Way Foundation Inc
Way Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 filing reports 29 grants totaling $1.5 million to public charities and private operating foundations selected by its board.
Way Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Way Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $52K), top state Pennsylvania. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,500,000
- +30.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- -6.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $51,724
- +39.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $28,445,201
- +14.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (4 of 28, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (49% 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 Way Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter containing a specific proposal. The filing says applications are accepted at any time. Awards are restricted to public charities and private operating foundations selected by the board.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Steve Yelland
Mailing address: 1030 Wilson Ave, Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: (610) 927-4550
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Way Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc ($273K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 98 grants of 141 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Pennsylvania received 49% of grant dollars, Maryland 22%, Illinois 8%, New Jersey 6%, and Delaware 5%. The grant list also includes an award to an organization in California. The filing does not specify a geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Way Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 28 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $81K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $58K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 30% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% 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 $1.1M (2023) to $2.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc Baltimore, MD | Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Centers & Community Enhancement Project | $272,500 |
| Young Womens Christian Association Hanover, PA | YWCA Hanover Capital Campaign | $200,000 |
| Food Fix Campaign Inc Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $125,000 |
| Shining Stars Therapeutic Riding Program Inc Gettysburg, PA | Capital Campaign | $100,000 |
| Orchard Friends School a New Jersey Nonprofit Corp Riverton, NJ | Communication is Connection | $70,000 |
| Training Leaders Through Athletics Inc Hanover, PA | Everyday Champions - Community Leadership Development center | $67,500 |
| For the Love of a Veteran Inc Hanover, PA | Helping Heroes Heal | $65,000 |
| The College Settlement of Philadelphia Horsham, PA | College Settlement's Summer Camper Fund and Nutrition Program | $57,000 |
| University of Delaware Newark, DE | Regenerative Agriculture & UD Fresh to you farm | $52,500 |
| National Interscholastic Cycling Association Orinda, CA | Try-it-out startup and ongoing operations | $50,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Way Foundation Inc?
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 | $28,445,201 | $5,356,613 | $1,721,416 | $1,500,000 | 29 | $1,579,913 | $892,051 | $1,806,012 |
| 2023 | $24,810,004 | $5,839,350 | $1,306,674 | $1,148,000 | 31 | $1,215,990 | $1,399,117 | $1,359,314 |
| 2022 | $20,277,328 | $554,372 | $1,316,828 | $1,150,000 | 27 | $1,221,956 | $476,584 | $1,178,348 |
| 2021 | $21,039,784 | $3,450,545 | $2,323,460 | $2,135,428 | 30 | $2,204,960 | $2,843,099 | $1,258,688 |
| 2020 | $19,912,699 | $170,632 | $1,385,370 | $1,317,010 | 24 | — | $218,088 | $1,086,051 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Way Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included capital campaigns, STEM and community projects, youth leadership and development, veterans’ support, nutrition, and regenerative agriculture.
The funded organizations describe a range of work. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation says it supports children and underserved communities through youth development, STEM education, and community initiatives. Accountability for Life describes its work as mentoring at-risk adolescents through an athletics-based platform. For the Love of a Veteran says it supports deployed troops and homeless veterans and provides PTSD treatment for veterans and active-duty service members. Rodale Institute describes its work as advancing regenerative organic agriculture through research, farmer training, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $1.5 million. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $272,500, with a median of $30,000. The largest awards included $272,500 to Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc for STEM centers and community enhancement; $200,000 to Young Womens Christian Association for a capital campaign; $125,000 to Food Fix Campaign Inc for general and unrestricted support; and $100,000 to Shining Stars Therapeutic Riding Program Inc for a capital campaign.
Other notable 2024 grants included $70,000 to Orchard Friends School for “Communication is Connection,” $67,500 to Training Leaders Through Athletics Inc for a community leadership development center, $65,000 to For the Love of a Veteran Inc for “Helping Heroes Heal,” and $57,000 to The College Settlement of Philadelphia for its summer camper fund and nutrition program.
The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It states that awards go to public charities and private operating foundations the board determines to be most deserving of support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ann Adornetto as director, vice president, and president; Michael Adornetto as director and treasurer; Susan Rupp as member-at-large; Amy Yelland as director and secretary; and Steven Yelland as director, president, and vice president.
Way Foundation Inc is led by Ann Adornetto, Director, Vice President & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ann Adornetto
Director, Vice President & President
Vice President → Director & Vice President, 2021
Director & Vice President → Director, Vice President & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Yelland
Director, President & Vice President
President → Director & President, 2021
Director & President → Director, President & Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Yelland
Director & Secretary
Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Adornetto
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Warhime Rupp
Member-At-Large
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Way Foundation Inc
How much does Way Foundation Inc give each year?
Way Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 31 grants.
What is Way Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Way Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $51,724, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Way Foundation Inc that year got $81K on average.
Where does Way Foundation Inc give grants?
Way Foundation Inc's top state is Pennsylvania, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (23%) and Illinois (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hanover, PA (5 grants), York, PA (3 grants), Baltimore, MD (2 grants) and Newark, DE (2 grants).
Does Way Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 14% of Way Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Way Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Way Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc ($272,500), Young Womens Christian Association ($200,000) and Food Fix Campaign Inc ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Way Foundation Inc?
Way Foundation Inc reported $28.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (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 Way Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included capital campaigns, STEM and community projects, youth leadership and development, veterans’ support, nutrition, and regenerative agriculture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Way Foundation Inc?
Submit a letter containing a specific proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Way Foundation Inc's EIN?
Way Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3325659. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Way Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Way Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/way-foundation-inc-morg_1df226084d654f458d30fc87d3f5c3b1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_823325659_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Way Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/way-foundation-inc-morg_1df226084d654f458d30fc87d3f5c3b1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Way Foundation Inc'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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