As a community foundation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Bridge Builders helps people give with purpose to strengthen local communities through grants, scholarships, and partnerships.
Bridge Builders Community Foundations Fka Venango Area Comm Foundation gives in a clearly local pattern: 95% of its grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and its recent awards show repeated support for libraries, community institutions, and economic-development partners in northwestern Pennsylvania. The largest recent grant on file is a $499,270 distribution to United Way of Venango County in Reno, followed by a $216,394 distribution to the same organization in 2024. That repeated awarding points to a foundation that uses annual distributions and discretionary grants to support established local intermediaries as well as project-level needs. The foundation’s recent grant list also includes sizable support for regional civic and cultural institutions. It gave $130,000 to Eccles-lesher Memorial Library Trust for operating expenses and projects for Eccles Library, and $118,246 to the City of Oil City for electrical consumption and the Arts Council. Alongside those larger awards, the portfolio includes grants to chambers of commerce, libraries, arts organizations, and economic-development entities, showing a mix of community infrastructure support and place-based philanthropy within the Venango County area.
Library and information access is one recurring theme. Bridge Builders Community Foundations Fka Venango Area Comm Foundation gave $98,000 in 2025 to Eccles-lesher Memorial Library, $95,000 in 2024 to the same institution, and $31,500 in 2025 to Oil City Library as an annual distribution. It also awarded $21,443 to Oil Region Library Association for library technology upgrades. Arts and community culture appear in several grants. The foundation gave $100,000 to Franklin Civic Operetta Association in 2025 and $50,000 to Oil City Arts Council in 2025. Earlier, the City of Oil City received $118,246 for electrical consumption and the Arts Council. Workforce and education show up through targeted partnerships. In 2024, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce received $70,000 for Be Here & Young Professionals and $50,000 for the OC Riverfront Study. The foundation also issued a $59,050 grant to Gems (Girls Excelling in Math & Science) for the GEMS program.
$1.3M
$20.4M
$2.8M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $8K and $32K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$32K
TRENTON MOULIN
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Bridge Builders Community Foundations Fka Venango Area Comm Foundation’s typical grant size sits in a mid-sized range: the 25th percentile is $7,930, the median is $13,168, and the 75th percentile is $31,756. Recent awards extend well above that range, indicating a mix of routine operating support and larger distributions. The recent record also shows repeat funding across years. United Way of Venango County received distributions in both 2024 and 2025, and Eccles-lesher Memorial Library appeared in consecutive years as well. The foundation is a community foundation, does not fund individuals, and its grantmaking includes discretionary grants, annual distributions, and pass-through support. Several programs accept unsolicited applications through a grant portal or program page.
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in northwestern Pennsylvania. By count, Pennsylvania is the top state, and 95% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Recent awards cluster in Reno, Franklin, Oil City, Rimersburg, Punxsutawney, Knox, and Marienvillle/Marienville-area communities, with Oil City and Franklin appearing frequently among larger grants. Outside Pennsylvania, the recent grant list includes a single recipient in Massachusetts and recipients in New York and Washington, DC.
The grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards: the 25th percentile is $7,930, the median is $13,168, and the 75th percentile is $31,756. Recent grants also include larger distributions, so the foundation’s portfolio ranges from modest awards to major community support.
Yes. The recent record shows repeat support across years, including distributions to United Way of Venango County in 2024 and 2025 and awards to Eccles-lesher Memorial Library in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern suggests ongoing support for certain local institutions.
Its recent grantmaking includes libraries and technology upgrades, arts and community culture, economic development, workforce-related programming, and local infrastructure or facility needs. The program list also includes behavioral health, education, community development, and emergency services support.
Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Venango Area Community Foundation Discretionary Grant, the Center for Rural Ministry Rural Impact Fund, scholarship opportunities, and the general grant opportunities page. Those programs are described as open through the website’s grant portal or program pages.
