Quarterly Designated Fund Distributions Provide $161,247.80 to Centre County Nonprofits
STATE COLLEGE, PA – January 15, 2026 – Centre Foundation distributed $161,247.80 through its most recent quarterly round of grants from designated funds, delivering reliable, ongoing support to nonprofits serving Centre County and surrounding communities. These quarterly distributions reflect how designated funds provide consistent funding nonprofits can rely on throughout the year.
Designated funds support specific organizations through regular, often quarterly (but sometimes annual), distributions. This approach provides nonprofits with dependable funding they can plan around, while Centre Foundation ensures each fund is carefully managed and donor intent is upheld.
This quarter’s distributions supported a broad range of community needs, including healthcare, food and housing assistance, arts and culture, libraries, youth programs, environmental stewardship, and faith-based organizations across Centre County.
Support for health, safety, and basic needs was provided through designated funds such as the Harold and Florence Biddle Fund; Jesse O. and Doris R. Weaver Fund; Kathryn S. Weaver Fund; Marj Seward Fund; McLane Fund; Thompson Family Fund; Elmer M. Baney Memorial Fund; and the YMCA of Centre County Fund—benefiting organizations including Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Mount Nittany Health Foundation, Centre LifeLink EMS, Centre Safe, Meals on Wheels, State College Food Bank, Penn Highlands Tyrone Hospital, and the YMCA of Centre County.
Investments in arts, culture, and lifelong learning were made through funds including the Anne L. Heinsohn and Lienhard Family Fund; Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania Fund; Martin and Margaret Wyand Music Fund; Walter M. and Louise F. Swoope Fund; and the Philip Brooks Lovett Funds—supporting organizations such as the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, Schlow Centre Region Library, Nittany Valley Symphony, Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, The Rowland Theatre, and other local cultural and educational institutions.
Additional distributions strengthened community identity and place-based support through funds such as the Carl and Josephine Gettig Memorial Fund; Howard Area Lighthouse Fund; Esther and Edward Strause Fund; Jean Brenchley Fund; Helen Sue Litke Forman Fund; Kalin Family Fund; and Tom and Barbara Mebane Fund—benefiting local fire companies, scouting programs, faith communities, environmental organizations, youth services, and family-support nonprofits throughout Centre County.
Why Designated Funds Matter
For nonprofits, knowing support is coming makes a real difference. Designated funds provide a dependable source of funding that helps organizations focus on serving people, not worrying about what comes next. Behind the scenes, Centre Foundation manages each fund with care, handling the details, honoring donor intentions, and making sure support reaches the community when it’s needed.
To learn more about establishing a donor-designated fund, contact Kerry Tolton, Development & Stewardship Director at kerry@centrefoundation.org or 814.237.6229.
Centre Foundation fosters a culture of giving, supports and empowers nonprofits, and sparks positive community change.