The Verna O Canova Foundation concentrates its giving on direct human services, especially rehabilitation and program support for organizations that serve people with disabilities or complex health needs. Grants are unrestricted or for mission/program support, indicating a preference for flexible funding to service providers. Although the foundation is based in Minnesota, its two recent grants went to organizations in the Lehigh Valley/Pennsylvania region, suggesting a possible personal or historical connection to that area.
The Verna O Canova Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by direct support for human-service organizations in the Lehigh Valley, with multi-year grants reaching rehabilitation providers, disability services, and community nonprofits. In 2023, the foundation’s largest recent award went to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in Allentown, followed by ongoing support for Via of the Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem across 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to a funder that favors repeat relationships and practical operating support rather than one-time project-only awards. Across its recent grants, the foundation has backed organizations serving people with disabilities, children and youth, adult learners, and residents needing housing or supportive services. Its portfolio also includes arts and culture organizations, but those awards still appear tied to program delivery and community access. The grant descriptions range from general contribution to mission and program support, wellness support, housing and education, and direct service categories such as equine therapy, music lessons, adult literacy, and afterschool programming. The result is a giving profile centered on services that are delivered directly to individuals and families through local nonprofits.
Disability and rehabilitation services are a core part of the foundation’s recent portfolio. It gave $35,000 to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in Allentown for general contribution and $30,000 to Via of the Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem for mission and program support, both in the Lehigh Valley. The foundation also supports housing-linked services and family stabilization. Third Street Alliance for Women & Children in Easton received $20,000 for housing and education, while Ripple Community Inc in Allentown received $15,000 for RCI Village. Children and youth programs appear as another recurring theme. Boys & Girls Club of Allentown was funded for afterschool programs, Community Bike Works received support for general contribution, and PA Court Appointed Special Advocates Association in Carlisle received general contribution funding. Arts and wellness are present as well, through grants to Repertory Dance Theatre for dance program support and Cape Wellness Collaborative for wellness support.
$267K
$4.4M
$374K
$350K
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in PA.
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Concentrated giving: a very small number of mid-size grants (around $30K–$35K) focused on direct-service providers; funding is flexible (general/program support) rather than project-restricted.
Notable grantees: Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, VIA of the Lehigh Valley
Typical grants are tightly clustered around a $10,000 median, with a $10,000 p25 and $15,000 p75. That points to a fairly narrow operating range, even though the recent list includes larger awards such as $35,000 and $30,000. The foundation appears to use both general contributions and restricted program support, suggesting flexibility in how funds can be used. Its recent grantees recur across years: Via of the Lehigh Valley, Repertory Dance Theatre, Manito Life Center, Community Music School, Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Ripple Community Inc, The Literacy Center, and Kidspeace Children's Hospital each appear more than once. The foundation is a regular funder with annual grant programs, and those programs accept unsolicited requests from tax-exempt public charities.
The foundation’s grants are heavily concentrated in Pennsylvania, with the top giving state by count located there and only 3% of grants going to Minnesota recipients. Within Pennsylvania, Allentown appears frequently, along with Bethlehem, Easton, Carlisle, and Schnecksville. Recent grants also reach outside the state, including South Yarmouth and Chatham in Massachusetts. All recipient grants in the dataset are U.S.-based.
Its recent grants favor health, education, human services, and community affairs. Examples include rehabilitation, disability services, housing and education, adult literacy, afterschool programming, wellness support, and arts education. The foundation’s annual grant programs are directed to tax-exempt public charities.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Via of the Lehigh Valley, Repertory Dance Theatre, Manito Life Center, Community Music School, Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Ripple Community Inc, The Literacy Center, and Kidspeace Children's Hospital.
The typical award is $10,000 at both the 25th percentile and the median, with the 75th percentile at $15,000. Recent grants also include larger awards such as $35,000 and $30,000.
Yes. The foundation’s annual grant programs accept unsolicited requests from tax-exempt public charities for capital projects and operating expenses.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, with many recent awards going to Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Carlisle, and Schnecksville. Minnesota accounts for 3% of grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Verna O Canova Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to tax-exempt public charities, primarily in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Grants are awarded based on the relative merit and need of applicants as determined by the Foundation's directors.
