To promote and facilitate charitable giving and to build a permanent endowment for the Adams County community.
A recurring pattern of large local support defines Adams County Community Foundation Inc: in 2025 it gave $329,278 to Adams County Historical Socie in Gettysburg, alongside substantial gifts to Adams Rescue Mission and Shining Stars Therapeutic Rid. Those awards sit within a community foundation model built to promote charitable giving and grow a permanent endowment for Adams County. The recent grants list shows a broad mix of institutions that serve county residents, from schools and human services providers to arts, housing, and conservation groups. The foundation’s giving reaches both long-established civic organizations and direct-service nonprofits. Gettysburg recipients appear frequently, including South Central Community Actio, YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams, Adams County Arts Council, Adams County Library System, and Gettysburg Cares Inc. The grant record also includes school district support in Biglerville and York Springs, reflecting a local footprint that extends across Adams County while remaining tightly focused on nearby organizations. Its active programs add another layer to that profile, especially scholarships for local students and a fund for environmental projects in the county.
Education is a visible part of the foundation’s work. The Adams County Community Foundation Scholarship Program offers more than 100 local scholarships to Adams County high school students pursuing trade schools, community college certification programs, and traditional colleges, with some awards ranging from $500 to $30,000. A separate scholarships page describes awards that may be matched automatically for eligible students. Community health and emergency response also appear in the grantmaking. The WellSpan Emergency Services Fund supports nonprofit, community-based emergency medical services providers in Adams County to help create a more coordinated, regional EMS system. Environmental work is another named priority through the Adams County Fund for the Environment Grants, which support environmental education, local environmental projects, and community education about environmental issues in Adams County. Housing and direct assistance also show up through the Adams County Housing Initiative and Project Helping Hand.
$3.4M
$26.7M
$6.7M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $9K and $32K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$32K
RALPH M SERPE
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Typical grant size is modest, with a p25 of $9,397, a median of $16,262, and a p75 of $32,418. The recent grants list also shows a smaller set of much larger awards, which is consistent with a community foundation that mixes everyday local support with episodic larger grants. The organization is classified as a mixed community foundation, and its philosophy tags point to donor-advised grants, designated fund grants, and giving-spree or rapid one-time grants. Recipients do appear across multiple years: Adams County Historical Socie, Adams Rescue Mission, Shining Star Therapeutic Ridi, South Central Community Actio, and the Adams County Library System all received grants in more than one year.
Giving is overwhelmingly local. Ninety-nine percent of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and the recent grants list places the bulk of awards in Gettysburg, with additional recipients in Biglerville and York Springs. Adams County is the clear geographic center of the portfolio, matching the foundation’s local scope. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 258 grants to domestic organizations.
The foundation supports schools, human services, arts, housing, environmental work, scholarships, and local collaboration in Adams County. Recent grants include support for organizations in Gettysburg, Biglerville, and York Springs, and the active programs include scholarships, emergency medical services, environmental grants, and housing-related initiatives.
The typical grant range is relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $9,397, the median is $16,262, and the 75th percentile is $32,418. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, showing a mix of routine local grants and occasional larger commitments.
Both patterns appear. Several recipients received support in multiple years, including Adams County Historical Socie, Adams Rescue Mission, Shining Star Therapeutic Ridi, South Central Community Actio, and Adams County Library System. That suggests ongoing relationships alongside one-time or event-driven grants.
Yes. The Adams County Community Foundation Scholarship Program offers more than 100 local scholarships to Adams County high school students pursuing trade schools, community college certification programs, and traditional colleges. Some awards range from $500 to $30,000, and some scholarships may be matched automatically for eligible students.
