High Foundation

## Approach & Strategy

High Foundation is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based private foundation with a distinctive origin story: its assets derive from the successful transfer of ownership of High Companies — a diversified family enterprise spanning construction, precast concrete, hospitality, and 11 other businesses employing approximately 2,000 workers across 38 facilities in six states. Founded in 1980 by entrepreneur S. Dale High as a corporate social responsibility vehicle, the foundation's asset base grew dramatically after Dale High transferred company ownership to the foundation in 2022, increasing assets from $8.7 million (2021) to $122 million (2022) and reaching $241.9 million by 2024.

The foundation operates through two complementary mechanisms. The High Impact Portfolio addresses large-scale systemic challenges — specifically environmental sustainability and affordable housing — through multi-year, high-dollar strategic investments (e.g., a landmark environmental center and urban nature preserve on Lancaster's Sunnyside Peninsula, and a partnership creating 300+ affordable workforce housing units through Lancaster Housing Works). The Opportunity Grants program is the foundation's annual competitive grant cycle targeting community nonprofits, distributing roughly $6.8 million in 2024 and $5.7 million in 2023.

Philosophically, the foundation prioritizes catalytic, relationship-based philanthropy over transactional grantmaking. Leadership language consistently centers "servant leadership," long-term partnership, and equity-driven systems change. Executive Director Robin D. Stauffer (appointed President/CEO in January 2026) has articulated a vision of collective impact — bringing diverse stakeholders together around a common agenda. Organizations that have received multi-year support (Lancaster Conservancy, ASSETS Lancaster, YWCA of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College) share characteristics: deep Lancaster roots, alignment with economic and social equity, and willingness to participate in collaborative coalitions.

Geographic tethering to High Companies' footprint is a strict requirement. The overwhelming majority of grants go to Lancaster City and Lancaster County organizations. The foundation does support communities where High Companies operate outside Lancaster County (the company has facilities across six states), but applicants outside Lancaster should verify a High company presence in their county before applying.

## Funding Patterns

Grant volume and scale: High Foundation's grantmaking has grown rapidly alongside its asset expansion. Documented total charitable distributions include approximately $6.8 million in fiscal year 2024, $5.7 million in 2023, and $3.0 million in 2022 — reflecting a doubling of grant output over two years as the endowment from the company transfer became operational.

Typical grant sizes: The Opportunity Grants program is oriented toward community-scale organizations. Based on 2021 990 data (the most recent year with itemized recipients), individual grants ranged from $500 (Eastern Mennonite Foundation, Mid Penn Legal Services) to $110,000 (Lancaster Conservancy), with the majority clustered between $1,000 and $35,000. Outlier large grants ($110K to Lancaster Conservancy, $75K to City of Lancaster) appear tied to established multi-year partnerships or High Impact Portfolio adjacency (e.g., environmental land preservation). The median Opportunity Grant is estimated at $10,000–$25,000 for emerging grantee relationships and $25,000–$100,000+ for long-standing institutional partners.

Focus area distribution (2021 itemized grants): - Environment / conservation: Lancaster Conservancy ($110K), Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($6K), Stroud Water Research Center ($1K), Conservation Foundation of Lancaster ($1K) - Workforce / economic mobility: ASSETS Lancaster ($30K), Thaddeus Stevens College ($25K), Tec Centro (mentioned as 2024-25 grantee) - Social services / housing: City of Lancaster ($75K), Community Action Partnership ($2.5K) - Health / human services: YWCA of Lancaster ($23.75K), Humanitarian Social Innovations ($10K), Family Promise ($10K) - Education: Lancaster Education Foundation ($25K), Conestoga Valley Education ($35K) - Community / civic: Lancaster County Community Foundation ($10K), United Way ($5K), Demuth Foundation ($2.5K) - Faith-based / other: Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary ($10K), Ten Directions ($10.35K)

Funding cycles: The Opportunity Grants program operates on an annual cycle. The application window opens and closes on a seasonal schedule (the 2025-26 cycle was closed as of March 2026). Applicants should monitor the website in late summer or early fall for window opening.

Geographic concentration: Approximately 85-90% of grants by dollar value flow to Lancaster, PA-based organizations. Occasional grants to out-of-county recipients appear tied to sector-specific organizations (e.g., Chesapeake Bay Foundation for environmental programming) or institutional ties (national seminary with Lancaster connections).

## Peer Comparison

The table below compares High Foundation to similarly-sized regional private foundations in the Mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania peers and community foundations operating at comparable scale.

Key differentiators for High Foundation:

1. Corporate-endowed identity: Unlike family foundations funded by investment portfolios, High Foundation's endowment is derived from operating businesses, creating a distinctive "business for good" ethos. The foundation explicitly draws on the language of entrepreneurship and servant leadership.

2. Hyper-local Lancaster focus: High Foundation is more geographically concentrated than most comparably sized foundations. Lancaster County Community Foundation ($115M in managed assets) is the closest peer for local grantees, but High Foundation's Opportunity Grants serve as a distinct complementary source.

3. Rapid asset growth trajectory: High Foundation's assets grew from under $10M in 2021 to $241.9M in 2024. Grant capacity is still ramping up relative to endowment size; the $6.8M annual payout represents a ~2.8% distribution rate on assets, suggesting grantmaking will increase further as the foundation matures.

