Eden Bridge Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8,765,346 (2023)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $2,200,000
• Geographic Focus: National, with emphasis on Christian organizations
• Total Assets: $18.7 million (2022)
• Number of Grants: 151 awards (2023)
• Operating Model: Donor-Advised Fund
• EIN: 02-0714460

Contact Details

Address: 901 Eden Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601-5036

Phone: 717-560-8270

Email: info@edenbridgefoundation.org

Website: https://edenbridgefoundation.org/

Overview

Eden Bridge Foundation was established in 2003 (originally as Ambassador Foundation) by Lancaster Bible College as a public charity with a mission extending beyond serving only the college's donors. Tax-exempt since March 2004, the foundation has grown to become a significant grantmaker, distributing over $47 million through 1,206 grants since 2016. The foundation earned a 4/4 Star rating (score of 95%) from Charity Navigator, reflecting strong financial health and accountability. As of June 2022, the foundation employed 3 staff members and maintained $18.7 million in assets. Their vision is "to be a globally recognized charitable foundation providing stewardship opportunities for individuals and businesses to support ministries in advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide." The foundation primarily operates through donor-advised funds, allowing donors to direct distributions while the foundation handles investment decisions and administrative functions.

Funding Priorities

Operating Model

Eden Bridge Foundation operates primarily as a donor-advised fund (DAF) platform rather than a traditional grantmaking foundation. Donors establish funds and direct grants to their chosen charitable organizations. This means grants are determined by individual donors rather than through a competitive application process managed by the foundation.

Grant Distribution

• 2023: 151 grants totaling $8,765,346
• 2022: 162 grants totaling $7,304,848
• Historical (2016-2023): 1,206 grants totaling $47,089,819
• Grant Range: From $10,000 or less to $2.2 million (largest to Everence Foundation)

Priority Areas

Based on documented grant recipients, the foundation supports:

• Christian educational institutions (particularly Lancaster Bible College)
• Faith-based ministries and churches
• Christian advocacy organizations
• Christian social service organizations
• Autism services and intellectual disability support (faith-based)
• Christian retreat centers
• Charitable causes supported by individual donors through DAF accounts

Documented Recipients Include:

• Lancaster Bible College
• Jessica and Friends Community (York-based autism support) - $554,253 since 2010
• Pennsylvania Family Institute - $136,398 (July 2010-June 2022)
• Three Springs Ministries (Tioga County retreat)
• Independence Law Center
• Donors Trust - $230,000 (July 2010-June 2022)
• Everence Foundation - $2.2 million
• ALS Foundation
• Hatfield Volunteer Fire Company
• Montgomery County volunteer fire companies

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's mission focuses on Christian organizations and causes aligned with biblical stewardship principles. The donor-advised fund model means individual donors determine their own funding priorities within legal charitable purposes.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The board structure includes two-thirds Evangelical Christian business or ministry leaders and one-third Lancaster Bible College Board of Trustees and Corporation members.

Officers:

• William Poole - Chairman
• Matt Mason - Treasurer
• Randy Moyer - Secretary

Board Members:

• Bill Book
• Phil Clemens
• Michael Geer
• Dr. Peter Teague (founder of Jessica and Friends Community, York-based nonprofit)
• Michael Van Belle

Staff

• Robert Teague - Executive Director
• Stephanie Andreychek - Client Services Manager (hired 2012 as Office Manager, promoted 2014)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: Eden Bridge Foundation does not have a public grant application process for organizations seeking funding. The foundation operates as a donor-advised fund platform, meaning grants are determined by individual donors who have established funds with Eden Bridge.

Organizations do not apply to Eden Bridge Foundation for grants. Instead, grants are made when:

1. Individual donors establish donor-advised funds with Eden Bridge
2. Those donors recommend grants to specific organizations
3. Eden Bridge processes and distributes the grants on behalf of the donors

For Donors Establishing Funds

The foundation welcomes individual donors and businesses interested in establishing donor-advised funds. According to their FAQ:

• Contribution Requirements: Donors must be willing to make gifts with cash, marketable securities (including stock or mutual funds), or shares in closely-held corporations
• Ideal Candidates: DAFs work well for donors who want to support either a few charities at substantial levels or many charities at lesser amounts
• Services Provided: Investment decisions and administration handled by the foundation; partnership with existing financial advisors available
• Additional Benefits: Tax-wise giving strategies, anonymity options, and administrative functions

Getting on Their Radar

Since Eden Bridge Foundation operates through donor-advised funds, organizations seeking funding should focus on relationship-building with potential donors rather than applying to the foundation directly. Based on documented information specific to Eden Bridge:

Foundation Leadership Connections: Two-thirds of Eden Bridge's board members are Evangelical Christian business or ministry leaders. Building relationships within Pennsylvania's Christian business community could lead to connections with Eden Bridge donors.

