The A Donald & Mary G Behler Foundation makes a small number of moderately sized, locally focused grants that primarily support community land/park preservation and nearby United Church of Christ congregations. Their giving is concentrated in the Lehighton/Palmerton region of northeastern Pennsylvania and emphasizes upkeep and stewardship of public green space and support for local religious institutions. Grants suggest interest in preserving natural and memorial spaces alongside sustaining community faith organizations.
Concentrated, place-based giving: a few moderate-to-large grants each year focused on local organizations rather than broad national causes; funding tends toward land/park conservation and nearby churches rather than many small, dispersed awards.
Notable grantees: Palmerton Memorial Park Association, Lacawac Sanctuary, Good Shepherd UCC, Jerusalem UCC
A defining feature of A Donald & Mary G Behler Foundation’s giving is its support for place-based institutions in the Lehighton and Palmerton area, where unrestricted grants have gone to memorial-park upkeep, local congregations, youth recreation, and community services. The largest recent grant in the data, $41,500 to Palmerton Memorial Park Association in 2023, shows how prominently public green space and stewardship appear in the foundation’s portfolio. Another large grant, $25,000 to Lacawac Sanctuary in 2025, extends that pattern to environmental preservation and education. The foundation also supports faith communities in the region. Recent gifts include $11,000 to Jerusalem Ucc in Palmerton and $12,670 to Good Shepard Ucc in Reading, both unrestricted. Beyond those anchors, the grants list includes organizations tied to recreation, local history, health-related causes, and small community initiatives, but the overall picture stays local and practical. The foundation’s giving is small in number, uses unrestricted support, and tends to favor organizations rooted in northeastern Pennsylvania.
In park and preservation work, A Donald & Mary G Behler Foundation gave $41,500 to Palmerton Memorial Park Association for unrestricted support, and later $2,500 to Palmerton Mem Park Assn for the same purpose. That pattern points to ongoing attention to memorial-park upkeep in Palmerton. Environmental and educational preservation appears through $25,000 to Lacawac Sanctuary for unrestricted support. The grant connects the foundation to a nature preserve setting rather than a broad statewide environmental program. Community faith institutions are another visible thread. The foundation gave $11,000 to Jerusalem Ucc in Palmerton and $12,670 to Good Shepard Ucc in Reading, both unrestricted. It also supported local-serving groups such as Lehighton Downtown Initiative with $5,000 and Palmerton Area Library with $1,500.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the low four figures: p25 is $1,000, the median is $1,000, and p75 is $1,500. The recent record shows both very small gifts and larger outliers, but most awards are modest. Granting is unrestricted, and the pattern appears recurring rather than one-off: several recipients or similar organizations reappear across 2023 and 2025, including Palmerton Memorial Park Association, Turn to US, and the Palmerton Summer Recreation Program. The foundation is not described as a private operating foundation or a DAF; it makes grants and does not fund individuals or program-related investments.
$119K
$1.2M
$207K
$202K
Most grants fall between $1K and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
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Giving is heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania, which accounts for 91% of grants, and the recipient list is centered on the Lehighton-Palmerton corridor. Palmerton appears repeatedly, including Palmerton Memorial Park Association, Jerusalem Ucc, Bowmanstownpalmerton Baseball & Softball Association, Palmerton Summer Recreation Program, and Palmerton Area Library. Lehighton also shows up often through Lehighton Downtown Initiative, Peaceful Knights, Raising the House, and Family Promise. Outside Pennsylvania, the grants list includes only a few recipients, such as New York City, Lake Placid in Florida, and Ridgeland in South Carolina.
The grants list shows a mix of place-based public and community institutions: memorial-park stewardship, a nature sanctuary, United Church of Christ congregations, recreation programs, a downtown initiative, a library, and local history organizations. The strongest pattern is support for organizations rooted in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Typical awards are small: p25 is $1,000, the median is $1,000, and p75 is $1,500. The recent record also includes larger grants, but most of the giving sits close to that $1,000 to $1,500 range.
Yes. Pennsylvania recipients account for 91% of grants, and the recipient list is concentrated in Palmerton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Summit Hill, and nearby communities. The geography points to local giving rather than a broad regional or national footprint.
