The Peters Charitable Trust makes a small number of relatively large, unrestricted grants focused on sustaining local community institutions. Its awards support municipal government operations, K–12 school general operating budgets, both national and local United Ways, and regional animal welfare services—suggesting a preference for core operating support that keeps community infrastructure functioning. Grants appear targeted to specific communities (notably Franklin/Venango County) rather than broad national causes.
Edward V & Jessie L Peters Charitable Trust gives a small number of relatively large, mostly unrestricted grants that keep local civic institutions operating. Its recent awards include $249,121 to the City of Franklin for general operating support, $145,000 to United Way Worldwide for general operating support, and $135,000 to Valley Grove Elementary School for general operating support. The pattern points to core funding for public services, schools, and community nonprofits rather than project-only giving. The trust’s grant list also shows repeated support for organizations tied to Franklin and surrounding Venango County, alongside some national nonprofit infrastructure. City government, public education, human services, and animal welfare all appear in the portfolio. Several grants are labeled general operating, and event-linked awards appear alongside operating support, including golf outings and a celebrity roast. That mix suggests a funder that uses flexible grants to support both day-to-day continuity and community fundraising efforts. Across the recent record, the trust supports local institutions that residents encounter directly: municipal operations, elementary education, a county humane society, and nonprofit service providers. The recurring emphasis on operating support makes the trust especially relevant for organizations seeking unrestricted or core support.
In municipal and public-service support, the trust gave $249,121 to the City of Franklin for general operating and $40,000 to the Venango County Sheriff's Office for general operating. In education, Valley Grove Elementary School received $135,000 for general operating in 2025 after a $38,270 grant in 2024. These awards show a preference for sustaining public institutions over funding single programs. Human services also appear in the portfolio. The trust awarded $60,000 to Venango County Humane Society for general operating, and Franklin Area Meals on Wheels received $20,000 for general operating. Community-based service organizations are another clear thread: Fscas of Venango County got $25,000 for general operating, while Bridge Builders Community Foundation received $27,660 for general operating. The trust also backs community recreation and local athletics. Rocky Grove Athletic Booster received $20,000 for general operating, and Red and Black Booster Club received multiple awards tied to football and golf outings.
$675K
$5M
$308K
$778K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in PA.
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Concentrated portfolio of a few large grants per cycle, prioritizing unrestricted/general operating support for local institutions and intermediaries; mix of national (United Way Worldwide) and place-based recipients with emphasis on a specific region (Franklin/Venango County).
Notable grantees: City of Franklin, Valley Grove Elementary School, United Way Worldwide, Venango County Humane Society, United Way of Venango
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, with several larger operating grants above that range. The trust appears to make repeated awards over multiple years to the same recipients, including public institutions and local nonprofits. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The pattern is consistent with a trust-style grantmaker using unrestricted and event-related support rather than a formal open-application model.
Grantmaking is national in scope, but it is heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania, which accounts for the most recipient locations by count. Franklin, PA appears repeatedly across the grants list, along with Seneca, Oil City, Meadville, Mercer, Erie, and Claysville. Outside Pennsylvania, recipients include United Way Worldwide in Alexandria, VA and Community Ambulance in Townsend, WI. Only 2% of grants went to recipients in the trust’s home state of Ohio.
The trust most often supports public institutions and local nonprofits through general operating grants. Recent awards include municipal government, K–12 education, United Way organizations, humane society services, and community service groups. Event-linked support also appears in the record through golf outings and a celebrity roast.
The trust’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger awards above that range, such as $249,121 to the City of Franklin and $145,000 to United Way Worldwide.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the City of Franklin, Valley Grove Elementary School, Franklin Cemetery, Red and Black Booster Club, Envision Blind Sports, and Shriners Children’s Erie. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards only.
Pennsylvania is the top recipient state by grant count, with Franklin, Seneca, Oil City, Meadville, Mercer, Erie, and Claysville all appearing in the recent grants list. The trust’s giving is national overall, but only 2% of grants went to Ohio recipients.
