The Topper Foundation is a private foundation established in 2005, based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on philanthropic grantmaking to charitable causes across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.5M
+15.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+35.0% YoY
Grant Count
40
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
+35.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Topper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $777K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Community health
- General charitable causes
Grantmaking
The foundation has also announced grants supporting fire and emergency medical services, construction trade education, and community improvement initiatives.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- New Jersey
Recent grant announcements indicate activity in Bedford, Fulton, and Frederick counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $16,922,039
- Total revenues: $1,852,633
- Total expenses: $1,839,959
- Number of employees: 0
Revenue breakdown (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $521,523
- Investment income and dividends: $266,484
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $573,672
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,528,939 | $16,922,039 | $15,100,630 |
| Revenue | $3,808,824 | $1,852,633 | $3,436,213 |
| Expenses | $2,485,961 | $1,839,959 | $1,459,421 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,423,526 | $1,794,550 | $1,414,761 |
| Net Investment Income | $306,660 | $221,075 | $66,547 |
| Distributable Amount | $776,995 | $733,293 | $732,892 |
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
190 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include United Way of the Greater Lv ($960,000), The School Sisters of St Francis ($560,000), Province of Our Mother ($325,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCHS ALLENTOWN, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF SMALL FOUNDATIONS WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $830 |
| ASSUMPTION BVM CHURCH COLESVILLE, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $2,400 |
| ASSUMPTION CHURCH BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $27,500 |
| AUGUSTINIAN FUND VILLANOVA, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $6,500 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ALLENTOWN, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| BOB PRICE MEMORIAL BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| BOY & GIRLS CLUB OF ALLENTOWN ALLENTOWN, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| CATHOLIC PSYCHOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION GREELWY, CO | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| CAY GALGON LIFE HOUSE BETHLEHEM, PA | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH V TOPPER JR | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| MAUREEN TOPPER | SECRETARY | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 645 Hamilton St Ste 500, Allentown, PA 18101-2193
Telephone: 610-791-3800
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Topper Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Community health • General charitable causes
How do I apply for a grant from The Topper Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $100 to $1,042,500. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 34 grants in 2023, with total giving of $2,423,526 (based on 2024 IRS 990 filing). Recent documented grants include: • Villanova University: $185,000 (2023) • Diocese of Allentown: $115,600 (2023) • The Dutch School Los Angeles: $50,000 (2023) • Valley Youth House: $1,000,000 The foundation has also announced grants supporting fire and emergency medical services, construction trade ed…
Where does The Topper Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Pennsylvania • New York • New Jersey Recent grant announcements indicate activity in Bedford, Fulton, and Frederick counties.
What size grants does The Topper Foundation award?
In 2024, The Topper Foundation awarded 40 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Topper Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Topper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $777K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Topper Foundation's EIN?
The Topper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0523820. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Topper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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