The Sylvania Foundation
The Sylvania Foundation is a private foundation, based in West Sunbury, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $6K. Net investment income was $298K.
The Sylvania Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sylvania Foundation gave $6K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,000
- -68.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -42.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,500
- -45.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $4,060,596
- +3.4% vs 2023
- 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 September 2026.
Who The Sylvania Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Penn's Mens ($4K). Together the top 4 received $6K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Sylvania Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1100% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 81% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $500 (2021) to $41K (2020). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $6K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Penn's Mens Renfrew, PA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Extension Office Special Account University Park, PA | Donation | $1,000 |
| FFA Scholarship Foundation Boyers, PA | Donation | $1,000 |
| West Sunbury VFD West Sunbury, PA | Donation | $500 |
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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 | $4,060,596 | $319,541 | $187,321 | $6,000 | 4 | $146,171 | $297,976 | $180,427 |
| 2023 | $3,928,144 | $161,736 | $211,246 | $19,150 | 7 | $185,817 | $137,616 | $172,045 |
| 2022 | $3,665,079 | $300,000 | $149,438 | $1,950 | 4 | $147,553 | $274,563 | $162,294 |
| 2021 | $4,132,998 | $255,554 | $130,308 | $500 | 1 | $125,835 | $230,196 | $179,067 |
| 2020 | $3,841,875 | $133,045 | $156,928 | $40,800 | 6 | — | $111,854 | $156,537 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sylvania Foundation reported a distributable amount of $180K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sylvania Foundation is led by Bernie Lavern Elder, Chairman & Conservator since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bernie Lavern Elder
Chairman & Conservator
Conservator → Director, 2023
Director → Chairman & Conservator, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald R. Rimer
Secretary & Conservator
Conservator → Secretary & Conservator, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Brent McKinney
Vice President & Conservator
Conservator → Vice President & Conservator, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent L. Shoemaker
Board Member & Conservator
Conservator → Board Member & Conservator, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Natalie M. Ference (2020–2023) — Conservator
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 The Sylvania Foundation
How much does The Sylvania Foundation give each year?
The Sylvania Foundation gave $6K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $19K across 7 grants.
What is The Sylvania Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sylvania Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,500, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sylvania Foundation give grants?
The Sylvania Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The Sylvania Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Sylvania Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (4 grants).
How large is The Sylvania Foundation?
The Sylvania Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $146K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $180K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Sylvania Foundation's EIN?
The Sylvania Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1529599. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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Browse active grant opportunities in The Sylvania Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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