The Kinsley Foundation concentrates its giving on large, local investments in York County, PA, favoring institutional capital and program support for higher education, economic development, and cultural/landscape assets. Grants are sizable and strategic (including a seven-figure outright commitment), and the foundation repeatedly funds a small set of regional organizations rather than many disparate charities. Its pattern suggests a place-based philanthropic strategy aimed at strengthening local education, infrastructure/economic capacity, and public amenities.
Concentrated, few large grants with repeat funding to the same regional organizations; emphasis on capital/endowment-style gifts rather than many small operating grants.
A seven-figure outright commitment to Ladew Gardens is the clearest sign that Kinsley Foundation makes large, place-based bets on specific institutions rather than spreading grants broadly. The foundation’s giving is centered on York County, Pennsylvania, and its recent grant list shows repeated support for a small set of regional anchors in education, economic development, culture, and public amenities. York College of PA appears multiple times, with support in both 2023 and 2024 and another grant in 2025, while the York County Industrial Development Authority received program support in three straight years. That pattern points to a funder that uses grants to reinforce institution-level capacity and long-term local projects. The foundation also backs cultural and civic assets such as York County History Center, York Art Association Inc, and APPELL CENTER Annual Gift, alongside health and community-serving organizations including Wellspan York Health Foundation and Bell Socialization Sewrvices. Though most giving stays close to home, the recipient list also includes organizations in Maryland and New Hampshire, showing a selective but not entirely single-county footprint.
Higher education is one of the foundation’s most visible priorities. York College of PA received $400,000 in 2023, another $400,000 in 2024, and $151,000 in 2025 for program support, making it a repeated recipient across multiple years. Economic development is another clear theme: the York County Industrial Development Authority received $200,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, all labeled program support. Cultural and heritage institutions also appear in the grant record. York County History Center received $104,728 in 2024, plus $100,000 in 2023 and $57,330 in 2025, while York Art Association Inc received $100,000 in 2025. The foundation also funds community and health-related work through grants to Wellspan York Health Foundation, Bell Socialization Sewrvices, and Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries.
Kinsley Foundation’s typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $20,500 at the 75th percentile, but its recent record also includes much larger institutional commitments. The same recipients often return across years: York College of PA, York County Industrial Development Authority, York County History Center, Ladew Topiary Gardens, Penn-mar Foundation, and Wellspan York Health Foundation all appear more than once. The foundation gives through program support rather than individuals, and the grant list is consistent with a foundation making direct institutional awards. The record does not show an open application process; the pattern instead suggests selective, relationship-based grantmaking.
$2.4M
$23.4M
$5.7M
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $1K and $21K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$21K
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Notable grantees: Ladew Gardens, York College of Pennsylvania, York County Industrial Development Authority
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local, with 83% of grants going to recipients in Pennsylvania. York is the most common city on the recipient list, including York College of PA, York County Industrial Development Authority, York County History Center, York Art Association Inc, APPELL CENTER Annual Gift, and Bell Socialization Sewrvices. Other Pennsylvania recipients include Red Lion, Gettysburg, and Freeland. Outside Pennsylvania, the foundation has made grants to Monkton, Maryland; Annapolis, Maryland; and Plymouth, New Hampshire. All recorded recipient countries are in the United States.
Its recent grants concentrate on higher education, economic development, cultural institutions, and community-serving organizations. York College of PA, the York County Industrial Development Authority, York County History Center, and Wellspan York Health Foundation each appear in the recent grants list, showing a strong preference for institutional support tied to York-area civic capacity.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including York College of PA in 2023, 2024, and 2025; York County Industrial Development Authority in 2023, 2024, and 2025; York County History Center in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Ladew Topiary Gardens in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The stated grant-size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $20,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including a $1,000,000 outright gift commitment and several $400,000 and $200,000 grants.
Pennsylvania accounts for 83% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s recent record, and York is the most frequent recipient city. The list also includes grants in Maryland and New Hampshire, but Pennsylvania is the clear center of activity.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIFEPATH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | York, PA | $500,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY | Villanova, PA | $320,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | YORK, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY | YORK, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FIRST FRUITS FARM | RED LION, PA | $125,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PENN-MAR FOUNDATION | FREELAND, MD | $125,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF YORK | YORK, PA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SHINING STARS THERAPEUTIC MINISTRIES | GETTYSBURG, PA | $83,333 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| APPELL CENTER | York, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK COUNTY LIBRARIES | YORK, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER | YORK, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CRISPUS ATTUCKS ASSOCIATION | YORK, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS | YORK, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LADEW GARDENS PATRON CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP | MONKTON, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE AND COMMUNITY CARE | YORK, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YWCA - HANOVER | YORK, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COUNTY OF YORK | YORK, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YMCA - SPRING GROVE PROJECT | SPRING GROVE, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF YORK | YORK, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RED CROSS OF CENTRAL PA | HARRISBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BYRNES HEALTH EDUCATION CTR | YORK, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW HOPE MINISTRIES | DILLSBURG, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | York, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILWAY OF YORK | New Freedom, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EQUITEAM SUPPORT SERVICES | DALLASTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY | YORK, PA | $12,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM BSA | Mechanicsburg, PA | $10,615 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EICHELBERGER PERFORMING ARTS | HANOVER, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN MID STATE PA | ENOLA, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL RIDING STABLES | GETTYSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE PROGRAM FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS YORK CITY POLICE OUTDOOR EATING | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CULTURAL ALLIANCE YORK COUNTY | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PA NATIONAL HORSE SHOW FOUNDATION | Harrisburg, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ADAMS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GETTYSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WATERSHED ALLIANCE OF YORK | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF THE ROSES | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WELLSPRING FOR LIFE FARM | MONKTON, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHEIVEMENT | YORK, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOFFMAN HOMES FOR YOUTH | LITTLESTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GOODWILL FIRE COMPANY #1 | GERMANSVILLE, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PAPPUS HOUSE | YORK, PA | $9,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PEACE PROMISE | MECHANICSBURG, PA | $8,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| POSITIVE ENERGY ART FOUNDATION | YORK, PA | $8,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOUSE OF HOPE YORK COUNTY | JACOBUS, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHEM CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | NEWNAN, GA | $5,379 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YORK LITERACY INSTITUTE | YORK, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | YORK, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LADEW GARDENS COTTAGE GARDEN RESTORATION | Monkton, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF PA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
LIFEPATH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$500,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL AUTHORITY
$200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FIRST FRUITS FARM
$125,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PENN-MAR FOUNDATION
$125,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SHINING STARS THERAPEUTIC MINISTRIES
$83,333PROGRAM SUPPORT
APPELL CENTER
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK COUNTY LIBRARIES
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CRISPUS ATTUCKS ASSOCIATION
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LADEW GARDENS PATRON CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOSPICE AND COMMUNITY CARE
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COUNTY OF YORK
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YMCA - SPRING GROVE PROJECT
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RED CROSS OF CENTRAL PA
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BYRNES HEALTH EDUCATION CTR
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILWAY OF YORK
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
EQUITEAM SUPPORT SERVICES
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY
$12,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM BSA
$10,615PROGRAM SUPPORT
EICHELBERGER PERFORMING ARTS
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GIRLS ON THE RUN MID STATE PA
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL RIDING STABLES
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE PROGRAM FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS YORK CITY POLICE OUTDOOR EATING
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PA NATIONAL HORSE SHOW FOUNDATION
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
WATERSHED ALLIANCE OF YORK
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
WELLSPRING FOR LIFE FARM
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOFFMAN HOMES FOR YOUTH
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GOODWILL FIRE COMPANY #1
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PAPPUS HOUSE
$9,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PEACE PROMISE
$8,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
POSITIVE ENERGY ART FOUNDATION
$8,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOUSE OF HOPE YORK COUNTY
$7,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHEM CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$5,379PROGRAM SUPPORT
YORK LITERACY INSTITUTE
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LADEW GARDENS COTTAGE GARDEN RESTORATION
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES OF PA
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT