Essa Bank & Trust Foundation
ESSA Bank & Trust Foundation is a private, non-operating foundation based in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since January 2009, the foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of ESSA Bank & Trust, a financial institution founded in 1916. The foundation supports charitable initiatives across Pennsylvania through grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
-7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$320K
-58.3% YoY
Grant Count
16
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-37.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Essa Bank & Trust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $212K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to enhancing community well-being through diverse funding initiatives. Primary focus areas include:
- Arts and Culture — including libraries and public libraries
- Education — including higher education
- Health — including outpatient medical care, health care clinics, hospice care, and end-of-life care
- Community and Economic Development — including housing development
- Public Safety and Disaster Management — including fire prevention and control
- Sports and Recreation — including baseball and softball
- Human Services — including family services, child welfare, youth development, and scouting programs
Grantmaking
Average Grant
award: approximately $63,000
Review Cycle
**Recent Activity:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Pennsylvania, with funding activity documented in cities including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets (2023): $4.87 million
- Total assets (2024): $4.515 million
- Total liabilities (2023): $2,730
Annual Activity (2023):
- Revenue: $299,880
- Expenses: $826,181
- Total giving: $320,000
Historical Trend: Total assets have decreased from $11.2 million in 2011 to $4.9 million in 2023. Annual giving grew from $1.2 million in 2020 to $3.2 million in 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,515,675 | $4,869,977 | $5,906,988 |
| Revenue | $242,040 | $299,880 | $604,097 |
| Expenses | $363,738 | $826,181 | $1,639,305 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $334,346 | $782,158 | $1,602,062 |
| Net Investment Income | $213,289 | $270,786 | $568,790 |
| Distributable Amount | $212,129 | $221,445 | $295,319 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Developmental Education Services Foundation ($125,000), Stroudsburg United Methodist Church ($80,000), Cypress House Bakery ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICES FOUNDATION STROUDSBURG, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $125,000 |
| EAST STROUDBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $2,500 |
| NORTHAMPTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION BETHLEHEM, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $8,000 |
| POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER STROUDSBURG, PA | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $5,000 |
| CLYMER LIBRARY POCONO PINES, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $5,000 |
| EAST STROUDBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH BAND PARENT BOOSTERS INC EAST STROUDBURG, PA | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $2,000 |
| MCTI FOUNDATION BARTONSVILLE, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $10,000 |
| QUIET VALLEY LIVING HISTORICAL FARM BARTONSVILLE, PA | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $7,500 |
| STROUDSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH STROUDSBURG, PA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $80,000 |
| SUBURBAN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES STROUDSBURG, PA | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John E. Burrus — President/Director
- Stephanie A. Lefferson — Vice President/Treasurer/Director
The foundation is governed by 6 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN E BURRUS | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.19 | $600 |
| STEPHANIE A LEFFERSON | VP/TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 7 | $14,935 |
| GARY SOLSON | DIRECTOR | 0.19 | — |
| ELIZABETH B WEEKES | DIRECTOR | 0.19 | — |
| LOIS B HECKMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.19 | $600 |
| WILLIAM P DOUGLASS | DIRECTOR | 0.19 | $600 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has maintained active grantmaking, with recent grants documented including a $15,000 donation to the RiseUp Fund. The foundation continues to support organizations across its focus areas throughout Pennsylvania.
Essa Bank & Trust Foundation - Full Filing - Nonprofit ExplorerSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Essa Bank & Trust Foundation fund?
The foundation is committed to enhancing community well-being through diverse funding initiatives. Primary focus areas include: • **Arts and Culture** — including libraries and public libraries • **Education** — including higher education • **Health** — including outpatient medical care, health care clinics, hospice care, and end-of-life care • **Community and Economic Development** — including housing development • **Public Safety and Disaster Management** — including fire prevention and contr…
How do I apply for a grant from Essa Bank & Trust Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Individual grants range from $1,000 to $1,000,000 • Average grant award: approximately $63,000 • Median grant: $10,000 • Historical total: 98 grants totaling $6.2 million across supported organizations **Application Requirements:** • Grant recipients must be organizations or agencies with 501(c)(3) status • Minimum request: $1,000 • Limitation: One grant per agency within a four-year period • No specific deadline **Recent Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $320,000…
Where does Essa Bank & Trust Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in Pennsylvania, with funding activity documented in cities including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia.
What size grants does Essa Bank & Trust Foundation award?
In 2024, Essa Bank & Trust Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $320K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Essa Bank & Trust Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Essa Bank & Trust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $212K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Essa Bank & Trust Foundation's EIN?
Essa Bank & Trust Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8227643. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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