Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker
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 at a glance
In short: Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker gave $662K across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $661,500
- -27.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- -27.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,878
- -0.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $16,024,917
- +5.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (4 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker
- 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 funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lehigh University ($250K). Together the top 10 received $476K.
Grant Size Distribution
270 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 261 grants of 270 (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 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 28 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 74% 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 (2020–2024). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $662K (2024) to $984K (2022). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $662K.
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 |
| Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania Allentown, PA | 2025 Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Allentown Art Museum Allentown, PA | 2025 Educational Programming Support | $20,000 |
| Bach Choir of Bethlehem Bethlehem, PA | 2024-2025 Youth, Education, and Family Programs | $20,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Allentown Allentown, PA | 2025 Make Your M.A.R.K. and Money Matters Programs | $20,000 |
| Kellyn Foundation Tatamy, PA | 2025 Health Neighborhood Immersion Initiative - Allentown | $20,000 |
| Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance Allentown, PA | 2025 arts educator asset mapping, youth at art, lunch & learn, lvaca 2025 convening | $20,000 |
| Literacy Center Allentown, PA | 2025 Operating Support | $20,000 |
| Lehigh University - Zoellner Arts Center Bethlehem, PA | 2025-2027 Any Given Child | $17,500 |
| Community Bike Works Allentown, PA | 2024-2025 Operating Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — 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.
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 is led by Carolyn J. Baker, Trustee - Chairperson since 2024 (on filings since 2023); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carolyn J. Baker
Trustee - Chairperson
Trustee - Treasurer → Trustee - Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2023
15 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $10K (2024)
Ellen B. Ghelardi
Trustee - Secretary
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Leslie B. Boris
Trustee
Trustee - Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Susan B Royal
Trustee - Treasurer
Trustee - Vice Chairperson → Trustee - Chairperson, 2021
Trustee - Chairperson → Trustee - Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Timothy L. Holt
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $10K (2024)
Jack Payne
Trustee
On filings since 2021
15 hrs/week
$10K (2021) → $10K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Carol J. Baker (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dorothy H. Baker (2020) — Trustee - Chairperson
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 $10K, to Carolyn J Baker (Trustee - Chairperson). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker
How much does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker give each year?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker gave $662K across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $913K across 51 grants.
What is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's typical grant size?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,878, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker that year got $7K on average.
Where does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker give grants?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (21 grants), Bethlehem, PA (9 grants), Easton, PA (3 grants) and Center Valley, PA (2 grants).
Does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker give general operating support?
Yes: 19% of Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's largest grantees?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's largest 2024 grantees include Lehigh University ($250,000), Muhlenberg College ($42,000 across 4 grants) and Boys and Girls Club of Allentown ($30,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker reported $16.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $903K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (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 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?
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's EIN?
Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2453230. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dexter-f-and-dorothy-h-baker-morg_2fe54e75c76944dc91be33b5174466cf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232453230_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dexter-f-and-dorothy-h-baker-morg_2fe54e75c76944dc91be33b5174466cf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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'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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