The Century Fund Trust
The Century Fund Trust was a private foundation established in December 1985 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Founded by Donald P. Miller, a newspaper publisher and philanthropist, the foundation operated as one of the largest private foundations in the Lehigh Valley region. The foundation was structured with the mandate that its assets be distributed within 25 years of Miller's death in 1996, leading to its scheduled closure on January 23, 2021.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$849K
Grant Count
1
Avg Grant Size
$849K
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission reflected Donald P. Miller's belief that successful communities require strong cultural and educational institutions. The foundation prioritized:
- Arts and cultural programs
- Education
- Conservation
- Human services
- Community development
Miller's philanthropic philosophy was shaped by his family's principle: "To whom much is given, much is expected." He believed that individuals with resources had a responsibility to contribute their time, talent, and money to improve their communities.
Grantmaking
Over its 25-year operational period, The Century Fund Trust distributed more than $54 million to 139 different nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley. Grant awards ranged significantly in scale, from small grants for specific projects (such as playground equipment in Alburtis) to major support for significant community initiatives, including substantial backing for what is now the Allentown Arts District.
Ready to take the next step with The Century Fund Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking was concentrated in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, with a particular emphasis on Allentown and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Establishment: December 1985 with initial capitalization of $101,000
Total Distribution: More than $54 million distributed over 25 years of operation
Final Status: The foundation filed a final return in 2023, with assets of $0 and total giving of $849,427 in that final year.
The foundation was sustained through annual personal donations from Donald P. Miller during his lifetime, and upon his death in 1996, a majority of his estate was transferred to the foundation to support the 25-year distribution mandate.
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $862,820 | $858,207 |
| Revenue | $26,513 | $9,025 | $-1,436 |
| Expenses | $889,333 | $4,412 | $3,961,348 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $849,427 | — | $3,755,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $26,513 | $9,025 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $26,337 | $41,778 | $51,716 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Donald P. Miller - Founder (1985-1996) Miller was a newspaper publisher who sold Call-Chronicle Newspapers to Times-Mirror Co. in 1984, one year before establishing the foundation. He was known for his preference for anonymous philanthropy and his belief in the importance of arts and educational institutions to community vitality.
Joan Miller Moran - Trustee Miller's daughter served as a trustee of The Century Fund and was an Allentown resident.
Edward Miller - Family Member Miller's son, a former editor and publisher of The Morning Call newspaper.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT STEVENS | ASST SECRETARY/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID K BAUSCH | CHAIR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOAN MILLER MORAN | SECRETARY/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DONALD BERNHARD | TREAS./TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LEE A BUTZ | VICE CHAIR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Century Fund Trust sunset on January 23, 2021, as scheduled, concluding its 25-year operational period following the founder's death. The closure marked the end of one of the Lehigh Valley's largest private foundations and represented a significant shift in the region's philanthropic landscape.
Following the foundation's closure, Miller's children published a statement urging other community members and philanthropists to build upon the legacy established by The Century Fund, emphasizing the importance of supporting arts and educational institutions as cornerstones of vibrant communities.
The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation announces $100,000 Century FundRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Best Little Cat House in PA
HARRISBURG, PA
Assets
$281K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Irene P Sorbara Charitable Foundation
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
2
Total Given
$131K
Penn and Lisa Seiple Conservancy
SUNBURY, PA
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Daniel M Tabas Family Foundation
HAVERFORD, PA
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
9
Total Given
$86K
John Griner Charitable Trust
PITTSBURGH, PA
Assets
$394K
Grants
1
Total Given
$20K
Shaffer Family Charitable Trust
BETHLEHEM, PA
Assets
$7.1M
Grants
15
Total Given
$610K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Century Fund Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities