Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Philanthropy Partner in the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has served as a leader in regional philanthropy for over 57 years. We connect donors who care with causes that matter by managing charitable funds, facilitating grantmaking, and providing expert guidance to maximize community impact. Our organization administers over 300 funds totaling $120 million in assets, distributing $9.5 million in grants annually to strengthen local nonprofits. With deep expertise in donor-advised funds, legacy planning, and community leadership initiatives, we offer personalized solutions for philanthropists seeking tax-efficient giving strategies.Our team works closely with donors, advisors, and nonprofit partners to address critical needs in areas like early childhood education, hunger relief, and arts funding while ensuring long-term sustainability through strategic endowment management. As a 501(c)3 organization, we maintain strict compliance with regulatory standards and operate with transparency, having earned the trust of 787 individual donors in FY24 alone.
Services
Charitable Fund Management
Grantmaking Services
Donor Advised Funds
Legacy Planning
Scholarship Administration
Nonprofit Capacity Building
Community Leadership Initiatives
Tax-Efficient Giving Strategies
Endowment Management
Philanthropy Consulting
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- 57 years of regional philanthropy expertise
- Expert guidance in tax-efficient charitable giving
- Personalized donor-advised fund management
- Legacy planning with endowment sustainability focus
- Transparent administration of 300+ charitable funds
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Services
Charitable Fund Management
We professionally manage over 300 charitable funds totaling $120 million in assets. Our services include endowment stewardship, investment strategy development, and donor reporting. Clients receive personalized fund management with compliance oversight and regular performance tracking to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with philanthropic goals.
Donor Advised Funds
Our donor-advised funds provide tax-efficient vehicles for charitable giving. We offer customized fund setup, grant recommendation processing, and investment options. Donors receive expert guidance on strategic giving while maintaining advisory privileges over their charitable distributions and investment choices.
Legacy Planning
We help donors create lasting philanthropic legacies through planned giving vehicles. Services include bequest planning, charitable remainder trusts, and endowment fund establishment. Our team provides legal and financial guidance to ensure donor intentions are preserved while maximizing tax benefits for future generations.
Community Grantmaking
We distribute over $9.5 million annually through targeted grant programs. Our foundation-directed grants focus on capacity building, early childhood education, and arts initiatives. We also facilitate donor-advised grants while providing nonprofits with application support and funding opportunity guidance.
Philanthropy Consulting
Our experts offer comprehensive philanthropy consulting services. We help donors develop giving strategies aligned with personal values, conduct nonprofit due diligence, and implement impact measurement frameworks. Services include donor education, grantmaking policy development, and multi-generational giving planning.
People
Carrie Krug Nedick
Director of Donor Services
CAP-certified philanthropy professional with 15+ years of donor relations experience. Specializes in fund administration, estate planning, and cryptocurrency donations. Manages donor services operations and provides technical guidance for complex charitable gifts.
Megan Barnes Briggs
Vice President of Community Investments
Community development expert leading grantmaking initiatives. Oversees $9.5M+ in annual distributions and manages strategic partnerships with 400+ nonprofits. Focus areas include capacity building, early childhood programs, and arts funding.
Questions
How do I establish a donor-advised fund?
Contact our Donor Services team to discuss fund establishment. We'll guide you through minimum contribution requirements, investment options, and grantmaking policies to create your personalized fund.
Can I donate cryptocurrency?
Yes, we accept cryptocurrency donations. For gifts over $500, consult with our team about IRS requirements and qualified appraisal processes for optimal tax benefits.
What grant opportunities are available?
We offer capacity-building grants, early childhood initiatives, and arts funding through our foundation-directed programs. Nonprofits can apply via our Foundant grants portal during open application periods.
How are grant decisions made?
Our grants committee evaluates applications based on community impact, organizational capacity, and alignment with strategic priorities. Donor-advised grants follow specific fund guidelines and donor intent.
What legacy planning options exist?
We offer bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and endowment funds for legacy giving. Our team provides customized estate planning solutions that balance philanthropic goals with tax efficiency.
How do you support nonprofits?
We provide capacity-building resources, leadership development through the CORE Fellowship, and access to $9.5M+ in annual grants. Our team also facilitates connections between nonprofits and potential funding sources.
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