Washington County Community Foundation
Mission, Governance, Management, and Credentials
The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. We accomplish this by assuming four philanthropic roles of Grantmaker, Donor Service Organization, Fundraiser, and Community Leader.
Fostering philanthropy by offering charitable gifting opportunities to donors on an individualized basis and at reasonable fees, we make charitable giving easier, more satisfying, and more effective.
The Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, which is registered with the Pennsylvania Charities Bureau and annually files the Federal Form 990. We are governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of local volunteers, each of whom has a long history of involvement in community and civic affairs. The day-to-day operations of the Foundation are performed by trained personnel with more than 10 decades of experience working in the charitable sector.
The Foundation is accredited through the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™ - the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. We are also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to receive contributions through all components of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program.
The Foundation is bound by Pennsylvania Trust Law and adheres to 15 P.C.S. Section 5548 (c) with respect to a total return investment policy and spending policy with respect to all of its restricted endowment funds.
We broadly support the Washington County community by awarding grants in eight focus areas as follows:
- Animal Welfare
- Arts & Humanities
- Community Improvement & Economic Development
- Conservation & Environment
- Education
- Health & Fitness
- Human Needs
- Religion & Faith
The Foundation is uniquely positioned to promote and facilitate philanthropy in our county as no other grant-making organization exists in Washington County whose service territory, philanthropic services, and grant parameters are as broad as the Washington County Community Foundation.