Centre Foundation Inc logo

Centre Foundation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker State College, PA EIN: 25-1782197 Website

Centre Foundation Inc is a public charity based in State College, Pennsylvania. It manages funds and makes grants to support nonprofits and community needs, with a stated focus on Centre County and surrounding regions.

Centre Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Centre Foundation Inc gave $5.1M across 173 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$5,125,063
+29.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
173
+12.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$29,625
+15.2% vs 2023
Median grant
$15,221
Total assets
$83,384,700
+6.7% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
15% first-time grantees (25 of 171, 2024)
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (97% 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 Centre Foundation Inc

Contact

Mailing address: 1377 Ridge Master Drive, State College, PA 16803
Phone: (814) 237-6229
Website: https://centrefoundation.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Centre Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Congregation Brit Shalom: $576KCongregation Brit Shalom$576KCentre Volunteers In Medicine: $161KCentre Volunteers In Medicine$161K3 Dots Downtown: $158K3 Dots Downtown$158KSchlow Library Foundation Inc: $154KSchlow Library Foundation Inc$154KDowntown State College Improvement District Inc: $130KDowntown State CollegeImprovement District Inc$130KCentre County PAWS: $119KCentre County PAWS$119KState College Food Bank: $113KState College Food Bank$113KClearWater Conservancy: $108KClearWater Conservancy$108KCentre Safe: $104KCentre Safe$104KState College Area Meals on Wheels: $86KState College Area Meals onWheels$86K

The largest 2024 recipient was Congregation Brit Shalom ($576K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.

Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($216,291), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

780 grants across all recorded years

672<$50K83$50–100K24$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 672 grants of 780 (86%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation describes its work as benefiting Centre County and surrounding regions. Its website says competitive grants support nonprofits throughout the community and beyond, and identifies a separate creative-entrepreneur program serving Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, and Huntingdon counties. In 2024, 97% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania.

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 173 itemized grants.

Cities

State CollegeBellefonteBoalsburgLemontCentre HallPort MatildaPhilipsburgNew YorkAaronsburgPleasant GapWilliamsportPine Grove MillsSpring MillsUniversity ParkHowardShippensburgAltoonaHarrisburgMillheimArlington

Is Centre Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

15%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 25 of 171 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $33K. How we count

Medians: $7K first-time, $17K repeat.

  • 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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

$0$2M$4M$6M148 grants2020 150 grants2021 155 grants2022 154 grants2023 173 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.7M (2021) to $5.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 173 grants totaling $5.1M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Congregation Brit Shalom State College, PAGeneral Support$575,867
Centre Volunteers In Medicine State College, PAGeneral Support$161,142
3 Dots Downtown State College, PAGeneral Support$157,583
Schlow Library Foundation Inc State College, PAGeneral Support$153,508
2 individual scholarships Recipients not named —$199,567
Downtown State College Improvement District Inc State College, PAGeneral Support$130,000
Centre County PAWS State College, PAGeneral Support$118,914
State College Food Bank State College, PAGeneral Support$112,824
ClearWater Conservancy State College, PAGeneral Support$107,908
Centre Safe State College, PAGeneral Support$103,916
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$83,384,700$8,389,686$7,253,338$5,125,063173$2,991,577
2023$78,171,662$6,043,071$5,804,494$3,959,186154$1,604,800
2022$70,860,925$5,437,523$5,946,892$4,152,782155$1,379,530
2021$81,202,469$14,856,609$5,234,439$3,693,979150$5,301,658
2020$66,122,521$5,981,830$5,219,017$3,809,070148$1,092,486

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s stated mission is to receive, hold, and administer funds for community benefit. It says endowment earnings support local 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts, humanities, culture, education, recreation, and social services. Its filing also describes work to inspire philanthropy, build endowments, strengthen organizations through training and research, fund transformative projects, and convene partnerships. The foundation’s website identifies arts and culture, health and human services, education, animal welfare, and geographic regions among the interests covered by its grant programs.

Examples of 2024 grantees show the range of organizations supported. Centre Volunteers in Medicine says it serves and advocates for medically underserved people living or working in Centre County. Centre County PAWS describes its work as animal welfare and safety through adoption, sheltering, education, and community assistance. The ClearWater Conservancy describes its mission as conserving and restoring natural resources through land conservation, water stewardship, and environmental outreach across central Pennsylvania.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 173 grants totaling $5,125,063. Grant amounts ranged from $5,059 to $575,867, with a median of $15,221. The largest listed award was $575,867 to Congregation Brit Shalom for general support. Other large awards included $161,142 to Centre Volunteers in Medicine, $157,583 to 3 Dots Downtown, and $153,508 to Schlow Library Foundation Inc., each for general support; and $139,258 to Penn State University–Outside Scholarships for scholarships.

The foundation’s website says it distributes more than $250,000 annually through competitive grant cycles and offers other opportunities, including Centre Gives, Giving Circle, field-of-interest grants, and scholarships. Its Centre PACT program supports Centre County projects in basic-needs access, education access, health and wellness, the environment, and youth-serving programs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, and government entities; eligible work may be new or ongoing programs, projects, or capacity-building efforts. Awards typically range from $500 to $3,000, with an average award of $1,400. The listed deadline is January 7, 2027. Recipients must comply with the foundation’s nondiscrimination policy, attend a year-end celebration in June 2026, and provide an interim project update at a fall 2026 meeting.

The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program offers a $2,000 grant and small-business consultation for creative entrepreneurs starting or operating a micro-business with gross revenue under $200,000 in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, or Huntingdon counties. The Centre Inspires 2026 opportunity offered up to $100,000 for one new project or significant expansion taking place in Centre County; its July 9, 2026, Letter of Intent deadline has passed. The guidelines excluded operational support and continuation of existing projects and required tangible or quantifiable results within one year, completion within 18 months, and progress and final reports.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Derek Varner, Lydia Abdullah, Cari Gustafson, Rich Bundy, Sue Mason, Randy Woolridge, Bob Hicks, Blake Gall, and Rich Kalin as directors. Erin Meitzler is listed as vice chair/secretary.

Centre Foundation Inc is led by Molly Kunkel, President & CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Molly Kunkel

    President & CEO

    Executive Director → President & CEO, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    50 hrs/week

    $121K (2020) → $170K (2024)

  • Kate Bennett Truitt

    Chair

    Vice Chair & Secretary → Chair, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Blake Gall

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bob Hicks

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Cari Gustafson

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lydia Abdullah

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Randy Woolridge

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Kalin

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Seria Chatters

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Derek Varner

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Bundy

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Wisniewski

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sue Mason

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Carrie Ryan

    CFO & COO

    Deputy Director → CFO & COO, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    50 hrs/week

    $114K (2021) → $144K (2024)

  • Erin Meitzler

    Vice Chair & Secretary

    Director → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joe Dionisio

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: Ken Hall (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Ellen Matis (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Madhuri Shrikant Desai (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Paula Williams (2023) — Director
  • Former: Venkat Bendapudi (2023) — Director
  • Former: Leanne Lenz (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Seriashia Chatters (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Cristin Long (2022) — Director
  • Former: Douglas Loviscky (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Heather Pleskonko (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Oscar Johnston (2020–2021) — Chair
  • Former: Timeka Tounsel (2020–2021) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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

Molly Kunkel — President/CEO: $170KMolly KunkelPresident/CEO$170KCarrie Ryan — CFO/COO: $144KCarrie RyanCFO/COO$144K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $170K, to Molly Kunkel (President/CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Centre Foundation Inc

How much does Centre Foundation Inc give each year?

Centre Foundation Inc gave $5.1M across 173 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.0M across 154 grants.

What is Centre Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Centre Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,221, and its average grant was $29,625, across 173 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Centre Foundation Inc that year got $10K on average.

Where does Centre Foundation Inc give grants?

Centre Foundation Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were State College, PA (73 grants), Bellefonte, PA (17 grants), Boalsburg, PA (9 grants) and Centre Hall, PA (6 grants).

Does Centre Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 92% of Centre Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (159 of 173) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (14 grants).

Who are Centre Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Centre Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Congregation Brit Shalom ($575,867), Centre Volunteers In Medicine ($161,142) and 3 Dots Downtown ($157,583), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($216,291), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Centre Foundation Inc?

Centre Foundation Inc reported $83.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.4M.

What does Centre Foundation Inc fund?

The organization’s stated mission is to receive, hold, and administer funds for community benefit. It says endowment earnings support local 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts, humanities, culture, education, recreation, and social services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Centre Foundation Inc?

Centre Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check centrefoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Centre Foundation Inc's EIN?

Centre Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1782197. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Centre Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/centre-foundation-inc-morg_cb7016864ced4eef90ec78f778fece07

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251782197_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Centre Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/centre-foundation-inc-morg_cb7016864ced4eef90ec78f778fece07},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Centre 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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