Shaffer Family Charitable Trust
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 2024, it gave $609,750 through 15 grants to charitable organizations, with all reported grant dollars going to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Shaffer Family Charitable Trust gave $610K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $609,750
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,650
- -2.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $7,114,379
- +4.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Shaffer Family Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1588 Weyhill Circle, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: (610) 867-7568
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shaffer Family Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley ($250K). Together the top 10 received $580K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 95 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The listed recipients include organizations in Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Shaffer Family Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 15 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. How we count
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $582K (2023) to $742K (2020). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $610K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $250,000 |
| Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Allentown, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $125,000 |
| St Luke's Hospital Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $50,000 |
| New Bethany Ministries Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $35,000 |
| Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley Allentown, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $25,000 |
| The Arc Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $20,000 |
| The Children's Home of Easton Easton, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $20,000 |
| Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $20,000 |
| Cadc of Bethlehem Bethlehem, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $20,000 |
| Bishop's Annual Appeal Allentown, PA | Unrestricted Use by Donee | $15,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,114,379 | $974,942 | $700,154 | $609,750 | 15 | $609,750 | $785,890 | $423,483 |
| 2023 | $6,839,591 | $480,599 | $668,410 | $581,500 | 14 | $581,500 | $192,436 | $402,262 |
| 2022 | $7,027,402 | $64,562 | $809,327 | $697,000 | 22 | $697,000 | $90,437 | $432,434 |
| 2021 | $7,772,167 | $1,049,576 | $833,928 | $722,500 | 20 | $722,500 | $732,565 | $468,412 |
| 2020 | $7,556,519 | $702,902 | $843,699 | $742,000 | 24 | — | $510,175 | $414,198 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shaffer Family Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $423K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2024 grants went to a range of charitable organizations. For example, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley says it raises and distributes funds to support Jewish and non-Jewish charities and unite and enhance the Lehigh Valley community. Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley describes its mission as improving the quality of life of Hispanic and other families by promoting self-sufficiency and intercultural understanding. The Allentown Symphony Association says it provides an orchestra, a hall, performing arts, and cultural education in partnership with the community.
Other 2024 recipients describe missions that include community health care (St. Luke’s Hospital), strengthening families (The Children’s Home of Easton), and operating a residential halfway house for adult men recently released from prison (Stephens Place).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust awarded 15 grants totaling $609,750. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $250,000, with a median grant of $20,000.
The largest 2024 awards included $250,000 to United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley, $125,000 to Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, $50,000 to St. Luke’s Hospital, and $35,000 to New Bethany Ministries. Other reported awards included $25,000 to Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley; $20,000 each to The Arc, The Children’s Home of Easton, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, and CADC of Bethlehem; and $15,000 to Bishop’s Annual Appeal. The listed grants were for unrestricted use by the donees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rose Shaffer, David Shaffer, and Susan Shaffer as trustees.
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Shaffer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rose Shaffer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Shaffer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 Shaffer Family Charitable Trust
How much does Shaffer Family Charitable Trust give each year?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust gave $610K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $582K across 14 grants.
What is Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $40,650, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Shaffer Family Charitable Trust give grants?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bethlehem, PA (9 grants) and Allentown, PA (5 grants).
Does Shaffer Family Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley ($250,000), Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley ($125,000) and St Luke's Hospital ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shaffer Family Charitable Trust?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust reported $7.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $610K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $423K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Shaffer Family Charitable Trust fund?
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2024 grants went to a range of charitable organizations. For example, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley says it raises and distributes funds to support Jewish and non-Jewish charities and unite and enhance the Lehigh Valley community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shaffer Family Charitable Trust?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's EIN?
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2502319. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Shaffer Family Charitable Trust 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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Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Allentown, PA
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley funds nonprofit work in education, healthy aging and community stability, primarily serving the Greater Lehigh Valley. Its 2025 grants had a median of $17,814, though amounts varied widely; organizations must first submit a qualification application, and the profile does not say whether unsolicited funding requests are accepted.
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The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation supports a broad range of charitable needs, including health, education, human services, community development, arts, and environmental programs, with a primary focus on the Lehigh Valley and most grants going to Pennsylvania organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $1,123,685, with a median of $20,200. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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The Air Products Foundation funds tax-exempt organizations in education, welfare, community investment, culture, and the arts, benefiting communities where Air Products employees live and work. In 2025, its 360 grants ranged from $100 to nearly $3 million, with a median of $7,400. It accepts applications through Benevity’s online form and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
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Frederick H Bedford Jr & Margaret S
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In 2024, the foundation supported charitable organizations working in areas including community services, education, veterans’ services, animal welfare, arts, and health care, with grants in Pennsylvania and other states. Grants ranged from $200 to $162,000, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Ross J Born and Wendy G Born Charitable Trust
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The trust supports charitable organizations, with recent grants primarily benefiting community, health, education, social-service, and cultural programs in Pennsylvania. In 2025, it made 75 grants ranging from $90 to $113,877, with a median award of $1,000; it also gave a smaller share in Florida and other states. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Leona Gruber Charitable Trust
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The trust supports organizations addressing disability inclusion, rehabilitation, children’s health, community services, and other needs, with a primary focus on Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants ranged from $750 to $2,000, with a $1,000 median; it directs applicants to Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services for application materials and lists an annual January 31 deadline.
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$596K
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Shaffer Family Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/shaffer-family-charitable-trust-morg_db2bb1e0ff614ab59cfed11fa042b68a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232502319_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Shaffer Family Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/shaffer-family-charitable-trust-morg_db2bb1e0ff614ab59cfed11fa042b68a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Shaffer Family Charitable Trust'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.
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