The Clark Associates Charitable Foundation concentrates its funding locally in Lancaster (and nearby York) County, PA, prioritizing land conservation and Christian faith-based social services and education. It makes a small number of very large grants to mission-driven organizations—often supporting capital, program expansion, or capacity needs—and shows repeat support for key local partners. Grants span conservation, homelessness and poverty relief, Christian schooling, and services for children with disabilities, indicating a blend of environmental stewardship and faith-centered community care.
A defining feature of Clark Associates Charitable Foundation C/o Fred Clark is its repeated support for Lancaster Conservancy, including a $1,123,800 grant in 2024 and another $851,000 in 2025 for preservation of natural lands in Lancaster and York counties, PA. That environmental commitment sits alongside a second clear thread: large awards to local rescue missions and faith-based ministries serving people facing poverty, homelessness, and other hardships. The foundation’s recent giving also includes substantial support for Christian education, pediatric rehabilitation, and community-based services for children with disabilities. Its grant history points to a funder that uses sizable awards to back mission-driven organizations with specific operating, capital, or program needs. Water Street Rescue Mission received $1,200,000 in 2025 for community support for people overcoming poverty and homelessness, while Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center has been funded multiple times for services for children with disabilities and families. The foundation also gives to education organizations in Lancaster County, including school and district-affiliated groups, and has supported projects ranging from a school musical to youth education and innovative classroom strategies. Across these areas, the pattern is local, relationship-based, and focused on direct service and institutional capacity.
Land conservation is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. Lancaster Conservancy received $1,123,800 in 2024 and $851,000 in 2025, both designated for preservation of natural lands in Lancaster and York counties, PA. Faith-based social services form another major thread. Water Street Rescue Mission received $1,200,000 in 2025 to support community members overcoming poverty and homelessness, while Good Samaritan Shelter received $182,500 in 2023 to serve homeless women and children in Ephrata, PA. Education grants appear across multiple local institutions. Lancaster County Christian School received $250,000 in 2025 for the school musical, and Columbia Education Foundation received $120,000 in 2024 and $120,000 in 2025 for creative and innovative education strategies. The foundation also supports disability services. Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center received $600,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025 for services for children with disabilities and families.
$6.8M
$51.3M
$9.2M
$7M
Most grants fall between $1K and $11K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$11K
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Highly concentrated giving: few (7) but large grants totaling nearly $6.9M, with repeated, multi-grant support to flagship local organizations; geographically focused on Lancaster/York County and program-focused (capital/program support rather than many small awards).
Notable grantees: Lancaster Conservancy, CrossNet Ministries (formerly Cross Connection Ministries), Water Street Rescue Mission, Elijah House Academy, Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center
Typical awards are small in the middle of the distribution and much larger at the high end: p25 is $1,200, median is $2,500, and p75 is $11,310. The recent record shows a handful of very large grants alongside many smaller ones, suggesting a mix of major project support and modest awards. Repeat grants are common; Lancaster Conservancy, Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center, Water Street Rescue Mission, and Columbia Education Foundation each appear in multiple years. The foundation is structured as a charitable foundation connected to Fred Clark and also funds individuals. Its grant history is overwhelmingly domestic, with all listed recipient grants going to U.S. organizations.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania: 72% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is also PA. Lancaster is the most common recipient city, with additional concentration in nearby places such as Ephrata, Lititz, Kinzers, and New Holland. The pattern extends into York County and, in a smaller number of cases, outside the region to recipients in Richmond, VA and Altavista, VA. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
The foundation supports land conservation groups, faith-based rescue missions and ministries, Christian education, and services for children with disabilities. Recent grants include preservation work for Lancaster Conservancy, support for Water Street Rescue Mission, and funding for Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center.
The grant-size distribution is highly skewed: p25 is $1,200, the median is $2,500, and p75 is $11,310. The recent record also includes several six- and seven-figure awards, indicating that the foundation combines many smaller grants with a few much larger commitments.
Yes. Lancaster Conservancy appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Water Street Rescue Mission appears in 2024 and 2025; and Columbia Education Foundation appears in 2024 and 2025.
Pennsylvania is the clear center of gravity: 72% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Pennsylvania is also the top state by grant count. Lancaster is the most common recipient city, with other Pennsylvania recipients in Ephrata, Lititz, Kinzers, New Holland, York County, and Columbia.
