Harry C. Trexler Trust: Grants for Pennsylvania
/OVERVIEW: The Harry C. Trexler Trust supports parks and recreation, basic needs, human services, education and arts and culture in Pennsylvania.
FUNDING AREAS: Parks and recreation, basic needs, human services, education, arts and culture
IP TAKE: This local funder is open to meeting with prospective grantseekers to discuss the grant application process before the deadline, so take advantage of this opportunity.
PROFILE: Established in 1935, the Harry C. Trexler Trust is a private foundation based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This it the foundation of General Trexler, who died in 1933 and left an estate of about $10 million to be held in a perpetual trust. His wife’s estate merged with his when she died in 1934. Harry Trexler co-founded the Lehigh Portland Cement Company, held seats on corporate boards, served on the staffs of six Pennsylvania governors and created the Trexler Nature Preserve. The founder directed his trustees to award grants “for such charitable organizations and objects as in their discretion shall be of the most benefit to humanity, limiting them, however, as to locality, to the City of Allentown and the County of Lehigh.” It funds local efforts for parks and recreation, basic needs, human services, education and cultural enrichment.
The Harry C. Trexler Trust supports many different nonprofit causes in a small geographic area. Trexler was known as the Father of the Allentown Park System, and so many grants go towards parks and recreation in the area. Other grants go to local school districts, nursing programs, employment services, youth programs and services for the disabled. The trust awards grants for operating expenses, specific programs, equipment needs, technology needs and for other purposes.
Grants range between about $2,000 and $250,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the Pennsylvania city of Allentown and county of Lehigh. Past local grantees include the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Allentown Youth Soccer Club and the Civic Theatre of Allentown.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Grantseekers should request a meeting with the foundation staff in advance of the December 1 grant application deadline. The funder typically notifies applicants of its decisions by letter in the first week of May. Direct general questions to the staff at 610-434-9645.
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