The Robert C. Wenger Charitable Trust concentrates almost all of its giving on Brethren church-related ministries and programs, mainly supporting a single congregation (Ephrata Church of the Brethren) and the Atlantic Northeast District. Grants fund a mix of local congregational needs—facilities, technology for a children's center, benevolence—and district-level ministry efforts including urban and multicultural initiatives. The trust appears focused, regionally-minded, and faith-based rather than broadly philanthropic across secular causes.
A defining feature of Robert C Wenger Charitable Trust C/o Ephrata National Bank is its sustained support for Brethren church ministries, especially Ephrata Church of the Brethren and the Atlantic Northeast District. The largest recent grants in the file go to those two recipients, with repeated awards for various ministries, children’s center technology, facilities, community ministry, and district-level general ministry, urban initiative, and multicultural work. That pattern shows a trust that funds both local congregational needs and wider denominational activity. Beyond those core ministries, the trust also backs other Brethren-related organizations and church-linked programs in Pennsylvania and nearby states. Recent grants include support for operational needs at Suquehanna Valley Ministry Center, Germantown Trust - Brethern, and Mennonite Disaster Service, along with capital and facility support for churches such as Evangelical Congregational Church and First Cob-brooklyn. The trust’s scholarship activity, administered through Ephrata National Bank, adds an education channel to its giving. Across the file, the grant list points to a narrowly focused, faith-based funder with recurring relationships rather than a broad open-program portfolio.
Church and denominational support are central to the trust’s grantmaking. It gave $33,750 in 2023, $25,000 in 2024, and $23,750 in 2025 to Evangelical Congregational Church for headquarters enlargement, school support, and church plant work. Operational support is another recurring theme. The trust awarded $27,700 in 2023, $21,000 in 2024, and $21,000 in 2025 to Suquehanna Valley Ministry Center for operational support. Its grant list also includes capital and facilities-related giving. First Cob-brooklyn received $25,000 in 2023, $16,250 in 2024, and $13,500 in 2025 for operational support - facilities. The trust also supports relief-oriented Brethren work. Mennonite Disaster Service received $12,750 in 2025 for operational support.
The typical grant size is modest: the p25 is $3,500, the median is $4,000, and the p75 is $5,500. That sits below the larger recurring awards seen in the recent-grants list, which suggests a mix of many smaller awards with a few larger anchor grants. The trust is not a one-off giver; the same recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Ephrata Church of the Brethren, Atlantic Northeast District, and Suquehanna Valley Ministry Center. It is administered through Ephrata National Bank, and the file shows both general grantmaking and scholarship-related channels. The trust also funds individuals through scholarship activity.
$510K
$9.8M
$422K
$608K
Most grants fall between $4K and $6K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Highly concentrated and repeat-focused: six grants totaling $360k split almost entirely between two core recipients (three grants each), with substantial single gifts to support both local congregation needs and district ministry programs.
Notable grantees: EPHRATA CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, ATLANTIC NORTHEAST DISTRICT, Local church-operated programs (Children's Center / Deacon Benevolent Fund)
Giving is heavily Pennsylvania-centered: 76% of grants go to recipients in PA, and PA is the top state by grant count. Within the recent-grants list, Ephrata and Elizabethtown appear often, along with Myerstown, Lititz, Lancaster, and Harrisburg. Outside Pennsylvania, recent recipients include Brooklyn, NY and Goshen, IN. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 238 grants to U.S. recipients.
Most of the recent grants go to Brethren church-related ministries and church-linked organizations. The file also shows support for congregations, district-level ministry groups, a retirement community, a disaster service organization, and scholarship activity administered through Ephrata National Bank.
The typical award is in the low thousands: p25 is $3,500, median is $4,000, and p75 is $5,500. Recent grants also include larger recurring awards, but the distribution shows a center of gravity around small operating and program gifts.
Yes. Pennsylvania accounts for 76% of grants, and it is also the top state by grant count. The recent-grants list is dominated by Pennsylvania recipients, with only a few grants going to New York and Indiana.
Yes. The active programs include Robert C. Wenger Charitable Trust — Scholarships and a Scholarship Program administered through Ephrata National Bank’s online scholarship portal. The foundation profile also notes that it funds individuals, which aligns with the scholarship activity.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Financiamiento actual y próximo de Robert C Wenger Charitable Trust C/O Ephrata National Bank al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.
