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Scott Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,930,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/preselected only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly by recipient type
  • Geographic Focus: Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio (Scott Electric service territories)

Contact Details

Address: 1225 S Main St Ste 404, Greensburg, PA 15601-5370

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Scott Foundation Inc (also known as Scott Electric Foundation, EIN 45-4330408) was established following the retirement of World War II veteran Sam Scott, who founded Scott Electric Company in 1946. Upon his retirement in 2012, Scott gifted the company to his employees, who honored his spirit of generosity by creating this self-sustaining nonprofit foundation. Tax-exempt since August 2014, the foundation has grown significantly, with total assets of $115.35 million as of 2024 and annual grant distributions of $2.93 million. The foundation focuses on funding electrical industry-related initiatives that benefit communities served by Scott Electric Company across Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. In 2023, the foundation made 51 grants totaling $1,445,561, with grantees including hospitals, universities, and community organizations within Scott Electric territories.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Average grant size is approximately $28,000-$57,000 based on recent giving patterns, though grants range from smaller community gifts to larger institutional awards.

Priority Areas

  • Higher Education: Universities and colleges within Scott Electric service territories, with preference for unrestricted gifts at smaller institutions and support for green energy projects and restorative maintenance
  • Healthcare: Hospitals and health networks, including Allegheny Health Network
  • Electrical Industry Initiatives: Projects that advance or relate to the electrical industry
  • Community Organizations: Churches and local nonprofits in communities served by Scott Electric
  • Sustainability Projects: Campus and facility projects utilizing green energy or requiring restorative maintenance

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only makes grants to preselected organizations. They focus exclusively on communities within Scott Electric's service territories across Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership (as of 2024):

  • Larry Shirey: President, Secretary, Treasurer & Chairman
  • Joseph D'astolfo: Vice President & Director
  • Gerald M. Popovec: Director
  • Alice Reece: Assistant Secretary

Leadership Philosophy: According to Edward Garofalo, a foundation representative: "We wanted to focus on universities because higher education leads to job growth." Rusty Potts noted that "One of our focuses is a continued relationship with people," emphasizing the foundation's commitment to building longstanding relationships with the communities they serve.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Scott Electric Foundation does not have a public application process. According to their IRS Form 990 filings, the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees, who identify and select recipients based on the foundation's mission and geographic focus.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations within Scott Electric's service territories may increase visibility through:

  • Existing Business Relationships: Organizations that already have commercial relationships with Scott Electric Company may have increased visibility. For example, Shepherd University became a grant recipient and was noted as Scott Electric's largest client for paper distribution at the time of receiving funding.

  • Geographic Alignment: Being located within Scott Electric's nine-branch service area across Pennsylvania (Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, Warren, Camp Hill, Bloomsburg, Duncansville), New York (Fredonia, Buffalo), Maryland (Hagerstown), and Ohio (Cleveland).

  • Mission Alignment: Organizations focused on higher education, healthcare, or electrical industry-related initiatives that demonstrate community benefit are most aligned with the foundation's stated priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a trustee-determined schedule rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 51 grants in 2023 and 71 grants in 2022, but does not disclose how many organizations are considered for funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept applications. Organizations are selected by trustees rather than through an application process.

Application Success Factors

While there is no application process, the foundation's documented giving patterns and stated priorities reveal key success factors:

Institutional Characteristics:

  • Located within Scott Electric Company's service territories (PA, NY, MD, WV, OH)
  • Educational institutions (particularly universities) or healthcare facilities
  • Smaller institutions where unrestricted gifts can have significant impact
  • Organizations with missions related to the electrical industry

Project Characteristics:

  • Green energy and sustainability initiatives
  • Restorative maintenance projects
  • Unrestricted support that allows maximum institutional flexibility
  • Initiatives that demonstrate long-term community benefit

Relationship Factors: As Rusty Potts emphasized, the foundation values "continued relationship with people." The example of Shepherd University receiving multiple grants (2014 and 2015) demonstrates the foundation's preference for sustained partnerships rather than one-time support.

Philosophy Alignment: The foundation was created to honor Sam Scott's spirit of generosity after he gifted his company to employees. Organizations that embody similar values of community service and generosity may align with the foundation's ethos.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and preselected organizations. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.

  • Geographic Requirement: You must be located in or serve communities within Scott Electric's service territories across Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, or Ohio.

  • Higher Education Focus: Universities are a primary funding priority because "higher education leads to job growth" according to foundation leadership.

  • Unrestricted Giving: The foundation prefers unrestricted gifts, particularly at smaller institutions where they believe their support can have greater impact.

  • Relationship-Based: The foundation emphasizes building "longstanding relationships with the community" and has demonstrated multi-year support for selected organizations.

  • Sustainability Interest: Projects involving green energy or restorative maintenance receive particular attention, reflecting both environmental values and the foundation's electrical industry roots.

  • Average Grant Size: Based on 2023 data ($1,445,561 distributed across 51 grants), the average grant is approximately $28,000, though individual grants vary significantly based on recipient type and project scope.

References

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