The Francis J Dixon Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $770,643 - $1,323,890
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-3 weeks
• Grant Range: $500 - $2,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Lebanon County, Pennsylvania (with limited multi-county scholarship programs)

Contact Details

• Phone: (717) 270-6338 or (717) 389-0995
• Fax: (717) 272-9690
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: PO Box 333, Lebanon, PA 17042-0333
• Contact Person: Stephan Vegoe (primary); Sherry Cassel (Director)
• Website: No official website

Overview

The Francis J Dixon Foundation, established in 1989, is a private family foundation with total assets of $26.5 million and annual charitable disbursements ranging from $770,643 to $1.3 million. Founded by Francis J. Dixon, who passed away in December 2021, the foundation has provided tuition assistance to more than 4,000 students over its history. The foundation focuses on education, healthcare, and community service initiatives primarily within Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. With no official website, the foundation operates through direct contact and has a streamlined application process with notably quick decision timelines of 2-3 weeks.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

HACC Tuition Assistance Grants: $500-$1,000

• 100 full-time grants of $1,000 each
• 100 part-time grants of $500 each
• For Lebanon County residents at HACC Lebanon Campus
• Application through HACC financial aid office

LPN to RN Scholarships: Amount varies

• For Good Samaritan Health System LPNs
• Must be enrolled in HACC Lebanon Campus program

Merit Scholarships: Amount varies

• For graduating high school seniors from Lebanon, Lancaster, Cumberland, and Dauphin counties
• Must attend Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions

Community Grants: $10,000 - $2,000,000

• Organizations serving Lebanon County
• Focus on education, healthcare, and community services
• Average grant approximately $35,000

Priority Areas

• Education (particularly community college access)
• Healthcare services and infrastructure
• Community service organizations
• Youth opportunities
• Quality of life improvements in Lebanon County
• Projects of special interest to the Dixon family and board

What They Don't Fund

• Sectarian (religiously-affiliated) organizations
• Organizations outside Lebanon County (except multi-county student scholarship programs)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (2022):

• Robert J Phillips - President
• David Dixon - Director
• Thomas Dixon - Director
• Thomas Siegel - Treasurer
• Joann White - Director
• Timothy Huber - Director

The foundation maintains a small board structure with each director receiving modest compensation of $2,000 annually. As a family foundation, board members have discretionary authority to fund projects of special interest to the Dixon family legacy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

• Submit 1-2 page cover letter outlining grant request
• Include one copy of full proposal
• Application form required (obtain by contacting foundation)
• Submit to: PO Box 333, Lebanon, PA 17042-0333
• Email inquiries: [email protected]

Decision Timeline

• Board meets quarterly: 2nd Wednesday of March, July, and November
• Final notification within 2-3 weeks of submission
• Rolling application process with no strict deadlines
• Applications may receive more favorable consideration if submitted ahead of scheduled board meetings

Success Rates

• Specific success rates not publicly available
• Grant awards have grown: 11 awards (2020) → 17 awards (2021) → 22 awards (2022)
• Total of 22 grants awarded in 2022 from $770,643 distributed

Reapplication Policy

• No documented restrictions on reapplication
• Contact foundation directly for specific guidance

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and priorities:

• Lebanon County Focus: Organizations must demonstrate direct service to Lebanon County residents
• Non-Sectarian Requirement: Ensure your organization meets the non-sectarian criteria
• Education Emphasis: Projects supporting educational access, particularly at community college level, align with foundation's historical giving
• Healthcare Connection: Organizations affiliated with or supporting healthcare services have strong track record (Good Samaritan Hospital/WellSpan received major support)
• Clear Impact Metrics: With quick 2-3 week decisions, proposals should clearly articulate measurable community impact
• Direct Contact: Without a website, initial phone or email contact may help clarify requirements before submission
• Board Meeting Timing: Submit applications well ahead of quarterly board meetings (March, July, November)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is strict: Must serve Lebanon County residents - this is non-negotiable for organizational grants
• Quick turnaround advantage: 2-3 week decision timeline means less waiting compared to many foundations
• No website means direct contact: Call or email before submitting to ensure you have current guidelines and forms
• Family foundation flexibility: Board has discretion for special interest projects - relationship building may be valuable
• Growing grant portfolio: Foundation has increased number of grants awarded annually, suggesting expanding capacity
• Avoid religious affiliation: Sectarian exclusion is explicit - ensure your organization qualifies
• Leverage education angle: Strong historical support for educational initiatives, particularly community college access

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF filings (2020-2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/251600852. Accessed February 11, 2026
• Candid Foundation Directory - Grant-making history and guidelines. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=DIXO016. Accessed February 11, 2026
• Cause IQ - Financial and organizational data. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-francis-j-dixon-foundation,251600852/. Accessed February 11, 2026
• HACC Lebanon Campus - Scholarship program details. https://apps.hacc.edu/hacc_forms/A25y8j/openform.cfm?FID=3872. Accessed February 11, 2026
• Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce - Contact information. http://cca.lvchamber.org/francis-j-dixon-foundation. Accessed February 11, 2026
• LebTown News - "WellSpan Dixon Foundation Health Center Prepares to Welcome Patients" (February 2020). https://lebtown.com/2020/02/05/wellspan-dixon-foundation-health-center-prepares-to-welcome-patients/. Accessed February 11, 2026
• Lancaster Online - Francis J. Dixon obituary (December 2021). Accessed February 11, 2026