PPL Foundation
PPL Foundation is a private foundation based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It supports community programs through grants, including initiatives related to education, diversity, equity and inclusion, workforce development, and community revitalization.
PPL Foundation at a glance
In short: PPL Foundation gave $6.5M across 283 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,461,755
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 283
- +4.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,833
- -0.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $53,897,316
- +1.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (85 of 283, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to PPL Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its filing says applications are publicly available online and that awards are limited to organizations operating within the company’s service territory.
- Review Cycle
- The filing says deadlines vary by program, with a final deadline of September 15.
- Deadline
- The filing says deadlines vary by program, with a final deadline of September 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Lissette Santana
Mailing address: 645 Hamilton Street Suite 700, Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 774-3357
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from PPL Foundation
PPL: Empowering Communities Grants
PPL Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
PPL: Energizing Education Grants
PPL Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
PPL: Powering Equity Grants
PPL Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who PPL Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley ($3.1M). Together the top 10 received $4.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,541 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,499 grants of 1,541 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing says awards are limited to organizations operating within the company’s service territory. In 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 16% to recipients in Rhode Island; smaller shares went to recipients in Kentucky, Tennessee and Massachusetts. The Powering Equity Grants listing specifies the 29 Pennsylvania counties served by PPL Electric Utilities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 283 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is PPL Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 85 of 283 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 49% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 254% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2019) to $6.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 283 grants totaling $6.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Allentown, PA | Program Support | $3,108,912 |
| United Way of Rhode Island Providence, RI | Program Support | $498,533 |
| Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Allentown, PA | Program Support | $400,000 |
| Artsquest Bethlehem, PA | Program Support | $352,200 |
| Rhode Island Community Food Bank Providence, RI | Program Support | $88,950 |
| Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way Sunbury, PA | Program Support | $73,419 |
| Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Harrisburg, PA | Program Support | $50,000 |
| McAuley Corporation Providence, RI | Program Support | $30,000 |
| Northern RI Food Pantry Cumberland, RI | Program Support | $30,000 |
| Downcity Design Providence, RI | Program Support | $25,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,897,316 | $3,104,112 | $6,603,688 | $6,461,755 | 283 | $6,513,968 | $3,028,392 | $2,566,201 |
| 2024 | $53,384,658 | $2,323,767 | $6,401,644 | $6,222,698 | 271 | $6,273,073 | $2,247,319 | $2,620,994 |
| 2023 | $54,065,811 | $2,999,933 | $5,271,992 | $5,073,161 | 288 | $5,202,457 | $2,930,398 | $2,423,665 |
| 2022 | $52,715,916 | $13,245,053 | $5,221,779 | $5,014,590 | 374 | $5,021,327 | $3,172,176 | $2,333,235 |
| 2021 | $58,209,940 | $5,581,245 | $3,859,587 | $3,700,260 | 325 | $3,753,272 | $5,347,820 | $2,726,435 |
| 2020 | $55,541,142 | $1,591,917 | $4,037,727 | $3,915,469 | 332 | — | $1,516,862 | $2,396,003 |
| 2019 | $51,886,603 | $2,006,392 | $3,490,685 | $3,374,980 | 345 | — | $1,929,114 | $2,443,966 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, PPL Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated aim is to empower communities by supporting student success from cradle to career, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and promoting vibrant and sustainable communities. Its Energizing Education Grants support equitable educational opportunities, including STEM, literacy and summer learning, and college and career readiness. Its Powering Equity Grants support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and its grant programs also include support for workforce development and community revitalization. Sponsorships support events and programs benefiting the local community.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. United Way of Rhode Island says its mission is to unite the community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for Rhode Islanders. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank says it works to solve hunger by ensuring access to wholesome food. DownCity Design says it offers free programs that help residents gain skills and strengthen their communities through design projects. These are the grantees’ descriptions, not statements of the foundation’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 283 grants totaling $6,461,755. Grants ranged from $50 to $3,108,912, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $3,108,912 to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, $498,533 to United Way of Rhode Island, $400,000 to Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, and $352,200 to ArtsQuest. Each was listed for program support.
Other 2025 grants included $88,950 to Rhode Island Community Food Bank, $73,419 to Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, and $50,000 to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. McAuley Corporation and Northern RI Food Pantry each received $30,000; DownCity Design received $25,000; Greater Philadelphia YMCA received $24,000; and Schuylkill United Way received $20,899. These awards were also listed for program support.
The foundation’s grant program listings describe Energizing Education and Powering Equity grants of $2,500 to $50,000. Its sponsorship program accepts applications year-round, which should be submitted at least two months before the event date.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lissette O Santana as president; Tadd J Henninger as vice president/treasurer; Christine Martin, Greg Cornett and Andrew Elmore as vice presidents; Vanessa D Hartline and Sonia DaSilva as assistant treasurers; Bree Archambault as corporate secretary; Arden Leyden as assistant corporate secretary; and Joseph P Bergstein Jr as director.
PPL Foundation is led by Lissette O. Santana, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lissette O. Santana
President
COO → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph P. Bergstein Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan W. Hill
Director
President → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Stark
Director
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Arthur
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arden Leyden
Assistant Corporate Secretary
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Corporate Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tadd J. Henninger
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa D. Hartline
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Elmore
Vice President
Assistant Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Martin
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bree Archambault
Corporate Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Cornett
Vice President
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sonia Dasilva
Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: David J. Bonenbeger (2022–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Stephanie R. Raymond (2019–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Elizabeth Stevens Duane (2019–2022) — Corporate Secretary
- Former: Gregory N. Dudkin (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Joanne H. Raphael (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Vincent Sorgi (2019–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 PPL Foundation
How much does PPL Foundation give each year?
PPL Foundation gave $6.5M across 283 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 271 grants.
What is PPL Foundation's typical grant size?
PPL Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $22,833, across 283 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from PPL Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does PPL Foundation give grants?
PPL Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Rhode Island (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (26 grants), Providence, RI (18 grants), Bethlehem, PA (16 grants) and Lancaster, PA (13 grants).
Does PPL Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 283 grants with a stated purpose on PPL Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (282 grants).
Who are PPL Foundation's largest grantees?
PPL Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley ($3,108,912), United Way of Rhode Island ($498,533) and Lehigh Valley Community Foundation ($400,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is PPL Foundation?
PPL Foundation reported $53.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does PPL Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to empower communities by supporting student success from cradle to career, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and promoting vibrant and sustainable communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from PPL Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is PPL Foundation's EIN?
PPL Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1605118. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does PPL Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in PPL Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). PPL Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ppl-foundation-morg_97462ae7f074425881c5c8269ed4630a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_461605118_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{PPL Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ppl-foundation-morg_97462ae7f074425881c5c8269ed4630a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from PPL Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
PPL Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?