Way Foundation Inc

WILMINGTON, DE EIN: 82-3325659

Way Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 2018, with headquarters in New Oxford, Pennsylvania and a registered address in Wilmington, Delaware. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and focuses on grantmaking to support charitable causes across multiple sectors including education, health, religion, fitness, and environmental initiatives.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$28.4M

+14.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.5M

+30.7% YoY

Grant Count

29

-6.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$52K

+39.7% YoY

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 April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: Promote total health, education and the joy of living by supporting communities and providing resources, beginning locally and expanding globally.

Core Values: The foundation is committed to connecting with its past to influence its future; encouraging leadership with integrity; generating meaningful change; demonstrating civic and personal responsibility; and maintaining and protecting natural resources.

Primary Funding Areas:

  • Children and youth development, including leadership and civic engagement development, and trauma prevention
  • International studies
  • Overall health, including research, healthy eating, and fitness
  • Trauma treatment for veterans
  • Core legacy programming with emphasis on the Hanover, Pennsylvania area
  • Foundation leadership development

Grantmaking

Grants are available for time-limited and/or project-specific expenses of charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, educational bodies, and government agencies. The foundation is particularly interested in projects that:

Grant Range

$20,000

Average Grant

$42,600

How to Apply

**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation prioritizes grantmaking within the Hanover, Pennsylvania area as part of its core legacy program, while also funding nationally and internationally.

Grant Distribution by State

13states
+5 more states

Cities

AlexandriaBaltimoreBlacksburgCatonsvilleChicagoCockeysvilleColorado SpringsDallastownDillsburgFinksburgGettysburgGlen RockHanoverHorshamJacksonvilleKutztownLake PlacidMarltonMechanicsburgMedford

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 31, 2023:

  • Total assets: $24,810,004
  • Total revenues: $5,839,350
  • Total expenses: $1,306,674
  • Total grants, contributions, etc.: $4,342,559
  • Investment income and dividends: $550,414
  • Number of employees: 0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$3M$5M$6M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$28,445,201$24,810,004$20,277,328
Revenue$5,356,613$5,839,350$554,372
Expenses$1,721,416$1,306,674$1,316,828
Qualifying Distributions$1,579,913$1,215,990$1,221,956
Net Investment Income$892,051$1,399,117$476,584
Distributable Amount$1,806,012$1,359,314$1,178,348

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$534K$1M$2M$2M24 grants202030 grants202127 grants202231 grants202329 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION…$273KYOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN A…$200KFOOD FIX CAMPAIGN INC$125KSHINING STARS THERAPEUTI…$100KORCHARD FRIENDS SCHOOL A…$70KTRAINING LEADERS THROUGH…$68KFOR THE LOVE OF A VETERA…$65KTHE COLLEGE SETTLEMENT O…$57KUNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE$53KNATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC…$51K

Grant Size Distribution

141 grants across all recorded years

98<$50K24$50–100K10$100–250K8$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cal Ripken Sr Foundation Inc ($272,500), Young Womens Christian Association ($200,000), Food Fix Campaign Inc ($125,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LIFE YORK, PAAFL Expansion Project (Leadership Development Program Implementation and Program Expansion)$50,000
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DILLSBURG, PABattlefield Friends of Scouting Luncheon$15,000
CAL RIPKEN SR FOUNDATION INC BALTIMORE, MDCal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM Centers & Community Enhancement Project$272,500
CHASING THE RAINBOWS DALLASTOWN, PAOperating Expenses to continue expanding services to meet community needs$25,000
FOOD FIX CAMPAIGN INC CHICAGO, ILGeneral & Unrestricted$125,000
FOR THE LOVE OF A VETERAN INC HANOVER, PAHelping Heroes Heal$65,000
GERSTELL ACADEMY INC FINKSBURG, MDGerstell Academy Electronic Sign$40,000
HANOVER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HANOVER, PAHAHS NEW SPACE FOR FACILITIES$25,000
HANOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION INC HANOVER, PAMaking the Library More Accessible Fund$41,000
HOUSE OF HOPE YORK PA YORK, PACommunity Counseling Funding$10,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Trustees:

  • Steven Yelland – President
  • Ann Adornetto – Vice President
  • Amy Yelland – Secretary
  • Mike Adornetto – Treasurer
  • Susan Rupp – Member-at-Large

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Ann AdornettoDir, VP, Pres1
Michael AdornettoDir, Treas1
Susan RuppMember-at-Large1
Amy YellandDir, Sec1
Steven YellandDir, Pres, VP1

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Way Foundation Inc fund?

**Mission:** Promote total health, education and the joy of living by supporting communities and providing resources, beginning locally and expanding globally. **Core Values:** The foundation is committed to connecting with its past to influence its future; encouraging leadership with integrity; generating meaningful change; demonstrating civic and personal responsibility; and maintaining and protecting natural resources. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Children and youth development, including le…

How do I apply for a grant from Way Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 15-27 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: approximately $1.2 million • Median grant size: $20,000 • Average grant size: $42,600 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Food Fix Campaign: $250,000 • Cal Ripken Sr Foundation (Community Enhancement Project at Spring Grove YMCA in Hanover, PA): $200,000 • Hanover Public Library Association (Guthrie Memorial Library): $70,000 **Grant Eligibility & Priorities:** Grants are available for time-limited and/or project-specific expenses …

Where does Way Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation prioritizes grantmaking within the Hanover, Pennsylvania area as part of its core legacy program, while also funding nationally and internationally.

What size grants does Way Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Way Foundation Inc awarded 29 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Way Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Way Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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.

Explore Open Grants

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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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