4. Dual-track structure: The separation between Opportunity Grants (community-scale, annual) and High Impact Portfolio (strategic, multi-year, environmental/housing) is more explicit than most foundations at this size. Applicants should determine which track fits their project.

5. Equity commitment: High Foundation has a formal Commitment to Equity statement and explicitly evaluates grantees on DEI alignment. This aligns it more closely with progressive community foundations like Geraldine R. Dodge than with traditional corporate foundations.

## Recent Activity

Leadership transition (January 2026): Robin D. Stauffer was appointed President and CEO effective January 1, 2026. Stauffer had previously served as Executive Director and also leads Partners for Environmental Stewardship, a High Foundation-affiliated entity. New leadership often signals refinement of grantmaking priorities; building a relationship with Stauffer's team early is advisable.

New board members (October 2025): High Foundation elected Janice L. Snyder and Vanessa E. Philbert to its Board of Trustees. Philbert's community equity background reinforces the foundation's DEI commitment.

Environmental center milestone (August 2025): Lancaster City Council unanimously approved a 99-year ground lease for Partners for Environmental Stewardship to build a world-class environmental center and 70-acre urban nature preserve on Lancaster's Sunnyside Peninsula — a landmark project catalyzed by High Foundation. This initiative is expected to absorb substantial High Impact Portfolio capital for several years.

Affordable housing initiative (January 2026): Lancaster Housing Works, supported by High Foundation, acquired a 60-unit property in Ephrata, PA — its first acquisition as it pursues a goal of creating 300+ affordable workforce housing units in Lancaster County. Affordable housing is now a standing High Impact Portfolio priority alongside the environment.

Elizabethtown College High Auditorium (October 2025): High Foundation funded renovation of an auditorium at Elizabethtown College, dedicated as the "High Auditorium for Collaborative Learning," reflecting continued investment in higher education infrastructure.

Light Up Lancaster sponsorship (January 2026): High Foundation sponsored the design and implementation of Light Up Lancaster, a public lighting initiative in Lancaster City, demonstrating the community vitality investment pillar in action.

2025 scholarships: Three $20,000 scholarships (paid over 4 years) were awarded to children of High Companies employees. The High Coworker Scholarship is a separate, employee-family program and is not open to the public.

2024-25 grantee cohort: Featured grantees include Aaron's Acres (disability services), Chestnut Housing (affordable housing), The Factory Ministries (faith-based community services), Stroud Water Research Center (environmental research), Tec Centro (workforce development), and YWCA of Lancaster (gender equity and social services).

Essence of Humanity Award (January 2026): 2026 recipients honored include Darryl Gordon, Aaron Swinton, and Dr. Clark McSparren — caregivers recognized for extraordinary courage and persistence in service.

## Application Tips

1. Confirm geographic eligibility first. The single most common disqualifier for High Foundation applicants is geography. Organizations must be located in Lancaster City, Lancaster County, or a community where High Companies operate. If your organization is outside Lancaster County, contact the grants office before investing time in an application to confirm a High company operates in your area.

2. Speak the three pillars explicitly. Your application should identify which pillar(s) your work addresses — Economic Vibrancy, Community Vitality, or Individual and Social Well-Being — and use the foundation's own sub-category language (e.g., "re-entry after prison" under Economic Vibrancy, "arts" under Community Vitality, "social determinants of health" under Individual and Social Well-Being). This signals careful preparation.

3. Lead with equity and systems change language. The application core requirements explicitly state that organizations must have "a belief in and mindset for promoting an environment of equality and helping to advance a diverse and stimulating world for all." Describe concretely how your organization includes affected communities in designing solutions and how your work addresses structural barriers rather than just symptoms.

4. Distinguish Opportunity Grants from High Impact Portfolio. If your project involves environmental conservation in Lancaster or affordable housing development, you may be eligible for High Impact Portfolio investment — a separate, relationship-driven track for larger, multi-year commitments. This track is managed by Diana S. Martin (Director of High Impact) and is not applied for through the standard grant form. Initiate a direct conversation with foundation staff to explore this pathway.

5. Review the Opportunity Grants Guide before applying. High Foundation publishes an annual guide (available via Issuu for the 2025-26 cycle at highfoundation.org). Reviewing it is explicitly listed as a prerequisite on the foundation's website.

6. Monitor the application window carefully. The application cycle is annual and time-limited. As of March 2026, the window is closed and no reopening date is listed. Check the foundation's website in late summer or early fall for the next window announcement.

7. Contact the Grants Manager with questions. Christina J. Snyder (referred to as "Chris Snyder" on the grants page) is the Grants Manager and the stated contact for applicants. A brief inquiry before the window opens is a low-risk way to establish a connection — the foundation's servant leadership ethos suggests staff are accessible to community partners.

8. Emphasize community partnership and collaboration. High Foundation's grantee testimonials consistently emphasize co-creation, coalition-building, and shared purpose. Proposals that position your organization as a convener or collaborative partner will resonate more strongly than standalone service-delivery proposals. Reference existing relationships with other High Foundation grantees (Lancaster Conservancy, ASSETS Lancaster, YWCA, Thaddeus Stevens College) where genuinely applicable.

9. Be patient with relationship-building for large gifts. The foundation's largest commitments all have deep relational histories. First-time grants to new organizations typically start smaller ($5,000-$25,000 range). Frame your initial application as the beginning of a partnership. Consistent, authentic engagement over multiple grant cycles is how organizations move into the $50,000+ range.