Lancaster Bible College Network: Given Eden Bridge's origins and ongoing relationship with Lancaster Bible College, organizations with connections to LBC's network, alumni, or affiliated ministries may have greater visibility among Eden Bridge donors.

Board Member Affiliations: Board member Dr. Peter Teague founded Jessica and Friends Community, which received $554,253 from Eden Bridge since 2010. This demonstrates that organizations connected to board members may benefit from donor recommendations.

Christian Sector Visibility: With over 100 organizations funded annually (typically 150+ grants/year), Eden Bridge donors support a wide range of Christian causes. Organizations should focus on building visibility within the evangelical Christian philanthropic community in Pennsylvania and nationally.

Donor Education Events: Eden Bridge provides "stewardship education and charitable planning/planned giving for individual donors and ministries." Organizations might inquire about opportunities to present at donor education events or be featured in donor communications.

Application Success Factors

Since Eden Bridge Foundation does not accept direct applications from organizations, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. Instead, success depends on:

Donor Relationships: Organizations must build relationships with individual donors who have established or might establish donor-advised funds at Eden Bridge. The foundation's role is administrative; funding decisions rest with donors.

Alignment with Christian Values: Eden Bridge's mission explicitly focuses on "advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide" and "biblical stewardship." Organizations must align with Christian principles and evangelical values to attract donor interest.

Organizational Credibility: With a 4/4 Star Charity Navigator rating, Eden Bridge maintains high standards. Donors using the platform likely expect recipient organizations to demonstrate strong governance, financial accountability, and mission effectiveness.

Donor Priorities Drive Funding: The wide range of grant sizes ($10,000 to $2.2 million) and recipient types (from local fire companies to national Christian organizations) reflects diverse donor interests. Organizations should focus on articulating clear mission impact to potential donors.

Lancaster Connection: While Eden Bridge's vision extends nationally, its roots in Lancaster, PA, and connection to Lancaster Bible College suggest that Pennsylvania-based organizations or those with Lancaster connections may have advantages in donor visibility.

Tax-Deductibility: As a 501(c)(3) public charity, Eden Bridge can only distribute grants to tax-exempt organizations. Recipient organizations must maintain proper tax-exempt status.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not a Traditional Funder: Eden Bridge does not accept grant applications from organizations. It operates as a donor-advised fund platform where individual donors direct grant distributions.
• Focus on Donor Development: Organizations seeking funding should invest in donor cultivation with individuals who use or might use Eden Bridge's services, not in writing proposals to the foundation.
• Christian Alignment Essential: The foundation's explicit mission to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ means only Christian organizations or causes supported by Christian donors will receive funding.
• Significant Annual Distribution: With $8.7+ million distributed annually to 150+ organizations, Eden Bridge represents a substantial funding channel in the Christian philanthropic sector.
• Wide Grant Range: Grants from $10,000 to $2.2 million demonstrate that both small local organizations and large national ministries can benefit from Eden Bridge donor relationships.
• Board Connections Matter: Organizations affiliated with board members or Lancaster Bible College may have enhanced visibility among Eden Bridge donors.
• Strong Financial Ratings: The foundation's 4/4 Star Charity Navigator rating indicates donors value accountability and financial stewardship in recipient organizations.

References

1. Eden Bridge Foundation Official Website - https://edenbridgefoundation.org/ (Accessed March 2026)
2. GuideStar Profile: Eden Bridge Foundation - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0714460 (Accessed March 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Eden Bridge Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20714460 (Accessed March 2026)
4. Charity Navigator Rating for Eden Bridge Foundation - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/020714460 (Accessed March 2026)
5. Eden Bridge Foundation FAQ - https://edenbridgefoundation.org/faq/ (Accessed March 2026)
6. Eden Bridge Foundation Leadership - https://edenbridgefoundation.org/home/learn/leadership/ (Accessed March 2026)
7. Lancaster Online: "How a Lancaster charity linked to a private Christian college influences public school policy in Pa." - https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/how-a-lancaster-charity-linked-to-a-private-christian-college-influences-public-school-policy-in/article_e1c00b30-13c3-11ef-81a9-efb23ba3bf48.html (Accessed March 2026)
8. Lancaster Online: "Eden Bridge Foundation donated to Tioga County retreat, autism services nonprofit linked to board members" - https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/eden-bridge-foundation-donated-to-tioga-county-retreat-autism-services-nonprofit-linked-to-board-members/article_c9c82918-13be-11ef-bb6e-2fde4db116e4.html (Accessed March 2026)
9. Cause IQ: Eden Bridge Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/eden-bridge-foundation,020714460/ (Accessed March 2026)