¿Quién puede postularse? Supports local organizations within 15 miles of downtown Ephrata. Application requires a cover letter describing the program/project, most recent financial statement (preferably audited), current budget, and IRS 501(c)(3) letter.
Fecha límite: January 1 through October 1 each year
¿Quién puede postularse? Supports local nonprofit organizations and initiatives; priority is given to organizations serving low-to-moderate income families and areas. Application requires a cover letter describing the program/project, most recent financial statement (preferably audited), current budget, and IRS 501(c)(3) letter.
Fecha límite: July 31 and December 31 each year
¿Quién puede postularse? Supports local nonprofit organizations and initiatives, with priority given to organizations serving low-to-moderate income individuals and communities.
¿Quién puede postularse? Local organizations hosting community events, walks, or fundraisers.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPHRATA CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN | EPHRATA, PA | $57,375 | 2026 | VARIOUS MINISTRIESCHILDRENS CENTER - TECHNOLOGY FUNDFACILITIES COMMUNITY MINISTRYDEACON BENEVOLENT FUND |
| ATLANTIC NORTHEAST DISTRICT | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $54,150 | 2026 | VARIOUS MINISTRIESGENERAL MINISTRY FUNDURBAN INITIATIVE TASK TEAM MULTICULTURAL |
| EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | MYERSTOWN, PA | $25,500 | 2026 | HEADQUARTERS ENLARGEMENT / SCHOOL SUPPORT / CHURCH PLANT |
| SUQUEHANNA VALLEY MINISTRY CENTER | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $21,825 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST COB-BROOKLYN | BROOKLYN, NY | $17,075 | 2026 | OPERTIONAL SUPPORT - FACILITIES |
| EVERENCE SHARING FUND | GOSHEN, IN | $15,000 | 2026 | SHARING FUND |
| FIRST COB-HARRISBURG | HARRISBURG, PA | $13,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GERMANTOWN TRUST - BRETHERN | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $13,325 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE | LITITZ, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FAIRMOUNT HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY | EPHRATA, PA | $11,500 | 2026 | SHARING FUNDCAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EVERENCE FOUNDATION | GOSHEN, IN | $9,000 | 2026 | PATRON DONOR ADVISED FUND |
| CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN | ELGIN, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | EMERGENCY DISASTER FUND |
| MENNONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES | LANCASTER, PA | $7,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY | LITITZ, PA | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| LMC | LANCASTER, PA | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE | LANCASTER, PA | $7,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BRIDGE OF HOPE | LANCASTER, PA | $6,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - HOUSING PROJECT |
| EPHRATA AREA SOCIAL SERVICES | EPHRATA, PA | $6,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MOUNTAINEERS TABLE | EPHRATA, PA | $5,500 | 2026 | FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM |
| GOOD SAMARITAN SERVICES | EPHRATA, PA | $5,500 | 2026 | TRANSITIONAL HOUSING |
| LANCASTER COUNTY FOOD HUB | LANCASTER, PA | $5,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | RICHMOND, VA | $4,875 | 2026 | VARIOUS MINISTRIES |
| COBYS FAMILY SERVICES | LEOLA, PA | $4,875 | 2026 | FAMILY COUNSELING |
| EAST PETERSBURG MENNONITE CHURCH | EAST PETERSBURG, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE CHURCH USA | NEWTON, KS | $4,500 | 2026 | EXECUTIVE BOARD MINISTRIES |
| TEL HAI RETIREMENT COMMUNITY | HONEY BROOK, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | BENEVOLENT FUNDCAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| TANDEM LIVING | LANCASTER, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | ASSISTED LIVING |
| FAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL | KINSERS, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MANHEIM CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL | MANHEIM, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE EDUCATION AGENCY | ELKHART, IN | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE CHURCH USA | NEWTON, KS | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GEHMAN MENNONITE SCHOOL | DENVER, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ANABAPTIST MENNONITE BIBLICAL SEMINARY | ELKHART, IN | $4,500 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM PROGRAM |
| CATALYST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | LITITZ, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN SCHOOL |
| EPHRATA MENNONITE SCHOOL | EPHRATA, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| TERRE HILL MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL | TERRE HILL, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| HINKLETOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL | EPHRATA, PA | $4,500 | 2026 | NEHEMIAH PROJECT |
