The Kenneth Bankert Foundation concentrates its giving on Central Pennsylvania community needs, favoring local faith-based organizations, youth services, and basic-needs providers. Grants frequently support churches, ministries, emergency services, food security, and education-related programs, with many multi-year or repeat awards to the same regional partners. The foundation tends to provide flexible general-purpose support rather than tightly restricted project funding, indicating trust in grantees' operational priorities.
Kenneth Bankert Foundation Inc. gives steadily across Central Pennsylvania, with a visible pattern of general-purpose support for churches, youth services, food assistance, and emergency response organizations. Its recent grants show repeated backing for local institutions that serve practical community needs, including Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown and Joshua Group in Harrisburg. The foundation also supports education-linked work and residential or behavioral services, alongside providers that address housing, hunger, and public safety. The grant history points to a local funder that stays close to its operating area and favors organizations embedded in nearby communities. Awards are commonly made without narrow project restrictions, which leaves recipients room to direct resources toward their ongoing priorities. That approach appears across faith-based partners, social-service groups, and civic responders. The size of individual grants is typically in the five-figure range, and the record includes awards from $13,569 to $25,000 among the recent grants listed. In practice, the foundation’s giving is not limited to one sector; instead, it connects congregational support, youth development, and basic-needs services within a largely Pennsylvania-centered pattern.
Faith-based organizations are a clear part of the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $24,500 to Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown for general purpose support, and later provided $18,000 and $15,000 to the same church across 2025 and 2023. Youth and education are another recurring lane. The foundation awarded $20,000 to Diakon Youth Services in Middletown for general purpose support, and also gave $15,000 to The Nativity School of Harrisburg and $15,000 to St Stephen's Episcopal School for general purpose support. Basic-needs and public-safety grants appear alongside that work. Central Pennsylvania Food Bank received $20,000, while New Cumberland Fire Department received $25,000 and Lower Swatara Fire Department received $20,000. The foundation also supported Dauphin County Hazardous Materials with a $20,000 grant.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the middle of the five-figure range: the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile are $10,000, $10,000, and $15,000. Recent awards show some larger outliers, but most support remains close to that core range. The grant records also suggest repeat relationships, with recipients such as Grace United Methodist Church, Joshua Group, and Diakon Youth Services appearing in multiple years. The foundation is a private grantmaker, not a funder of individuals, and the recent grants are labeled general purpose, which points to flexible operating support rather than tightly restricted project funding.
$444K
$4.5M
$2.4M
$553K
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated, mid-size grants to local nonprofits with frequent repeat funding; predominantly general-purpose support rather than restricted project grants; a mix of secular and faith-based recipients addressing immediate community needs.
Notable grantees: Grace United Methodist Church, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Joshua Group, Diakon Youth Services, New Hope Ministries
The foundation’s giving is overwhelmingly Pennsylvania-based, with 98% of grants to recipients in PA and the top state by grant count also PA. The recipient map is local rather than national, though one recent grant went to Warrior Community Connect in Millsboro, Delaware. Recent Pennsylvania recipients include Harrisburg, Middletown, Hummelstown, New Cumberland, Camp Hill, Lancaster, Hershey, Lititz, and Mechanicsburg. The pattern centers on Central Pennsylvania communities near the foundation’s operating area.
Recent grants show support for churches, youth services, food assistance, emergency response, and education-related organizations. Examples in the record include Grace United Methodist Church, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, New Cumberland Fire Department, Diakon Youth Services, and The Nativity School of Harrisburg.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants in the list also include awards of $20,000, $24,500, and $25,000.
Yes. 98% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania, and PA is also the top state by grant count. Recent Pennsylvania cities in the grant list include Harrisburg, Middletown, Hummelstown, New Cumberland, Lancaster, Hershey, Lititz, and Mechanicsburg.
Yes. The recent grant list includes multiple-year support for several recipients, including Grace United Methodist Church, Joshua Group, and Diakon Youth Services. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time awards only.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW CUMBERLAND RIVER RESCUE NO 1 | NEW CUMBERLAND, PA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE PEYTON WALKER FOUND | CAMP HILL, PA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NEW CUMBERLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEW CUMBERLAND, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THADDEUS STEVENS FOUND | LANCASTER, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VETERANS OUTREACH OF PA INC | HARRISBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HUMMELSTOWN FOOD PANTRY | HUMMELSTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOOD BANK | HARRISBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HUMMELSTOWN, PA | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CAIU-CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN | ENOLA, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SILENCE OF MARY HOME | LEMOYNE, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WARRIOR COMMUNITY CONNECT | MILLSBORO, DE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| OPERATION WARM | GLEN MILLS, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PAXTON MINISTRIES | HARRISBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CASA-COURT APP SP ADV FOR CHILD | HARRISBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GIRL SCOUTS IN THE HEART OF PA | HARRISBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CENTRE FOR MUSIC MENTAL HEALTH | CARLISLE, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE RAIDER CLUB | MIDDLETOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEW CUMBERLAND, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MS FITEFFECT | BAINBRIDGE, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SPERANZA ANIMAL RESCUE | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| POWER PACKS PROJECT | LANCASTER, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PEACE PROMISE | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE ARC OF YORK AND ADAMS COUNTIES | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SWAN | LYNDELL, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PENN STATE THON | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $8,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LDHS MINI-THON | HUMMELSTOWN, PA | $8,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LEG UP FARM | MT WOLF, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CASA CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION | HARRISBURG, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VARIETY THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY | WORCESTER, PA | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| TRINITY PRESCHOOL | HARRISBURG, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BIBLE2SCHOOL | MANHEIM, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VICKIE'S ANGEL FOUNDATION | NEW CUMBERLAND, PA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SHAMROCKS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION | CAMP HILL, PA | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| TEE OFF AGAINST CORP | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THADDEUS STEVENS FOUND | LANCASTER, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| DAUPHIN COUNTY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS | STEELTON, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GREENLIGHT OPERATION | LEMOYNE, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| PENN STATE HARRISBURG NURSING PROG | MIDDLETOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| LOVE INC | HERSHEY, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| JOSHUA GROUP | HARRISBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HUMMELSTOWN, PA | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NORTH STAR INITIATIVE | LITITZ, PA | $15,400 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES | DILLSBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| DIAKON YOUTH SERVICES | MIDDLETOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| A GIFT OF SMILES | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTH CENTRAL | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| HELPING THE HARRISBURG FAMILY INC | HERSHEY, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL | HARRISBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE JANUS SCHOOL | MOUNT JOY, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
NEW CUMBERLAND RIVER RESCUE NO 1
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE PEYTON WALKER FOUND
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NEW CUMBERLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HUMMELSTOWN FOOD PANTRY
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$18,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CAIU-CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SILENCE OF MARY HOME
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WARRIOR COMMUNITY CONNECT
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PAXTON MINISTRIES
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CASA-COURT APP SP ADV FOR CHILD
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GIRL SCOUTS IN THE HEART OF PA
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CENTRE FOR MUSIC MENTAL HEALTH
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE RAIDER CLUB
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MS FITEFFECT
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SPERANZA ANIMAL RESCUE
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PEACE PROMISE
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE ARC OF YORK AND ADAMS COUNTIES
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SWAN
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PENN STATE THON
$8,500GENERAL PURPOSE
LDHS MINI-THON
$8,500GENERAL PURPOSE
LEG UP FARM
$7,500GENERAL PURPOSE
CASA CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL PURPOSE
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
TRINITY PRESCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BIBLE2SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL PURPOSE
VICKIE'S ANGEL FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SHAMROCKS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
TEE OFF AGAINST CORP
$500GENERAL PURPOSE
DAUPHIN COUNTY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GREENLIGHT OPERATION
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
PENN STATE HARRISBURG NURSING PROG
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
LOVE INC
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$18,000GENERAL PURPOSE
DIAKON YOUTH SERVICES
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
A GIFT OF SMILES
$15,000GENERAL PURPOSE
HELPING THE HARRISBURG FAMILY INC
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
THE FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE