How to apply
EMAIL Contact: Mary Louise Shenk, 135 Leaman Road, Lancaster, Pa, 7174199340, INFO@SHENKFOUNDATION.COM Deadlines: April 1 and august 1 Restrictions: Lancaster county pennsylvania charities
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
36 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Country Day SchoolLancaster, PA | Shenk fund for professional excellence | $100K |
| Lancaster Farmland TrustStrasburg, PA | Land/farm acquisition(s) | $50K |
| Lancaster ConservancyLancaster, PA | Vehicle lift/mower/material bays | $45K |
| Lancaster ConservancyLancaster, PA | Stewardship endowment fund | $45K |
| Little Conestoga Creek FoundationLancaster, PA | Blue-green corridor project | $25K |
| Boys & Girls Club of LancasterLancaster, PA | Operations | $15K |
| Horizons at Lancaster Country Day SchoolLancaster, PA | Operations | $15K |
| Lancaster County Food HubLancaster, PA | Operations | $12K |
| CASA of Lancaster CountyLancaster, PA | Operations | $10K |
| Lancaster ConservancyLancaster, PA | Lccf extragive 2025 | $10K |
| Samaritan Counseling CenterLancaster, PA | Operations | $10K |
| SwanLyndell, PA | Operations | $10K |
| TenfoldLancaster, PA | Capital campaign | $10K |
| The Edible ClassroomWashington Boro, PA | Operations | $10K |
| Lancaster Country Day SchoolLancaster, PA | Playground renovations | $8,500 |
| Music for EveryoneLancaster, PA | Fresh takes on jazz - piano rental | $7,500 |
| Greystone Manor TrcLancaster, PA | Sir sampson sponsorship | $5,000 |
| Holy Spirit Lutheran ChurchLancaster, PA | Memorial gardens maintenance | $5,000 |
| Jeff Musser FoundationAkron, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| Lancaster Science CenterLancaster, PA | Blue star program | $5,000 |
| Lancaster Symphony OrchestraLancaster, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| LancasterhistoryorgLancaster, PA | Heritage center | $5,000 |
| Linden HallLititz, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| Milagro HouseLancaster, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| United Disabilities ServicesLancaster, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| Water Street MinistriesLancaster, PA | Operations | $5,000 |
| Aaron's AcresLancaster, PA | Operations | $3,500 |
| Music for EveryoneLancaster, PA | Fresh takes on jazz - piano | $3,000 |
| Arc of Lancaster LebanonLititz, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| Demuth FoundationLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| Fulton Theater CompanyLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| Lancaster General Health FoundationLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| Pennsylvania College of Art and DesignLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| VisioncorpsLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,500 |
| Lancaster Mennonite Historical SocietyLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,000 |
| Rockford FoundationLancaster, PA | Operations | $2,000 |
About this foundation
Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, administered in care of Willis Shenk, tax-exempt since 1992. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. EMAIL Deadlines: April 1 and august 1.
How much does Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $459K across 36 grants, a median of $5,000.
Where does Willis and Elsie Shenk Foundation give?
Pennsylvania (36 grants), per its latest filing.
More foundations near Lancaster that accept applications
All in Pennsylvania| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Foundationsince 2019 | Lancaster, PA | $14M1 grants · 2024 | $14M | Yes | $242M |
| The Steinman Foundationsince 1953 | Lancaster, PA | $4.6M87 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $110M |
| Clark Assoc Charitable Fdnsince 2001 | Lancaster, PA | $6.8M296 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $51M |
| R Dale & Francis M Hughes Foundatn Trsince 1997 | Lancaster, PA | $2.3M23 grants · 2024 | $72K | Yes | $45M |
| Ferree Foundationsince 2004 | Lancaster, PA | $1.1M28 grants · 2024 | $18K | Yes | $22M |