About Steinman Foundation
The Steinman Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Lancaster County with a strong emphasis on civic life and community stewardship. Its largest investments fund journalism and civic engagement through the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement, while significant support also goes to land conservation and local community development initiatives. The foundation appears mission-driven toward preserving local assets (farmland, neighborhoods) and strengthening public information and civic institutions.
Focus Areas
Local civic journalism and civic engagement (Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement)Farmland preservation and land trust work in Lancaster County (Lancaster Farmland Trust)Neighborhood preservation and community stewardship/affordable housing (HDC MidAtlantic)
Who They Fund
K-12 youth (including summer camp participants)early childhood families and young childrenstudents and emerging scholars (scholarship/fellowship recipients)job seekers / workforce development participantslocal community organizations and residents
About Steinman Foundation
The Steinman Foundation’s most distinctive recent commitment is a $7,000,000 grant to the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement for local journalism and media literacy. That award sits within a broader pattern of funding that ties public information, civic life, and community stewardship to Lancaster County. The foundation also made a $5,000,000 grant to the same institute in the prior year, showing sustained support for the organization rather than a one-time project. Beyond journalism, its recent grants extend into land preservation, neighborhood stewardship, early childhood development, STEM education, and local institutions serving residents across Lancaster County. The foundation’s work is anchored in place and in practical community-building. In recent grant records, Lancaster Farmland Trust received $1,438,805 for grant support, and HDC MidAtlantic received $750,000 for community stewardship. Smaller awards appear alongside large institutional grants, including support for colleges, health, youth, and community organizations. The result is a funder profile shaped by recurring support for local capacity, civic infrastructure, and organizations that maintain Lancaster County’s social and physical landscape.
What Steinman Foundation Funds
Local journalism and media literacy are a central priority. The Steinman Foundation gave $7,000,000 to the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement for local journalism and media literacy, and a separate $500,000 grant to Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund. Community stewardship is another visible theme. HDC MidAtlantic received $750,000 for community stewardship, while Lancaster Conservancy received $125,000 for community stewardship in 2024. Economic and workforce development appears through education-linked grants. Lancasterhistoryorg received $400,000 for economic & workforce development, and Elizabethtown College received $156,000 for STEM. Early childhood development also sits in the portfolio. Community Action Partnership received $118,675 for early childhood development, aligning with the foundation’s stated focus on programs for young children and families.
How Steinman Foundation Gives
The Steinman Foundation’s recent grants show a wide spread, from a p25 of $7,500 to a median of $11,625 and a p75 of $35,000. That distribution sits alongside a smaller number of much larger strategic awards, which shape the upper end of the portfolio. The pattern also suggests continuity rather than isolated giving: the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement received grants in consecutive years, and Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster appears multiple times across recent years. The foundation uses a mix of program support, operating support, scholarship funding, and project-based grants. Its general grant programs are invitation-based after a letter of inquiry, while some thematic programs accept unsolicited requests.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$25.4M
Total Assets
$111.5M
Total Revenue
$38.2M
Total Expenses
$11.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $8K and $35K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$35K
Geographic Reach
Local9 states funded
About 90% of grants go to recipients in PA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Steinman Foundation Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Steinman Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 349 | $25.4M | 99.7% |
| 2 | Canada | 1 | $8K |
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