Circle of Hope Foundation
Circle of Hope Foundation is a private foundation based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Its 2023 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations working in areas such as cancer support, children’s health, housing, wildlife rehabilitation, and human services.
Circle of Hope Foundation at a glance
In short: Circle of Hope Foundation gave $181K across 50 grants in 2023 (avg $4K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 84% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $180,510
- +52.8% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 50
- +31.6% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $3,610
- +16.2% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $10,214
- -88.2% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 84% first-time grantees (42 of 50, 2023)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (76% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Circle of Hope Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 415 N Prince Street Suite 200, Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: (717) 431-3162
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Circle of Hope Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was American Red Cross ($31K). Together the top 10 received $96K.
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 112 grants of 112 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, Pennsylvania received 76% of grant dollars. Other reported shares included Georgia at 6%, New York at 6%, Florida at 2%, and Indiana at 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Circle of Hope Foundation open to new grantees?
84%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 42 of 50 grantees (84%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 10% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2023). 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 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2021) to $181K (2023). In 2023 it made 50 grants totaling $181K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Harrisburg, PA | Public Purpose | $31,000 |
| Horizon Empowering the Orphaned Lancaster, PA | Public Purpose | $29,000 |
| American Cancer Society Atlanta, GA | Public Purpose | $10,000 |
| American Foundation for Suicide Pre New York, NY | Public Purpose | $10,000 |
| A Week Away Lancaster, PA | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
| Beat the Streets Lancaster Philadelphia, PA | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
| Children's Miracle Network Hershey, PA | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
| Community Action of Southern Jeffersonville, IN | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
| Dover Township VFD Dover, PA | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
| Friends Association for Care and West Chester, PA | Public Purpose | $2,610 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10,214 | $110,818 | $187,221 | $180,510 | 50 | $186,960 | $2,447 |
| 2022 | $86,617 | $145,365 | $125,887 | $118,100 | 38 | $125,083 | $2,263 |
| 2021 | $67,139 | $118,538 | $51,399 | $51,284 | 24 | $51,284 | $163 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Circle of Hope Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, the American Cancer Society describes its mission as improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. Children’s Miracle Network says it raises money for children’s healthcare in local communities, while Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh describes its work as supporting low-income housing in Allegheny County.
Other 2023 recipients include Red Creek Wildlife Center, which says it rescues and rehabilitates distressed Pennsylvania wildlife; ASSETS Lancaster, which says it supports entrepreneurs and works toward a more equitable and ethical economy; and North Star Initiative, which says it provides care to women who have survived domestic sex trafficking.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 50 grants totaling $180,510. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $31,000, with a median grant of $2,000. The largest listed grants were $31,000 to American Red Cross in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and $29,000 to Horizon Empowering the Orphaned in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Both were reported with the purpose “PUBLIC PURPOSE.” Other listed grants included $10,000 to the American Cancer Society in Atlanta and $10,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in New York.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Daryl F Heller as president, Barry W Rynearson as treasurer, and Dan Burkholder as secretary.
Circle of Hope Foundation is led by Daryl F. Heller, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Daryl F. Heller
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry W. Rynearson
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Burkholder
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Circle of Hope Foundation
How much does Circle of Hope Foundation give each year?
Circle of Hope Foundation gave $181K across 50 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $118K across 38 grants.
What is Circle of Hope Foundation's typical grant size?
Circle of Hope Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,610, across 50 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Circle of Hope Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Circle of Hope Foundation give grants?
Circle of Hope Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (6%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (13 grants), West Chester, PA (3 grants), Harrisburg, PA (2 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).
Does Circle of Hope Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 50 grants with a stated purpose on Circle of Hope Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Public Purpose" (49 grants).
Who are Circle of Hope Foundation's largest grantees?
Circle of Hope Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include American Red Cross ($31,000), Horizon Empowering the Orphaned ($29,000) and American Cancer Society ($10,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Circle of Hope Foundation?
Circle of Hope Foundation reported $10K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $187K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Circle of Hope Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, the American Cancer Society describes its mission as improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Circle of Hope Foundation?
The foundation 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 Circle of Hope Foundation's EIN?
Circle of Hope Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1808367. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Does Circle of Hope Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Live grants for the work Circle of Hope Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Circle of Hope Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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