The Foundation For Enhancing Communities

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: $131 million (2023)
• Annual Giving: $8.3 million
• Grant Volume: 1,944 grants awarded (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $3,000 - $12,000 (varies by program)
• Decision Time: 4-5 months
• Geographic Focus: South Central Pennsylvania (Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry counties, and Dillsburg area)

Contact Details

Website: www.tfec.org
Phone: 717-236-5040
Email: grants@tfec.org (Community Investment Team)
Address: 200 N 3rd Street, 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Pre-Application Support: The Community Investment Team is available to answer questions and provide guidance. Potential applicants may attend an orientation session and request draft reviews up to 2 weeks before deadlines.

Overview

Founded in 1920 as The Greater Harrisburg Foundation by Donald McCormick, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) is the 18th oldest community foundation in the United States. Renamed in 2005 to reflect its expanded geographic reach, TFEC has grown from $5 million in assets in 1994 to over $131 million today. With a mission to inspire giving and strengthen local communities, TFEC serves as a neutral convener and catalyst for philanthropy across south central Pennsylvania. In 2023, TFEC awarded 1,944 grants totaling $8,344,113 in grant funds. The foundation has earned a 100% Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating exceptional financial health and transparency. Under the leadership of President and CEO Jennifer Doyle, TFEC emphasizes partnership, removing administrative barriers for nonprofits, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

TFEC offers multiple competitive grant opportunities organized in three annual cycles. Grant amounts typically range from $3,000 to $20,000 depending on the specific program:

Cycle 1 (Deadline: February 1)

• Harold M. Greaney Trust Fund (Perry County focus)
• University Center at Harrisburg Grant Fund
• Emerging Philanthropist Program Endowment Fund
• The Kids Trust Fund
• Perry County Community Foundation Grant

Cycle 2 (Deadline: May 1)

• Arts for All
• Franklin County Community Foundation
• Gail Deimler Charitable Fund
• The Palmer Family Foundation Fund
• The Fund for Women & Girls

Cycle 3 (Deadline: September 1)

• Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation: Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund
• Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation: Upstream
• Madden Family Foundation Fund
• Martin M. Sacks Memorial Fund
• Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation (up to $12,000)
• Please Live Fund (mental wellness education and suicide prevention)

Invitation-Only Programs

• Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund (up to $20,000)
• Creative Sector Flex Fund (up to $5,000 for arts organizations)

Priority Areas

• Arts & Culture: Supporting creative organizations and arts programming
• Community Development: Housing stability, neighborhood improvement, economic development
• Education: Early childhood education, K-12 student support
• Environment: Environmental conservation and sustainability
• Health & Human Services: Mental health, disability advocacy, hospice services, aging population support
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Special emphasis on BIPOC-led organizations and programs serving low-income communities

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (except through scholarship programs)
• Capital campaigns
• Religious organizations for propagation of religious doctrine
• Advertising
• Direct lobbying to influence legislation
• Retroactive projects
• 100% of any project cost (sustainability required)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

• Jennifer Doyle - President and CEO
• Kirk C. Demyan - Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
• Stefani McAuliffe - Vice President of Community Impact
• Matt Caylor - Vice President of Marketing & Communications
• Kim Alvarez - Vice President of Philanthropy

Board Leadership:

• Romeo Azondekon - Chair
• Beck Moore - Vice Chair
• Robert E. Caplan - Past Chair
• Michael Gillespie - Treasurer
• Susan Simms Marsh - Secretary

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Jennifer Doyle on TFEC's approach: "By removing administrative barriers, we allow nonprofit leaders to dedicate more time to serving their communities. We handle the details so they can focus on impact."

On grant applications: "We're committed to helping nonprofits put forward the strongest applications possible. Our team provides the guidance and resources they need to maximize their funding potential."

On collaboration: "At TFEC, we know that great ideas can spark change, but only through collaboration do they become reality."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online portal at www.tfec.org/nonprofits/grants-overview/

Getting Started:

• Review current grant opportunities and identify the best fit for your organization
• No pre-application contact required, but encouraged
• Applicants may begin applications at any time
• Organizations may apply to multiple opportunities but only one application per specific grant program

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) status OR use of a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status
• Churches, schools, and similar entities can demonstrate nonprofit status alternatively
• Must serve TFEC's geographic service area (Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry counties, or Dillsburg area)

Support Available:

• Technical assistance from Community Investment Team
• One draft review available up to 2 weeks before deadline
• Optional orientation sessions
• Contact: grants@tfec.org or 717-236-5040

