Our Funds List

The Fund was established with the first transfer of a private foundation’s assets to York County Community Foundation. Mr. Smith was a founder and first president of York County Community Foundation. Josephine Donnovan Smith was the first president of the Junior Service League of York. The couple shared many philanthropic interests, including Martin Library and York County Heritage Trust, which are beneficiaries of the Fund.

Andrea and Brian moved to York after graduating from law school with few resources but a strong belief in giving back to the community. Brian says that he and Andrea have always been involved in volunteerism. Their current efforts include pro bono work as well as coaching their kids’ sport teams and serving on a variety of boards and organizations. Now Brian and Andrea feel the need to do more. “We are fortunate to reach a point in our careers where we can give back to the community in a more focused manner, and the Community Foundation is a perfect vehicle through which to accomplish this,” said Brian. Andrea and Brian appreciate the more tangible results that come from giving locally, whether it’s giving of their time or other resources, and they have passed lessons on giving to their children. “This fund will be another way for us to involve our children in the process and to teach them the importance of philanthropy,” said Brian.

The Fund was created by Mrs. Steinhauser to support her broad charitable interests now and to ensure the continuation of her lifetime charitable giving. A former York County Community Foundation Board member, Mrs. Steinhauser served as the Community Foundation’s first Executive Director from 1991-2001.

This Fund supports the work of the York Nonprofit Management Development Center (YNMDC), which has been Mrs. Steinhauser’s passion since the Community Foundation launched the program in the early 1990s. The Fund will help nonprofits do good things better. “It’s critical to build an ongoing source of funding so that the YNMDC’s services are accessible – and affordable – to the nonprofit community,” Mrs. Steinhauser said.

Through this Fund, the late Charles and Louise Sawmiller will support the community organizations that mattered most to them. Charlie, a baseball lover, held much affection toward his hometown of Hellam. After his wife’s death, Charlie wanted to honor her and fulfill their lifelong charitable wishes. He designated 10 charities to receive funding after his death, and also set up a scholarship in Eastern School District.

The fund was created by Charles and Judy Snyder, Howard and Kay Snyder, and Fred and Susan Snyder Drenning in memory of their parents. “York County Community Foundation presents a way for us to honor our parents, permanently support special interests we share with them, and respond to community needs and opportunities – all at the same time,” the Snyder children said. An unrestricted portion of the Fund supports broad charitable needs in the community to which the Snyders were devoted. A portion of the Fund also benefits organizations with special meaning for the Snyder family – Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center and York City Dollars For Scholars.

Temeko Scott Calhoun cherishes the memories of her young daughter, who was a kindergarten student at Alexander D. Goode Elementary School at the time of her death. “Dominique loved everything and everybody,” her mother recalls. An endowment established by her family awards scholarships in her name to deserving York County students through the York City Dollars For Scholars program.

The Fund was renamed to honor the memory of Gretchen Wolf Swartz, wife of Donald A. Swartz, who died in 1997. It was originally created in 1993 with the transfer of assets of a private foundation to York County Community Foundation by Mr. Swartz, president of General Machine Works (now General Regulator Corp.), which was founded by his grandfather, Charles S. Swartz. Upon Mr. Swartz’s passing, the fund converted to a Fund for York County.

Doris Schwartz, a long-time resident of West York, was nearly a century old when she died in 2013. During her lifetime, she took full advantage of all life had to offer. She was an educator and a flight attendant who travelled extensively around the world, and her vast and varied experiences gave her an appreciation of the importance of education at every stage of life. The Doris E. Schwartz Education Fund was created in 2013 from Doris’s estate under the direction of her friends and executors Nancy L. Frey and Kenneth R. Smith, with help from Doris’s attorney John Stitt. Doris’s passion for education and lifelong learning will now help teachers and students in York County. Public school teachers will be able to apply for a fellowship that will meaningfully increase their capacity as a leader. The student scholarship will benefit every school district in York County and will be awarded to students who meet certain qualifications and demonstrate character, academic achievement, and financial need.

This fund was established by Dr. Sanstead and his wife Dr. Penny Blackwell to be used to help fund a wide array of charitable projects throughout the community. At the point when they are no longer advisors, the Community Foundation can make grants to support charitable services and activities benefitting York County.

