Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio
The Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH is a public charity based in Sharon, Pennsylvania, established in 1981. It attracts and invests permanent endowment resources and supports charitable organizations and individuals in the region through donor-directed grantmaking, scholarships, and assistance programs.
Key facts about Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio
In short: Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio gave $11.3M across 358 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 51% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 25-1407396
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,298,302
- Grants made (2024)
- 358
- Average grant
- $31,560
- Median grant
- $17,750
- New grantees (estimate)
- 51% first-time grantees (181 of 357, 2024)
- Total assets
- $153,005,126
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an initial Letter of Intent submitted via its grant portal. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Eligible applications received by the quarterly deadline are placed on the agenda for the upcoming board meeting.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; 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 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$153.0M
+16.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.3M
+65.8% YoY
Grant Count
358
+53.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+8.4% YoY
Is Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio open to new grantees?
51%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 181 of 357 grantees (51%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $22K first-time, $15K repeat.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to enhance quality of life for residents of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio in keeping with donors’ charitable intentions. It says it supports community-based charitable purposes in health, education, economic development, human services, historical, cultural, and environmental activities, and seeks to shape responses to community needs through philanthropic leadership, commitment, and compassion.
The foundation provides ways for donors to recommend grants to qualified charities or designate a qualified charity. Its 2024 grants illustrate a range of supported organizations. For example, Buhl Park Corporation describes its mission as operating and maintaining a community park with recreational facilities; Thiel College says it prepares students for meaningful careers and lives; and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank describes its mission as addressing hunger and its root causes.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 358 grants totaling $11,298,302. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $609,507, with a median of $17,750. Among the largest grants were $609,507 to Shenango Valley Catholic School System Inc., $387,933 to Buhl Park Corporation, $266,115 to Thiel College, and $263,034 to UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Each was listed as program support.
Other 2024 recipients included Buhl Community Recreation Center, which describes its work as providing recreation, social wellness, and education programs; Hope Center for Arts and Technology, which says it delivers training for in-demand careers and supports employment pathways; and United Way of Mercer County, which describes its mission as championing the needs of children and families.
For its open grant process, applicants must be a 501(c)(3), faith-based organization, or government entity; provide services in Mercer or Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and/or Trumbull County, Ohio; and be current on required final reports. Applicants submit a Letter of Intent through the grant portal. If invited after approval, they submit a full application; the foundation then provides information about remaining steps. Affiliate boards review eligible applications quarterly.
Review Cycle
Eligible applications received by the quarterly deadline are placed on the agenda for the upcoming board meeting. The website does not specify the deadline dates.
Invitation Only
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an initial Letter of Intent submitted via its grant portal. A full application is by invitation. Applicants must meet the eligibility and reporting requirements described above.
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service region comprises Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania and Trumbull County in Ohio. In 2024, 59% of grant dollars went to Pennsylvania recipients and 13% to Ohio recipients. Other listed recipient states were Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina, each receiving 3% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 358 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.3M (2020) to $11.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 358 grants totaling $11.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shenango Valley Catholic School System Inc ($610K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,220 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,060 grants of 1,220 (87%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shenango Valley Catholic School System Inc Hermitage, PA | Program Support | $609,507 |
| Buhl Park Corporation Hermitage, PA | Program Support | $387,933 |
| Thiel College Greenville, PA | Program Support | $266,115 |
| UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation Pittsburgh, PA | Program Support | $263,034 |
| Darrelle Revis Foundation Inc Plantation, FL | Program Support | $247,544 |
| Buhl Community Recreation Center Sharon, PA | Program Support | $225,940 |
| First Presbyterian Church of Greenville Greenville, PA | Program Support | $191,547 |
| DSL Excavating LLC Brookfield, OH | Program Support | $170,915 |
| Assured Settlement Solutions LLC Monroeville, PA | Program Support | $168,076 |
| Community Recreation of Northern Mercer County Greenville, PA | Program Support | $133,460 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $153,005,126 | $27,668,592 | $15,890,162 | $11,298,302 |
| 2023 | $131,728,395 | $20,774,669 | $10,391,215 | $6,814,557 |
| 2022 | $110,760,070 | $18,135,472 | $9,271,307 | $6,202,670 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $153,005,126 | $131,728,395 | $110,760,070 |
| Revenue | $27,668,592 | $20,774,669 | $18,135,472 |
| Expenses | $15,890,162 | $10,391,215 | $9,271,307 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,047,099 | $5,694,559 | $3,183,056 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bill Strimbu as president, Karen Winner-Sed as vice president, Lew Kachulis as secretary, and Dorene Powell as treasurer. Directors listed were James O’Brien Esq., Rita Clemente, Joseph Gabriel, Steve Gurgovits, Ron Anderson, and Simonae Lyles.
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio is led by Kyle English, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kyle English
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $151K (2024)
Bill Strimbu
President
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis J. Lieb
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $126K (2024)
Ernie May
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James O'Brien Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James T. Weller Sr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Mathews
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Gabriel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul E. O'Brien
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rita Clemente
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Sherbondy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ron Anderson
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Simonae Lyles
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Gurgovits
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lew Kachulis
Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorene Powell
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Winner-Sed
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Karen Winner Sed (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Kenneth Turcic (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Al Puntureri (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Richard Stevenson (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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $151K, to Kyle English (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 7 West State St 301, Sharon, PA 16146
Phone: (724) 981-5882
Website: https://comm-foundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio
How much does Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio give each year?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio gave $11.3M across 358 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6.8M across 234 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's median grant in 2024 was $17,750, and its average grant was $31,560, across 358 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio that year got $26K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio give grants?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hermitage, PA (25 grants), Greenville, PA (23 grants), Pittsburgh, PA (23 grants) and New Castle, PA (19 grants).
Does Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 358 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (358 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's largest 2024 grantees include Shenango Valley Catholic School System Inc ($609,507), Buhl Park Corporation ($387,933) and Thiel College ($266,115), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio reported $153.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.7M.
What does Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to enhance quality of life for residents of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio in keeping with donors’ charitable intentions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an initial Letter of Intent submitted via its grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's EIN?
Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1407396. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio by hand.
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