Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
Bridge Builders Community Foundations is a public charity based in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1975, it develops, manages, and distributes funding to address community needs, including through grants and scholarships.
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation at a glance
In short: Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation gave $1.3M across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $38K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 46% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,255,554
- +44.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +17.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $38,047
- +22.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,755
- Total assets
- $20,443,066
- +8.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (12 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
- Review Cycle
- The website lists an LOI submission deadline of September 25, 2026, which has passed. It lists invitations to submit full proposals for October 12, 2026, and a submission deadline of October 30, 2026, for invited applicants.
- Deadline
- The website lists an LOI submission deadline of September 25, 2026, which has passed.
- Next open deadline
- March 6, 2027 (BBCF Local Scholarship Program (70+ scholarships managed))
- Contact
Mailing address: 1322 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 677-8687
Website: https://bbcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
BBCF Local Scholarship Program (70+ scholarships managed)
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
Amount
Varies by individual scholarship
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
Center for Rural Ministry Rural Impact Fund Grant
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $4,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dr. & Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust Grant
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Way of Venango County ($504K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
175 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 134 grants of 175 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing identifies Clarion, Forest, and Venango Counties as its service area. The website also describes its work as supporting Northwestern Pennsylvania. In 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 5% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 26 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $73K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $462K (2021) to $2.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Venango County Reno, PA | Distribution | $499,270 |
| Franklin Civic Operetta Association Franklin, PA | Distribution | $100,000 |
| Franklin Civic Operetta Association Franklin, PA | Distribution | $100,000 |
| Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library Rimersburg, PA | Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library | $98,000 |
| Oil Region Library Association Oil City, PA | Distribution | $76,851 |
| Allegheny Valley Trails Association Franklin, PA | Distribution | $50,000 |
| Oil City Arts Council Oil City, PA | GRANT | $50,000 |
| Oil City Library Oil City, PA | Annual Distribution | $31,500 |
| Northwestern Roofing CO Inc Dunkirk, NY | Material, Labor & Equipment for Roofing | $24,949 |
| Northwestern Roofing CO Inc Dunkirk, NY | Material, Labor & Equipment for Roofing | $24,949 |
Ready to take the next step with Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,443,066 | $2,770,329 | $1,846,982 | $1,255,554 | 33 | $688,472 |
| 2023 | $18,810,098 | $3,657,993 | $2,233,789 | $869,872 | 28 | $596,348 |
| 2022 | $15,946,859 | $1,636,788 | $3,107,222 | $671,657 | 27 | $384,146 |
| 2021 | $20,576,313 | $4,680,031 | $2,857,427 | $462,363 | 27 | $2,053,504 |
| 2020 | $18,383,484 | $4,812,434 | $3,602,348 | $2,155,385 | 60 | $764,224 |
| 2019 | $14,808,971 | $5,994,455 | $1,715,249 | $976,264 | 43 | $360,540 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization says it develops, manages, and distributes funding to meet the present and future needs of communities in Clarion, Forest, and Venango Counties. Its filing describes support for educational, health, humanitarian, and cultural needs, as well as scholarships, grants, and other assistance.
Its grants have supported organizations with varied purposes. For example, United Way of Venango County and Titusville Region says it works to unify resources so the community can thrive; Oil Region Library Association says it provides library services to Venango County; and Allegheny Valley Trails Association says it acquires and maintains abandoned railways and rehabilitates them as multipurpose, non-motorized trails. Franklin Civic Operetta Association describes its purpose as improving the cultural status of the Franklin area.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $1,255,554. Grant amounts ranged from $5,099 to $499,270, with a median of $8,755. The largest listed awards included $499,270 to United Way of Venango County, $100,000 in each of two listed grants to Franklin Civic Operetta Association, $98,000 to Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library, and $76,851 to Oil Region Library Association. Other listed awards included $50,000 to Allegheny Valley Trails Association and $50,000 to Oil City Arts Council.
The foundation’s website says grant opportunities begin with an RFP outlining priorities, eligibility, timelines, and expectations. Applicants submit a brief letter of intent; selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal, and an interview or site visit may be part of the process depending on the opportunity. The foundation’s 2024 filing says awardees agree to submit a grant closing report within one year of accepting funds.
Separately, the foundation’s website says it administers more than 70 scholarship funds for students in Venango, Forest, and Clarion Counties and the Punxsutawney area. These are scholarship opportunities for individual students, distinct from grants to organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Warren Thomas as chairman and Denise Jones as vice chairman. It lists Angela Trinch as treasurer and Becky Edwards, Doug Schwab, W. Russell McDaid, Colleen McAleer, Maloy Shrout, and Emily Kelkar as directors.
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation is led by Trenton Moulin, President & CEO since 2020 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Trenton Moulin
President & CEO
CEO → CEO & President, 2020
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $70K (2024)
Warren Thomas
Chairman
President → Chairman, 2020
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry McCauliff
Director
Trustee → President, 2020
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Schwab
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Becky Edwards
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
W. Russell McDaid
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colleen McAleer
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maloy Shrout
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Kelkar
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Mills
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn McCaslin
Secretary
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2021
Vice Chairman → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Jones
Vice Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Trinch
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: David Thompson (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Richard Winkler (2023) — Director
- Former: Janice Horn (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kelly Lander (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Susan Williams (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Frank Hajduk (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Judy McDaid (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bill Miller (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Brenda Haws (2019) — Trustee
- Former: David Smith (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Roberta Dinsmore (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Shirley Sharp (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $70K, to Trenton Moulin (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation
How much does Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation give each year?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation gave $1.3M across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $870K across 28 grants.
What is Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's typical grant size?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $8,755, and its average grant was $38,047, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation give grants?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oil City, PA (9 grants), Franklin, PA (6 grants), Dunkirk, NY (3 grants) and Reno, PA (2 grants).
Does Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 33 grants with a stated purpose on Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grant" (7 grants) and "Distribution" (6 grants).
Who are Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's largest grantees?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include United Way of Venango County ($504,369 across 2 grants), Franklin Civic Operetta Association ($215,264 across 3 grants) and Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library ($98,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation reported $20.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What does Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation fund?
The organization says it develops, manages, and distributes funding to meet the present and future needs of communities in Clarion, Forest, and Venango Counties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check bbcf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's EIN?
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1292553. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 15, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bridge-builders-community-foundations-fka-venango-area-comm-foundation-morg_4c73422041864e3f9ddc64adf3d28022
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251292553_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bridge-builders-community-foundations-fka-venango-area-comm-foundation-morg_4c73422041864e3f9ddc64adf3d28022},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation'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.
Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?