Burkholder Family Foundation
The Burkholder Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Its website says its vision is to enhance the lives of children in need of families through adoption grants, loans, and orphanage support.
Key facts about Burkholder Family Foundation
In short: Burkholder Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 26-2899494
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,065,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- Average grant
- $24,779
- Median grant
- $12,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (8 of 43, 2025)
- Total assets
- $37,461
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37K
-22.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
43
-15.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+25.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Burkholder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Burkholder Family Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 43 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $14K repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 53% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its vision as helping children in need of families through adoption grants, loans, and orphanage support. It also describes support for orphans through gifts, clothing, and education supplies, and grants and scholarships for adopted students to continue their education.
The 2025 grantees include organizations with varied missions. Men of Iron says it equips men and grows godly leaders through mentoring; Horizon Initiative says it uses venture-capitalist resources to help people in poverty achieve self-sustainability. Lititz Area Mennonite School describes its work as educating children in a religious environment. Other grantees include Bible2School, which says it teaches the Bible to public-school children, and North Star Initiative, which says it provides care for survivors of domestic sex trafficking through a Christ-centered focus. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 43 grants totaling $1,065,500. Grants ranged from $250 to $140,000, with a median of $12,000. Every itemized grant lists “community support” as its purpose.
Ready to take the next step with Burkholder Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 13% to New York, 5% to Colorado, 2% to Alabama, and 0% to Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $710K (2020) to $2.3M (2022). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New York School of Urban Ministry ($140K). Together the top 10 received $711K.
Grant Size Distribution
286 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 235 grants of 286 (82%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York School of Urban Ministry Long Island City, NY | Community Support | $140,000 |
| Men of Iron Manheim, PA | Community Support | $120,000 |
| Horizon Initiative Lancaster, PA | Community Support | $100,000 |
| Big Picture Soccer Lancaster, PA | Community Support | $65,000 |
| Lightshine Ministries Mount Joy, PA | Community Support | $60,000 |
| Bridge of Hope National Exton, PA | Community Support | $50,000 |
| The Caring Cupboard Palmyra, PA | Community Support | $50,000 |
| The Navigators Colorado Springs, CO | Community Support | $50,000 |
| Lititz Area Mennonite School Lititz, PA | Community Support | $41,000 |
| Catalyst Christian School Lititz, PA | Community Support | $35,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,461 | $1,102,135 | $1,110,817 | $1,065,500 |
| 2024 | $48,143 | $763,595 | $1,059,956 | $1,011,190 |
| 2023 | $452,504 | $1,251,702 | $1,802,586 | $1,756,750 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,461 | $48,143 | $452,504 |
| Revenue | $1,102,135 | $763,595 | $1,251,702 |
| Expenses | $1,110,817 | $1,059,956 | $1,802,586 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,108,227 | $1,057,496 | $1,800,586 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $1,455 | $8,398 |
| Distributable Amount | $13,006 | $17,783 | $50,377 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Melvin S. Burkholder as president, Matthew V. Burkholder as vice president/assistant treasurer, Lane Burkholder as secretary, Corby Burkholder as treasurer, and Jeffrey C. Firestone as assistant secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Christine Burkholder as founder and CEO.
Burkholder Family Foundation is led by Melvin S. Burkholder, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melvin S. Burkholder
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corby Burkholder
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey C. Firestone
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lane Burkholder
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew V. Burkholder
Vice President & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 7615 Lancaster Ave PO Box 465, Myerstown, PA 17067
Phone: (800) 733-4191
Website: https://burkholderfamilyfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about Burkholder Family Foundation
How much does Burkholder Family Foundation give each year?
Burkholder Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 51 grants.
What is Burkholder Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Burkholder Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $24,779, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Burkholder Family Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does Burkholder Family Foundation give grants?
Burkholder Family Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (7 grants), Lititz, PA (5 grants), Myerstown, PA (5 grants) and Manheim, PA (3 grants).
