Lightening the Load
Lightening the Load is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 13 grants totaling $610K.
Key facts about Lightening the Load
- EIN
- 47-2617321
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $610,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- Average grant
- $46,923
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 13, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Lightening the Load funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Lightening the Load's 13 itemized 2024 grants were Pennsylvania (94%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (4 grants) and West Chester, PA (4 grants). None of its 13 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grant to Another 501(C)(3) Organization" (11 grants).
Is Lightening the Load open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 13 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Lightening the Load
- How to evaluate Lightening the Load as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$610K
-3.1% YoY
Grant Count
13
-7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+4.4% YoY
About Lightening the Load
Based on IRS filings
Lightening the Load is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 13 grants totaling $610K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 13 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
66 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ($200,000), Community Volunteers in Medicine ($75,000), Philabundance ($70,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $200,000 |
| COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE West Chester, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) FOUNDATION | $75,000 |
| PHILABUNDANCE Philadelphia, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $70,000 |
| TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION Doylestown, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $62,500 |
| PHILADELPHIA EDUCATION FUND Philadelphia, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $60,000 |
| WCU FOUNDATION West Chester, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $45,000 |
| MELMARK Berwyn, PA | PROMISES TO KEEP CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| CARE Atlanta, GA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| WEST CHESTER AREA SENIOR CENTER West Chester, PA | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $20,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS Hagerstown, MD | GRANT TO ANOTHER 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patricia a Holveck | President/Director | 5 | — |
| David P Holveck | Secretary/Treasurer/Direct | 5 | — |
| Lisa Boyle | Director | 2 | — |
| Jennifer Ginelli | Director | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightening the Load?
Lightening the Load is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Philadelphia, PA. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Lightening the Load operate?
Lightening the Load has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont.
What size grants does Lightening the Load award?
In 2024, Lightening the Load awarded 13 grants totaling $610K — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Lightening the Load's EIN?
Lightening the Load's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2617321. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.