It gives locally. Pennsylvania recipients account for 95% of grants, and the recent grants list is concentrated in northwestern Pennsylvania communities such as Reno, Franklin, Oil City, Rimersburg, and Punxsutawney.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Bridge Builders Community Foundations Fka Venango Area Comm Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations from outside the region may apply, but priority is given to organizations based in or serving Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Deadline: Rolling submissions; award timelines are early spring and early fall.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF VENANGO COUNTY | RENO, PA | $499,270 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY | RIMERSBURG, PA | $98,000 | 2025 | ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY |
| OIL REGION LIBRARY ASSOCIATION | OIL CITY, PA | $76,851 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| ALLEGHENY VALLEY TRAILS ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| OIL CITY ARTS COUNCIL | OIL CITY, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| OIL CITY LIBRARY | OIL CITY, PA | $31,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION |
| NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC | DUNKIRK, NY | $24,949 | 2025 | MATERIAL, LABOR & EQUIPMENT FOR ROOFING |
| NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC | DUNKIRK, NY | $24,949 | 2025 | MATERIAL, LABOR & EQUIPMENT FOR ROOFING |
| FOREST COUNTY | TIONESTA, PA | $21,285 | 2025 | ORIGINAL GRANT SENT TO WRONG ORGANIZATION |
| FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $15,264 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION |
| COOPERSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY | COOPERSTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| FRANKLIN ROTARY FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | DOG PARK |
| SCENIC RIVERS YMCA | OIL CITY, PA | $9,724 | 2025 | CAMP COFFMAN SUMMER DAY CAMP AMPHITHEATER |
| CLARION FREE LIBRARY | CLARION, PA | $9,000 | 2025 | FRONT STAIR RENOVATION PROJECT |
| VISION FOR THE POOR | ERIE, PA | $8,755 | 2025 | GRANT |
| CLARION BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY | CLARION, PA | $8,474 | 2025 | CLARION MULTI-GENERATIONAL PARK |
| KEYSTONE SMILES COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER | KNOX, PA | $8,332 | 2025 | HOUSE OF TRADES PROGRAM (HOT) |
| SENECA HILLS BIBLE CONFERENCE | POLK, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | 2025 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM |
| KEYSTONE COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL | OIL CITY, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | WELDING TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM-VENANGO COUNTY |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - TITUSVILLE | TITUSVILLE, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | MAC TRAINING FOR VENANGO COUNTY RESIDENTS |
| BROCKWAY CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY AT TITUSVILLE | TITUSVILLE, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | BROCKWAY CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY |
| NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC | DUNKIRK, NY | $7,750 | 2025 | ASBESTOS REMOVAL |
| GLADE RUN | UTICA, PA | $7,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION (CBI) AT ST. STEPHEN'S UTICA |
| OIL REGION LIBRARY ASSOCIATION | OIL CITY, PA | $6,850 | 2025 | THEATER PROJECT |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN - ERIE | ERIE, PA | $6,692 | 2025 | GRANT |
| COMMUNITY SERVICES OF VENANGO CO INC | OIL CITY, PA | $6,036 | 2025 | GRANT |
| SCENIC RIVERS YMCA | OIL CITY, PA | $6,000 | 2025 | CLARION COUNTY YMCA ALL-KIDS BIKE PROGRAM |
| OZO EDU INC | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $5,620 | 2025 | INV. 59624 |
| OIL REGION CATHOLIC COMMUNITY | OIL CITY, PA | $5,464 | 2025 | GRANT |
| GRACE CAROLL | FRANKLIN, PA | $5,190 | 2025 | DONATION |
| UNITED WAY OF VENANGO COUNTY | RENO, PA | $5,099 | 2025 | GRANT |
| UNITED WAY OF VENANGO COUNTY | RENO, PA | $216,394 | 2024 | DISTRIBUTION |
| ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY | RIMERSBURG, PA | $95,000 | 2024 | ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY |
| VENANGO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OIL CITY, PA | $70,000 | 2024 | BE HERE & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS |
| GEMS (GIRLS EXCELLING IN MATH & SCIENCE) | FRANKLIN, PA | $59,050 | 2024 | GRANT - GEMS |
| VENANGO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OIL CITY, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GRANT - OC RIVERFRONT STUDY |
| VENANGO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY | FRANKLIN, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | OC NATIONAL BANK BUILDING |
| OIL CITY TAKE PRIDE | FRANKLIN, PA | $39,300 | 2024 | PNC PASS THRU GRANT |
| PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA COAL MEMORIAL | PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA | $37,583 | 2024 | GRANT - RETIREMENT OF FUND |
| PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC | PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA | $35,709 | 2024 | GRANT |
| SALVATION ARMY | WEST NYACK, NY | $29,868 | 2024 | BEAR CRAT GRANT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, DC | $29,868 | 2024 | BEAR CRAT GRANT |
| FOREST COUNTY EMS AUTHORITY | MARIENVILLE, PA | $21,285 | 2024 | AMBULANCE RADIOS |
| RIMERSBURG CEMETERY | RIMERSBURG, PA | $14,500 | 2024 | ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FOR RIMERSBURG CEMETERY |
| VENANGO COUNTY FAIR | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GRANT - FAIR UPGRADES |
| CATHOLIC RURAL MINISTRY | OIL CITY, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | CRM VENANGO VETERAN'S CRISIS FUND |
| CLARION BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY INC | CLARION, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | CLARION MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY PARK |
| FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | TEEN ROOM IMPROVMENT FOR THE COOPERSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY |
FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION
$100,000DISTRIBUTION
FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION
$100,000DISTRIBUTION
ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$98,000ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
OIL REGION LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
$76,851DISTRIBUTION
ALLEGHENY VALLEY TRAILS ASSOCIATION
$50,000DISTRIBUTION
OIL CITY ARTS COUNCIL
$50,000GRANT
OIL CITY LIBRARY
$31,500ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC
$24,949MATERIAL, LABOR & EQUIPMENT FOR ROOFING
NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC
$24,949MATERIAL, LABOR & EQUIPMENT FOR ROOFING
FOREST COUNTY
$21,285ORIGINAL GRANT SENT TO WRONG ORGANIZATION
FRANKLIN CIVIC OPERETTA ASSOCIATION
$15,264DISTRIBUTION
COOPERSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$15,000GRANT
FRANKLIN ROTARY FOUNDATION
$10,000DOG PARK
SCENIC RIVERS YMCA
$9,724CAMP COFFMAN SUMMER DAY CAMP AMPHITHEATER
CLARION FREE LIBRARY
$9,000FRONT STAIR RENOVATION PROJECT
CLARION BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY
$8,474CLARION MULTI-GENERATIONAL PARK
KEYSTONE SMILES COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
$8,332HOUSE OF TRADES PROGRAM (HOT)
SENECA HILLS BIBLE CONFERENCE
$8,0002025 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
KEYSTONE COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL
$8,000WELDING TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM-VENANGO COUNTY
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - TITUSVILLE
$8,000MAC TRAINING FOR VENANGO COUNTY RESIDENTS
BROCKWAY CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY AT TITUSVILLE
$8,000BROCKWAY CENTER FOR ARTS & TECHNOLOGY
NORTHWESTERN ROOFING CO INC
$7,750ASBESTOS REMOVAL
GLADE RUN
$7,500COMMUNITY BASED INSTRUCTION (CBI) AT ST. STEPHEN'S UTICA
OIL REGION LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
$6,850THEATER PROJECT
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN - ERIE
$6,692GRANT
COMMUNITY SERVICES OF VENANGO CO INC
$6,036GRANT
SCENIC RIVERS YMCA
$6,000CLARION COUNTY YMCA ALL-KIDS BIKE PROGRAM
OZO EDU INC
$5,620INV. 59624
OIL REGION CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
$5,464GRANT
GRACE CAROLL
$5,190DONATION
ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$95,000ECCLES-LESHER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
VENANGO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$70,000BE HERE & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
GEMS (GIRLS EXCELLING IN MATH & SCIENCE)
$59,050GRANT - GEMS
VENANGO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$50,000GRANT - OC RIVERFRONT STUDY
VENANGO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
$50,000OC NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
OIL CITY TAKE PRIDE
$39,300PNC PASS THRU GRANT
PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA COAL MEMORIAL
$37,583GRANT - RETIREMENT OF FUND
PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
$35,709GRANT
SALVATION ARMY
$29,868BEAR CRAT GRANT
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$29,868BEAR CRAT GRANT
FOREST COUNTY EMS AUTHORITY
$21,285AMBULANCE RADIOS
RIMERSBURG CEMETERY
$14,500ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FOR RIMERSBURG CEMETERY
VENANGO COUNTY FAIR
$10,000GRANT - FAIR UPGRADES
CATHOLIC RURAL MINISTRY
$10,000CRM VENANGO VETERAN'S CRISIS FUND
CLARION BLUEPRINT COMMUNITY INC
$10,000CLARION MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY PARK
FRANKLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$10,000TEEN ROOM IMPROVMENT FOR THE COOPERSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY