FAQs

To qualify for grant-making support from The John H. Shook Foundation, your nonprofit organization must be designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, governmental unit or educational institution.

The primary geographic focus of the John H. Shook Foundation is Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding central Pennsylvania communities.

The John H. Shook Foundation seeks to partner with mission-aligned organizations that provide essential services, advocacy, and specialized care for the senior community.  We prioritize programs that address the unique needs of the aging population, ensuring they remain supported, active and valued members of our local communities.

No. Grants are only awarded to 501(c)(3) or similarly recognized charitable organizations.

The following exclusions stem from IRS regulations designed to ensure funds are used strictly for charitable purposes and not for personal or political gain:

• Political Activities – funding for political campaigns, endorsing candidates, or participating in partisan electioneering.
• Lobbying – attempting to influence specific legislation.
• Self-Dealing – grants or financial transactions that benefit disqualified persons, such as Foundation board members.
• Grants to Individuals.
• Grants to Non-Charitable Organizations.
• Endowments – adding to another organization’s permanent endowment.
• Debt Reduction – funding to pay off existing organizational debts or deficits.
• Fundraising Events – annual appeals or event sponsorships
• Religious Purposes – projects that are exclusively for religious proselytizing or restricted to members of a specific faith.

Applications are submitted utilizing the online grant portal on the Grant Application page of this website.

Complete applications must be submitted prior to the specified deadline on the Grant Application page.

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application:

• Evidence of legal status, such as Articles of Incorporation
• IRS determination letter of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and public charity status
• Form 990
• Audited financial statements
• List of Board of Directors and key employees, including occupation, place of employment and other relevant affiliations

The John H. Shook Foundation provides one-year grants that vary in size based upon project needs. We encourage applicants to apply for the amount that is genuinely required to execute their project effectively. While most awards fall within a standard range, proposals showing exceptional alignment with our mission and clearly demonstrate a significant impact, may be eligible for increased funding levels.

The timeline from the application deadline to the board approved grant decision is approximately three months.

A check is issued for awarded grant disbursements, paid in one lump sum.

To help us understand the impact of your work, we require a final written report summarizing the project’s outcomes. This should be submitted promptly after the grant period concludes. Additionally, the Foundation may request brief interim updates depending on the length and scope of the project.

All qualified applicants are eligible to submit a new request for funding by the application deadline of the following calendar year.