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Crels Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Crels Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$1.1M
Granted FY2023
51
Grants FY2023
3
States reached
$170k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0198% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Education$2.0MReligion$937kHousing & Shelter$555kHealth$513kHuman Services$110kEmployment$74kArts & Culture$60kAnimals$37kOther$0
02FY2023 · 51 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 51 grants below total $1,051,700, the rows itemized in this filing. The $1,094,000 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $42,300 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2023

  • Under $10k32 grants · $204k
  • $10k–50k14 grants · $231k
  • $50k–250k5 grants · $616k
$8,700
Median grant
3
States reached
$16M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Weaverland Mennonite Schools$170,000
Old Order Mennonite Schools$166,300
Weaverland Conference Mennonite Church$157,500
Ephrata Community Health Foundation$61,200
Fairmount Homes Caring Fund$61,200
Weaverland Homes$35,000
Philhaven Hospital - Green Pastures$30,600
Water Street Rescue Mission$23,600
Middle Creek Mennonite Fellowship Center$17,500
Lighthouse Vocational Services$17,500
Ephrata Mennonite School$17,500
Cumberland Mennonite Fellowship Center$14,800
Home Messenger Literature Service$12,200
Terre Hill Mennonite High School$10,500
Pleasant Valley Mennonite School$10,500
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

95%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$4.1M · 52 repeat orgs$204k to everyone else

52 repeat relationships: 49 still active in FY2023, 3 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2023 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

52
69

Total granted

$4.1M
$193k

Still filing today

38%
0%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2023, 99% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $11k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23
ReligionHuman ServicesEducationHealthEmploymentHousing & ShelterOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • EC
    EPHRATA COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION
    4× · 2020–2023 · $247k · revenue +816%
  • WS
    WATER STREET MINISTRIES
    4× · 2020–2023 · $99k · revenue +59%
  • LV
    LIGHTHOUSE VOCATIONAL SERVICES
    4× · 2020–2023 · $74k · revenue +84%

Funded once

  • LV
    Levanon Valley Christian School
    one grant, 2020 · $7k
  • GP
    Goods Parochial School
    one grant, 2020 · $5k
  • MP
    Millport Parochial School
    one grant, 2020 · $3k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

03Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Lancaster County Christian School

Education - private christian school that glorifies god as a community of faith and learning.

Religion
2
Lansing Christian School

Recognizing god as the source of all truth, wisdom, and knowledge, lansing christian school partners with christian parents to educate children to the full extent of their god-given abilities. we engage students in an academically…

—
3
Tandem Living

The christ-centered mission of tandem living is to partner with and support vibrant senior living communities where residents pursue their passions, deepen their relationships, prioritize their wellness, and live fully at every age.

Housing & Shelter
4
Tri-County Christian School

To promote and provide christian education.

—
5
Martindale Mennonite Fellowship Center

Fellowship hall for use as a meeting room for church functions such as funerals, ordinations, deacons meetings, and church meetings. also a wedding facility for the conservative christian community.

Religion
6
Schaefferstown Mennonite High School

Offer a christ-centered high school with high academic standardsand sound biblical instruction in a godly atmosphere

Education
7
Longmont Christian School

Provide quality christian education built on a firm foundation of biblical truths and academic excellence to prepare our students for successful christian living

Education
8
Maranatha Mennonite Christian School

Maranatha christian school has purposed to partner with parents and the broader community of believers to provide a quality program of instruction for students in grades k-12. maranathas comprehensive program of basic skills harmonizes…

Education
9
Mennonite Friendship Communities Inc

Enhancing the Quality of Life of residents, staff and community at large within a framework of Mennonite values.

Human Services
10
Lancaster Preschool

Lancaster preschool believes that the preschool is an extension of the home environment where children can learn new skills, interact with teachers and peers, and experience hands-on learning opportunities through developmentally…

Education
11
Lancaster Camp Meeting & Church Assembly Association Inc

The organization operates a faith based housing community, including permanent lot rental and seasonal housing and campground. the organization provides the oppportunity for spiritual development, church congregation and provides…

Religion
12
Fairview Fellowship Home for Senior Citizens Inc

Organized as a retirement center, for senior citizens and disabled individuals, offering spiritual, mental and physical nurture according to christ's servant attitude in a manner exceeding regulations.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Lancaster Mennonite Conference Historical Society; the most unlike its peers is Cumberland Mennonite Fellowship Center. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

23 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 23 of the 124 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/23
Grantees still filing
19/23
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

WEAVERLAND MENNONITE SCHOOLS: $675,200 · OtherWEAVERLAND MENNONITE SCHOOLSWeaverland Conference Mennonite Church: $651,500 · OtherWeaverland Conference Mennonite ChurchOLD ORDER MENNONITE SCHOOLS: $508,300 · OtherOLD ORDER MENNONITE SCHOOLSFairmount Homes Caring Fund: $252,200 · OtherFairmount Homes Caring FundWeaverland Homes: $137,000 · OtherPhilhaven Hospital - Green Pastures: $128,600 · Other+102 more: $1,179,800 · Other+102 moreEPHRATA COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $247,200 · HealthLANCASTER CLEFT PALATE CLINIC: $36,700 · HealthMIDDLECREEK MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP CENTER: $61,500 · ReligionCAROLINA CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM: $28,400 · ReligionCumberland Mennonite Fellowship Center: $28,400 · ReligionREVELATIONS OF FREEDOM MINISTRIES: $26,700 · ReligionPARISH RESOURCE CENTER INC: $14,700 · ReligionWATER STREET MINISTRIES: $99,200 · Human ServicesLANDIS HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY: $25,700 · Human ServicesCOMMUNITY THERAPY BARN: $24,700 · Human ServicesLIGHTHOUSE VOCATIONAL SERVICES: $73,500 · EmploymentFAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL: $25,700 · EducationGEHMANS MENNONITE SCHOOL: $25,700 · EducationLANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE: $5,000 · EducationWELSH MOUNTAIN HOME: $22,000 · Housing & ShelterAnabaptist Foundation: $12,000 · Philanthropy
Other$3,532,600Health$283,900Religion$159,700Human Services$149,600Employment$73,500Education$56,400Housing & Shelter$22,000Philanthropy$12,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetEPHRATA COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $247,200 over 4y, 11% of budgetWATER STREET MINISTRIES: $99,200 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetLIGHTHOUSE VOCATIONAL SERVICES: $73,500 over 4y, 0.7% of budgetMIDDLECREEK MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP CENTER: $61,500 over 4y, 9.8% of budgetTHE CLINIC FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN INC: $38,700 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetLANCASTER CLEFT PALATE CLINIC: $36,700 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetMENNONITE GOSPEL MISSIONS: $29,400 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetCAROLINA CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM: $28,400 over 4y, 8.2% of budgetCumberland Mennonite Fellowship Center: $28,400 over 2y, 14% of budgetREVELATIONS OF FREEDOM MINISTRIES: $26,700 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetFAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL: $25,700 over 4y, 1.2% of budgetGEHMANS MENNONITE SCHOOL: $25,700 over 4y, 0.8% of budgetLITITZ AREA MENNONITE SCHOOL: $25,700 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetHickory Hollow Christian School: $25,700 over 4y, 1.6% of budgetLANDIS HOMES RETIREMENT COMMUNITY: $25,700 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY THERAPY BARN: $24,700 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetWELSH MOUNTAIN HOME: $22,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetVISIONCORPS FOUNDATION: $18,300 over 4y, 0.5% of budgetPARISH RESOURCE CENTER INC: $14,700 over 4y, 1.0% of budgetAnabaptist Foundation: $12,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLANCASTER MENNONITE CONFERENCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $8,200 over 4y, 0.3% of budgetSUPPORT FOR PRISON MINISTRIES: $6,100 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetLANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE: $5,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds EPHRATA COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds WATER STREET MINISTRIES ↗
  • Who funds LIGHTHOUSE VOCATIONAL SERVICES ↗
  • Who funds MIDDLECREEK MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP CENTER ↗
  • Who funds THE CLINIC FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN INC ↗
  • Who funds LANCASTER CLEFT PALATE CLINIC ↗
  • Who funds MENNONITE GOSPEL MISSIONS ↗
  • Who funds CAROLINA CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM ↗
  • Who funds Cumberland Mennonite Fellowship Center ↗
  • Who funds REVELATIONS OF FREEDOM MINISTRIES ↗
  • Who funds FAITH MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds GEHMANS MENNONITE SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds LITITZ AREA MENNONITE SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds Hickory Hollow Christian School ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Anabaptist FoundationShady Maple FoundationRobert C Wenger Chari…Lancaster County Comm…The Norman & Elizabet…Clark Associates Char…Burkholder Family Fou…Central Pennsylvania …High FoundationNatl Christian Charit…William and Jemima Br…The Robert J Gunterbe…
Anabaptist FoundationPA50.8× affinity23 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Anabaptist Foundation · Shady Maple Foundation · Robert C Wenger Charitable Trust · Lancaster County Community Foundation · The Norman & Elizabeth Hahn Family Foundation · Clark Associates Charitable Foundation · Burkholder Family Foundation · Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund · High Foundation · Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · William and Jemima Brossman Charita Charitable Foundation · The Robert J Gunterberg Charitable Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Crels Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Crels Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 124 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2023, released 2023. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2024) is on record and reports $1.1M of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2023, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Crels’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home