Deadline: Applications are accepted during the annual open period; decisions are anticipated by the end of June.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES P HARRINGTON ORGANIZATION | MARSHFIELD, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| MANITO LIFE CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | EQUINE THERAPY SERVICES |
| VIA OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | MUSIC LESSONS AND INSTRUMENTS |
| REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KIDSPEACE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | SCHNECKSVILLE, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| CAPE WELLNESS COLLABORATIVE | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | WELLNESS SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | EARN A BIKE PROGRAM |
| RIPPLE COMMUNITY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | RCI VILLAGE |
| ASPIRE TO AUTONOMY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NET | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SHARE CARE FAITH IN ACTION | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAREGIVING ASSISTANCE SUPPORT |
| BLOOM FOR WOMEN INC | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| GUARDIAN SUPPORT AGENCY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOUCHSTONE THEATRE | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTS EDUCATION |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS PROGRAM |
| THE LITERACY CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS |
| LEHIGH VALLEY ITALIAN BAND | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| PROJECT OF EASTON | EASTON, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| THE ALLENTOWN BAND INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $7,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER | BETHLEHEM, PA | $7,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SYNC RECOVERY FOUNDATION | REIGELSVILLE, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | NAZARETH, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| PIONEER BAND OF ALLENTOWN INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| THE VELODROME FUND | BREIGENSVILLE, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| MACUNGIE BAND | MACUNGIE, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| VIA OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $30,000 | 2024 | MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CAPE WELLNESS COLLABORATIVE | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | WELLNESS SUPPORT |
| JAMES P HARRINGTON ORGANIZATION | MARSHFIELD, MA | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| THIRD STREET ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN | EASTON, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | HOUSING AND EDUCATION |
| MANITO LIFE CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2024 | EQUINE THERAPY SERVICES |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | MUSIC LESSONS AND INSTRUMENTS |
| THE LITERACY CENTER | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ALLENTOWN | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| KIDSPEACE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | SCHNECKSVILLE, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUNDING |
| RIPPLE COMMUNITY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | RCI VILLAGE |
| REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $15,000 | 2024 | DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BALLET GUILD OF LEHIGH VALLEY | BETHLEHEM, PA | $13,000 | 2024 | DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BLOOM FOR WOMEN INC | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| BACH ROOTS FESTIVAL | NORTHFIELD, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | FESTIVAL SUPPORT |
| FLINT HILL FARM EDUCATION CENTER | COOPERSBURG, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF LEHIGH COUNTY | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | MEALS PROGRAM |
| GUARDIAN SUPPORT AGENCY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SHARE CARE FAITH IN ACTION | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | CAREGIVING ASSISTANCE SUPPORT |
| LEHIGH VALLEY ITALIAN BAND | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | BAND SUPPORT |
| THE ALLENTOWN BAND | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | BAND SUPPORT |
| BRADBURY SULLIVAN LGBT | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ASPIRE TO AUTONOMY INC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY BIKE WORKS | ALLENTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | EARN A BIKE PROGRAM |
| TOUCHSTONE THEATRE | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | ARTS EDUCATION |
JAMES P HARRINGTON ORGANIZATION
$20,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
MANITO LIFE CENTER
$15,000EQUINE THERAPY SERVICES
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
$15,000MUSIC LESSONS AND INSTRUMENTS
REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE
$15,000DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT
KIDSPEACE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$15,000GENERAL FUNDING
ASPIRE TO AUTONOMY INC
$10,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
GOOD SHEPHERD REHABILITATION NET
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SHARE CARE FAITH IN ACTION
$10,000CAREGIVING ASSISTANCE SUPPORT
BLOOM FOR WOMEN INC
$10,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
GUARDIAN SUPPORT AGENCY INC
$10,000MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
TOUCHSTONE THEATRE
$10,000ARTS EDUCATION
LEHIGH VALLEY ITALIAN BAND
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
THE ALLENTOWN BAND INC
$7,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
MILLER-KEYSTONE BLOOD CENTER
$7,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SYNC RECOVERY FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$5,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
PIONEER BAND OF ALLENTOWN INC
$5,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
THE VELODROME FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
MACUNGIE BAND
$2,500CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
JAMES P HARRINGTON ORGANIZATION
$20,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
THIRD STREET ALLIANCE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN
$20,000HOUSING AND EDUCATION
MANITO LIFE CENTER
$20,000EQUINE THERAPY SERVICES
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
$15,000MUSIC LESSONS AND INSTRUMENTS
KIDSPEACE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$15,000GENERAL FUNDING
REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE
$15,000DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT
BALLET GUILD OF LEHIGH VALLEY
$13,000DANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT
BLOOM FOR WOMEN INC
$10,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
BACH ROOTS FESTIVAL
$10,000FESTIVAL SUPPORT
FLINT HILL FARM EDUCATION CENTER
$10,000AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
GUARDIAN SUPPORT AGENCY INC
$10,000MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
SHARE CARE FAITH IN ACTION
$10,000CAREGIVING ASSISTANCE SUPPORT
LEHIGH VALLEY ITALIAN BAND
$10,000BAND SUPPORT
THE ALLENTOWN BAND
$10,000BAND SUPPORT
BRADBURY SULLIVAN LGBT
$10,000MISSION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
ASPIRE TO AUTONOMY INC
$10,000PROGRAM AND EVENTS SUPPORT
TOUCHSTONE THEATRE
$10,000ARTS EDUCATION