No. Most grants are local to Pennsylvania, but the recent list also includes recipients in Richmond, VA and Altavista, VA, plus support for Horizon efforts in Honduras and missions in former Soviet countries.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATER STREET RESCUE MISSION | LANCASTER, PA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY OVERCOMING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS |
| LANCASTER CONSERVANCY | LANCASTER, PA | $851,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PRESERVATION OF NATURAL LANDS IN LANCASTER AND YORK COUNTIES, PA |
| SCHREIBER PEDIATRIC REHAB CENTER | LANCASTER, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILIES |
| CHILDREN DESERVE A CHANCE FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | LANCASTER, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL MUSICAL |
| STONE RIDGE FOUNDATION | ALTAVISTA, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDS FOR BUILDING KITCHEN AND COMMUNITY CENTER |
| ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS | LANCASTER, PA | $247,267 | 2025 | PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP |
| LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES | LANCASTER, PA | $215,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NEEDY AND MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY |
| COLUMBIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, PA | $120,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION STRATEGIES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | LANCASTER, PA | $112,000 | 2025 | HELP YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL |
| MANHEIM TOWNSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION |
| CONESTOGA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE TO STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE DISTRICT |
| BETHANY SLAVIC CHURCH | EPHRATA, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MISSIONS EFFORTS IN FORMER SOVIET COUNTRIES |
| WARWICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LITITZ, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION |
| PEQUEA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | KINZERS, PA | $110,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION |
| NEW HOPE COUNSELING CENTER | QUARRYVILLE, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE HOPE AND RESTORATION THROUGH COUNSELING |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LANCASTERLEBANON | LANCASTER, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING SUPPORT TO NEEDY FAMILIES BY BUILDING HOMES, COMMUNITIES, AND HOPE |
| LANCASTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR A VARIETY OF SCHOOL PROJECTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LANCASTER |
| HELPING HARVEST FRESH FOOD BANK | READING, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD TO PEOPLE IN NEED |
| THE JANUS SCHOOL | MOUNT JOY, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES |
| EAST CHESTNUT STREET MENNONITE CHURCH | LANCASTER, PA | $98,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHURCH MISSIONS |
| CASA OF LANCASTER | LANCASTER, PA | $95,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE OR NEGLECT |
| SPARTAN FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION | NEW HOLLAND, PA | $65,000 | 2025 | ENHANCE GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF STUDENTS |
| BETHESDA MISSION | HARRISBURG, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING MISSIONARY SERVICES FOR POOR AND HOMELESS WITH SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHARING OF GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST |
| FEEDING HOPE | DURANT, OK | $55,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTS REFUGEE CHILDREN WITH MEALS |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE LANCASTER | LANCASTER, PA | $52,800 | 2025 | PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE | LITITZ, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS |
| ANCHORAGE BREAKFAST MINISTRY | LANCASTER, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING NEIGHBORS WHO NEED FOOD |
| AGAPE | BLOOMSBURG, PA | $45,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PROVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES TO PEOPLE IN NEED |
| MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY | MILLERSVILLE, PA | $44,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS | LANCASTER, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD TO HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS |
| BREAKING BREADJOHN MCCURRY MINISTRIES | MADISONVILLE, KY | $40,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING OPERATING COSTS FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES |
| DISCOVERY CORNER PRESCHOOL | LANCASTER, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | HELP CHILDREN EXPERIENCE CHRIST'S LOVE IN A SAFE, NURTURING, AND ENCOURAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT |
| BENCHMARK PROGRAM | LANCASTER, PA | $38,400 | 2025 | PROPEL AT-RISK YOUTH TOWARDS SUCCESS USING WEIGHT LIFTING, ACADEMICS, AND CAREER COACHING |
| BLESSINGS OF HOPE | LANCASTER, PA | $37,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED |
| CONESTOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES | LANCASTER, PA | $37,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT THE NEEDY IN THE COMMUNITY |
| ADVANTAGE LANCASTER | LANCASTER, PA | $36,800 | 2025 | PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS |
| AARON'S ACRES | LANCASTER, PA | $36,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| POWER PACKS PROJECT | LANCASTER, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE WEEKEND FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION TO FAMILIES |
| GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER | EPHRATA, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | SERVE HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EPHRATA, PA |
| LITTLE CONESTOGA CREEK FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $33,300 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO RESTORE PORTIONS OF LITTLE CONESTOGA CREEK |
| PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNCIL | LANCASTER, PA | $32,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR BOYS BY DONATING ITEMS NEEDED |
| FRANKFORT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PTO | FORT ASHBY, WV | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER SCIENCE FACTORY | LANCASTER, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING |
| FOUNDATION FOR FREE ENTERPRISE EDUCATION | ERIE, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS |
| UNITED WAY | LANCASTER, PA | $23,750 | 2025 | IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS |
| BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BLOOMSBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION |
| BRETHREN VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY | LANCASTER, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CARE FOR THE ELDERLY |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MASON VALLEY | YERINGTON, NV | $20,000 | 2025 | HELP YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL |
| MESSIAH UNIVERSITY | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT |
WATER STREET RESCUE MISSION
$1,200,000SUPPORT COMMUNITY OVERCOMING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS
LANCASTER CONSERVANCY
$851,000SUPPORT PRESERVATION OF NATURAL LANDS IN LANCASTER AND YORK COUNTIES, PA
SCHREIBER PEDIATRIC REHAB CENTER
$250,000SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND FAMILIES
PROVIDE FUNDS FOR BUILDING KITCHEN AND COMMUNITY CENTER
ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS
$247,267PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP
LANCASTER COUNTY COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
$215,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NEEDY AND MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF SOCIETY
COLUMBIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$120,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION STRATEGIES
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$110,000SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION
CONESTOGA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$110,000PROVIDE TO STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE DISTRICT
BETHANY SLAVIC CHURCH
$110,000SUPPORT MISSIONS EFFORTS IN FORMER SOVIET COUNTRIES
WARWICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$110,000SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION
PEQUEA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$110,000SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION
NEW HOPE COUNSELING CENTER
$100,000PROVIDE HOPE AND RESTORATION THROUGH COUNSELING
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LANCASTERLEBANON
$100,000PROVIDING SUPPORT TO NEEDY FAMILIES BY BUILDING HOMES, COMMUNITIES, AND HOPE
LANCASTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR A VARIETY OF SCHOOL PROJECTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LANCASTER
EAST CHESTNUT STREET MENNONITE CHURCH
$98,800SUPPORT CHURCH MISSIONS
CASA OF LANCASTER
$95,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE OR NEGLECT
SPARTAN FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION
$65,000ENHANCE GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF STUDENTS
BETHESDA MISSION
$60,000PROVIDING MISSIONARY SERVICES FOR POOR AND HOMELESS WITH SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHARING OF GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
FEEDING HOPE
$55,000SUPPORTS REFUGEE CHILDREN WITH MEALS
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE LANCASTER
$52,800PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND THEIR FAMILIES
MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE
$50,000PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS
ANCHORAGE BREAKFAST MINISTRY
$50,000SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING NEIGHBORS WHO NEED FOOD
AGAPE
$45,000SUPPORT PROVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES TO PEOPLE IN NEED
MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
$44,000SCHOLARSHIPS
MEALS ON WHEELS
$40,000PROVIDE FOOD TO HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS
BREAKING BREADJOHN MCCURRY MINISTRIES
$40,000PROVIDING OPERATING COSTS FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
DISCOVERY CORNER PRESCHOOL
$40,000HELP CHILDREN EXPERIENCE CHRIST'S LOVE IN A SAFE, NURTURING, AND ENCOURAGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
BENCHMARK PROGRAM
$38,400PROPEL AT-RISK YOUTH TOWARDS SUCCESS USING WEIGHT LIFTING, ACADEMICS, AND CAREER COACHING
BLESSINGS OF HOPE
$37,500PROVIDE FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED
CONESTOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
$37,500PROVIDE SUPPORT THE NEEDY IN THE COMMUNITY
ADVANTAGE LANCASTER
$36,800PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS
PROVIDE WEEKEND FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION TO FAMILIES
GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER
$35,000SERVE HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EPHRATA, PA
LITTLE CONESTOGA CREEK FOUNDATION
$33,300PROVIDE SUPPORT TO RESTORE PORTIONS OF LITTLE CONESTOGA CREEK
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COUNCIL
$32,500PROVIDE FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR BOYS BY DONATING ITEMS NEEDED
FRANKFORT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PTO
$25,000SUPPORT YOUTH EDUCATION
LANCASTER SCIENCE FACTORY
$25,000SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING
PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS
UNITED WAY
$23,750IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
HELP YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY
$20,000SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT