Kinsley Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,681,508 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $50 - $1,000,000
• Geographic Focus: South Central Pennsylvania (York County emphasis), Maryland, Vermont

Contact Details

• Phone: 717-741-8411
• Address: 6259 Reynolds Mill Road, Seven Valleys, PA 17360-8844
• Website: None
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Kinsley Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1997 with current assets of over $21 million. Founded by Robert A. Kinsley (deceased 2020) and Anne W. Kinsley, the foundation is closely connected to Kinsley Construction, which the couple founded in 1963. The foundation's mission focuses on improving communities where the Kinsley family lives and works through natural land and historic preservation, arts support, animal welfare, education, and community development. The foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million annually through 60-70 grants to various organizations, primarily in south central Pennsylvania with an emphasis on York County. The foundation operates on the guiding principles of treating others well, maintaining a strong work ethic, giving back to the community, and doing "the right thing."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides grants ranging from $50 to $1,000,000 with no specific named programs. Support includes:

• General operating support
• Project support

Priority Areas

• Education
• Natural land and historic preservation
• Arts and Culture
• Animal Welfare
• Human Services
• Community Development
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
• Religion
• Sports and Recreation

What They Don't Fund

No publicly available information on specific exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation was established by Robert A. Kinsley (deceased June 2020) and Anne W. Kinsley. Robert Kinsley founded Kinsley Construction and served as Chairman Emeritus of the Gettysburg Foundation. Anne W. Kinsley previously served as board chair of the York County Community Foundation. The foundation maintains strong ties to Kinsley Construction, Inc., which serves as a major donor. The Kinsley family has also established related funds including the Kinsley Family Fund for York County and the Tim and Anne Kinsley Family Fund (established after Tim Kinsley's death) through the York County Community Foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees. Organizations cannot apply directly through an open application system. The foundation makes approximately 60-70 grants annually to organizations identified through trustee networks, community relationships, and the foundation's own research.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and family involvement, organizations may increase visibility through:

• The York County Community Foundation, where Anne W. Kinsley served as board chair
• Community networks in south central Pennsylvania, particularly York County
• Organizations where the Kinsley family has existing board or volunteer relationships
• Projects that demonstrate clear community impact in the foundation's priority geographic areas

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - decisions made at trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, based on the foundation's giving history and stated mission:

• Organizations should demonstrate strong community impact in south central Pennsylvania
• Projects aligned with the Kinsley family values of "treating others well, having a strong work ethic, giving back to the community, and doing the right thing"
• Established track record and community reputation appears important
• Connection to York County or other Kinsley family geographic areas of interest (Maryland, Vermont)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a legitimate grant-making foundation with substantial assets ($21+ million) and annual giving ($1.6+ million)
• No public application process exists - all grants are made through trustee discretion
• Strong preference for organizations in south central Pennsylvania, especially York County
• The foundation supports a diverse range of causes with grants ranging from $50 to $1 million
• Building relationships through community networks, particularly the York County Community Foundation, may be the only pathway to consideration
• The foundation maintains its privacy with no website or public contact information beyond a phone number
• Form 990-PF filings provide the only public record of grant recipients and amounts

References

• Candid Foundation Directory profile (Key: KINS011) - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KINS011
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 232870170) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/232870170
• Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/kinsley-family-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• GrantStation profile - https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/kinsley-family-foundation
• York County Community Foundation - Kinsley Family Fund for York County - https://yccf.org/our-funders/kinsley-family-fund-for-york-county/
• York Dispatch article on Tim and Jon Kinsley's philanthropic legacy (March 8, 2023) - https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/03/08/tim-and-jon-kinsleys-legacy-lives-on-in-the-charities-they-supported/69985673007/
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021-2023) accessed via ProPublica and Candid