A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,656,285 (2024)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (applications by Nov 30, decisions by March 31)
• Grant Range: Varies by project (examples from $25,000 to $150,000+)
• Geographic Focus: Western Pennsylvania (emphasis on Pittsburgh and St. Marys regions)
• Number of Awards: 70-109 annually

Contact Details

Executive Director: John W. Kowach

Address: 1659 Rt. 228, Suite 4, Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Phone: (724) 778-9984

Email: palumbocharitabletrust@consolidated.net

Website: http://www.palumbocharitabletrust.org

Overview

Founded in 1974 by Antonio J. (A.J.) Palumbo and his wife Sigismunda, the A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust was established to create a perpetual gift to Western Pennsylvania communities. A.J. Palumbo, the son of poor Italian immigrants who never attended high school, built a successful coal mining business and became one of the region's most generous philanthropists, donating more than $15 million to universities, colleges, hospitals, and high schools during the last 15 years of his life. The Trust continues his legacy of supporting organizations that demonstrate financial accountability and measurable outcomes, with a mission to make Western Pennsylvania a better place by providing hope for the future and improving the quality of life for those who need help and support. The Trust distributed $2,656,285 in grants during 2024 through 109 awards, and has consistently made 70-109 grants annually in recent years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates with a single annual application deadline rather than separate grant programs:

• Annual Grant Cycle: Applications due November 30; decisions made in March; grants awarded across all priority areas

Priority Areas

1. St. Marys, Pennsylvania Charities: Grants to organizations and institutions located in the St. Marys, Pennsylvania area

2. Catholic Education: Grants to Catholic institutions at elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels

   • Examples include substantial multi-year support to Penn State DuBois (over $525,000 total), $150,000 for Open Doors Scholarship endowment, and support to Elk County Catholic School System

3. Health Related Issues: Grants to organizations and institutions that promote the advancement of health and health-related issues

4. Social Services Affecting Youth: Grants to organizations whose purpose is the improvement of conditions that affect the youth of America

5. Trustee Discretion: Grants awarded to worthy charitable endeavors determined directly by the Board of Trustees

What They Don't Fund

• Operational expenses or indirect costs
• Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
• Private foundations under section 509(a)(3)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Rex W. Knisley, Chairman
• Robert A. Ordiway, Vice Chairman
• Robert O'Leary, Treasurer
• JoAnne Ryan, Secretary
• John W. Kowach (also Executive Director)
• Joseph L. Palumbo
• Karin R. Pfingstler
• John Anke, PNC Bank (Corporate Trustee)
• Pasquale J. Palumbo, M.D. (Trustee Emeritus)

The Trust was founded on A.J. Palumbo's belief that "the greatest investment for the future was in children and young adults," a principle that continues to guide the trustees' funding decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts applications through a formal process:

1. Complete the Grant Application Form available on the Trust's website
2. Include a cover letter with the application
3. Provide required supplemental materials:
   • List of Board of Directors/Trustees/Officers/Administration
   • Most recent financial statements (monthly or quarterly)
   • Latest year-end financial statements (income and balance sheet)
   • Current year's budget (if available)
   • Organizational brochures
   • Current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter

Submission Method:

• Primary: Mail hard copy to John W. Kowach at the address above
• Email submissions accepted, but a hard copy must also be mailed

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: November 30 (annually)
• Board Review: The Board of Trustees meets in March to consider all applications received by the November 30 deadline
• Decision Notification: By mail after the March meeting (typically by March 31)
• Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from deadline to notification

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not published, the Trust makes 70-109 awards annually. Recent award counts:

• 2024: 109 awards
• 2023: 78 awards
• 2022: 89 awards
• 2021: 75 awards
• 2020: 85 awards

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive grants must submit a Common Grant Report by December 31 of the grant year. If unable to submit by December 31, organizations must request a deadline extension by that date, with final reports due by June 30. Failure to submit the required report results in a two-year period of grant ineligibility, making reporting compliance critical for future funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and guidelines:

Alignment with Trustee Values:

• The Trust seeks organizations that demonstrate financial accountability and measurable outcomes
• Preference for established organizations with specific goals and objectives
• Projects should benefit the entire community and serve the largest number of individuals
• Strong alignment with A.J. Palumbo's founding vision of investing in children and young adults enhances competitiveness

Geographic Considerations:

• While preference is given to Western Pennsylvania organizations, applications are not necessarily restricted to this area
• Organizations in St. Marys, Pennsylvania receive particular attention as one of five core funding categories
• The Pittsburgh region also receives significant focus

Financial Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
• Cannot be a private foundation under section 509(a)(3)
• Should demonstrate financial stability through submitted statements
• Operational and indirect costs are not funded—focus on program/project costs

Application Quality:

• Complete applications with all required supplemental materials
• Clear demonstration of how the project aligns with one or more of the five grant categories
• Evidence of measurable outcomes and community benefit
• Professional presentation with organizational brochures and financial documentation

Post-Award Compliance:

• Potential site visits after grant approval
• Mandatory grant reporting by December 31 (or June 30 with extension)
• Failure to report results in two-year ineligibility—compliance is essential for maintaining the relationship

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply to the right category: Clearly align your request with one of the five funding categories (St. Marys Charities, Catholic Education, Health, Youth Social Services, or Trustee Discretion)
• Emphasize youth impact: Given A.J. Palumbo's founding vision that "the greatest investment for the future was in children and young adults," applications that benefit youth have strong alignment
• Geographic focus matters: Western Pennsylvania location is strongly preferred, with particular emphasis on St. Marys and Pittsburgh areas
• No operational funding: Budget only for program/project costs, not operational expenses or indirect costs
• Financial accountability is key: The Trust specifically seeks organizations that demonstrate financial accountability and measurable outcomes—include metrics and evaluation plans
• Meet the November 30 deadline: This is the only annual application window; applications are reviewed in March with decisions by March 31
• Grant reporting is non-negotiable: Failure to submit the required Common Grant Report results in two years of ineligibility—budget time for proper reporting

References

• A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust official website: http://www.palumbocharitabletrust.org (accessed January 2026)
• Application Procedures and Guidelines: http://www.palumbocharitabletrust.org/application-procedure (accessed January 2026)
• Grant Categories: http://www.palumbocharitabletrust.org/grant-categories (accessed January 2026)
• CauseIQ profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/aj-and-sigismunda-palumbo-charitable-trust,256168159/ (accessed January 2026)
• "A.J. Palumbo remembered for philanthropy, love," TribLIVE.com archive (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania directory: https://gwpa.org/redhen/org/178 (accessed January 2026)
• Penn State DuBois news: "Palumbo Charitable Trust Open Doors Scholarship generates a half million dollars" (December 2018)
• Elk County Catholic School System acknowledgment (July 2023)