Laurel Highlands
Laurel Highlands refers to multiple organizations operating in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region, which comprises Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties. The primary organization is GO Laurel Highlands (formerly known as Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau), a nonprofit destination marketing organization headquartered in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1958, it operates as a travel arrangements and tourism promotion entity with a mission to promote and support tourism, tourism development, and the interests of the travel and hospitality industries in the region, thereby contributing to economic growth and quality of life for the area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.7M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+4.8% YoY
Grant Count
79
+6.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-1.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
GO Laurel Highlands' mission is to promote and support tourism, tourism development, and the interests of the travel and hospitality industries in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region. The organization positions the Laurel Highlands as a four-season destination offering outdoor adventure, history, and family fun, with various activities, restaurants, accommodations, family attractions, arts and culture, parks, and events.
Grantmaking
GO Laurel Highlands administers a Tourism Grant Program that awards funding to tourism organizations and businesses in the region. Recent grant activity includes nearly $550,000 awarded to 47 Westmoreland County tourism organizations and businesses. The organization also announced a 2026 Westmoreland Tourism Grant Program.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization focuses on Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region, primarily comprising Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
GO Laurel Highlands:
- Annual Revenue: $6.3 million
- Employees: 14 (with 6.7% year-over-year growth)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,690,501 | $12,303,909 | $11,868,784 |
| Revenue | $5,078,437 | $4,637,042 | $4,192,362 |
| Expenses | $4,953,873 | $4,415,508 | $3,893,208 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $163,257 | $55,122 | $8,121 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Touchstone Center for Crafts ($82,056), West Newton Station ($20,738), Amys Quilt Room ($20,118).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Lamp Theatre Irwin, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $14,600 |
| Christmas in the Mountains Donegal, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $5,166 |
| SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pitts Latrobe, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $10,871 |
| Greensburg Civic Theatre Greensburg, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $6,000 |
| Hurst Media Works Johnstown, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $8,000 |
| Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $10,344 |
| Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Latrobe, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $8,345 |
| Ligonier Country Market Ligonier, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $12,000 |
| Laurelville Retreat Center Mount Pleasant, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $20,000 |
| Keystone Raceway Park New Alexandria, PA | MarketingOperatingCapital | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Donna Gambol serves as Executive Director of GO Laurel Highlands.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Ann Nemanic | Executive Director | 37.5 | $118,820 |
| Christopher Baran | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Clinton Piper | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Dave Runco | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Jeanette Lahm | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Matt Hegan | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Mike Mumau | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Stephen Clark | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Steve Smolenski | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Eric Mauck | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Will Racin | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Mike Fahy | Director | 0.4 | — |
| Muriel Nuttall | Past-Chair | 2.5 | — |
| Bryan Perry | Chair | 2 | — |
| Theresa Gay Rohall | Treasurer | 2.5 | — |
| Lindsay Ketterer Gates | Vice-Chair | 2 | — |
| Bob Boscarino | Secretary | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
GO Laurel Highlands announced the 2026 Westmoreland Tourism Grant Program and previously awarded nearly $550,000 to 47 Westmoreland County tourism organizations and businesses through its Tourism Grant Program.
GO Laurel Highlands announces 2026 Westmoreland Tourism ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Laurel Highlands fund?
GO Laurel Highlands' mission is to promote and support tourism, tourism development, and the interests of the travel and hospitality industries in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region. The organization positions the Laurel Highlands as a four-season destination offering outdoor adventure, history, and family fun, with various activities, restaurants, accommodations, family attractions, arts and culture, parks, and events.
How do I apply for a grant from Laurel Highlands?
GO Laurel Highlands administers a Tourism Grant Program that awards funding to tourism organizations and businesses in the region. Recent grant activity includes nearly $550,000 awarded to 47 Westmoreland County tourism organizations and businesses. The organization also announced a 2026 Westmoreland Tourism Grant Program.
Where does Laurel Highlands make grants?
The organization focuses on Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands region, primarily comprising Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties.
What size grants does Laurel Highlands award?
In 2024, Laurel Highlands awarded 79 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Laurel Highlands's EIN?
Laurel Highlands's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1093334. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Laurel Highlands'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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