Invested in the Northern school district and the local community; strengthens classrooms, empowers educators, and creates opportunities for students.
The Polar Bear Foundation’s recent giving is defined by a single 2024 grant of $438,573 to Northern York County School District in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. That award points to a funder built around one local school community rather than a broad regional or national portfolio. Across its active programs, the foundation supports classrooms, extracurricular activities, athletics, the arts, life skills, and school-community projects tied to Northern schools. Its stated beneficiary groups are students, teachers, staff, and low-income or need-based students in Northern York County School District. The foundation also maintains scholarship and direct-assistance programs, including student scholarships and basic-needs support through Bear Necessities. In the school setting, its grantmaking includes classroom resources and project-specific support, which aligns with examples such as STEM materials, document cameras, artist-in-residence support, and district improvements. Leadership is listed as Seth Weaver, and the organization also operates membership programs that help fund grants and scholarships. The overall pattern is tightly linked to the Northern school district and the local community it serves.
In K-12 education, the foundation backs classroom and district needs through grants for supplies, instructional tools, and school-based projects. One listed example is Polar Bear Foundation Grants, which supports classrooms, extracurriculars, athletics, the arts, and student life projects in the Northern School District. Teacher and staff support is also part of the model. Through PBF Competitive Grants, the foundation funds classroom, arts, athletics, and district improvements for Northern York County School District staff, with examples including STEM bins, document cameras, artist-in-residence support, and equipment. Student support appears in both scholarship and basic-needs work. PBF Scholarships provides monetary awards for graduating Northern High School students, while Bear Necessities supplies materials and essentials that help students participate and stay supported in the local school community. The foundation also lists a Brady Minich Fund for school-related needs and student activities.
The listed grant-size distribution is flat: p25, median, and p75 are all $438,573. That reflects a highly concentrated pattern rather than a spread of many differently sized awards. The recent record shows one 2024 grant, and the program list centers on school, teacher, and student support in the same local district. The foundation funds through grants, scholarships, and membership programs, including business and individual/family giving tiers. Unsolicited applications are accepted across the active programs listed.
$127K
$399K
$200K
$226K
Most grants fall between $439K and $439K, with a median of $439K.
25th Percentile
$439K
Median
$439K
75th Percentile
$439K
SETH WEAVER
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Giving is local and entirely in Pennsylvania. The recent grants data shows 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is PA. Recipient references point to Dillsburg and the Northern York County School District, with York County named in the grant program geography. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with no non-U.S. grants shown.
It focuses on Northern York County School District priorities: K-12 classroom resources, arts and athletics, extracurricular participation, scholarships, life skills support, and community projects. The programs also include direct student essentials through Bear Necessities and targeted teacher and staff grants.
The grant-size distribution is a single point: p25, median, and p75 are each $438,573. The recent grants table shows one 2024 grant at that same amount to Northern York County School District.
Yes. The active grant programs listed for the foundation all note that they accept unsolicited requests, including PBF Grants, PBF Competitive Grants, PBF Scholarships, and the membership-supported programs.
Recipients are centered on the Northern school community: students, staff and teachers of Northern York County School District, low-income or need-based students, and K-12 student athletes and arts participants.
The active programs include PBF Grants for classrooms and school projects, PBF Competitive Grants for teachers and staff, PBF Scholarships for graduating students, Bear Necessities for supplies and essentials, and membership programs such as PBF Partners: Business Circle and PBF Partners: Society.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Polar Bear Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: NYCSD staff, students, and families can request items; this is a resource-support program rather than a grant program.
Deadline: Not specified; appears to be on-demand.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY | DILLSBURG, PA | $126,615 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY | DILLSBURG, PA | $65,992 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | DILLSBURG, PA | $438,573 | 2024 | EXEMPT PURPOSE |
GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY
$126,615EXEMPT PURPOSE
GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY
$65,992EXEMPT PURPOSE
GRANTS TO NORTHERN YORK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$438,573EXEMPT PURPOSE
