The Doris E. Stackpole Foundation focuses on place-based charitable support in rural northwestern Pennsylvania, concentrating heavily in Elk County and surrounding communities. Its giving prioritizes direct community needs — local public schools (classroom supplies, ag education, equipment), basic social services (Salvation Army emergency gap funding, senior programs), faith-based general operating support, veterans' posts, and animal welfare. The foundation often funds practical capital needs (vans, speakers, vending/book machines) and endowment-type support through the Elk County Community Foundation.
The Doris E Stackpole Foundation repeatedly directs large grants into Elk County institutions that serve daily community needs, with a 2025 package that included $115,335 to St Marys Area School District for school programs, classroom cupboards, and agricultural education, and $56,698 to the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania for the Elk County emergency gap fund, senior birthdays, and a passenger van. That pattern shows a funder comfortable with both operating support and practical purchases when they benefit rural northwest Pennsylvania residents. Its giving also reaches local infrastructure and community capacity. The foundation awarded $50,000 to the Elk County Humane Society for spay/neuter work, classroom cupboards, and a new van, while a separate $25,000 grant established the Doris Stackpole Fund at the Elk County Community Foundation. Across the recent grants list, support tends to be highly local, often tied to schools, churches, social service providers, and civic organizations in St Marys, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, and nearby communities. The portfolio includes recurring help for public schools, faith-based general operating support, veterans' organizations, and animal welfare groups. Many awards combine program support with equipment or capital items, such as vans, book vending machines, gym speakers, and building or renovation work, which suggests a hands-on style of philanthropy focused on specific local needs rather than broad thematic campaigns.
Education is a major thread in the Doris E Stackpole Foundation’s recent grants. It gave $65,000 to St Marys Area School District for the Dutch Engineering Program and the Dutch Classroom Cupboard, and $35,159 to Johnsonburg Area School District for a book vending machine, holiday meals, gym speakers, and musical instruments. Other school support included $15,000 to Ridgeway Area School District for general operations. The foundation also backs emergency and food-related assistance. It awarded $56,698 to the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania for the Elk County emergency gap fund and senior birthdays, and $10,000 to Keystone Rural Health Consortia Inc for the food pantry and food boxes for patients. Youth and enrichment programs appear in grants to the Community Education Center of Elk & Cameron Counties for 400 copies of the 988 End the Stigma book and the Discovery Partnership Program, and to St Marys Public Library for STEM camps for middle school age children and the Library of Things. Animal welfare is another clear area, with support to humane society organizations for spay/neuter work and shelter improvements.
$465K
$9.2M
$273K
$642K
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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.
Concentrated, locally focused giving with a mix of a few large, multi-year or multi-grant commitments (notably a very large allocation to the Elk County Community Foundation) and several medium-sized operational and capital grants to repeat local grantees; pragmatic, unrestricted or program-support grants addressing immediate community needs.
Notable grantees: Elk County Community Foundation, St Marys Area School District, Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, St Marys Church, Elk County Humane Society
The foundation’s typical grant size is $8,450 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent giving also includes larger awards such as $250,000 and $125,000 to the Elk County Community Foundation, showing that the distribution includes both major operating support and smaller project grants. The grant list shows repeated support to several recipients across multiple years, including St Marys Area School District, Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, Family House Inc, Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, and Elk County Humane Society. The foundation is a private foundation and funds individuals; the recent grants list suggests direct, discretionary grantmaking rather than an open application process.
Grantmaking is fully concentrated in Pennsylvania, with 100% of grants to recipients in the state. The most common recipient cities in the recent list are St Marys, Johnsonburg, and Ridgway, with additional grants in Pittsburgh, Carnegie, Wexford, and Kansas City for organizations serving Elk County. The pattern points to a local footprint centered on Elk County and nearby western Pennsylvania communities rather than a multi-state or national distribution.
The recent grants list shows schools, social service groups, churches, veterans’ organizations, animal welfare groups, and libraries. Examples include school districts in St Marys, Johnsonburg, and Ridgway; the Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania; St Marys Church; the VFW Foundation for a post in Ridgway; and local humane society organizations.
Typical awards are relatively concentrated around a modest local-grant range: the 25th percentile is $8,450, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The list also includes larger operating grants such as $250,000 and $125,000 to the Elk County Community Foundation.
Yes. The recent grants include multiple awards to St Marys Area School District, Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania, Family House Inc, Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, and Elk County Humane Society across more than one year, indicating repeat support rather than one-time-only giving.
The grant list is entirely Pennsylvania-based, and the recipient cities cluster in western Pennsylvania. St Marys appears often, along with Johnsonburg and Ridgway, which aligns with the foundation’s focus on Elk County and surrounding communities.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, alongside its organizational grants to schools, nonprofits, and faith-based groups.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST MARYS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | ST MARYS, PA | $115,335 | 2025 | TO FUND VARIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TO ESTABLISH AND REPLENISH SCHOOL CLASSROOM CUPBOARDS; AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| SALVATION ARMY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | CARNEGIE, PA | $56,698 | 2025 | TO FUND THE ELK COUNTY EMERGENCY GAP FUND AND ELK COUNTY SENIOR BIRTHDAYS AND TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF A CHRYSLER PACIFICA PASSENGER VAN |
| VFW FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HALL MOORE STARNER VFW POST 5887 IN RIDGWAY, PA |
| ELK COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | ST MARYS, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND CLASSROOM CUPBOARDS AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VAN |
| JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | JOHNSONBURG, PA | $35,159 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE A BOOK VENDING MACHINE FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY MEALS; TO PURCHASE GYM SPEAKERS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS |
| ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST MARYS, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | DORIS STACKPOLE FUND |
| ST MARYS CHURCH | ST MARYS, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FUND ST WALBURGA GROTTO HILLSIDE RENOVATION |
| FAMILY HOUSE INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED FOR THE USE OF RESIDENTS OF ELK COUNTY, PA |
| COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER OF ELK & CAMERON COUNTIES | ST MARYS, PA | $12,400 | 2025 | TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF 400 COPIES OF 988 END THE STIGMA BOOK AND DISCOVERY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $12,300 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF STEM PROGRAM |
| KEYSTONE RURAL HEALTH CONSORTIA INC | RIDGWAY, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE FOOD PANTRY AND FOOD BOXES FOR PATIENTS |
| JOHNSONBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY | JOHNSONBURG, PA | $8,853 | 2025 | TO FUND COMPUTER AND FURNITURE PURCHASES |
| RIDGWAY YMCA | RIDGWAY, PA | $8,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP |
| RIDGWAY PUBLIC LIBRARY | RIDGWAY, PA | $8,200 | 2025 | FOR KALEIDOSCOPE STEEL SCULPTURES |
| DICKINSON CENTER INC | RIDGWAY, PA | $7,000 | 2025 | YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SUMMER PROGRAM & BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES |
| BUCKSGAHUDA & WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY | KERSEY, PA | $6,536 | 2025 | TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF NEW WHEELS FOR THE STEAM ENGINE |
| RIDGWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | RIDGWAY, PA | $6,522 | 2025 | TO FUND VARIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| PENN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION | RIDGWAY, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR ELK COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NW PENNSYLVANIA | ERIE, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO FUND FOX TOWNSHIP & SOUTH ST. MARY'S STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM |
| ST MARYS PUBLIC LIBRARY | ST MARYS, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR STEM CAMPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND FOR THE LIBRARY OF THINGS |
| ST MARYS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | ST MARYS, PA | $65,000 | 2024 | FOR THE DUTCH ENGINEERING PROGRAM AND THE DUTCH CLASSROOM CUPBOARD |
| JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | JOHNSONBURG, PA | $27,500 | 2024 | FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEACHER'S ZEN DENFOR ESTABLISHING A FUND IN THE NAME OF LENNY'S LOVE |
| VARIETY THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | WEXFORD, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | FOR ADAPTIVE BIKES & STROLLERS |
| HOLY ROSARY PARISH | JOHNSONBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | TO ESTABLISH AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS IN THE JOHNSONBURG AREA |
| FAMILY HOUSE INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | RESTRICTED FOR THE USE OF RESIDENTS OF ELK COUNTY, PA |
| ELK COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | ST MARYS, PA | $14,500 | 2024 | FOR A WALK-IN STAINLESS STEEL TUB FOR BATHING DOGS AND OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL AREA |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF STEM PROGRAM |
| ST MARYS PUBLIC LIBRARY | ST MARYS, PA | $9,500 | 2024 | FOR STEM CAMPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND FOR THE LIBRARY OF THINGS |
| RIDGEWAY YMCA | RIDGEWAY, PA | $7,700 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP AND CAMP EXPENSES |
| PENN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION | RIDGEWAY, PA | $2,500 | 2024 | FOR ELK COUNTY EXTENSION QPR WORKSHOPS |
| DICKINSON CENTER INC | RIDGEWAY, PA | $2,000 | 2024 | FOR NEW SHOES FOR THE 18 CHILDREN AGES 11-17 IN THE CROSSROADS PROGRAM |
| ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST MARYS, PA | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST MARYS, PA | $125,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| ST MARYS CHURCH | ST MARYS, PA | $65,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| SALVATION ARMY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | CARNEGIE, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | ELK COUNTY WARM HEARTS PROGRAM |
| VARIETY THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | WEXFORD, PA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RIDGEWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | RIDGEWAY, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
| JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT | JOHNSONBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | CLASSROOM CUPBOARD PROJECT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT OF STEM PROGRAM |
| FAMILY HOUSE INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2023 | RESTRICTED FOR THE USE OF RESIDENTS OF ELK COUNTY, PA |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST MARYS | ST MARYS, PA | $9,188 | 2023 | IMPROVEMENTS TO OUTSIDE PEN AREAS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $8,450 | 2023 | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GUARDIAN ANGEL CENTER INC | KERSEY, PA | $7,050 | 2023 | TO PURCHASE NEW WASHER AND DRYER, WORK TABLES |
| RIDGEWAY YMCA | RIDGEWAY, PA | $5,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP AND CAMP EXPENSES |
| COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL INC | ST MARYS, PA | $2,500 | 2023 | FOR KINDNESS RICKS AND SMILES PROGRAM |
ST MARYS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$115,335TO FUND VARIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TO ESTABLISH AND REPLENISH SCHOOL CLASSROOM CUPBOARDS; AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
SALVATION ARMY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
$56,698TO FUND THE ELK COUNTY EMERGENCY GAP FUND AND ELK COUNTY SENIOR BIRTHDAYS AND TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF A CHRYSLER PACIFICA PASSENGER VAN
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HALL MOORE STARNER VFW POST 5887 IN RIDGWAY, PA
ELK COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000FOR SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM AND CLASSROOM CUPBOARDS AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VAN
JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$35,159TO PURCHASE A BOOK VENDING MACHINE FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY MEALS; TO PURCHASE GYM SPEAKERS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$25,000DORIS STACKPOLE FUND
ST MARYS CHURCH
$25,000TO FUND ST WALBURGA GROTTO HILLSIDE RENOVATION
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER OF ELK & CAMERON COUNTIES
$12,400TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF 400 COPIES OF 988 END THE STIGMA BOOK AND DISCOVERY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
KEYSTONE RURAL HEALTH CONSORTIA INC
$10,000FOR THE FOOD PANTRY AND FOOD BOXES FOR PATIENTS
JOHNSONBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
$8,853TO FUND COMPUTER AND FURNITURE PURCHASES
RIDGWAY YMCA
$8,500TO PROVIDE HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP
RIDGWAY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$8,200FOR KALEIDOSCOPE STEEL SCULPTURES
YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SUMMER PROGRAM & BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES
BUCKSGAHUDA & WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY
$6,536TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF NEW WHEELS FOR THE STEAM ENGINE
RIDGWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$6,522TO FUND VARIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
$5,000FOR ELK COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NW PENNSYLVANIA
$5,000TO FUND FOX TOWNSHIP & SOUTH ST. MARY'S STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM
ST MARYS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$2,500FOR STEM CAMPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND FOR THE LIBRARY OF THINGS
ST MARYS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$65,000FOR THE DUTCH ENGINEERING PROGRAM AND THE DUTCH CLASSROOM CUPBOARD
JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$27,500FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEACHER'S ZEN DENFOR ESTABLISHING A FUND IN THE NAME OF LENNY'S LOVE
HOLY ROSARY PARISH
$15,000TO ESTABLISH AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS IN THE JOHNSONBURG AREA
ELK COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$14,500FOR A WALK-IN STAINLESS STEEL TUB FOR BATHING DOGS AND OUTDOOR DOG KENNEL AREA
ST MARYS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$9,500FOR STEM CAMPS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND FOR THE LIBRARY OF THINGS
RIDGEWAY YMCA
$7,700TO PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP AND CAMP EXPENSES
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
$2,500FOR ELK COUNTY EXTENSION QPR WORKSHOPS
FOR NEW SHOES FOR THE 18 CHILDREN AGES 11-17 IN THE CROSSROADS PROGRAM
ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
ST MARYS CHURCH
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
SALVATION ARMY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
$50,000ELK COUNTY WARM HEARTS PROGRAM
RIDGEWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUND
JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$15,000CLASSROOM CUPBOARD PROJECT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST MARYS
$9,188IMPROVEMENTS TO OUTSIDE PEN AREAS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
$8,450GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
GUARDIAN ANGEL CENTER INC
$7,050TO PURCHASE NEW WASHER AND DRYER, WORK TABLES
RIDGEWAY YMCA
$5,000TO PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS FOR SUMMER CAMP AND CAMP EXPENSES
COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL INC
$2,500FOR KINDNESS RICKS AND SMILES PROGRAM