First Federal Charitable Foundation
The First Federal Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established in 1998 and located in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The foundation was created to support worthwhile community causes through grantmaking to eligible nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.4M
+7.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$266K
-33.2% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$266K
-33.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, First Federal Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $492K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The First Federal Charitable Foundation strives to:
- Nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community
- Empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area
- Promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved
The foundation supports organizations involved with:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health
- Home ownership
- Human services
- Community economic development
- Civic affairs
Grantmaking
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that are located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon, and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Organizations headquartered in other counties may apply if their services benefit residents of the eligible counties and the grant will be used within one of those counties.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on four counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania:
- Luzerne County
- Schuylkill County
- Carbon County
- Columbia County
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2025:
- Total Assets: $8,359,500
- Total Revenues: $996,803
- Total Expenses: $469,825
- Investment Income and Dividends: $198,717
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $798,086
As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,927,269
- Investment Income and Dividends: $188,331
Staffing: 0 employees (foundation operates with contracted or volunteer support)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,359,500 | $7,800,417 | $7,927,269 |
| Revenue | $996,803 | $457,946 | $98,909 |
| Expenses | $469,825 | $585,144 | $486,437 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $384,858 | $513,462 | $422,387 |
| Net Investment Income | $924,689 | $391,709 | $131,391 |
| Distributable Amount | $491,555 | $429,564 | $401,628 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include See Attached ($266,285).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE ATTACHED SEE ATTACHED, PA | SEE ATTACHED | $266,285 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Megan Kennedy – Executive Director (as of July 2025)
The foundation previously had a board member, John J. Raynock, who passed away on May 27 at age 91.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS KENNEDY | CHAIRMAN | — | — |
| ANTHONY CUSATIS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MEGAN KENNEDY | EXEC DIR | 40 | $86,088 |
| PETER HAENTJENS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JOAN GOODMAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JOSEPH USTYNOSKI | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity with two grant cycles per year (spring and fall), awarding approximately $300,000 per cycle to multiple nonprofits. Recent grants have focused on facility improvements, security upgrades, educational programs, and community services across the four-county service area.
Brighter Journeys receives First Federal Charitable Foundation grantSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does First Federal Charitable Foundation fund?
The First Federal Charitable Foundation strives to: • Nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community • Empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area • Promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved The foundation supports organizations involved with: • Arts and culture • Education • Health • Home ownership • Human services • Communit…
How do I apply for a grant from First Federal Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Fall 2024: $300,000 awarded to 18 nonprofits • Spring 2024: $300,000 awarded to 19 nonprofits • Spring 2023: $300,000 awarded to 19 nonprofits • Most recent year (2023): 22 grants made totaling $296,650 **Eligibility:** Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that are located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon, and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Organizations headquartered in other counties may apply if their services benefit residents of the eligibl…
Where does First Federal Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses on four counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania: • Luzerne County • Schuylkill County • Carbon County • Columbia County
What size grants does First Federal Charitable Foundation award?
In 2025, First Federal Charitable Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $266K — an average of about $266K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is First Federal Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, First Federal Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $492K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is First Federal Charitable Foundation's EIN?
First Federal Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1512796. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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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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