Franklin County Community Foundation

Teresa Beckner, Chair
Elizabeth Denlea, Vice Chair
Daniel Baer
John Boozer
Jason Crider
Lisa Eyer
Anne Finucane
Linda Gottfried
Doug Harmon
Elissa Heil

Robert E. Caplan, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Romeo Azondekon, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, serve as ex officios on all committees.

Director Emeritus

Harold L. Brake (posthumous)
Charles Schlichter (posthumous)
John McD. Sharpes (posthumous)
Robert Zullinger (posthumous)

2024 FCCFReport Card.pdf

TFEC Franklin Needs Assessment

FCCF conducts an annual competitive grantmaking program for nonprofit organizations serving Franklin county. FCCF’s strategic grantmaking focus is to invest in innovative, collaborative approaches and solutions to community problems, and to support projects that demonstrate achievable outcomes, the potential for replication as a model program, and plans for sustainability beyond the grant term. The overarching goal is to fund programs and services that have the potential for the greatest impact on the quality of life and positive outcomes for individuals and families living in Franklin county.

Please click here for more information on how to apply.

2025 Advisory Committee Directed Grants Total: $91,277

Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library | $6,555
The Summer Reading Program helps children maintain skills, prevent summer learning loss and connect with educational resources.

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank | $7,000
Will provide fresh, nutritious food to military and veteran families facing food insecurity in Franklin County.

Chambersburg Community Theatre, Inc. | $5,000
Provides cultural experiences to the community through theatre for participants and patrons.

Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance Inc. | $7,000
Offers breast self-examination workshops, resources and education to help women, especially those facing barriers, care for their health.

Cumberland Valley School Of Music | $7,000
Provides accessible, high-quality arts education for 300 preschoolers to foster creativity and early appreciation for the arts.

Downtown Chambersburg Inc. | $1,050
Will host Plein Air Chambersburg 2026, where artists create live downtown scenes for an immersive visitor experience.

Drew Michael Taylor Foundation | $1,000
Expanding its bilingual grief activity video series to include Haitian Creole and Nepalese.

Franklin County Library System | $3,000
Offers a free family literacy program that brings books, films and library services to public spaces to spark a love of reading and connect families to learning resources.

Franklin Fire Company | $1,000
Will replace and upgrade rope rescue equipment on the Ladder Truck and enhance member training.

Girls on the Run Mid State PA | $1,628
Uses physical activity and an evidence-based curriculum to help girls build confidence, set goals and form positive relationships.

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County | $4,300
Provides tools for the construction team to build safe, affordable housing in Franklin County.

LIU12 Franklin County Literacy Council | $5,000
Expands adult literacy and English language learning through staff, volunteers and a central tutoring space.

Mercersburg Library Association, Inc. | $4,000
Provides free books to children under 5 in Mercersburg and plans to expand service to Saint Thomas.

Pennsylvania Friends Of Agriculture Foundation | $5,000
Removes barriers to agriculture education by bringing a mobile science lab to Franklin County schools.

Shippensburg Produce Outreach Inc. | $3,500
Will provide three bags of groceries each week to registered clients meeting poverty-line income thresholds.

South Central Community Action Programs | $3,000
Works to create a sustainable food system where farmers are supported and everyone has access to enough food.

St John’s United Church of Christ | $2,100
Will offer camperships and upgrades for a safe, inclusive outdoor experience for children.

Totem Pole Playhouse | $7,572
Brings live theatre to students to foster self-worth, resilience, inclusion and a love of the arts.

Waynesboro Area YMCA | $2,000
Provides free tax preparation in Waynesboro for residents with low to moderate income or other qualifying needs.

Waynesboro Community & Human Services | $7,000
Ensures children, including pre-K, have food on weekends when school meals are unavailable.

Waynesboro New Hope Shelter Inc. | $7,572
Provides case management for homeless individuals and families in Franklin County and nearby areas.

2024 Scholarships Total: $150,292.33 | 32 students

Scholarships Offered:

• Beistle Company Scholarship Fund
• Jerry Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Chambersburg Fannett-Metal School District Scholarship Fund
• Chambersburg High School Class of 1963 Fund
• Chambersburg High School Class of 1988 Fund
• Henry and Janet Guarriello Scholarship Fund
• Gordon B. and Josephine Hewlett Memorial Fund
• James G. Hewlett Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Markle Scholarship Fund
• Soroptimist International of Chambersburg Scholarship Fund
• J. Ward Sleichter and Frances F. Sleichter Memorial Fund
• Mabel M. Witmer Scholarship Fund
• Bob Hovis Educational Scholarship
• Palmer Family Foundation Fund
• Norman and Lois Sollenberger Fund
• Waynesboro Community Concert Association
• Bowers Music Scholarship Fund
• Kowallis Family Scholarship Fund

We are excited to bring you this supplemental document to our quarterly newsletter, The Insider, twice a year to share more about the work the Franklin County Community Foundation is doing and the positive impact it is having in Franklin County.

• April 2025
• November 2024
• May 2024

Please click here to view past issues of the FCCF Insider.