| Sumitomo Cryogenics of America Allentown, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $21,877 |
| Gentex Corporation Simpson, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $20,000 |
| Solar Technology Allentown, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $20,000 |
| FM Brown Birdsboro, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $18,480 |
| Universal Compressed Air Center Valley, PA | Business and Technical Assistance | $15,990 |
Ready to take the next step with Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,421,350 | $11,833,708 | $11,529,435 | $348,215 | 23 | $3,804,439 |
| 2024 | $66,334,468 | $9,957,018 | $11,762,513 | $478,906 | 28 | $1,868,202 |
| 2023 | $66,138,901 | $9,432,353 | $10,938,433 | $402,860 | 26 | $1,587,995 |
| 2022 | $62,281,890 | $12,276,721 | $7,869,096 | $316,252 | 18 | $6,995,583 |
| 2021 | $65,029,231 | $10,262,349 | $8,248,048 | $596,649 | 35 | $4,361,993 |
| 2020 | $58,069,128 | $6,233,285 | $8,095,838 | $803,541 | 37 | $563,454 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to promote, sustain, and invest in its regional economy through innovation and partnership. Its 2024 filing describes business and technical assistance projects that link companies with universities, funding, and other resources, and support early-stage technology companies and established manufacturers applying new technology and business practices. The filing also describes technology infrastructure activities that support a community-wide environment for high-growth companies.
The organization’s website says it serves entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and community infrastructure. Its manufacturing support includes expert guidance and, for qualifying projects, matching grant support for technology-driven improvements.
Its 2025 grants included businesses, a university, and economic-development and business-incubation organizations. For example, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber describes its mission as supporting programs for the health and welfare of the Greater Wilkes-Barre area; Allentown Economic Development says it develops strategic business opportunities for Allentown and the Lehigh Valley; and the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center says it provides business incubation, technical support, financing access, and training.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 23 grants totaling $348,215. Grants ranged from $5,028 to $27,500, with a median of $13,750. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The listed grant purposes were business and technical assistance.
The largest reported grants were $27,500 each to IHE BEV in Williamsport, JED Pools in Old Forge, Nova Tech Automation in Bethlehem, American Crane and Equipment in Douglassville, and Human Active Technology in Easton. Other notable grants included $21,877 to Sumitomo Cryogenics of America in Allentown; $20,000 each to Gentex Corporation in Simpson and Solar Technology in Allentown; and $15,000 to Bucknell University in Lewisburg. The filing also lists $7,500 grants to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, Allentown Economic Development, SLIBCO, the Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, Alvernia University, and Wayne Economic Development Corporation.
The website says manufacturers may receive a 1:1 matching grant of up to $25,000 per project, capped at $50,000 per client over three years. It describes this support as intended for technology-driven organizational improvements and says projects traditionally involve a college or university. The organization’s general eligibility criteria include location in its 21-county service area, a plan and intent to commercialize an innovation, potential to create sustainable jobs, a way to protect intellectual property, and a personal and financial commitment to match its investment. The website says funding is not a small-business grant and has a payback process that begins after engagement ends.
The application process begins with a funding questionnaire and a discussion with a team member. A full business plan is not required, though a project summary covering the project, problem, and target market is described as helpful. Businesses aligned with the program may be asked to pitch; those invited to proceed complete a formal application, which is reviewed by industry experts and the Portfolio Group team and may be recommended to the board.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jan Heller as Board Chairman and Barbara Lampe as Vice Chairman. Other listed officers and directors are Nathaniel Urban, Board Member; Angelo J Valletta, CEO/President; Kathy Ann Minnich, EVP/CAO/CFO/Treasurer/Secretary; Wayne Barz, CIO/Assistant Treasurer/Assistant Secretary; Kenneth Okrepkie, Regional Manager, Pocono; Melanie Kohler, Chief Technology Officer; Laura Lawrence, Director of Compliance/Risk/Organization Development; and Kenneth P Guito, Board Member.
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA is led by Angelo J Valletta, CEO & President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Angelo J Valletta
CEO & President
CEO & President Start Apr → CEO & President, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$289K (2022) → $354K (2025)
Jan Heller
Board Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lawrence
Director of Compliance, Risk & Org De
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$105K (2025)
Kathy Ann Minnich
Executive Vice President, CAO, CFO, Treasurer & Secretary
CFO, Treasurer & Secretary → Executive Vice President, CAO, CFO, Treasurer & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $227K (2025)
Kenneth Okrepkie
Regional Manager Pocono
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$112K (2020) → $137K (2025)
R Chadwick Paul Jr.
Board Member
CEO, President & Board Member → CEO Board Member, 2021
CEO Board Member → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
$354K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Wayne Barz
CIO, Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
Chief Investment Officer → CIO, Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $175K (2025)
Melanie Kohler
Chief Technology Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Barbara Lampe
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Glen Bressner
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth P Guito
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Oster
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Murray
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip Crowley Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacqueline Hollenbach
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathaniel Urban
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Vawdrey
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Schnabel
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Alan J Snyder (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Connie Faylor (2020–2022) — Regional Manager Berks & Schuylk
- Former: Laura Eppler (2020–2022) — Chief Marketing Officer
- Former: Patrick Gaynor (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Peter Molinaro Jr. (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ronald L Bauer (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Aaron B Balch (2020–2021) — Chief Information Officer
- Former: James Peters (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Thomson III (2020) — Regional Manager Lehigh Valley
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 $354K, to Angelo J Valletta (CEO/President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA
How much does Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA give each year?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA gave $348K across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $479K across 28 grants.
What is Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's typical grant size?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's median grant in 2025 was $13,750, and its average grant was $15,140, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA that year got $22K on average.
Where does Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA give grants?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (4 grants).
Does Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Business and Technical Assistance" (23 grants).
Who are Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's largest grantees?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's largest 2025 grantees include IHE BEV ($27,500), Jed Pools ($27,500) and Nova Tech Automation ($27,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA reported $71.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.8M.
What does Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to promote, sustain, and invest in its regional economy through innovation and partnership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nep.benfranklin.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's EIN?
Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2517422. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ben-franklin-technology-partners-ne-pa-morg_8c34f440e0ac4b028abac27ae845bddc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232517422_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ben-franklin-technology-partners-ne-pa-morg_8c34f440e0ac4b028abac27ae845bddc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ne PA'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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