The recent grants are marked unrestricted. That appears across the portfolio, including awards to community, religious, recreation, and preservation organizations.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, according to the data provided.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LACAWAC SANCTUARY | LAKE ARIEL, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| JERUSALEM UCC | PALMERTON, PA | $11,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOWMANSTOWNPALMERTON BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION | PALMERTON, PA | $7,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BO TRACH FDN | SUMMIT HILL, PA | $5,250 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VALOR HOUSE | KUNKLETON, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGHTON DOWNTOWN INITIATIVE | LEHIGHTON, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUT TROOP 209 | PALMERTON, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON SUMMER RECREATION PR | PALMERTON, PA | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LAKE PLACID ART LEAGUE | LAKE PLACID, FL | $3,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAUCH CHUNK MUSEUM & CULTURAL | JIM THORPE, PA | $2,700 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PEACEFUL KNIGHTS | LEHIGHTON, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON MEM PARK ASSN | PALMERTON, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON HOLIDAY LIGHTING COM | PALMERTON, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| OPERATIONS PATRIOT FOB | RIDGELAND, SC | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| RAISING THE HOUSE | LEHIGHTON, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TURN TO US | JIM THORPE, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FAMILY PROMISE | LEHIGHTON, PA | $1,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON AREA LIBRARY | PALMERTON, PA | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | PALMERTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CARBON COUNTY ENVIROMENTAL EDU | SUMMIT HILL, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON FIRE | PALMERTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AQUASHICOLA FIRE CO | PALMERTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOWMANSTOWN FIRE CO | BOWMANSTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CARBON CO FRIENDS OF ANIMALS | JIM THORPE, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CARBON COUTY ANIMAL SHELTER | NESQUEHONING, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGH GAP NATURE CENTER | SLATINGTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MILLER KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER | PITTSTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCI | PALMERTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS HOSP | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TOWAMENSING FIRE CO | PALMERTON, PA | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL | PALMERTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGHTON AREA MEM LIBRARY | LEHIGHTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SHEPHERD HOUSE INC | LEHIGHTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON COMM AMBULANCE ASSOC | PALMERTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGHTON FIRE CO | LEHIGHTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGHTON GIRLS AND BOYS BAND | LEHIGHTON, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHOP FDN | PHILADLEPHIA, PA | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NO LONGER FATHERLESS | PORT ORANGE, FL | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEHIGHTON AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION | LEHIGHTON, PA | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| TAFTON FIRE COMPANY | TAFTON, PA | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LAKE WALLENPAUPACK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT DISTRICT | HAWLEY, PA | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL DUG OUT CLUB | PALMERTON, PA | $200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PALMERTON MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION | PALMERTON, PA | $41,500 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GOOD SHEPARD UCC | READING, PA | $12,670 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CACPAC | PALMERTON, PA | $6,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BO TACH FOUNDATION | SUMMIT HILL, PA | $2,500 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VALOR CLINIC | KUNKLETON, PA | $2,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED |
LACAWAC SANCTUARY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
JERUSALEM UCC
$11,000UNRESTRICTED
BOWMANSTOWNPALMERTON BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
$7,200UNRESTRICTED
BO TRACH FDN
$5,250UNRESTRICTED
VALOR HOUSE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGHTON DOWNTOWN INITIATIVE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
BOY SCOUT TROOP 209
UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON SUMMER RECREATION PR
$4,000UNRESTRICTED
LAKE PLACID ART LEAGUE
$3,750UNRESTRICTED
FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER FOUNDATION
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
MAUCH CHUNK MUSEUM & CULTURAL
$2,700UNRESTRICTED
PEACEFUL KNIGHTS
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON MEM PARK ASSN
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON HOLIDAY LIGHTING COM
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
OPERATIONS PATRIOT FOB
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
RAISING THE HOUSE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
TURN TO US
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
FAMILY PROMISE
$1,750UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON AREA LIBRARY
$1,500UNRESTRICTED
MEALS ON WHEELS
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
CARBON COUNTY ENVIROMENTAL EDU
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON FIRE
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
AQUASHICOLA FIRE CO
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
BOWMANSTOWN FIRE CO
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
CARBON CO FRIENDS OF ANIMALS
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
CARBON COUTY ANIMAL SHELTER
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGH GAP NATURE CENTER
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
MILLER KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCI
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
ST JUDE CHILDRENS HOSP
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
TOWAMENSING FIRE CO
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$1,200UNRESTRICTED
ST JOHN NEUMANN REGIONAL SCHOOL
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGHTON AREA MEM LIBRARY
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
SHEPHERD HOUSE INC
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON COMM AMBULANCE ASSOC
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGHTON FIRE CO
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGHTON GIRLS AND BOYS BAND
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
CHOP FDN
$500UNRESTRICTED
NO LONGER FATHERLESS
$500UNRESTRICTED
LEHIGHTON AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
$500UNRESTRICTED
TAFTON FIRE COMPANY
$500UNRESTRICTED
LAKE WALLENPAUPACK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
$500UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL DUG OUT CLUB
$200UNRESTRICTED
PALMERTON MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION
$41,500UNRESTRICTED
GOOD SHEPARD UCC
$12,670UNRESTRICTED
CACPAC
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
BO TACH FOUNDATION
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
VALOR CLINIC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED