The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) is a public charity based in State College, Pennsylvania, and the official destination marketing organization for Centre County. Its mission is to promote Centre County as a place for vacations and conventions, and it makes tourism grants for projects intended to encourage visitation.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau at a glance
In short: The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau gave $943K across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $943,154
- -8.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 47
- -11.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,067
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,654
- Total assets
- $2,812,010
- -22.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (9 of 47, 2025)
- 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 Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
- Review Cycle
- February 21, 2025, for the 2025–26 Tourism Grant cycle.
- Deadline
- February 21, 2025, for the 2025–26 Tourism Grant cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 204 West Beaver Avenue, State College, PA 16801
Phone: (814) 231-1400
Website: https://happyvalley.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The State Theater Inc ($78K). Together the top 10 received $418K.
Grant Size Distribution
209 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 204 grants of 209 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
HVAB is the official destination marketing organization for all of Centre County. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to Pennsylvania recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 47 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $415K (2022) to $1.0M (2024). In 2025 it made 47 grants totaling $943K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The State Theater Inc State College, PA | Tourism Promotion | $77,500 |
| Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Artsfirst Night State College State College, PA | Tourism Promotion | $75,000 |
| Central Pa July 4TH Inc (4TH Fest) State College, PA | Tourism Promotion | $45,000 |
| Mountaintop Swimming Pool Associaton Snow Shoe, PA | Tourism Promotion | $40,000 |
| Centre County Grange Encampment & Fair - TM Centre Hall, PA | Tourism Promotion | $35,000 |
| Centre County Library & Historical Museum Bellefonte, PA | Tourism Promotion | $35,000 |
| The Pennsylvania State University - Center for the Performing Arts University Park, PA | Tourism Promotion | $30,000 |
| The Pennsylvania State University - Centre Film Festival University Park, PA | Tourism Promotion | $30,000 |
| The Dead Canary Brewing Company Philipsburg, PA | Tourism Promotion | $25,000 |
| The Pennsylvania State University - Centre Stage University Park, PA | Tourism Promotion | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,812,010 | $6,197,406 | $6,869,112 | $943,154 | 47 | $71,493 |
| 2024 | $3,609,493 | $6,039,710 | $5,728,458 | $1,025,140 | 53 | $30,752 |
| 2023 | $3,189,865 | $5,016,257 | $4,876,314 | $619,300 | 44 | $19,865 |
| 2022 | $2,631,667 | $5,049,485 | $4,239,218 | $415,000 | 32 | $8,144 |
| 2021 | $1,457,220 | $1,369,985 | $2,891,091 | $540,529 | 33 | $-132,902 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
HVAB’s stated mission is to “promote Centre County as a place for vacations and conventions.” Its program description adds sporting events to that focus. The Tourism Grant program funds marketing, tourism development and, in some cases, facility improvements designed to generate visitation, with particular emphasis on overnight stays. The 2025–26 application announcement said only qualifying nonprofit entities were eligible to apply.
Among 2025 grantees, Centre Volunteers in Medicine says its mission is to serve and advocate for medically underserved people living or working in Centre County. Historic Bellefonte says it works to revitalize Bellefonte and preserve the borough’s cultural and architectural heritage. Centre LGBTQA Support Network says its mission is to bring the community together through LGBT+ education, advocacy and activities in the Centre Region.
Grantmaking
HVAB’s 2025 filing reports 47 grants totaling $943,154. The grants ranged from $6,000 to $77,500, with a median of $17,654. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania. The filing identifies tourism promotion as the purpose of the largest grants.
The largest listed awards included $77,500 to The State Theater Inc. and $75,000 to Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts/First Night State College. Other notable awards were $45,000 to Central PA July 4th Inc. (4th Fest), $40,000 to Mountaintop Swimming Pool Association and $35,000 each to Centre County Grange Encampment & Fair and Centre County Library & Historical Museum. Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts and Centre Film Festival each received $30,000. Other listed grants included $25,000 each to The Dead Canary Brewing Company, Penn State Centre Stage and Bryce Jordan Center, and $23,000 to Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art. Centre Volunteers in Medicine received $20,000, Historic Bellefonte received $12,500 and Centre LGBTQA Support Network received $10,000.
Separately, HVAB and the Centre County Commissioners announced $1,100,750 for 81 projects in the 2025–26 Tourism Grant program, including 11 first-time applicants or recipients. The application window ran from January 15 through February 21, 2025; the announcement said late applications would not be accepted. Applicants were directed to use the online grant portal. The program announcement said projects should boost tourism, particularly overnight visitation, and encouraged applicants to consider visitation impact.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jen Brooks-Stahl as president; David Capperella as vice-president; Edward Tubbs as past president; and Vince McDonald as director and treasurer. Other listed directors are Mike Croce, Greg Scott, Mike Szczesny, Deb Nardone, Joe Leahey and Julian Morales. HVAB’s 2025 grant announcements identify Fritz Smith as its president and CEO.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is led by Frederick Smith, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Frederick Smith
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$166K (2021) → $170K (2025)
Jen Brooks-Stahl
President
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Bowser
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Fountaine
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deb Nardone
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Brandeis
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Scott
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vince McDonald
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Szczesny
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sita Frederick
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Concepcion
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Rusnak
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Leahey
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julian Morales
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Croce
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Tubbs
Past President
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Capperella
Vice President
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Stephanie Peters (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Jeff Bower (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Charima Young (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Joe Battista (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mark Higgins (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Dustin Minarchick (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin Lloyd (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Gary Hoover (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Corman (2021–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Scott Walker (2021–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Stefan Cherinka (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bob Ricketts Jr. (2021) — Past-President
- Former: Darlene Confer (2021) — Director
- Former: Ja Nae Wian (2021) — Director
- Former: Jim Pollock (2021) — Director
- Former: Joseph Thomas (2021) — Director
- Former: Tom Neely (2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Vern Squier (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $170K, to Frederick Smith (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
How much does The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau give each year?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau gave $943K across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 53 grants.
What is The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's typical grant size?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's median grant in 2025 was $17,654, and its average grant was $20,067, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau that year got $24K on average.
Where does The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau give grants?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau 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 State College, PA (17 grants), University Park, PA (7 grants), Bellefonte, PA (6 grants) and Philipsburg, PA (4 grants).
Does The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 47 grants with a stated purpose on The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Tourism Promotion" (47 grants).
Who are The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's largest grantees?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's largest 2025 grantees include The State Theater Inc ($77,500), Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Artsfirst Night State College ($75,000) and Central Pa July 4TH Inc (4TH Fest) ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.2M.
What does The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau fund?
HVAB’s stated mission is to “promote Centre County as a place for vacations and conventions.” Its program description adds sporting events to that focus. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check happyvalley.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's EIN?
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1286646. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 10, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 17, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-happy-valley-adventure-bureau-morg_242105c53c1e42859d463f7bea88a34e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251286646_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-happy-valley-adventure-bureau-morg_242105c53c1e42859d463f7bea88a34e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Happy Valley Adventure Bureau'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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