Skip to content
The Effenesse Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Effenesse 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.

$3.0M
Granted FY2022
4
Grants FY2022
2
States reached
$2.1M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2022.

Philanthropy$5.0MHealth$2.0MEnvironment$73kArts & Culture$58kHuman Services$57kAnimals$57kFood & Nutrition$50kEducation$30kOther$0
02FY2022 · 4 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2022

  • Under $10k1 grant · $1k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
  • $250k+2 grants · $2.9M
$794,543
Median grant
2
States reached
$1k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND$2,149,300
CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND$794,543
AMERICAN RED CROSS$10,000
CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND$1,189
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY19–22) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 2% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%THE HILL SCHOOL: $2k → 7%CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND: $2.1M → 11%CLYDE BAKER TRANSPLANT: $25k → 22%IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS: $10k → 8%US FRIENDS OF DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST: $25k → 10%MERCY FOR ANIMALS: $7k → 14%AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: $7k → 17%ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND: $20k → 14%BIG LIFE FOUNDATION: $7k → 9%LOVE TO LANGA: $5k → 7%CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND: $795k → 11%PHILABUNDANCE: $15k → 22%AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION: $10k → 17%NO KID HUNGRY: $10k → 14%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ORIONS BELT: $652k → 11%PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY: $5k → 22%ANIMAL OUTLOOK: $7k → 14%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-AGAPE FUND: $476k → 11%GREENPEACE: $20k → 14%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-AGAPE FUND: $300k → 11%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ORIONS BELT: $250k → 11%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ACADIA FUND: $250k → 11%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ORIONS BELT: $115k → 11%JPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ACADIA FUND: $25k → 11%GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: $25k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA MULTI SERVICE: $17k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA MULTI SERVICE: $16k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA MULTI SERVICE: $15k → 11%COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD PRESERVATION TRUST: $10k → 11%COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD PRESERVATION TRUST: $10k → 11%COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD PRESERVATION TRUST: $10k → 11%BOYERTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY: $9k → 11%BOYERTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY: $9k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA UNITED WAY: $8k → 11%BOYERTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY: $8k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA UNITED WAY: $8k → 11%BOYERTOWN AREA UNITED WAY: $7k → 11%BUILD A BETTER BOYERTOWN: $5k → 11%BOYERTOWN LIONS COMMUNITY AMBULANCE: $5k → 11%GENERAL SPATZ MUSEUM: $5k → 11%BUILD A BETTER BOYERTOWN: $5k → 11%BOYERTOWN LIONS COMMUNITY AMBULANCE: $5k → 11%GENERAL CARL SPAATZ NATIONAL USAAF MUSEUM: $5k → 11%BOYERTOWN LIONS COMMUNITY AMBULANCE: $5k → 11%THE SALVATION ARMY: $4k → 11%BUILD A BETTER BOYERTOWN: $3k → 11%THE SALVATION ARMY: $3k → 11%THE STATE THEATRE PRESERVATION SOCIETY: $2k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
NY
MA
IA
PA
CA
VA
DC
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

57%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$4.2M · 15 repeat orgs$3.2M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +91% since the first grant, against +44% for those funded once.

15 repeat relationships: 0 still active in FY2022, 15 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2022 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

15
24

Total granted

$4.2M
$284k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+91%
+44%

Still filing today

60%
67%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2022, 0% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $3.0M went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22
RenewedFirst-time

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

’19’20’21’22
AnimalsHealthArts & CultureEducationFood & NutritionEnvironmentOther
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

  • TC
    THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA
    3× · 2019–2021 · $2.0M · revenue +59%
  • BA
    BOYERTOWN AREA MULTI-SERVICE INC
    3× · 2019–2021 · $48k · revenue +94%
  • CR
    Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust
    3× · 2019–2021 · $30k · revenue +217%

Funded once

  • GS
    GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
    one grant, 2020 · $25k
  • UF
    US FRIENDS OF DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
    one grant, 2020 · $25k
  • Feeding Americagraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $25k · revenue +40%
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.

04Its 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
World Wildlife Fund Inc

Wwf's mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on earth. (continued on schedule o)

Environment
2
Rainforest Trust

Rainforest trust saves endangered wildlife and protects our planet by creating rainforest reserves through partnerships, community engagement, and donor support.

International
3
Friends of the Earth

Friends of the earth strives for a more healthy and just world by defendng the environment and human health while advancing social and economic justice by conducting research and education, transforming the economy so it protects the…

Environment
4
Environmental Investigation Agency

To establish and promote programs to protect the global climate, forests, wildlife and the natural environment, through research, advocacy, and investigation.

