Light of the World Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Strasburg, PA EIN: 23-2871256

Light of the World Foundation is a private foundation, based in Strasburg, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $140K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $14K.

Key facts about Light of the World Foundation

In short: Light of the World Foundation gave $14K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
23-2871256
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$13,750
Grants made (2025)
6
Average grant
$2,292
Median grant
$1,750
Total assets
$139,945
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$140K

-10.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$14K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

6

-33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

+50.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Light of the World Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Light of the World Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 191% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

5states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.

Cities

LancasterMyerstownRonksEphrataLeolaParadiseStrasburgYorkBaltimoreElizabethhtownHarrisburgHopelandMcKinneyMount JoyNew HollandPenns CreekSebringWinona Lake

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$20K$40K$60K$80K7 grants2020 7 grants2021 13 grants2022 7 grants2023 9 grants2024 6 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $61K (2023). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $14K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 6 recipients in 2025

Journey Church: $5KJourney Church$5KHealing Tree International: $4KHealing Tree International$4KThe Wenger Foundation: $3KThe Wenger Foundation$3KLancaster Bible College: $1KLancaster Bible College$1KThe Worship Center: $1KThe Worship Center$1KNational Day of Prayer: $250National Day of Prayer$250

The largest 2025 recipient was Journey Church ($5K). Together the top 6 received $14K.

Grant Size Distribution

42 grants across all recorded years

41<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 42 (98%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Journey Church Ronks, PAGeneral Purpose$5,000
Healing Tree International Harrisburg, PAGeneral Purpose$4,000
The Wenger Foundation Myerstown, PAGeneral Purpose$2,500
Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, PAGeneral Purpose$1,000
The Worship Center Lancaster, PAGeneral Purpose$1,000
National Day of Prayer Lancaster, PAGeneral Purpose$250

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$139,945$155,595$169,887
Revenue——$3,008
Expenses$15,650$14,292$66,756
Qualifying Distributions$13,750$13,750$61,050
Net Investment Income——$3,008
Distributable Amount$7,195$7,947$9,977

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 6, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Light of the World Foundation is led by Glenn M. Eshelman, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Glenn M. Eshelman

    Director & President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Shirley R. Eshelman

    Director, Secretary & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Light of the World Foundation

How much does Light of the World Foundation give each year?

Light of the World Foundation gave $14K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $14K across 9 grants.

What is Light of the World Foundation's typical grant size?

Light of the World Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,750, and its average grant was $2,292, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Light of the World Foundation give grants?

Light of the World Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, PA (3 grants).

Does Light of the World Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Light of the World Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Light of the World Foundation's largest grantees?

Light of the World Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Journey Church ($5,000), Healing Tree International ($4,000) and The Wenger Foundation ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Light of the World Foundation?

Light of the World Foundation reported $140K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Light of the World Foundation's EIN?

Light of the World Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2871256. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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