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The Hamer Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.1M
Grant Range
$30K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,059,398 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 45 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $250,000 (based on recent examples)
  • Application Deadline: January 31 (annual)
  • Geographic Focus: Within 100-mile radius of State College, PA
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 2470 Fox Hill Road, State College, PA 16803-1729
Phone: 814-692-4616
Website: hamerfoundation.org
Grant Application: hamerfoundation.org/grant-application

Overview

The Hamer Foundation was established in 1989 by Donald W. Hamer, founder and CEO of State of the Art, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-reliability resistors. Based in State College, Pennsylvania, the foundation distributed over $5 million in grants across 45 awards in 2023. The foundation's mission is to provide support to nonprofit organizations within a 100-mile radius of State College in the areas of environmental, community, and educational support. Following Donald Hamer's death in 2016, the foundation continues his legacy of commitment to bettering life in central Pennsylvania. Hamer, a Navy veteran who benefited from the G.I. Bill and earned degrees from the University of Illinois, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Penn State, was named Penn State's Philanthropist of the Year in 2014. His belief in the power of education and service to community remains at the core of the foundation's mission.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Hamer Foundation supports a broad range of causes, with particular emphasis on:

  • Environmental Conservation and Education: Nature centers, environmental research, private forests management, and sustainability programs
  • Higher Education: Penn State programs, educational facilities, and student support services
  • Veterans Support: Programs serving military-affiliated students and former servicemembers
  • Health and Wellness: Community health programs, particularly those serving children
  • Libraries and Museums: University libraries, art museums, and cultural institutions
  • Human Services: Community-based programs addressing local needs
  • Performing and Visual Arts: Arts programs and facilities in central Pennsylvania

Recent Grant Examples

  • $250,000 to Shaver's Creek Environmental Center for construction of the Hawks View Treehouse facility
  • $80,000 to Penn State PRO Wellness for school-based health programs and community partnerships
  • $63,000 to Penn State Office of Veterans Programs for enhanced resources for former servicemembers
  • $30,000 to Penn State University Libraries for expanded access to military-affiliated students at remote bases
  • Major funding for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center's Spring Creek Education Building expansion (part of $2.6 million project)

Geographic Requirements

Organizations must be located within a 100-mile radius of State College, Pennsylvania. The foundation primarily focuses on Centre County but extends support throughout central Pennsylvania.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation focuses on nonprofit organizations within their geographic area. For the Disaster Fund specifically, only nonprofit organizations can apply on behalf of individuals—direct individual applications are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Pat Morse, Trustee: Serves as a spokesperson for the foundation. Morse has stated, "Don Hamer led a life defined by service to his community and a belief in the power of education. Carrying on this dedication is at the core of the Hamer Foundation's mission."

About the Founder

Donald W. Hamer (1925-2016) was a ceramic and electrical engineer who founded State of the Art, Inc. in 1969. A Navy veteran who served in World War II and the Korean Conflict, he earned degrees from the University of Illinois, University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, and Penn State. He established the Hamer Foundation in 1989, inspired by Penn State coach Joe Paterno's encouragement to make a significant contribution to the Pattee Library expansion. Hamer achieved notable success in the microelectronics industry—State of the Art was the first manufacturer to achieve "S-level" reliability for MIL-PRF-55342 chip resistors, and the company's resistors were used in NASA's Voyager spacecraft. He received Penn State's Distinguished Alumni Award and was named Philanthropist of the Year in 2014.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are reviewed by the Board of Trustees to determine eligibility for funding. The foundation has an annual deadline of January 31. Applications can be submitted through the foundation's website at hamerfoundation.org/grant-application.

Specific application requirements, forms, and detailed guidelines are available through the foundation's website or by contacting them directly at 814-692-4616.

Decision Timeline

All applications are initially reviewed by the Board of Trustees following the January 31 deadline. Specific decision timelines and notification methods are not publicly documented. Based on the annual giving cycle, organizations should expect decisions within several months of the application deadline.

Success Rates

With 45 grants awarded in 2023 and annual giving of over $5 million, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Success rates and the total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has supported some organizations over multiple years and decades (such as Shaver's Creek since the 1980s), suggesting that both new applicants and previous grantees are considered. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding history and mission, organizations should consider the following when applying:

  • Geographic alignment: Ensure your organization is located within the 100-mile radius of State College. Centre County organizations appear to receive significant attention.

  • Mission alignment with Donald Hamer's values: The foundation honors Hamer's legacy of education, environmental stewardship, service to veterans, and community betterment. Projects that reflect these values have strong potential.

  • Environmental and educational focus: The foundation was established "primarily for conservation and educational programs." Projects combining these elements or strongly demonstrating impact in either area align well with core priorities.

  • Long-term relationships: The foundation has supported organizations like Shaver's Creek "for over three decades," suggesting they value sustained partnerships with effective organizations.

  • Community impact: Projects demonstrating clear benefit to central Pennsylvania communities, particularly those serving multiple constituencies or addressing significant local needs, align with the foundation's mission.

  • Penn State connections: While not exclusively funding Penn State, many recent grants support university programs. However, community organizations like Millbrook Marsh Nature Center also receive major funding, indicating openness to diverse applicants.

  • Capacity and readiness: Recent grants ranging from $30,000 to $250,000 suggest the foundation funds organizations with capacity for significant projects, particularly capital improvements and program expansion.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geography is critical: Confirm you are within the 100-mile radius of State College before investing time in an application.

  • Align with founder's legacy: Emphasize how your project reflects Donald Hamer's values—education, environmental stewardship, service, and community betterment.

  • Environmental and educational projects are core: While the foundation funds broadly, conservation and educational programs remain the primary focus since its 1989 founding.

  • Plan for January 31 deadline: This annual deadline requires advance planning. Prepare applications well in advance.

  • Consider capital projects: Recent grants show significant support for facilities and infrastructure (Hawks View Treehouse, Millbrook Marsh building expansion), not just programs.

  • Build relationships: The foundation values long-term partnerships, as demonstrated by decades of support to organizations like Shaver's Creek.

  • Don't overlook veterans programs: As a Navy veteran himself, Hamer's foundation maintains interest in supporting military-affiliated populations, particularly in educational contexts.

References

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