The foundation gives locally, with 99% of grants going to recipients in Pennsylvania. Adams County is the core geography, and the recent grants list concentrates heavily in Gettysburg, with additional recipients in Biglerville and York Springs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County Historical Socie | GETTYSBURG, PA | $329,278 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Adams Rescue Mission | GETTYSBURG, PA | $298,749 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Shining Stars Therapeutic Rid | GETTYSBURG, PA | $206,028 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTIO | GETTYSBURG, PA | $185,947 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Upper Adams School District | BIGLERVILLE, PA | $179,204 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ADAMS COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL | GETTYSBURG, PA | $131,103 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| BERMUDIAN SPRINGS SCHOOL DIST | York Springs, PA | $129,813 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT |
| LAND CONSERVANCY OF ADAMS COU | GETTYSBURG, PA | $119,416 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Adams County Library System | GETTYSBURG, PA | $99,932 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| GETTYSBURG CARES INC | GETTYSBURG, PA | $82,415 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ADAMS COUNTY CHILDRENS ADVOC | GETTYSBURG, PA | $75,715 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Adams County SPCA | GETTSBURG, PA | $72,274 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| GETTYSBURG COMMUNITY SOUP KIT | GETTYSBURG, PA | $67,180 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Gettysburg Community Theatre | GETTYSBURG, PA | $52,962 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ALPHA FIRE COMPANY #1 | LITTLESTOWN, PA | $48,144 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| HOFFMAN HOMES INC | LITTLESTOWN, PA | $44,929 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| St Francis Xavier Catholic S | GETTYSBURG, PA | $44,762 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| United Way of Adams County | GETTYSBURG, PA | $44,353 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| FOREVER LOVE RESCUE | GETTYSBURG, PA | $43,543 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES INC | DILLSBURG, PA | $37,392 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams | GETTYSBURG, PA | $36,312 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| STRAWBERRY HILL FOUNDATION IN | FAIRFIELD, PA | $35,460 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| HOLIDAY FAMILY OUTREACH INC | GETTYSBURG, PA | $32,699 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| RUTHS HARVEST GETTYSBURG | GETTYSBURG, PA | $32,584 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| MAIN STREET GETTYSBURG INC | GETTYSBURG, PA | $31,060 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ARC OF YORK & ADAMS COUNTY | Gettysburg, PA | $30,696 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ADAMS COUNTY FARMERS MARKET | GETTYSBURG, PA | $28,696 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| SALVATION ARMY - GETTYSBURG S | GETTYSBURG, PA | $28,503 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| WALDOS AND COMPANY | GETTYSBURG, PA | $28,315 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Adams County Habitat for Huma | GETTYSBURG, PA | $28,297 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| SERVANTS INC | RED LION, PA | $28,278 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Gettysburg Area Dollars for S | GETTYSBURG, PA | $27,913 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| York Springs Fire Co No 1 | York Springs, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT |
| Gettysburg Garden Club | GETTYSBURG, PA | $24,985 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| GETTYSBURG HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO | Gettysburg, PA | $23,004 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| Adams County Office for Aging | GETTYSBURG, PA | $21,600 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ADAMS REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDI | NEW OXFORD, PA | $21,470 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| TOTEM POLE PLAYHOUSE | FAYETTEVILLE, PA | $20,957 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| MISSION OF MERCY INC | Fairfield, PA | $20,183 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| ADAMS CHRISTIAN PRISON MINIST | GETTYSBURG, PA | $20,022 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| Vickies Angel Foundation | NEW CUMBERLAND, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT |
| COMMUNITY PROGRESS COUNCIL | YORK, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT |
| ADAMS COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTIT | GETTYSBURG, PA | $19,660 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| CHILDRENS AID SOCIETY | NEW OXFORD, PA | $19,603 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| ST ALOYSIUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CH | LITTLESTOWN, PA | $17,441 | 2025 | SEE STATEMENT |
| TENDER CARE PREGNANCY CENTERS | Gettysburg, PA | $16,316 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| Project Gettysburg-Leon Inc | GETTYSBURG, PA | $16,267 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| GETTYSBURG BRASS BAND FESTIVA | GETTYSBURG, PA | $15,896 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| MUSIC GETTYSBURG AT UNITED L | GETTYSBURG, PA | $15,112 | 2025 | GIVING SPREE GRANT |
| Holy Trinity Lutheran Church | York Springs, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | COMPETITIVE GRANT |
Adams County Historical Socie
$329,278SEE STATEMENT
Adams Rescue Mission
$298,749SEE STATEMENT
Shining Stars Therapeutic Rid
$206,028SEE STATEMENT
SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTIO
$185,947SEE STATEMENT
Upper Adams School District
$179,204SEE STATEMENT
ADAMS COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
$131,103SEE STATEMENT
BERMUDIAN SPRINGS SCHOOL DIST
$129,813DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT
LAND CONSERVANCY OF ADAMS COU
$119,416SEE STATEMENT
Adams County Library System
$99,932SEE STATEMENT
GETTYSBURG CARES INC
$82,415SEE STATEMENT
ADAMS COUNTY CHILDRENS ADVOC
$75,715SEE STATEMENT
Adams County SPCA
$72,274SEE STATEMENT
GETTYSBURG COMMUNITY SOUP KIT
$67,180SEE STATEMENT
Gettysburg Community Theatre
$52,962SEE STATEMENT
ALPHA FIRE COMPANY #1
$48,144SEE STATEMENT
HOFFMAN HOMES INC
$44,929SEE STATEMENT
St Francis Xavier Catholic S
$44,762SEE STATEMENT
United Way of Adams County
$44,353SEE STATEMENT
FOREVER LOVE RESCUE
$43,543SEE STATEMENT
NEW HOPE MINISTRIES INC
$37,392SEE STATEMENT
YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams
$36,312SEE STATEMENT
STRAWBERRY HILL FOUNDATION IN
$35,460GIVING SPREE GRANT
HOLIDAY FAMILY OUTREACH INC
$32,699SEE STATEMENT
RUTHS HARVEST GETTYSBURG
$32,584SEE STATEMENT
MAIN STREET GETTYSBURG INC
$31,060SEE STATEMENT
ARC OF YORK & ADAMS COUNTY
$30,696SEE STATEMENT
ADAMS COUNTY FARMERS MARKET
$28,696SEE STATEMENT
SALVATION ARMY - GETTYSBURG S
$28,503SEE STATEMENT
WALDOS AND COMPANY
$28,315SEE STATEMENT
Adams County Habitat for Huma
$28,297SEE STATEMENT
SERVANTS INC
$28,278SEE STATEMENT
Gettysburg Area Dollars for S
$27,913GIVING SPREE GRANT
York Springs Fire Co No 1
$25,000DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT
Gettysburg Garden Club
$24,985SEE STATEMENT
GETTYSBURG HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO
$23,004SEE STATEMENT
Adams County Office for Aging
$21,600SEE STATEMENT
ADAMS REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDI
$21,470SEE STATEMENT
TOTEM POLE PLAYHOUSE
$20,957SEE STATEMENT
MISSION OF MERCY INC
$20,183GIVING SPREE GRANT
ADAMS CHRISTIAN PRISON MINIST
$20,022GIVING SPREE GRANT
Vickies Angel Foundation
$20,000DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT
COMMUNITY PROGRESS COUNCIL
$20,000DONOR ADVISED/DESIGNATED FUND GRANT
ADAMS COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTIT
$19,660SEE STATEMENT
CHILDRENS AID SOCIETY
$19,603SEE STATEMENT
ST ALOYSIUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CH
$17,441SEE STATEMENT
TENDER CARE PREGNANCY CENTERS
$16,316GIVING SPREE GRANT
Project Gettysburg-Leon Inc
$16,267GIVING SPREE GRANT
GETTYSBURG BRASS BAND FESTIVA
$15,896GIVING SPREE GRANT
MUSIC GETTYSBURG AT UNITED L
$15,112GIVING SPREE GRANT
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
$15,000COMPETITIVE GRANT