The Community's Foundation
The Community's Foundation is a public charity based in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1985, it connects volunteers and donors to support grants, programs, and scholarships in the Delaware County region. Its grantmaking includes organizational grants and funds advised by donors and community groups, and it also administers scholarship programs.
The Community's Foundation at a glance
In short: The Community's Foundation gave $164K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 59% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $164,283
- -7.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +21.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,664
- -24.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $16,423,609
- +4.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (10 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Community's Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The General Grants program is listed as currently open. Applicants must serve Delaware County residents and align with the foundation’s field-of-interest priorities; organizations can apply once per year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6 Ehinckley Avenue, Ridley Park, PA 19078
Phone: (610) 461-6571
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from The Community's Foundation
Eddystone Once-in-a-Lifetime-Opportunity Award
The Community's Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Happy Soles Grant for Cancer-Related Infertility Treatment
The Community's Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kara Barnard Youth Literacy Grants
The Community's Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Community's Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Casa Youth Advocates ($35K). Together the top 10 received $125K.
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 69 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. Its stated mission concerns the Delaware County, Pennsylvania region, and its General Grants support initiatives impacting Delaware County residents. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The Eddystone Once-in-a-Lifetime-Opportunity Award is specifically for youth from Eddystone, Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Community's Foundation open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 17 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $11K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2022) to $197K (2020). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $164K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Youth Advocates Media, PA | Safer schoolneighborhood | $35,000 |
| Senior Community Services Folsom, PA | Gen operating | $19,100 |
| Chester Eastside Chester, PA | Gen operatin | $12,167 |
| Del County Literacy Council Chester, PA | Literary prog seniors | $10,500 |
| Comm Action Agency of Delco Marcus Hook, PA | Shelter client supplies | $9,000 |
| Chester Upland Youth Soccer Media, PA | After school soccer program | $8,650 |
| Caring for Friends Philadelphia, PA | Homebound meals | $8,250 |
| Open Door Abuse Awareness Lansdowne, PA | Intentionally caring and United Membership | $8,000 |
| St Katherine Drexel Parish Chester, PA | Tuition assistance | $7,500 |
| Musicopia Philadelphia, PA | Music/dance program | $6,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Community's Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2023 filing states that event fundraising expenses of $161,956 are included in expenses on its financial statements but treated as revenue offsets on Form 990. It also states that agency-fund liabilities represent funds transferred to the foundation by charitable organizations and held in separate funds for their benefit.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16,423,609 | $1,482,172 | $1,602,161 | $164,283 | 17 | $447,738 |
| 2024 | $15,655,589 | $1,385,531 | $1,365,618 | $178,132 | 14 | $341,765 |
| 2023 | $14,863,209 | $1,040,482 | $1,381,755 | $162,288 | 13 | $179,131 |
| 2022 | $14,088,363 | $1,196,362 | $1,214,759 | $119,518 | 10 | $398,213 |
| 2021 | $15,998,397 | $1,435,710 | $1,121,597 | $195,756 | 15 | $477,329 |
| 2020 | $13,392,276 | $2,116,524 | $1,107,729 | $196,995 | 14 | $1,359,779 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to connect volunteeers and donors to support grants, programs, and scholarships that change lives in the Delaware County, Pennsylvania region.”
Its organizational grants support initiatives affecting Delaware County residents in the currently listed categories of basic needs, behavioral health, home heating, literacy, and PILOT. The foundation also serves as a fiscal sponsor for community-advised funds, providing volunteer-led groups with marketing, administration, donation processing, treasury, and bookkeeping support.
In 2025, grantees included organizations working in several areas. CASA Youth Advocates described its work as having court-appointed special advocate volunteers investigate children’s needs and circumstances and report recommendations to dependency court. Senior Community Services said it promotes independent and meaningful living for older adults through home- and community-based services. Chester Eastside described charitable food, education, and literacy programs, while the Delaware County Literacy Council said it helps adults improve reading, writing, speaking, and English comprehension. Other grantees included Chester Upland Youth Soccer, which says it mentors youth and promotes healthy living; Caring for Friends, which provides food and friendship; Musicopia, which provides access to music education; and the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, which works to prevent domestic violence and empower victims.
The foundation also awards undergraduate scholarships of $7,000 each to students planning careers in the human health professions, payable half in freshman year and half in senior year. It administers other scholarship programs through donor-advised, field-of-interest, and community-advised funds; award amounts, criteria, renewability, and selection processes vary by program.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $164,283. Grant amounts ranged from $5,166 to $35,000, with a median of $7,500. Its largest reported grants included $35,000 to CASA Youth Advocates for “Safer schoolneighborhood,” $19,100 to Senior Community Services for general operations, $12,167 to Chester Eastside for general operations, and $10,500 to the Delaware County Literacy Council for a seniors’ literacy program.
Other listed awards included $9,000 to the Community Action Agency of Delaware County for shelter client supplies; $8,650 to Chester Upland Youth Soccer for an after-school soccer program; $8,250 to Caring for Friends for homebound meals; $8,000 to Open Door Abuse Awareness; $7,500 to St. Katherine Drexel Parish for tuition assistance; $6,500 to Musicopia for a music and dance program; $6,000 to the Delaware County Workforce Development Board for an after-school program; and $5,750 to the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County for children’s counseling services.
The foundation’s currently listed General Grants accept applications from organizations serving Delaware County residents whose work aligns with its field-of-interest priorities. Organizations may apply once per year. The Pay-it-Forward/Sunshine Grant is for individuals with unfunded health-related expenses resulting from a catastrophic injury or event. The Eddystone Once-in-a-Lifetime-Opportunity Award is for youth from Eddystone pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists MElizabeth Naughton-Beck as Chairperson; Christina Costanzo as Vice Chair; Anthony Mitchell as Treasurer; and Mary Powell as Secretary. It also lists Dia Williams Adams, Michael Dejos, Henry Eberle, Jeffrey MacIntyre, Jamee Nowell-Smith, and Katie Peisochenske as directors.
The Community's Foundation is led by Heather Finnegan, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Heather Finnegan
President
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2022
President & CEO → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $139K (2025)
Lauren Sustersic
Interim President
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
$43K (2025)
Dierdre Konar hired
President
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
MElizabeth Naughton-Beck
Chairperson & Director
Vice Chair & Director → Chairperson & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kurt J Slenn
Director
Chief Financial Officer → Chief Finance Executive & Director, 2024
Chief Finance Executive & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$69K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Anthony Mitchell
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Costanzo
Vice Chair & Director
Secretary & Director → Vice Chair & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry A Eberle Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey D MacIntyre
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Powell
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Dejos
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael E Stewart
Chair Emeritus & Director
Chairperson & Director → Director, 2023
Director → Chair Emeritus & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard B Raup
Director
Vice Chair & Director → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dia Williams Adams
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamee Nowell-Smith
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Peisochenske
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anandah Stephens
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Southmayd
Controller
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$43K (2024) → $82K (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Patrick F O'Brien (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ann F Swan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mark Mai (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $139K, to Heather Finnegan (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Community's Foundation
How much does The Community's Foundation give each year?
The Community's Foundation gave $164K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $178K across 14 grants.
What is The Community's Foundation's typical grant size?
The Community's Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $9,664, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community's Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Community's Foundation give grants?
The Community's Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chester, PA (5 grants), Media, PA (4 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants) and Lansdowne, PA (2 grants).
Does The Community's Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of The Community's Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Community's Foundation's largest grantees?
The Community's Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Casa Youth Advocates ($35,000), Senior Community Services ($19,100) and Chester Eastside ($12,167), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Community's Foundation?
The Community's Foundation reported $16.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does The Community's Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to connect volunteeers and donors to support grants, programs, and scholarships that change lives in the Delaware County, Pennsylvania region.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community's Foundation?
The General Grants program is listed as currently open. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Community's Foundation's EIN?
The Community's Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-2354770. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 12, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Community's Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Community's Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Community's Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-s-foundation-morg_44c17f46684a4d55a1c843831af5c314
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_232354770_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Community's Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-community-s-foundation-morg_44c17f46684a4d55a1c843831af5c314},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 The Community's 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.
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