Switchpoint Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Switchpoint Foundation takes applications by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold approach is unlikely to get a hearing; seek an introduction first and check that your work sits in the Pottstown area.
- Its giving centres on mentorship, economic development, homelessness, and arts and culture, plus basic industries and enterprises, so work in those themes is the strongest fit.
- Typical grants run from $100 to $50,000, and half of its grants to organisations were $5,000 or less, so a modest, well-scoped request is more realistic than a large one.
- For Amplifying Change, it favours new initiatives, capital projects or endowment support over normal operating costs, and none of its latest grant dollars went to organisations it had funded before, so do not assume a standing relationship.
Overview
Switchpoint Foundation is a US private foundation based in Pottstown, PA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Switchpoint seeks to work with 501(c)3 organisations in the Pottstown area and to make lasting positive change across the greater Pottstown region. Its giving prioritises mentorship, economic development, homelessness, and arts and culture, alongside building basic industries and enterprises that bring resources into the region. Anchor Institution partners are expected to be basic employers, or have a reasonable chance to grow into basic employers, or to provide services in areas including housing, homelessness, personal finance management, substance addiction, mental health, life coaching, and care of the elderly, the infirm and animals. The Anchor Institution building programme works with nonprofits within a 30-mile radius; Amplifying Change supports nonprofits within 45 miles or whose work impacts Pottstown. Support can include match funding and practical organisational development. For Amplifying Change, it favours new initiatives, capital projects or endowment support rather than normal operating costs, with a focus on transformative change and independent sustainability.
Themes
- Mentorship
- Economic development
- Homelessness
- Arts and culture
- Basic industries and enterprises
Geographic Focus
Pottstown area.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, none of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 9 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- For mentorship, Switchpoint prioritises equitable access, collaborative partnerships and long-term impact.
- For homelessness work, it favours programmes that promote economic self-sufficiency and family and/or resilience, and can expand effective strategies.
- Anchor Institution partners should be basic employers, have reasonable potential to grow into basic employers, or provide services in the stated community-care areas.
- For Amplifying Change, priority goes to projects in the four core interests; match funding favours new initiatives, capital projects or endowment support over normal operating costs.
- Multi-year funding is limited to a new initiative, capital project, endowment support, or a growth plan aimed at independent sustainability.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 38% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 0% of grant dollars went to organisations Switchpoint Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 38% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 5 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- M Night Shyamalan Foundation · Charitable contribution$50,0002025 tax year
- Variety - The Children's Charity of the Delaware Valley · Camp scholarships, education workshops and pottstown engagement$25,0002025 tax year
- Trellis for Tomorrow · 2026 youth mentorship and agri learning center$25,0002025 tax year
- Chester County Futures · General operating$5,0002025 tax year
- Blue Sea Philanthropy USA · Charitable contribution$1,0432025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Nathaniel C Guest — Managing Director
- Bruce L Baldwin — Secretary-Treasurer
- Susan M Bentley — Vice-President
- Richard P Bentley — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $0 | $0 | $0 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $340,448 | $26,645 | $7,775,990 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $592,868 | $106,043 | $9,050,816 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Switchpoint Foundation?
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Applying to Switchpoint Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required