Does Burkholder Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Burkholder Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (43 grants).
Who are Burkholder Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Burkholder Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include New York School of Urban Ministry ($140,000), Men of Iron ($120,000) and Horizon Initiative ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Burkholder Family Foundation?
Burkholder Family Foundation reported $37K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Burkholder Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its vision as helping children in need of families through adoption grants, loans, and orphanage support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Burkholder Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Burkholder Family Foundation's EIN?
Burkholder Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2899494. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Burkholder Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Burkholder Family Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Burkholder Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Lancaster County Community Foundation
Lancaster, PA
The Lancaster County Community Foundation funds operating and project support in areas including human services, the environment, arts, inclusion, early childhood, historic preservation, and clean water, primarily serving Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $18,700 and ranged from $5,020 to $1.05 million; it lists open grant applications but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$184.6M
Grants
373
Total Given
$14.8M
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
WaterStone funds charitable and educational efforts, especially direct Christian ministries, through donor-recommended grants to eligible U.S. and international nonprofits whose missions align with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and grants are recommended by donors.
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Eden Bridge Foundation
Lancaster, PA
Eden Bridge Foundation supports Lancaster Bible College and other Christian organizations, including ministries and faith-related charitable work, with 171 grants totaling $9.16 million in 2025; grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $3.875 million, with a median of about $15,000. It is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and its 2025 grants went mainly to organizations in Indiana and Pennsylvania, with additional giving elsewhere. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
171
Total Given
$9.2M
Anabaptist Foundation
Lewisburg, PA
The Anabaptist Foundation funds churches and nonprofits, especially conservative Anabaptist organizations, for activities such as humanitarian aid, community assistance, and Christian ministry; most grant dollars went to Pennsylvania, with recipients also concentrated in Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, and Indiana. In 2025, its median grant was $23,500, though awards ranged from $5,300 to over $4 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.8M
Grants
582
Total Given
$42.2M
Clark Associates Charitable Foundation
Lancaster, PA
The foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting people in need, youth education, and youth music and arts, primarily near Clark Associates business locations and where employees volunteer; most 2024 grant dollars went to Pennsylvania. Awards vary widely: the 2024 median was $2,000, though grants ranged from $100 to $1.2 million. It accepts applications throughout the year and evaluates them monthly; the stated deadline is November 1.
Assets
$51.3M
Grants
296
Total Given
$6.8M
Shady Maple Foundation
East Earl, PA
The foundation funds qualifying public charities for charitable and educational purposes, including programs serving people facing life challenges, older adults, children, and students. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $26,000, with a median of $5,000; 94% of grant dollars went to Pennsylvania recipients. It accepts requests by letter describing the program and financial needs; no deadline is required.
Assets
$7.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$416K
Faithful Journey Foundation
Lancaster, PA
Faithful Journey Foundation supports nonprofit organizations advancing Christian and “Kingdom” purposes, including religious, educational, and other charitable work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,525 to $428,353, with a median of $16,000; funding was concentrated in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, with grants also going to organizations in other states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.9M
Grants
49
Total Given
$1.4M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds basic needs, racial equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, primarily for organizations located in or serving Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,576, though awards varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
The William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia, PA
The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic engagement, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training across the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $45 to $7.78 million, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a limited open-application process, though it recommends applying through a relevant RFP when available.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
1,027
Total Given
$148.8M
Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation
Coraopolis, PA
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports programs that reduce barriers to participation, with additional support for public lands and outdoor access. Its 2025 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, and its Sports Matter program supports eligible organizations across the U.S. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only.
Assets
$34.5M
Grants
964
Total Given
$18.0M
Hillman Family Foundations
Pittsburgh, PA
The 18 independently operated Hillman foundations fund varied projects—including arts, health, education, workforce development, and community development—with priorities and geographic reach that differ by foundation. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median award of $20,000. The stated application process begins with a brief letter of intent through the online portal; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Burkholder Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?