The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is a business league and destination marketing organization (DMO) classified as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. Located in State College, Pennsylvania, the organization serves Centre County and functions as the official source for tourism information and promotion in the region. The bureau operates with 26 employees and maintains its headquarters at 204 W. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.6M
+13.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+65.5% YoY
Grant Count
53
+20.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+37.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Promote Centre County as a place for vacations and conventions.
The organization's primary purpose is to promote and advertise the recreational advantages, attractions, and places of interest in Centre County while encouraging tourist travel and convention activities. The bureau works to position Centre County as a 365-day-a-year destination and serves as the #1 source for information on lodging, meetings/conventions, restaurants, shopping, attractions, events, and area maps.
Grantmaking
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is an active grantmaker focused on tourism promotion within Centre County.
Ready to take the next step with The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization focuses exclusively on Centre County, Pennsylvania, serving as the destination marketing organization for the region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 30):
- Total Revenue: $6,039,710
- Total Expenses: $5,728,458
- Net Income: $311,252
- Total Assets: $3,609,493
- Net Assets: $284,321
- Total Liabilities: $3,33,000
The organization maintains a strong financial position with revenues exceeding expenses and substantial asset holdings.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,609,493 | $3,189,865 | $2,631,667 |
| Revenue | $6,039,710 | $5,016,257 | $5,014,225 |
| Expenses | $5,728,458 | $4,876,314 | $4,203,958 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $30,752 | $19,865 | $8,144 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
159 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
Fritz Smith serves as President and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFF BOWER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE CROCE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEN BROOKS-STAHL | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE PETERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID CAPPERELLA | VICE-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EDWARD TUBBS | PAST PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| GREG SCOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE SZCZESNY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VINCE MCDONALD | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DEB NARDONE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOE LEAHEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIAN MORALES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GARY BRANDEIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM FOUNTAINE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AMBER CONCEPCION | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIC RUSNAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIM BOWSER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SITA FREDERICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FREDERICK SMITH | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $162,333 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau announced a record-breaking $1.1 million allocation in tourism grants for the 2025–26 fiscal year, representing a significant increase from previous grant cycles. This expansion reflects the organization's growing commitment to supporting local events and tourism-related projects throughout Centre County.
Grant Program - HappyValley.comRelated 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 Happy Valley Adventure Bureau 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