Decision Timeline

Standard Timeline: 4-5 months from deadline to notification

Specific Notification Dates:

• February 1 deadline → notification by June 1
• May 1 deadline → notification by August 1
• September 1 deadline → notification by December 1

Project Period: Typically 12 months following the application deadline

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, in 2024, TFEC awarded over $650,000 through grant programs, supporting 109 local projects. Recent examples include:

• Fund for Women & Girls: 15 organizations awarded (grants of $1,500-$8,000)
• Madden Family Foundation Fund: 10 organizations awarded ($4,750-$5,000)
• Arts for All: $140,000 awarded to 35 nonprofits
• Franklin County Community Foundation: $80,514 to 22 organizations

Reapplication Policy

While TFEC does not explicitly publish a reapplication waiting period for unsuccessful applicants, organizations are encouraged to contact the Community Investment Team for feedback and guidance on strengthening future applications. For scholarship programs, previous recipients may reapply after their original award period ends.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are scored based on these factors (exact weighting varies by program):

1. Connection to Fund Mission/Priorities (typically 20-50 points): Strongest factor
2. Measurable Project Success (10-15 points): Both quantitative and qualitative measures required
3. Funding Diversification (5-15 points): Demonstrate how remaining project funds will be secured
4. Roles and Responsibilities (5-15 points): Clear organizational capacity
5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (10 points): How the project advances equity

TFEC's Stated Priorities

Sustainability is Critical: TFEC will not fund 100% of any project. Applications must demonstrate:

• How remaining funds will be secured
• How the project will continue after initial TFEC funding ends
• Ability to leverage additional community resources

Capacity for Impact: As Jennifer Doyle emphasizes, TFEC seeks to "partner with nonprofits to develop solutions for community change" and looks for organizations that can demonstrate real community impact.

Recent Funded Projects (2024 Examples)

• Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg ($4,000) - Fund for Women & Girls
• Lebanon Valley Volunteers in Medicine ($8,000) - Fund for Women & Girls
• Blue Mountain Escape, Inc. ($4,750) - Madden Family Foundation Fund
• Evolve Youth Trades Academy ($5,000) - Madden Family Foundation Fund
• United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania - Benjamin Franklin Trust Fund

Strategic Advice

• Use Technical Assistance: Take advantage of draft reviews and orientation sessions
• Show Community Value: Demonstrate participation, engagement, and stewardship
• Emphasize Sustainability: Clearly articulate funding diversification and long-term viability
• Match TFEC's Language: Review specific fund guidelines to understand unique priorities
• Build Relationships: TFEC values ongoing partnerships - engage with the Community Investment Team early

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• TFEC prioritizes sustainability over one-time funding: You must demonstrate how the project will continue beyond their grant and how you'll secure additional funding
• Technical assistance is readily available and encouraged: Don't hesitate to engage the Community Investment Team for guidance and draft reviews
• Geographic alignment is essential: Your project must serve one of TFEC's five counties (Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry) or the Dillsburg area
• Plan for a 4-5 month decision timeline: Build this into your project planning and budget cycles
• DEI considerations matter: All grant programs evaluate diversity, equity, and inclusion components (typically 10 points)
• Multiple applications are allowed: You can apply to different grant opportunities, but only one application per specific program
• TFEC functions as a partnership-oriented funder: They emphasize collaboration, removing barriers, and providing comprehensive support beyond just grant dollars

References

• The Foundation for Enhancing Communities official website: https://www.tfec.org/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Grant Opportunities Overview: https://www.tfec.org/nonprofits/grants-overview/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Grant FAQs: https://www.tfec.org/nonprofits/grantseeker-resources/faqs-grants/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Leadership Team: https://www.tfec.org/about-us/team/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Financials: https://www.tfec.org/about-us/financials/ (accessed January 2025)
• Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund Guidelines: https://www.tfec.org/grants/pennsylvania-disability-advocacy-fund-guidelines/ (accessed January 2025)
• Mechanicsburg Area Community Foundation Grant Guidelines: https://www.tfec.org/grants/mechanicsburg-area-foundation-grant/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Grant Awards Announcement 2024: https://www.tfec.org/tfec-announces-more-than-500000-in-grants-to-local-nonprofits/ (accessed January 2025)
• TFEC Arts for All Awards: https://www.tfec.org/tfec-awards-more-than-140000-through-arts-for-all-grants/ (accessed January 2025)
• Charity Navigator Profile (EIN 01-0564355): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/010564355 (accessed January 2025)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/01-0564355 (accessed January 2025)