Verna O Canova Foundation
The Verna O. Canova Foundation is a private foundation based in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Created on October 31, 2013, under the terms of the Verna O. Canova Trust, it supports projects in health, education, human services, and community affairs, primarily through grants to tax-exempt public charities in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.
Verna O Canova Foundation at a glance
In short: Verna O Canova Foundation gave $267K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $266,500
- -24.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,250
- -21.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,418,838
- +0.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (6 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Verna O Canova Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit the full application online during the application period, using the forms and instructions on the foundation’s website. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists the end of February. The 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing lists the end of February.
- Contact
Application contact: Verna O Canova Foundation Co Kriste
Mailing address: 23 Summer Street, Cohasset, MA 02025
Phone: (617) 285-8591
Website: https://vernacanovafoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Verna O Canova Foundation
Who Verna O Canova Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was James P Harrington Organization ($20K). Together the top 10 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
122 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 122 grants of 122 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds public charities primarily in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where Verna O. Canova was born and lived throughout her life. In 2024, 87% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 13% to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Verna O Canova Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 26 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $267K (2024) to $439K (2020). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $267K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| James P Harrington Organization Marshfield, MA | Program and Events Support | $20,000 |
| Cape Wellness Collaborative South Yarmouth, MA | Wellness Support | $15,000 |
| Community Music School Allentown, PA | Music Lessons and Instruments | $15,000 |
| Kidspeace Children's Hospital Schnecksville, PA | General Funding | $15,000 |
| Manito Life Center Allentown, PA | Equine Therapy Services | $15,000 |
| Repertory Dance Theatre Allentown, PA | Dance Program Support | $15,000 |
| Via of the Lehigh Valley Bethlehem, PA | Mission and Program Support | $15,000 |
| Aspire to Autonomy Inc Allentown, PA | Program and Events Support | $10,000 |
| Bloom for Women Inc Bethlehem, PA | Program and Events Support | $10,000 |
| Community Bike Works Allentown, PA | Earn a Bike Program | $10,000 |
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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 | $4,418,838 | $373,715 | $349,785 | $266,500 | 26 | $305,085 | $304,752 | $307,766 |
| 2023 | $4,394,908 | $152,417 | $432,959 | $353,242 | 27 | $384,348 | $80,888 | $266,910 |
| 2022 | $4,675,450 | $171,723 | $462,714 | $369,634 | 23 | $399,190 | $101,548 | $272,917 |
| 2021 | $4,966,441 | $707,588 | $341,014 | $267,000 | 24 | $290,629 | $626,624 | $316,955 |
| 2020 | $4,599,867 | $-150,303 | $494,239 | $439,282 | 22 | — | $115,151 | $279,093 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Verna O Canova Foundation reported a distributable amount of $308K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster projects in health, education, human services, and community affairs. It primarily provides grants to tax-exempt public charities in the Lehigh Valley.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. For example, KidsPeace Children’s Hospital describes its work as providing mental and behavioral healthcare, while Manito Life Center provides therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities. Community Music School says it provides music education to students of all ages, and The Literacy Center describes its work as instruction and support for adults facing language, education, and employment barriers.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $266,500. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. Larger awards included $20,000 to James P Harrington Organization for program and events support, and $15,000 each to Cape Wellness Collaborative for wellness support, Community Music School for music lessons and instruments, KidsPeace Children’s Hospital for general funding, Manito Life Center for equine therapy services, Repertory Dance Theatre for dance program support, and VIA of the Lehigh Valley for mission and program support.
The foundation’s website says applications are submitted online during an open period, and that applications received after the period closes will not be considered. Its 2024 filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for application forms and instructions, states a deadline of the end of February, and lists no restrictions on awards. The website says successful applicants are notified within three to four months after the application period closes. Recipients must agree to conditions on charitable use of grant funds and submit a report on how the funds were used.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kristen Landreth Dean as president, Philip E. Canova as vice president and treasurer, and Parker Landreth as secretary and director.
Verna O Canova Foundation is led by Kristen Landreth Dean, President on every filing since 2023; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kristen Landreth Dean
President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$10K (2024)
Parker Landreth
Secretary & Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$10K (2024)
Philip E. Canova
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Cynthia C. Landreth (2020–2023) — Secretary & Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $13K, to Philip E Canova (Vice President, Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Verna O Canova Foundation
How much does Verna O Canova Foundation give each year?
Verna O Canova Foundation gave $267K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $353K across 27 grants.
What is Verna O Canova Foundation's typical grant size?
Verna O Canova Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,250, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Verna O Canova Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Verna O Canova Foundation give grants?
Verna O Canova Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Allentown, PA (13 grants) and Bethlehem, PA (5 grants).
Does Verna O Canova Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Verna O Canova Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Operations" (10 grants) and "Program and Events Support" (3 grants).
Who are Verna O Canova Foundation's largest grantees?
Verna O Canova Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include James P Harrington Organization ($20,000), Cape Wellness Collaborative ($15,000) and Community Music School ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Verna O Canova Foundation?
Verna O Canova Foundation reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $305K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $308K (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 does Verna O Canova Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster projects in health, education, human services, and community affairs. It primarily provides grants to tax-exempt public charities in the Lehigh Valley. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Verna O Canova Foundation?
Submit the full application online during the application period, using the forms and instructions on the foundation’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Verna O Canova Foundation's EIN?
Verna O Canova Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4135266. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Verna O Canova Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Verna O Canova Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/verna-o-canova-foundation-morg_40e9de15ab4a44e4945fa7abb802d78a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464135266_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Verna O Canova Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/verna-o-canova-foundation-morg_40e9de15ab4a44e4945fa7abb802d78a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Verna O Canova 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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