Key Foundation
The Key Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Wellsville, Pennsylvania. Established in December 1987 by a group of former Lodge Officers of Wannalancit Lodge #451, led by Thomas F. Marham III, the foundation was granted tax-exempt status in July 1998. The organization operates as a family foundation dedicated to supporting youth development and leadership initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.9M
+97.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$321K
+6.2% YoY
Grant Count
53
+1.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+4.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Key Foundation reported a distributable amount of $307K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Key Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth-serving organizations that foster leadership, service, and character. The foundation has a strong historical connection with Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) and the Order of the Arrow, though it also supports other nonprofits that align with its mission of ensuring today's youth have access to transformative experiences.
The foundation's primary focus areas include:
Empowering Youth Leadership & Development: Supporting youth-serving organizations that help young people develop skills and experiences needed to become future leaders through partnerships, grants, and scholarships.
Preserving and Enhancing Outdoor & Educational Programs: Funding initiatives that sustain and expand transformative opportunities such as outdoor adventure, camping, and leadership experiences that build character and resilience.
Strengthening Community & Alumni Engagement: Maintaining a network of alumni and supporters dedicated to giving back, creating mentorship opportunities, and ensuring the legacy of youth development organizations continues for future generations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,940,746 | $4,018,607 | $4,152,291 |
| Revenue | $4,379,340 | $175,985 | $427,374 |
| Expenses | $325,475 | $309,669 | $304,373 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $321,210 | $302,573 | $303,260 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,247,153 | $171,889 | $137,374 |
| Distributable Amount | $307,408 | $319,797 | $296,942 |
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
226 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Doctors Without Borders ($30,000), Central Pa Food Bank ($25,000), New Israel Fund ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 ORG BOSTON, MA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| ACLU NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUND DENVER, CO | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| ANERA WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $8,000 |
| CARBON 180 WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| CARTER CENTER ATLANTA, GA | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| CENTRAL PA FOOD BANK HARRISBURG, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| CHARITY NAVIGATOR SADDLE BROOK, NJ | UNRESTRICTED | $100 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTIN MARGOLIS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JOELLE MARGOLIS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Key Foundation fund?
The Key Foundation is dedicated to supporting youth-serving organizations that foster leadership, service, and character. The foundation has a strong historical connection with Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) and the Order of the Arrow, though it also supports other nonprofits that align with its mission of ensuring today's youth have access to transformative experiences. The foundation's primary focus areas include: • **Empowering Youth Leadership & Development**: Support…
What size grants does Key Foundation award?
In 2024, Key Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $321K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Key Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Key Foundation reported a distributable amount of $307K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Key Foundation's EIN?
Key Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2894154. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Key Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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