The Degenstein Foundation was created to improve the quality of life and to provide financial support to organizations with clear statements of purpose, well defined programs, and competent leadership. Thanks to the generosity of Charles B. Degenstein, the residents of central Pennsylvania will benefit forever.            

    Special consideration is given to unique, innovative, and creative projects that benefit children, promote education, improve health care, encourage business, culture, conservation of nature resources, and protection of the environment. 

    To be eligible for funding the applicant must be located within the region served by the foundation limited to a radius of 75 miles of Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

     

    Funding is Provided for:

     

    1. Program development and special projects.
              
    2. Equipment that brings new capabilities to an organization.
             
    3. Capital campaigns.

    4. Special projects. 

     

    Funding is Not Provided for:

     

    1. Proposals for annual campaigns, general endowment funds, and operating budgets.
             
    2. Requests from individuals for any purpose including loans, scholarships, or emergency needs.  
             
    3. Mass mailings.   
             
    4. Promotion of religious or political activities.

     

    Eligibility

     

    The Degenstein Foundation does reserve the right to initiate projects and to fund organizations that are of particular interest to the foundation.

     

    How to Apply

     

    Visits by applicants to the Degenstein Foundation are discouraged. On occasion the Degenstein Foundation may initiate a visit to an organization applying for funds.        

    Typically a Two-Stage application process will occur. Depending upon the size of the grant or the frequency in which grants may have been given in the past to an applicant, funding may be authorized after completion of the first step. Included in this website is an application form that must be submitted with all requests for funding (See link at bottom of page). For the convenience of applicants the two page application form can be printed, and photocopied (BUT MUST REMAIN A TWO PAGE APPLICATION WITH ONE STAPLE IN UPPER LEFT CORNER). DO NOT USE NOTEBOOKS, FOLDERS, OR BIND PAGES TOGETHER. No additional back-up materials, videos, or cassettes are to be sent because they will not be reviewed and cannot be returned. All information submitted to the Degenstein Foundation shall be on recyclable paper and stapled with ease of recycling in mind. The Degenstein Foundation favors conservation of the earths' resources so application information will be stored for a limited period and then recycled.        

    No applications are to be submitted by fax or e-mail.

     

    First Step of The Process

     

    20 copies of the following documents must be submitted:        

    1. One-page cover letter signed by the executive director or person in charge of the organization or project. The cover letter should indicate whether funding is being requested as a multi-year award. Funding can be sought for one or up to five years.        

    2. Completed two-page application.


    1 copy of the following documents are required: 

    1. Most recent annual report and financial statement.        

    2. Copy of IRS letter verifying nonprofit charitable status. Do not send any document from Department of Revenue for Pennsylvania. A sales tax exempt notice or state corporation certificate is insufficient.         

    3. Separate one-page, line item budget identifying the projected income and expense of the organization and the program.

     

    Second Step of The Process

     

    At the conclusion of the first step of the process, funding may be granted or denied. A second step may be necessary with additional information and documentation being required. The following items may be requested:

    1. An explanation of the program to be funded including timeframes, objectives and goals.        

    2. Organizational overview including mission statement, history and services provided.        

    3. Current list of officers, directors and trustees.        

    4. Complete budget of the project, including amount of grant money being requested, plus detailed description of other sources of support. Also a second budget indicating how the project could be accomplished without funding from the Degenstein Foundation.        

    5. Statement projecting funding sources for future years to assure completion of project if timetable calls for multiple years.        

    6. Statement defining assessment and evaluation plans to measure the success of the project.        

    Your organization may be visited for inspection and interviews.

     

    Region

     

    To be eligible for funding the applicant must be located within the geographic region defined by the map below. Grants may be given to entities situate outside the geographic region when such organizations provide a unique benefit to the residents living within a 75 mile radius of Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

     

    Size of Grants

     

    Grants range from $1,000.00 to $25,000.00, but smaller and larger grants are given. Rarely are grants given to pay all costs of a project. Broad-based community support through contributions from local citizenry and volunteerism is viewed favorably. The applicant should state if multiple-year payments of the grant will be acceptable. 

    DEGENSTEIN FOUNDATION

    43 South Fifth Street

    Sunbury, Pennsylvania 17801-2896

    570 • 286 • 1582

    Click here to go to the application form.