The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation concentrates its giving almost exclusively on higher education in Allentown, with a focused, long-term investment in Lehigh University. Its grants fund an endowed institute — the Baker Institute — supporting entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation at the university. The foundation appears to prioritize sustaining a named academic center rather than broad, diversified charitable support.
The Dexter F and Dorothy H Baker Foundation’s clearest throughline is its long-running support for the Baker Institute at Lehigh University, including a $250,000 operating-support grant in 2025 for the 2015-2035 Baker Institute. That anchor point helps define the foundation’s style: sustained backing for a named university institute tied to entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. Alongside that core commitment, the foundation makes smaller grants to local organizations in education, arts, health, and youth development, often for specific programs or operating support. Recent examples include $30,000 for Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc. for a school-based behavioral health program and $30,000 for Rodale Institute for a regenerative healthcare program. The pattern suggests a funder that keeps a central higher-education investment in place while also supporting nearby organizations working in student supports, family learning, and community wellness. Its grant list shows repeat support across years for certain recipients, indicating an ongoing relationship rather than one-off project funding. The foundation’s giving is local in scope and heavily centered in Pennsylvania, with Bethlehem and Allentown appearing often in the recent record.
In higher education, the foundation has repeatedly supported Lehigh University for the Baker Institute and related university programs, including two $125,000 payments in 2023 and a $25,000 grant in 2023 for the Zoellner Arts Center’s Michael Feinstein Baker Celebration. In student support work, it gave $25,000 to Communities in Schools of Eastern PA in 2023 for integrated student supports and another $25,000 in 2025 for operating support. Arts and cultural programming also appears in the record: the foundation awarded $25,000 to Texas Ballet Theater for community enrichment and $20,000 to the Allentown Art Museum for educational programming support. Health-related grants include $30,000 to Kellyn Foundation for a community intensive lifestyle medicine program and $30,000 to Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc. for school-based behavioral health.
The typical grant is modest relative to the foundation’s overall giving: the 25th percentile is $9,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent record shows a mix of one-time awards and repeated support across multiple years, especially for Lehigh University and several local service organizations. Grants are often labeled operating support, program support, or payments tied to a named initiative, which points to a foundation that uses both general and restricted grants. It is a private foundation with no program-related investments listed, and it also funds individuals.
$662K
$16M
$1.8M
$1M
Most grants fall between $9K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Highly concentrated: few, large gifts directed to a single repeat grantee (multi-year/endowment-style support for a named institute).
Notable grantees: Lehigh University (The Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation)
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Pennsylvania: 81% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and PA is also the top state by grant count. Bethlehem and Allentown appear frequently in the recent grants list, with additional Pennsylvania recipients in Tatamy and Kutztown. Outside Pennsylvania, recent grants reach Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and Bonita Springs and Naples, Florida, but those locations appear less often than the Pennsylvania recipients.
The recent record shows support for a university-based institute, school and student supports, arts and cultural programming, and health-related initiatives. Examples include Lehigh University for the Baker Institute, Communities in Schools for integrated student supports, Texas Ballet Theater for community enrichment, and Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc. for school-based behavioral health.
Typical awards are relatively small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $9,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent list also includes larger commitments, such as $250,000 to Lehigh University in 2025 and $225,000 in 2024.
Yes. The recent grants show repeated support over multiple years, especially for Lehigh University, which appears in several years tied to the Baker Institute and related university payments. Other repeat recipients include Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, Kellyn Foundation, and Boys and Girls Club of Allentown.
It gives most often in Pennsylvania. The data shows 81% of grants going to recipients in PA, and Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count. Bethlehem and Allentown are especially prominent among the recipient cities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | 2015-2035 THE BAKER INSTITUTE, OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA | ALLENTOWN, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITERACY CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KELLYN FOUNDATION | TATAMY, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2025 HEALTH NEIGHBORHOOD IMMERSION INITIATIVE - ALLENTOWN |
| LEHIGH VALLEY ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2025 ARTS EDUCATOR ASSET MAPPING, YOUTH AT ART, LUNCH & LEARN, LVACA 2025 CONVENING |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2025 MAKE YOUR M.A.R.K. AND MONEY MATTERS PROGRAMS |
| ALLENTOWN ART MUSEUM | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2025 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING SUPPORT |
| BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM | BETHLEHEM, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 YOUTH, EDUCATION, AND FAMILY PROGRAMS |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY - ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER | BETHLEHEM, PA | $17,500 | 2025 | 2025-2027 ANY GIVEN CHILD |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | 2025-2026 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DA VINCI DISCOVERY CENTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 SCIENCE IN THE MAKING: COLOR MIXING ROOM |
| VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE COMMITTEE INC | BETHLEHEM, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | 2025 CERTIFIED PEER SPECIALIST |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 BAKER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE |
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | EASTON, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024 FALL DANCE SERIES AT THE WILLIAMS CENTER FOR THE ARTS |
| ARTSQUEST | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 EXPRESSIVE ARTS OR MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| TOUCHSTONE THEATRE | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 TOUCHSTONE THEATRES THE BIG READ |
| PRATYUSH SINHA FOUNDATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BAUM SCHOOL OF ART THE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE | EASTON, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025-2026 DANCE SERIES |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025 YOUTH ARTS PROGRAMMING AND FIELD TRIPS |
| PINEBROOK FAMILY ANSWERS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 MAKING THE GRADE |
| ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | 2025-2026 ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY NEW MUSIC PERFORMANCES |
| WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY | EMMAUS, PA | $9,000 | 2025 | 2025 WILD ABOUT LEARNING |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $9,000 | 2025 | 2022-2025 BAKER MERIT SCHOLARS, CLASS OF 2026 |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $9,000 | 2025 | 2025 ARTS COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM |
| MUHLENBERG COLLEGE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $9,000 | 2025 | 2021-2024 BAKER MERIT SCHOLARS, CLASS OF 2025 |
| WDIY 881 FM LEHIGH VALLEY PUBLIC RADIO | BETHLEHEM, PA | $6,000 | 2025 | 2025 COMMUNITY ARTS AND TEEN FINANCE PROGRAMMING |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY - ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER | BETHLEHEM, PA | $6,000 | 2025 | 2025 ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | 2025 YOUTH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES |
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 LEHIGH VALLEY K-12 EDUCATION PROGRAMMING |
| LITERACY CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY GRANT FOR EDUCATION MATERIALS |
| STATE THEATRE CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC | EASTON, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | 2025 FREDDY AWARDS PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 YOUTH BIKE MENTORING & LEADERSHIP SUMMIT |
| LEHIGH VALLEY CHILDREN'S CENTERS INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | 2025 SUMMER PROGRAM ENRICHMENT |
| PENNSYLVANIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | CENTER VALLEY, PA | $4,000 | 2025 | 2025 WILLPOWER TOUR |
| PENNSYLVANIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | CENTER VALLEY, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | 2025 SUMMER TEACHER INTENSIVE WORKSHOP |
| LEHIGH UNIVERISTY | Bethlehem, PA | $225,000 | 2024 | 2015-2035 THE BAKER INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY. |
| BIG THOUGHT | Dallas, TX | $32,500 | 2024 | 2022-2023 Operating Support |
| KELLYN FOUNDATION | Tatamy, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | 2024 Community Intensive Lifestyle Medicine Program |
| LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL INC | Allentown, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | 2024 School-Based Behavioral Health Program |
| RODALE INSTITUTE | Kutztown, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | 2024 Regenerative Healthcare Program |
| NEW HORIZONS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | Bonita Springs, FL | $30,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 Super Kids Club and Super Teens Club |
| BOYS and GIRLS CLUB OF Allentown | Allentown, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 General Operating Support |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN TEXAS | Dallas, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 STEM Programming for Girls |
| TEXAS BALLET THEATER | Fort Worth, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | 2024 TBT Community Enrichment |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | Allentown, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 Integrated Student Supports |
| THE LITERACY CENTER | Allentown, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | 2024 Adult ESL Program |
| COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS | Allentown, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | 2024 Youth Bike Mentoring & Leadership |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF COLLIER COUNTY | Naples, FL | $15,000 | 2024 | 2024 EmpowerED |
LEHIGH VALLEY ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE
$20,0002025 ARTS EDUCATOR ASSET MAPPING, YOUTH AT ART, LUNCH & LEARN, LVACA 2025 CONVENING
2025 MAKE YOUR M.A.R.K. AND MONEY MATTERS PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
$15,0002025-2026 OPERATING SUPPORT
2024 SCIENCE IN THE MAKING: COLOR MIXING ROOM
TOUCHSTONE THEATRE
$10,0002024-2025 TOUCHSTONE THEATRES THE BIG READ
PRATYUSH SINHA FOUNDATION
$10,0002025 OPERATING SUPPORT
2025-2026 ALLENTOWN SYMPHONY NEW MUSIC PERFORMANCES
WDIY 881 FM LEHIGH VALLEY PUBLIC RADIO
$6,0002025 COMMUNITY ARTS AND TEEN FINANCE PROGRAMMING
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY - ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER
$6,0002025 ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
$5,0002025 YOUTH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY
$5,0002024 LEHIGH VALLEY K-12 EDUCATION PROGRAMMING
2015-2035 THE BAKER INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY.
LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL INC
$30,0002024 School-Based Behavioral Health Program
2023-2024 Super Kids Club and Super Teens Club
2023-2024 Integrated Student Supports