The recent grant record is entirely U.S.-based. Pennsylvania receives the largest share of recipient locations, while named out-of-state grants include United Way Worldwide in Alexandria, Virginia and Community Ambulance in Townsend, Wisconsin.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANKLIN YMCA | FRANKLIN, PA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF VENANGO | RENO, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | $10,000 ANNUAL GOLF OUTING, $50,000 GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELEVATE CHURCH | ERIE, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VENANGO COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | SENECA, PW | $49,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF FRANKLIN | FRANKLIN, PA | $41,000 | 2026 | $6,000 FRANKLIN ON ICE, $35,000 GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB | FRANKLIN, PA | $40,000 | 2026 | $40,000 GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHESDA LUTHERAN SERVICES | MEADVILLE, PA | $35,000 | 2026 | $10,000 CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC, $25,000 GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST STEPHEN SCHOOL | OIL CITY, PA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAMIE'S KIDS | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARROW CIVIC THEATRE | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEAVENS LAST RESORT | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANKLIN CEMETERY | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY | MOON TOWNSHIP, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | RMU GOLF PROGRAM |
| ENVISION BLIND SPORTS | MERCER, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHRINERS CHILDREN'S ERIE | ERIE, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KIRTLAND CANCER FOUNDATION | FRANKLIN, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | WARM HEARTS PROJECT |
| FRANKLIN BLUES & BARBECUE | FRANKLIN, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCKY GROVE ATHLETIC BOOSTER | FRANKLIN, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HERMITAGE LITTLE LEAGUE | HERMITAGE, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FSCAS OF VENANGO COUNTY | OIL CITY, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANKLIN AREA MEALS ON WHEELS | FRANKLIN, PW | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ABC LIFE CENTER | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VENANGO COUNTY COON & FOX ASSN | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HARRISVILLE, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PTO | ALLISON PARK, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FRANKLIN, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FRANKLIN, PA | $135,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNITED WAY OF VENANGO | RENO, PA | $60,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GOLF OUTING |
| CITY OF FRANKLIN | FRANKLIN, PA | $42,000 | 2025 | $7,000 FRANKLIN ON ICE, $10,000 BILL BEITH GOLF OUTING, $25,000 GENERAL OPERATING |
| VENANGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | FRANKLIN, PA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BETHESDA LUTHERAN SERVICES | MEADVILLE, PA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB | FRANKLIN, PA | $34,612 | 2025 | $5,000 GOLF OUTING, $29,611.55 JODY RAY BILLINGSLEY GOLF OUTING |
| FSCAS OF VENANGO COUNTY | OIL CITY, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MEL BLOUNT YOUTH HOME | CLAYSVILLE, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRANKLIN CEMETERY | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY AMBULANCE | TOWNSEND, WI | $23,288 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SHRINERS CHILDREN'S ERIE | ERIE, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ROCKY GROVE ATHLETIC BOOSTER | FRANKLIN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ENVISION BLIND SPORTS | MERCER, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRANKLIN BLUES & BARBECUE | FRANKLIN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HERMITAGE LITTLE LEAGUE | HERMITAGE, PA | $15,760 | 2025 | MINOR FIELD IMPROVEMENTS |
| VENANGO COUNTY COON & FOX ASSN | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ABC LIFE CENTER | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BARROW CIVIC THEATRE | FRANKLIN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PTO | ALLISON PARK, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CITY OF FRANKLIN | FRANKLIN, PA | $249,121 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FRANKLIN, PA | $38,270 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB | FRANKLIN, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | FOOTBALL GOLF OUTING $10,000. GENERAL OPERATING $20,000 |
| FRANKLIN CEMETERY | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BARROW CIVIC THEATRE | FRANKLIN, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
FRANKLIN YMCA
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ELEVATE CHURCH
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VENANGO COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$49,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF FRANKLIN
$41,000$6,000 FRANKLIN ON ICE, $35,000 GENERAL SUPPORT
RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB
$40,000$40,000 GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHESDA LUTHERAN SERVICES
$35,000$10,000 CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC, $25,000 GENERAL SUPPORT
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JAMIE'S KIDS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BARROW CIVIC THEATRE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HEAVENS LAST RESORT
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANKLIN CEMETERY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
$25,000RMU GOLF PROGRAM
ENVISION BLIND SPORTS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHRINERS CHILDREN'S ERIE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KIRTLAND CANCER FOUNDATION
$20,000WARM HEARTS PROJECT
FRANKLIN BLUES & BARBECUE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCKY GROVE ATHLETIC BOOSTER
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HERMITAGE LITTLE LEAGUE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FSCAS OF VENANGO COUNTY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANKLIN AREA MEALS ON WHEELS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ABC LIFE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VENANGO COUNTY COON & FOX ASSN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VICTORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PTO
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$135,000GENERAL OPERATING
CITY OF FRANKLIN
$42,000$7,000 FRANKLIN ON ICE, $10,000 BILL BEITH GOLF OUTING, $25,000 GENERAL OPERATING
VENANGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
BETHESDA LUTHERAN SERVICES
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB
$34,612$5,000 GOLF OUTING, $29,611.55 JODY RAY BILLINGSLEY GOLF OUTING
FSCAS OF VENANGO COUNTY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
MEL BLOUNT YOUTH HOME
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRANKLIN CEMETERY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY AMBULANCE
$23,288GENERAL OPERATING
SHRINERS CHILDREN'S ERIE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ROCKY GROVE ATHLETIC BOOSTER
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ENVISION BLIND SPORTS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRANKLIN BLUES & BARBECUE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
HERMITAGE LITTLE LEAGUE
$15,760MINOR FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
VENANGO COUNTY COON & FOX ASSN
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
ABC LIFE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
BARROW CIVIC THEATRE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PTO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
CITY OF FRANKLIN
$249,121GENERAL OPERATING
VALLEY GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$38,270GENERAL OPERATING
RED AND BLACK BOOSTER CLUB
$30,000FOOTBALL GOLF OUTING $10,000. GENERAL OPERATING $20,000
FRANKLIN CEMETERY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
BARROW CIVIC THEATRE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING