Horst Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Horst Foundation is a private non-operating family foundation based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, managed by Clyde Horst. Established in 2000 with IRS ruling date of March 2000, it operates under NTEE code T22 (Private Independent Foundations). The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications through its website, which remains a placeholder page under construction as of March 2026.

Key characteristics for grant seekers:

• Non-operating foundation: The Horst Foundation exclusively distributes grants to other organizations rather than running its own programs. It does not make grants to individuals.
• Family-driven decision making: With zero officer compensation and management by Clyde Horst, this is a lean family foundation where giving decisions are likely made by the founder or a small board.
• Regional focus: Based at 2294 New Holland Pike in Lancaster, PA, with geographic focus in Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. Organizations in Lancaster County and the broader Pennsylvania region likely have the strongest connection.
• No public application process: The website (horstfoundation.com) is a GoDaddy placeholder with "Launching Soon" messaging and no application portal. This strongly suggests the foundation operates on a preselected or invitation-only basis.

Recommended approach: Direct outreach through local nonprofit networks in Lancaster County, PA. Building a relationship through community events, mutual connections, or a brief introductory letter is more likely to succeed than a formal cold application. The foundation furnishes goods as well as grants, suggesting hands-on community involvement.

## Funding Patterns

The Horst Foundation has shown consistent and accelerating growth across all financial metrics over the past decade.

Grant Distribution (2019-2023): - 2023: $375,700 in grants paid (29 grants, median $6,000, range $150-$55,000) - 2022: $439,700 in grants paid - 2021: $327,200 in grants paid - 2020: $346,850 in grants paid - 2019: $367,800 in grants paid - 5-year average: ~$371,450 annually

Asset Growth Trajectory: - 2011: $1.6M → 2015: $2.8M → 2019: $3.9M → 2023: $5.9M → 2024: $7.0M (current) - Assets have grown 4.3x over 12 years, indicating strong and sustained donor contributions from the Horst family.

Revenue Sources: - Primary income: Gifts/contributions ($1.86M in 2023, representing 88% of revenue) - Secondary: Interest income ($250K in 2023) - Zero dividends, no capital gains activity — conservative investment approach - No officer compensation — all expenses go to grants and minimal administration

Distribution Pattern: - The foundation consistently distributes 98-99% of its expenses as charitable grants - Administrative overhead is extremely low ($3,297 in non-grant expenses in 2023) - Required distributable amount in 2023 was $241,307; actual distributions of $375,700 exceeded this by 56%

Typical Grant Size: $150 to $55,000, with a median of $6,000 and average of approximately $11,960 across 29 grants. This suggests a mix of smaller community grants and larger targeted investments.

## Peer Comparison

Among private foundations in Lancaster County, PA with assets in the $5-10M range, the Horst Foundation stands out in several ways:

Strengths relative to peers: - Exceptional growth rate: Assets grew from $3.9M to $7.0M in just 5 years (2019-2024), a 79% increase driven by continued family contributions. Most peer foundations in this bracket grow at 5-8% annually from investment returns alone. - Ultra-low overhead: With zero officer compensation and administrative costs under $5,000 annually, virtually every dollar goes to grants. Typical peer foundations spend 5-15% on administration. - High distribution rate: The foundation consistently exceeds its minimum distribution requirement by 40-60%, indicating genuine commitment to charitable giving rather than asset preservation.

Context within Lancaster County philanthropy: - Lancaster County has a strong tradition of family and faith-based philanthropy, particularly among Mennonite and Amish communities. The foundation's address on New Holland Pike is in the heart of Lancaster's agricultural corridor. - The T22 NTEE classification (Private Independent Foundation) without specific program focus suggests broad charitable giving aligned with the founder's personal interests and community ties. - The "furnishes goods" indicator on the 990-PF suggests the foundation may provide in-kind support in addition to monetary grants.

Growth trajectory comparison: - At its current growth rate, the foundation could reach $10M+ in assets within 2-3 years, potentially moving it into the mid-size foundation category where more formal grantmaking structures typically emerge.

## Recent Activity

2024 Tax Year (most recent filing): - Revenue: $1,840,024 - Expenses: $728,734 (nearly double the 2023 level) - Charitable disbursements: $720,400 — a significant increase from $375,700 in 2023, representing a 92% year-over-year jump in grantmaking - Net assets: $7,011,246 (up 19% from $5.9M in 2023)

Notable trends: - The dramatic increase in 2024 charitable disbursements ($720,400 vs. $375,700 in 2023) suggests the foundation may be ramping up its grantmaking in response to its growing asset base. This could indicate new program areas or expanded giving to existing grantees. - The foundation received $1.86M in contributions in 2023 and continues to receive substantial gifts, indicating the founding family remains actively engaged and committed to building the foundation's capacity. - The website (horstfoundation.com) was registered and shows "Launching Soon" messaging, which may indicate plans to establish a more public-facing presence and potentially a formal application process in the near future.

What this means for grant seekers: - The foundation is in an active growth phase with increasing grant capacity - 2024's near-doubling of charitable disbursements may signal willingness to fund larger or more grants - The "Launching Soon" website suggests the foundation may be professionalizing its operations, which could eventually include an open application process

## Application Tips

Current reality: No public application process exists. The Horst Foundation's website is a placeholder page with no grant information, application forms, or program descriptions. This is consistent with a family foundation that selects grantees through personal networks and direct knowledge of community organizations.

How to position for a grant:

1. Build local visibility: The foundation is deeply rooted in Lancaster, PA. Organizations working in Lancaster County or the broader Central Pennsylvania region should focus on community presence and reputation building.

2. Leverage mutual connections: With a small family-run structure (managed by Clyde Horst with no paid staff), personal introductions carry significant weight. Seek connections through local nonprofit coalitions, community foundations, or faith-based networks in Lancaster County.

3. Prepare a concise case statement: If you secure an introduction or the foundation reaches out, have ready a 1-2 page summary covering your mission, specific project/need, budget, and measurable outcomes. The foundation's grant range ($150-$55,000) means you should calibrate your ask appropriately.

4. Align with demonstrated interests: While specific focus areas are not publicly disclosed, the foundation's NTEE category, geographic presence, and "furnishes goods" activity suggest interests in community welfare, possibly with faith-based or agricultural community connections.

5. Monitor the website: The "Launching Soon" page at horstfoundation.com suggests the foundation may establish a formal online presence. Check periodically for updates that could include application guidelines.

6. Consider scale: With a median grant of $6,000 and average of ~$12,000, the foundation is best approached for specific, well-defined project needs rather than general operating support. The maximum recorded grant of $55,000 suggests larger asks are possible but likely reserved for established relationships.

Timing: The foundation files on a calendar year basis (December fiscal year-end). Grant decisions may cluster around budget planning periods, typically Q3-Q4 for the following year.