International
5
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

Our mission is to solve hunger in central pennsylvania by ensuring that everyone struggling with hunger has access to enough wholesome food every day. we will achieve this bold goal with the help of our generous donors, volunteers and…

Food & Nutrition
6
Open Markets Institute

The open markets institute works to help people relearn how to use competition policy to build stronger democracies, more just and equitable societies, more innovative and sustainable economies, and a more secure and peaceful world.

Education
7
Oceana Inc

To advocate for policy changes by governments and corporations in order to preserve ocean life and return the oceans to their former abundance.

Environment
8
Zoological Society of Philadelphia

At philadelphia zoo, our mission is to flourish as an urban oasis, where people and animals thrive, transformational memories are made, and our passion for conservation saves wildlife (see schedule o).guided by a three-year strategic plan,…

Animals
9
Animal Agriculture Alliance

The animal agriculture alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. we connect food industry stakeholders, engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping key…

Food & Nutrition
10
Wildaid Inc

Wildaid's mission is to inspire change and empower the world to protect wildlife and vital habitats from critical threats.

Animals
11
Asociacion Interamericana Para La Defensa Del Ambiente

To strenghten people's ability to guarantee their individual and collective right to a healthy environment, via the development, implementation, and effective enforcement of national and international law.

Crime & Legal
12
American Water Works Association

To promote public health, safety, and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of drinking water and the development and furtherance of understanding of the problems relating thereto.

Public Benefit
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Mercy for Animals Inc; the most unlike its peers is Love to Langa. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

26 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. 26 of the 41 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)
9
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/26
Grantees still filing
24/26
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUND: $2,945,032 · OtherCHARLES SCHWAB CHARITABLE GIVING FUNDJPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ORIONS BELT: $1,016,713 · OtherJPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ORIONS BELTJPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-AGAPE FUND: $775,576 · OtherJPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-AGAPE FUNDJPM CHARITABLE GIVING FUND-ACADIA FUND: $275,000 · Other+20 more: $287,750 · Other+20 moreTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: $1,985,000 · HealthTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHI…+2 more: $30,000 · HealthColebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust: $30,000 · Arts & CultureSTATE THEATRE PRESERVATION SOCIETY: $6,000 · Arts & CultureBOYERTOWN MUSEUM OF HISTORIC VEHICLES: $6,000 · Arts & CultureFeeding America: $25,000 · Food & NutritionPhilabundance: $15,000 · Food & NutritionIN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS: $10,000 · AnimalsMERCY FOR ANIMALS INC: $7,000 · AnimalsANIMAL OUTLOOK INC: $7,000 · AnimalsBIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA: $7,000 · AnimalsPHILADELPHIA ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY: $5,000 · AnimalsORPHAN KITTEN CLUB INC: $3,000 · AnimalsENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $20,000 · EnvironmentCONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION: $6,000 · EnvironmentBUILDING A BETTER BOYERTOWN: $13,000 · Community Improvement
Other$5,300,071Health$2,015,000Arts & Culture$42,000Food & Nutrition$40,000Animals$39,000Environment$26,000Community Improvement$13,000

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

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: $1,985,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetBOYERTOWN AREA MULTI-SERVICE INC: $48,000 over 3y, 1.1% of budgetColebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust: $30,000 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetBOYERTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY: $26,250 over 3y, 3.0% of budgetFeeding America: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREENPEACE INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPhilabundance: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOYERTOWN LIONS COMMUNITY AMBULANCE SERVICE INC: $15,000 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBUILDING A BETTER BOYERTOWN: $13,000 over 3y, 2.2% of budgetSHARE OUR STRENGTH: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetIN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetMERCY FOR ANIMALS INC: $7,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetANIMAL OUTLOOK INC: $7,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL OF THE USA INC: $7,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBIG LIFE FOUNDATION USA: $7,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSTATE THEATRE PRESERVATION SOCIETY: $6,000 over 3y, 1.8% of budgetCONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION: $6,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOYERTOWN MUSEUM OF HISTORIC VEHICLES: $6,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetPHILADELPHIA ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetLove to Langa: $5,000 over 1y, 8.8% of budgetORPHAN KITTEN CLUB INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetFOUNDATION FOR BOYERTOWN EDUCATION BOYERTOWN AREA EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $2,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetTHE HILL SCHOOL: $2,000 over 1y, 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.

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.

Gabelsville Athletic …Pottstown Regional Co…Berks County Communit…Vanguard Charitable E…Donor Advised Charita…American Online Givin…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
Gabelsville Athletic Association IncPA17.9× affinity6 shared granteesties to 7 of 7Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Gabelsville Athletic Association Inc · Pottstown Regional Community Foundation Fka Pottstown Area Health and Wellness · Berks County Community Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile 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.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Effenesse Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Effenesse Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    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 41 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 2022, released 2022. 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 no grant expense, so the figures above are from FY2022, the most recent year this funder made grants.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Effenesse’s 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