Awards from the Fund benefit outstanding William Penn Senior High School students continuing music education in college. Mr. Sprigle established William Penn’s reputation as one of the area’s finest marching bands.

This Acorn Fund was created by Jack Steich of Hanover in memory of his grandmother, Esta Sholl Steich, and will support Calvary Bible Church in Hanover. The Church will use the funds to provide long-term financial stability to those who have been called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ as full-time missionaries and to provide money to those who wish to participate in short-term mission trips to foreign lands for religious and humanitarian purposes.

The Fund was created by friends of York County Community Foundation to honor “Struck’s” exceptional service to the York County community. Struck helped craft the Community Foundation’s Revitalization Initiative and served as the Community Foundation’s Executive Director/Development (1992-1998) and as Senior Consultant until June 2000. He is a former President of the Council on Foundations and has nurtured the growth of more than 100 community foundations during his 40-year career in the community foundation field.

Ed Saxe has a long history of giving back. He has volunteered in nonprofit organizations his whole life, giving countless hours to help make a difference. Now he is giving back in perpetuity through this designated fund, which he established to support organizations that follow a Christian mission, specifically The Gideons International, Susquehanna Grace Community Church, and New Life for Girls. He served New Life for Girls as chair and a member of the board for 17 years. He has worked with Gideons since 1978 in a variety of capacities, including mentoring and counseling, and he is very supportive of the work that they do. “My personal philosophy is that there are three important aspects to life,” says Ed. “In order of importance they are God, family, and country.” Ed defines country as one’s local community, then state, then the nation. Ed is glad that he connected with York County Community Foundation. He says it’s like having his own private foundation because of the extraordinary financial management provided by the Community Foundation, but without the hassle and cost. Ed is pleased that the power of endowment through the Community Foundation will allow him to forever help those organizations that he “feels strongly about.”

Jody Appell learned about giving at a young age. When she was 10, her mother would take her around the neighborhoods to collect money in Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) bags. “We would knock on every door on every street, and everyone gave. The experience taught me so much about people’s generosity. It was so very rewarding,” says Jody. Her parents believed that giving back of your time was just expected. It was that dedication to the community that Jody found so inspirational and cemented her love of volunteering. As a young woman, Jody’s favorite volunteer experience was at the Princess Street Babies Clinic. There she measured the height and weight of the babies, and the volunteers voted on the healthiest baby for the coveted “Baby of the Year” award. Jody also loved her volunteer time at Martin Library, which she saw, and still sees, as a very special gathering place for the community. Jody spent countless hours there filing cards back into the card catalogue. Jody became involved with the Community Foundation in 1975 when she joined the Board, eventually serving as board chair in 1980-1981. Today she is incredibly excited about the direction the Community Foundation has taken in recent years and about the positive changes that are happening in this community for which she cares so deeply.

Jody Appell created this Fund from her donor advised fund as a way to continue to honor her parents while helping the Community Foundation meet the most pressing needs of the community as they arise. Her family ancestors were founders of major community insitutions in York, and this fund will help perpetuate a family tradition of philanthropy and community service dating back to the early 19th century.

Josephine D. Appell created this Fund to honor her parents’ memory and to perpetuate a family tradition of philanthropy and community service dating back to the early 19th century. Her Small family ancestors were founders of major community institutions, including York Collegiate Institute, York Hospital, and The Children’s Home. “I look forward to working with the Community Foundation to help me identify opportunities to continue my family’s legacy and enhance the quality of life for this and future generations of York Countians,” she said. Mrs. Appell, who has served in many leadership roles throughout her own career in community service, was president of York County Community Foundation in the 1980’s.

George L. Stallman, Jr., a leading man in the life of York Little Theatre, established this Fund shortly before his death in 1993. Memorial contributions from family and friends have added to the Fund to which others are encouraged to contribute. Mr. Stallman was a founder of York Little Theatre in 1933 and appeared in 35 of its productions.

This endowment, which benefits the Shellys’ shared interest in York College of Pennsylvania, provides scholarships for nursing students. It was inspired by Mrs. Shelly’s service as a volunteer at York Hospital for more than 40 years and created upon her death with the proceeds of a charitable remainder trust. The Shellys are remembered by their friends at Advent Lutheran Church, where they worshipped, and at York Lutheran Retirement Village, where they spent their later years. Mr. Shelly was president of York Penn Machinery and National Leasing Company and associated with the companies for more than 60 years.

