Way Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,148,000 - $1,215,990 (2023)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified publicly
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000
• Median Grant: $20,000
• Total Assets: $24,810,004
• Giving Rate: 5.4%
• Number of Grants: 31-51 annually
• Geographic Focus: Hanover, PA area (primarily York and Adams Counties)

Contact Details

Website: www.wayfoundationfamily.org
Phone: (267) 456-3340
Address: 1030 Wilson Ave, Hanover, PA 17331
Primary Service Area: Hanover, PA and surrounding communities in York and Adams Counties

The foundation's website includes an "Apply for Grant" section and contact page for inquiries.

Overview

The Way Foundation Inc was established as part of the Warehime family's philanthropic legacy, which spans three generations in the Hanover, Pennsylvania area. The Warehime family's charitable tradition began with Alan R. Warehime's establishment of the first family foundation in 1984, followed by J. William Warehime Foundation in 1996. The Way Foundation continues this legacy with assets of approximately $24.8 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $1.1 million.

The foundation's mission is to promote total health, education, and the joy of living by supporting communities and providing resources at both local and global levels. The Warehime family's success, built through their involvement with Hanover Brands, Snyder's of Hanover, and J.F. Rohrbaugh over 150 years, has enabled them to give back substantially to the communities that supported their growth. The foundation maintains a focused geographic emphasis on the greater Hanover area while upholding family values of leadership development, healthy eating, and civic commitment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Way Foundation makes grants through a single program supporting time-limited and/or project-specific expenses. Grants range from $5,000 to $300,000, with a median award of approximately $20,000. The foundation typically awards between 31 and 51 grants annually, depending on the fiscal year.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the foundation's website at wayfoundationfamily.org.

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritizes grantmaking within the following issue areas:

Children and Youth Programs

• Leadership and civic engagement development
• Trauma prevention initiatives
• International studies programs

Overall Health

• Health research
• Healthy eating initiatives
• Fitness and wellness programs

Education

• Educational programs that promote learning and development
• Support for educational institutions and bodies

Other Priority Areas

• Religious organizations
• Environmental programs
• Community support for regular operations

The foundation has documented support for organizations including Baltimore Area Council #220 Boy Scouts of America, Guthrie Memorial Library, Clearview Terrace, Visiting Nurse Association, and local councils of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, as a private foundation supporting the Hanover area, grants are primarily focused on organizations serving York and Adams Counties in Pennsylvania.

Governance and Leadership

The Way Foundation Inc is governed by a board of trustees representing the Warehime family:

Steven Yelland - President
Amy Yelland - Secretary (daughter of the Warehime family)
Michael Adornetto - Treasurer
Ann Adornetto - Vice President (daughter of the Warehime family, married to Michael Adornetto)
Susan Rupp - Member-at-Large

The leadership reflects the foundation's roots as a family foundation, with direct connections to the Warehime family that founded Hanover Canning Company (now Hanover Foods Corporation) in 1924. The foundation operates as part of a broader network of Warehime family foundations, including the Alan R. Warehime Charitable Trust (established 1984) and the J. William Warehime Foundation (established 1996).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Way Foundation accepts applications through their website at wayfoundationfamily.org, which includes an "Apply for Grant" section with application guidelines and requirements.

Eligibility: Grants are available for time-limited and/or project-specific expenses of:

• Charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Educational bodies
• Government agencies

Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis rather than fixed deadlines, though this should be confirmed through their website or by contacting the foundation directly.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines and board meeting schedules are not publicly disclosed. As with most private foundations, grant decisions are typically made at regular board meetings throughout the year.

The foundation filed its most recent Form 990-PF on October 5, 2024, indicating active operations and regular grant-making activity.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, with 31-51 grants awarded annually from an asset base of nearly $25 million, the foundation appears to be selective in its grantmaking while maintaining consistent annual distributions.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

While the Way Foundation does not publish specific guidance about what makes applications successful, several factors emerge from understanding their history and priorities:

Alignment with Warehime Family Values: The foundation explicitly mentions supporting organizations that "work within their values system, mission, and vision." These values include leadership development, healthy eating, civic commitment, and community support—all reflecting the family's longtime business and philanthropic interests.

Geographic Connection: As a family foundation deeply rooted in the Hanover area for over 150 years, demonstrating how your project serves the greater Hanover community, particularly in York and Adams Counties, appears crucial.

Long-term Community Relationships: The foundation has maintained multi-generational relationships with certain organizations (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Visiting Nurse Association, Guthrie Memorial Library), suggesting they value sustained partnerships with reliable community institutions.

Project-Specific Focus: The foundation explicitly funds "time-limited and/or project-specific expenses," indicating a preference for defined projects with clear outcomes over general operating support (though they do support "regular operations" for certain established partners).

Youth Development and Health: Given the foundation's explicit priorities in children/youth leadership development and overall health initiatives, applications that combine these elements (such as youth fitness programs or leadership development through healthy living) may be particularly strong.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is paramount: The foundation primarily serves the Hanover, PA area (York and Adams Counties). Organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive funding.

• Family foundation with long community roots: The Way Foundation is part of a 150-year legacy in Hanover, suggesting they value established community relationships and may be more receptive to known local organizations.

• Clear project definition needed: Applications should focus on "time-limited and/or project-specific expenses" with measurable outcomes aligned with their priorities in youth development, health, and education.

• Median grants around $20,000: While grants range from $5,000 to $300,000, the median of $20,000 suggests most successful applications fall in this moderate range. Plan your project scope accordingly.

• Multiple priorities considered: The foundation funds across several areas (youth, health, education, environment, religion), but applicants should demonstrate how their project promotes "total health, education, and the joy of living"—the foundation's overarching mission.

• Rolling applications: Without fixed deadlines, applicants can apply when ready, but should allow adequate time for board review and decision-making.

• Contact for guidance: With a dedicated phone line and website contact system, the foundation appears accessible for pre-application inquiries—use this to your advantage to ensure alignment before applying.

References

1. Way Foundation Inc - Instrumentl 990 Report. Retrieved from https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/way-foundation-inc (Accessed March 2026)

2. Way Foundation Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 82-3325659). Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/823325659 (Accessed March 2026)

3. Way Foundation Inc - Charity Navigator Profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/823325659 (Accessed March 2026)

4. Way Foundation - Zeffy Grant Finder. Retrieved from https://grant-finder.zeffy.com/foundations/82-3325659 (Accessed March 2026)

5. Way Foundation - GrantStation Profile. Retrieved from https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/way-foundation (Accessed March 2026)

6. WAY Foundation - Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.wayfoundationfamily.org/ (Accessed March 2026)

7. Way Foundation - Cause IQ Profile. Retrieved from https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-way-foundation,823325659/ (Accessed March 2026)

8. J. William Warehime Foundation - About Bill Warehime. Retrieved from https://warehimefoundation.org/about-bill/ (Accessed March 2026)

9. WAY Foundation - About Us. Retrieved from https://www.wayfoundationfamily.org/about-us.html (Accessed March 2026)

10. Way Foundation Inc - Candid Profile. Retrieved from https://app.candid.org/profile/9734344/way-foundation-inc-82-3325659 (Accessed March 2026)