| DIAMOND STREET EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER | AKRON, PA | $4,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| LANDIS HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY | LITITZ, PA | $4,000 | 2026 | BENEVOLENT FUND |
| GARDEN SPOT VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY | NEW HOLLAND, PA | $4,000 | 2026 | BENEVOLENT FUND |
| GERMANTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $3,750 | 2026 | GENERAL MINISTRY |
| NUEVO AMANECER-BETHLEHEM | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $3,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BRETHREN WORLD MISSION | LAMPETER, PA | $3,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CAMP SWATARA | BETHEL, PA | $3,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ALPHA & OMEGA COMMUNITY CENTER | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $3,750 | 2026 | HISPANIC OUTREACH-LANCASTER CITY |
| MUDDY CREEK FARM LIBRARY | EPHRATA, PA | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ANABAPTIST WORLD | ELKHART, IN | $3,500 | 2026 | PUBLISHER OF FREE NEWSLETTERS |
| ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE | LANCASTER, PA | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER | HARLEYSVILLE, PA | $3,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY MENNONITE | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $3,500 | 2026 | HISTORICAL LIBRARY |
EPHRATA CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
$57,375VARIOUS MINISTRIESCHILDRENS CENTER - TECHNOLOGY FUNDFACILITIES COMMUNITY MINISTRYDEACON BENEVOLENT FUND
ATLANTIC NORTHEAST DISTRICT
$54,150VARIOUS MINISTRIESGENERAL MINISTRY FUNDURBAN INITIATIVE TASK TEAM MULTICULTURAL
EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$25,500HEADQUARTERS ENLARGEMENT / SCHOOL SUPPORT / CHURCH PLANT
SUQUEHANNA VALLEY MINISTRY CENTER
$21,825OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
FIRST COB-BROOKLYN
$17,075OPERTIONAL SUPPORT - FACILITIES
EVERENCE SHARING FUND
$15,000SHARING FUND
FIRST COB-HARRISBURG
$13,750OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
GERMANTOWN TRUST - BRETHERN
$13,325OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE
$12,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
FAIRMOUNT HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
$11,500SHARING FUNDCAPITAL CAMPAIGN
EVERENCE FOUNDATION
$9,000PATRON DONOR ADVISED FUND
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
$7,500EMERGENCY DISASTER FUND
MENNONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES
$7,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
LMC
$7,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE
$7,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
BRIDGE OF HOPE
$6,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT - HOUSING PROJECT
MOUNTAINEERS TABLE
$5,500FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
GOOD SAMARITAN SERVICES
$5,500TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$4,875VARIOUS MINISTRIES
COBYS FAMILY SERVICES
$4,875FAMILY COUNSELING
EAST PETERSBURG MENNONITE CHURCH
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE CHURCH USA
$4,500EXECUTIVE BOARD MINISTRIES
TEL HAI RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
$4,500BENEVOLENT FUNDCAPITAL CAMPAIGN
TANDEM LIVING
$4,500ASSISTED LIVING
FAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MANHEIM CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE EDUCATION AGENCY
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE CHURCH USA
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
GEHMAN MENNONITE SCHOOL
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ANABAPTIST MENNONITE BIBLICAL SEMINARY
$4,500CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM PROGRAM
CATALYST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$4,500CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
EPHRATA MENNONITE SCHOOL
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
TERRE HILL MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL
$4,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
HINKLETOWN MENNONITE SCHOOL
$4,500NEHEMIAH PROJECT
DIAMOND STREET EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
$4,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
LANDIS HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
$4,000BENEVOLENT FUND
GARDEN SPOT VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
$4,000BENEVOLENT FUND
GERMANTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
$3,750GENERAL MINISTRY
NUEVO AMANECER-BETHLEHEM
$3,750OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
BRETHREN WORLD MISSION
$3,750OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
CAMP SWATARA
$3,750OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ALPHA & OMEGA COMMUNITY CENTER
$3,750HISPANIC OUTREACH-LANCASTER CITY
MUDDY CREEK FARM LIBRARY
$3,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ANABAPTIST WORLD
$3,500PUBLISHER OF FREE NEWSLETTERS
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
$3,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER
$3,500OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
WASHINGTON COUNTY MENNONITE
$3,500HISTORICAL LIBRARY