The Harry C. Trexler Trust announced Monday it has awarded more than $5.4 million in 83 grants to Lehigh County charities and the city of Allentown.
The 2024 awards were made after a review of 141 requests from different charitable organizations seeking funds of more than $7.5 million. According to a news release, Lehigh County charitable organizations received grants totaling $3,603,525, and Allentown received $1,801,762. The total amount awarded, $5,405,288, was a slight increase from last year
“Our decision-making process is guided by General Trexler’s vision of supporting initiatives that are ‘of the most benefit to humanity,’” said Donald M. Bernhard, a Trexler trustee and chair during the 2023-24 fiscal year. “We carefully evaluate each organization’s impact, sustainability and alignment with our mission.”
Throughout the Trexler Trust’s 91-year history, more than $188 million has been awarded to Allentown and Lehigh County charities.
“It is with great appreciation that we award these grants to organizations that make a difference in the lives of Lehigh County residents,” Bernhard said. “We are grateful for their steadfast delivery of their services that make our region better.”
Established by Trexler’s will after his and his wife’s deaths, the trust supports nonprofits in Allentown and Lehigh County.
Beyond the $1.8 million for Allentown, donations ranged from $275,000 for The Allentown Parknership, a newly established program supporting parks in the city, to $1,000 to the Pioneer Band of Allentown.
Here’s a look at the 25 largest donations:
1. Allentown: $1,801,763: Improvement, extension and maintenance of all its Parks
2. The Allentown Parknership: $275,000: General operating support
3. Allentown Art Museum: $175,000: General operating support
4. (tie) Lehigh Conference of Churches, Allentown: $125,000: General operating support for services in Lehigh County
4. (tie) Ripple Community Inc, Allentown: $125,000: General operating support
6. Casa Guadalupe Center, Allentown: $120,000: Pa’Lante Education Program support
7. Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, Allentown: $110,000: Integrated Students Support Program in the Allentown School
8. (tie) Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown: $90,000: Home Repair Program for low-mid-income Lehigh County
8. (tie) Jewish Community Center of Allentown: $90,000: General operating support
10. (tie) Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank: $75,000: General operating expenses
10. (tie) Allentown Public Library: $75,000: General operating support
10. (tie) Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation, Schnecksville: $75,000: Community to the Classroom program support for education
10. (tie) Young Women’s Christian Association, Allentown: $75,000: General operating support
14. (tie) Community Bike Works, Allentown: $70,000: General operating support for Lehigh County programs
14. (tie) Literacy Center (The), Allentown: $70,000: General operating support
16. (tie) Boys and Girls Club of Allentown: $65,000: General operating support
16. (tie) Community Services for Children Inc.: $65,000: Second installment on a $225,000 grant to support the Downtown
18. Allentown Symphony Association Inc.: $60,000: General operating support
19. (tie) Jerusalem House Ministries, Allentown: $50,000: General operating support
19. (tie) Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown: $50,000: General operating support
19. (tie) Salvation Army (The), Allentown: $50,000: Allentown shelter building improvements
22. (tie) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown Inc.: $45,000: Immigration Services Program support
22. (tie) Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown: $45,000: Community Connections program support
22. (tie) Lehigh County Historical Society, Allentown: $45,000: General operating support
25. Neighborhood Center, (The), Allentown, PA: $42,000: General operating support
Below is a chart of all grants.