Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation
The Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation is a private foundation based in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Its 2024 filing states that it primarily benefits the charitable and educational activities of 501(c)(3) organizations in the Wellsboro area.
Key facts about Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation
In short: Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation gave $82K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 22-6408974
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $82,016
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- Average grant
- $5,468
- Median grant
- $4,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (6 of 15, 2024)
- Total assets
- $3,590,889
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The filing lists a formal letter of application with a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter as the required materials. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The filing lists April 1 and September 1 each year.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 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-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.6M
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$82K
-32.8% YoY
Grant Count
15
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-55.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation reported a distributable amount of $205K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 15 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 20% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 45% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its support as benefiting charitable and educational activities. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including the arts, education, community development, homelessness services, and local facilities.
Among the grantees, the Deane Center for the Performing Arts describes its mission as promoting fine arts through dramatic, orchestral, and other musical performances. The Tioga County Homeless Initiative says it works to establish a faith-based network providing a warm, safe, and caring environment for people and families experiencing homelessness. The Wellsboro Foundation describes its mission as community and economic development in Wellsboro and Tioga County. The Learning Tree of Wellsboro says it provides a stimulating and safe learning environment for young children.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $82,016. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $17,000, with a median grant of $4,000.
Review Cycle
The filing lists April 1 and September 1 each year. Both dates for 2026 have passed.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing describes the foundation’s primary benefit area as Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. It limits awards to qualified 501(c)(3) charities or governments operating in Wellsboro and the surrounding community. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 15 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $82K (2024) to $143K (2021). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $82K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Deane Center for the Performing Arts Inc ($17K). Together the top 10 received $73K.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 66 (97%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Deane Center for the Performing Arts Inc Wellsboro, PA | Childrens PROGRAM,VARIOUS Repairsand Building Needs | $17,000 |
| Tioga County Homeless Initiative Mansfield, PA | Construction Adsfor New Facility | $12,500 |
| Wellsboro Foundation Inc Wellsboro, PA | Wasd COMPETITIONS,PARK Surveillance & Elmtree Maintenance | $9,208 |
| Tioga County Agricultural Association Inc Wellsboro, PA | Electrical Repairsimprovements Adjacentto Racetrack | $7,100 |
| Wellsboro Cemetery Company Wellsboro, PA | Chapel Repair | $7,000 |
| Endless Mountain Music Festival Wellsboro, PA | Education Andcultural Outreach | $5,000 |
| The Learning Tree of Wellsboro Wellsboro, PA | Tuition, Playground Safetyequipment, Classroom SUPPLIES,TRAINING and Development | $4,825 |
| Trinity Lutheran School Wellsboro, PA | Playgrounddamage | $4,000 |
| Wellsboro Teen Center Inc Wellsboro, PA | Furniture, Sealasphalt, and Buildingand Vehicle Repairs | $4,000 |
| Wellsboro Glass Historical Association Wellsboro, PA | Relocate a Ribbonmachine to Thetrail Head | $2,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,590,889 | $321,043 | $119,908 | $82,016 | 15 |
| 2023 | $3,389,754 | $213,102 | $154,983 | $122,046 | 10 |
| 2022 | $3,331,635 | $180,013 | $158,427 | $123,905 | 12 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,590,889 | $3,389,754 | $3,331,635 |
| Revenue | $321,043 | $213,102 | $180,013 |
| Expenses | $119,908 | $154,983 | $158,427 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $93,354 | $132,628 | $134,511 |
| Net Investment Income | $296,927 | $190,747 | $157,368 |
| Distributable Amount | $205,440 | $184,428 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Amy Wood as trustee; Hilma Cooper as president of Green Free Library; Rev. Michael Birbeck as minister of First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro; Cheryl Sottolano as Wellsboro Area School District superintendent; Julie Vanness as executive director of the Chamber of Commerce; and Shawn Bryant as a Chamber of Commerce board member.
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation is led by Hilma Cooper, President of Green Free Library on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Hilma Cooper
President of Green Free Library
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Vanness
Executive Director Chamber of Commerce
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Wood
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Birbeck
Minister of 1st Presb Ch of Wellsboro
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Bryant
Board Member Chamber of Commerce
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Sottolano
Wasd Superintendent
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brenda Freeman (2020–2023) — Wasd Superintendent
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.
Contact
Application contact: Co Citizens Northern Bank Trust And
Mailing address: PO Box 58, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Phone: (570) 724-0243
Frequently asked questions about Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation
How much does Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation give each year?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation gave $82K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $122K across 10 grants.
What is Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's typical grant size?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $4,000, and its average grant was $5,468, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation give grants?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation 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 Wellsboro, PA (12 grants) and Mansfield, PA (2 grants).
Does Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's largest grantees?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Deane Center for the Performing Arts Inc ($17,000), Tioga County Homeless Initiative ($12,500) and Wellsboro Foundation Inc ($9,208), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $93K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $205K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its support as benefiting charitable and educational activities. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including the arts, education, community development, homelessness services, and local facilities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation?
The filing lists a formal letter of application with a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter as the required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's EIN?
Ernest L & Mildred Roberts Sweet Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6408974. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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