Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation
DEXTER F AND DOROTHY H BAKER is a private foundation based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 filing describes grantmaking in the Lehigh Valley and identifies arts and culture, youth development, entrepreneurship, and trustee-directed community initiatives as areas of interest.
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation at a glance
In short: Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation gave $841K across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 16% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $841,000
- +27.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 38
- +2.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,132
- +23.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $15,717,861
- -1.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (5 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The filing states that applicants are made by invitation from trustees or staff, so the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Applicants should have filed at least two IRS Form 990 returns and conduct programming in the stated areas of interest. The filing directs prospective applicants to contact the director for application forms, materials, and deadline information.
- Contact
Application contact: Melissa Starace
Mailing address: PO Box 4426, Allentown, PA 18105
Phone: (610) 606-1515
Email: melissa@ddbakerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lehigh University ($250K). Together the top 10 received $567K.
Grant Size Distribution
241 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 233 grants of 241 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it funds in the Lehigh Valley. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 31 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $662K (2024) to $984K (2022). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $841K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA | 2015-2035 the Baker Institute, Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Community Bike Works Allentown, PA | 2025 Bike Design Lab | $50,000 |
| Allentown Art Museum Allentown, PA | Allentown Art Museum Educational Programming | $30,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Allentown Allentown, PA | 2025 make your m.a.r.k. And bgca creative arts program | $30,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania Allentown, PA | FY2026 Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society Easton, PA | 2025-2026 LV250 Support & Hess Family History Exhibit | $25,000 |
| Allentown Symphony Association Allentown, PA | 2026-27 Support of Composer-in-Residence, Musician-in-Residence, Rodale Room Lighting | $20,000 |
| Bach Choir of Bethlehem Bethlehem, PA | 2025-2026 youth & education programs of the bach choir of bethlehem | $20,000 |
| Kellyn Foundation Tatamy, PA | Capacity Building - Marketing | $20,000 |
| The Literacy Center Allentown, PA | 2026 Operating Support | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,717,861 | $803,395 | $1,302,538 | $841,000 | 38 | $1,179,347 | $721,904 | $1,368,249 |
| 2024 | $16,024,917 | $1,784,191 | $1,001,788 | $661,500 | 37 | $903,195 | $1,685,598 | $1,227,307 |
| 2023 | $15,225,307 | $1,300,613 | $1,441,475 | $912,500 | 51 | $1,388,377 | $1,248,199 | $1,199,834 |
| 2022 | $14,781,935 | $227,099 | $1,426,971 | $983,698 | 58 | $1,310,697 | $351,860 | $1,157,926 |
| 2021 | $15,861,430 | $2,044,289 | $1,212,261 | $921,802 | 57 | $1,126,571 | $1,756,429 | $1,251,626 |
| 2020 | $15,340,069 | $184,527 | $1,372,983 | $982,200 | 67 | — | $316,722 | $1,111,800 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filing identifies arts and culture, youth development, entrepreneurship, and trustee-directed community initiatives as areas relevant to applicants.
The grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Allentown Art Museum says it collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits art to increase understanding and appreciation and enrich Lehigh Valley residents’ lives. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem describes its work as inspiring and educating people through choral music and building and sustaining communities. Communities in Schools says it surrounds students with support to help them stay in school and achieve in life. The Boys and Girls Club of Allentown says it works to help young people reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 37 grants totaling $661,500. Awards ranged from $2,000 to $250,000, with a median grant of $10,000. Its largest listed award was $250,000 to Lehigh University for operating support for the Baker Institute. Other notable grants included $25,000 to Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania for operating support; $20,000 each to the Allentown Art Museum for educational programming, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem for youth, education, and family programs, and the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown for its Make Your M.A.R.K. and Money Matters programs. The foundation also awarded $20,000 to the Kellyn Foundation for its Health Neighborhood Immersion Initiative in Allentown. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 38 grants totaling $841,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carolyn J. Baker as trustee and chairperson; Leslie B. Boris as trustee; Ellen B. Ghelardi as trustee and secretary; Susan Royal as trustee and treasurer; Timothy L. Holt as trustee; and Jack Payne as trustee.
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation is led by Carolyn J. Baker, Trustee - Chairperson since 2024 (on filings since 2023); all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carolyn J. Baker
Trustee - Chairperson
Trustee - Treasurer → Trustee - Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2023
6 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $5K (2025)
Ellen B. Ghelardi
Trustee - Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Leslie B. Boris
Trustee
Trustee - Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Susan B Royal
Trustee - Treasurer
Trustee - Vice Chairperson → Trustee - Chairperson, 2021
Trustee - Chairperson → Trustee - Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Timothy J. Holt
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2025)
Jack Payne
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$10K (2021) → $10K (2025)
Heather Royal
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
$5K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol J. Baker (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dorothy H. Baker (2020) — Trustee - Chairperson
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $10K, to Timothy J Holt (Trustee). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation
How much does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation give each year?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation gave $841K across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $662K across 37 grants.
What is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's typical grant size?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $22,132, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation give grants?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (21 grants), Bethlehem, PA (11 grants) and Easton, PA (3 grants).
Does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 26% of Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's largest grantees?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Lehigh University ($250,000), Community Bike Works ($65,000 across 2 grants) and Muhlenberg College ($49,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation reported $15.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its filing identifies arts and culture, youth development, entrepreneurship, and trustee-directed community initiatives as areas relevant to applicants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation?
The filing states that applicants are made by invitation from trustees or staff, so the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's EIN?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2453230. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dexter-f-and-dorothy-h-baker-foundation-morg_2fe54e75c76944dc91be33b5174466cf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232453230_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dexter-f-and-dorothy-h-baker-foundation-morg_2fe54e75c76944dc91be33b5174466cf},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. 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 Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker 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.
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