Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution
The Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the is a private foundation based in Paoli, Pennsylvania. A hereditary society formed in 1888, it honors and perpetuates the ideals, courage, and sacrifice of ancestors who served in the American Revolution. Its 2024 filing describes its charitable activity as perpetuating the memory of people whose military, naval, or civil service helped achieve independence.
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution at a glance
In short: Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution gave $253K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $252,830
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $63,208
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $31,054,693
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 255, Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: (215) 545-1888
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Beyer Studio Inc ($130K). Together the top 4 received $253K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 40 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants were distributed to recipients in Pennsylvania (80% of grant dollars) and Virginia (20%). Three listed recipients were in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one was in Richmond, Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution gives
- Giving fell 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $253K (2024) to $447K (2021). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $253K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beyer Studio Inc Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $130,330 |
| Friends of Sulgrave Manor Richmond, VA | General Support | $50,000 |
| The Carpenters Company Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Museum of the American Revolution Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $22,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,054,693 | $1,457,842 | $1,173,446 | $252,830 | 4 | $1,181,359 | $1,253,140 |
| 2023 | $28,972,150 | $1,202,707 | $1,218,978 | $316,124 | 4 | $1,015,834 | $986,477 |
| 2022 | $26,255,716 | $1,052,336 | $1,110,682 | $369,517 | 11 | $1,065,167 | $876,196 |
| 2021 | $31,755,636 | $1,813,211 | $1,202,177 | $446,600 | 11 | $1,200,176 | $1,691,207 |
| 2020 | $28,509,981 | $1,148,539 | $802,250 | $293,768 | 10 | — | $1,053,417 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Society’s stated object includes keeping public memory of its ancestors’ service and the times in which they lived, and collecting and preserving records and documents relating to that period. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in history and cultural heritage. The Museum of the American Revolution, a 2024 grantee, says its mission is to share stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Society reported four grants totaling $252,830. Grants ranged from $22,500 to $130,330, with a median of $50,000. The grants listed were $130,330 to Beyer Studio Inc, $50,000 to Friends of Sulgrave Manor, $50,000 to The Carpenters Company, and $22,500 to the Museum of the American Revolution. Each was designated for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher Michael Whelan as president; Joseph Thomas Coleman, Richard Renato Paul Di Stefano, William Frederick Forbes, Austin William Lamac, and Wayne Ralph Strasbaugh as vice presidents; James Kipp Gearhart IV as secretary; David Christopher Hill Byrne as assistant secretary; Kenneth Walter MacNeal as treasurer; and Carl Gissler Morgan as assistant treasurer.
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution is led by Christopher Michael Whelan, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 14 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Michael Whelan
President
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Austin William Lamac
Vice President
Manager → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
David Christopher Hill Byrne
Assistant Secretary
Assistant Historian → Assistant Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James Kipp Gearhart IV
Secretary
Manager → Registrar, 2023
Registrar → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joseph Thomas Coleman
Vice President
Manager → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kenneth Walter MacNeal
Treasurer
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Wayne Ralph Strasbaugh Esq.
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William Frederick Forbes
Vice President
Historian → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Albert Lindsay Doering IV Esq.
Counselor
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Andrew Crawford Colket
Registrar
Assistant Treasurer → Registrar, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Carl Gissler Morgan
Assistant Treasurer
Manager → Assistant Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Edwin Sipler Hart III
Historian
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Richard Renato Paul Di Stefano Esq.
Vice President
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Tommy Alan Thompson
Chaplain
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Ben Ramsey Wolf Jr. (2020–2023) — Manager
- Former: George Clayton Ames III (2020–2023) — Chaplain & Emeritus
- Former: Richard Francis Pagano (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Brad Stephen Miller (2023) — Manager
- Former: Christopher Bret Alexander Esq. (2023) — Manager
- Former: David Brian Patrick Ermine Esq. (2023) — Manager
- Former: Erik Lafayette Johnson (2023) — Manager
- Former: Jesse Terrence Proetto (2023) — Manager
- Former: John Peter Ventura (2023) — Manager
- Former: Joseph Thomas Coleman Ed D (2023) — Secretary
- Former: Perry Catherwood Gresh (2023) — Manager
- Former: Spencer Talbot Stokes (2023) — Manager
- Former: Tench Coxe Forbes (2023) — Manager
- Former: Thomas Herbert Infield (2023) — Manager
- Former: Andrew Philip Lawson Esq. (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Ben Ramsay Wolf Sr. (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Charles Nimson Eckert (2020–2022) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Edwin Sipler Hart Dpm (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Francis M. Spano III (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Harvard Castle Wood IV (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Jason Mills Stanley (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: John Joseph Burke (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Richard Leopold Walkup (2020–2022) — Assistant Registrar
- Former: Richard R. P. Distefano Esq. (2020–2022) — Counselor
- Former: Robert Jacob McNelly Esq. (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Timothy Brian Hennessey (2020–2022) — Registrar
- Former: W. Steven Mark MD (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: William Hope Handy (2020–2022) — Manager
- Former: Winfield Bromley Dougherty (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution
How much does Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution give each year?
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution gave $253K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $316K across 4 grants.
What is Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution's typical grant size?
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $63,208, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution give grants?
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (3 grants).
Does Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution?
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution reported $31.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution fund?
The Society’s stated object includes keeping public memory of its ancestors’ service and the times in which they lived, and collecting and preserving records and documents relating to that period. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in history and cultural heritage. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution's EIN?
Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1353372. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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