Gretchen and Donnie were both very active in the York community and were passionate about basketball. This fund, created from Donnie’s estate, will benefit the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Scholarship Fund, which Donnie created after Gretchen’s untimely passing in 1997, as well as the York County Heritage Trust, two organizations that meant so much to Donnie. Donnie was the president of General Regulator and a co-owner of the Blue Moon Restaurant. He had great dedication and love for the game of basketball, and served as a P.I.A.A. District III Basketball Official for the last 40 years, making calls on the court, as well as making many lasting friendships. His wife, Gretchen, shared his love of basketball, and had also been a referee for many years. Donnie was also an avid soccer player and coach of the Touch of Bluegrass Women’s Soccer team. When Donnie named the Community Foundation in his will, he ensured that his love of York and his passion for basketball, as well as his and Gretchen’s legacies, would live on in perpetuity.

The Jeanne Schwartzer Memorial Fund was established in 2011 by the MS Grumbacher Foundation. Jeanne Schwartzer began her career at The Bon-Ton in 1942 at the age of 17 after graduating from York High. Ms. Schwartzer was Corporate Secretary for more than 65 years, and also served as an executive secretary to the Grumbacher family. After her retirement, she served on the MS Grumbacher Foundation Board until her death in December 2010. She was the last Yorker on the board. The fund will benefit the organization The Well, where Jeanne was a volunteer.

Joan and David Stauffer created this Fund in 2001 so that they, and their children in years to come, can be actively involved in their family philanthropy. It is their wish that their Fund will continue to support causes they care deeply about – education and arts and culture – long after their family’s active involvement. They have entrusted this responsibility to York County Community Foundation. Mr. Stauffer is the fourth generation of the David F. Stauffer family that founded the D.F. Stauffer Bisc. Co. in 1871. He and his wife retired in 2003.

John Smith is honoring his lifelong work in agriculture with the establishment of the John T. and Paige S. Smith Fund to benefit the York County 4-H Endowment, York County Agricultural Society, and the Farm and Natural Lands Trust. Mr. Smith was with Penn State University for 35 years and was head of the Penn State Extension Office. He and his late wife Paige were married for 50 years. “I know most of the farming community. With the help of the Community Foundation, I can start the fund now and enjoy seeing my gift at work to benefit the future of agriculture here in York County,” Mr. Smith said.

Bill and Meg established this donor advised family fund to support their charitable interests throughout the community. They will work with their children, Bill, Katherine, and Karin, to identify philanthropic opportunities that meet the family’s interests as well as the changing needs of the community.

Income from this Fund helps to maintain Gates House and Plough Tavern, a property of York County Heritage Trust. The Fund was established in 1995 by John D. Zimmerman in memory of his uncle and aunt, David and Charlotte Diehl Schiwetz, who shared a deep interest in historic preservation. Mr. Schiwetz came to York as an engineer with York Corporation.

Kay Sheridan has fond memories of her husband’s work with young people. He served as Boy’s Physical Director at the York YMCA when the Sheridans came to York in the late 1940s. Later, Kay worked with her husband in their family business, Sheridan Associates, for 40 years until his death. Kay shared her husband’s many interests – in music, theatre, bridge, travel – and especially in caring about the community’s children. This inspired her to create this Fund dedicated to his memory.

Bryan and Ralph met in 2008 through their work at their respective community foundations. Bryan is a native Yorker, who has long been involved in public service and community leadership, and has served at York County Community Foundation for 10 years. Ralph is a native of North Babylon, New York, and has devoted nearly two decades to leading community foundations in Silicon Valley, Princeton, and Baltimore. Both are recognized leaders in the field of raising charitable assets to endow local communities in perpetuity. They’re doing it in York and Baltimore, and they’re encouraging other community foundations around the country to do the same. Living in downtown York, Bryan and Ralph actively participate in community events at The Yorktowne Hotel, the Strand-Capitol, and The Valencia Ballroom. They are proud to support their downtown neighborhood cornerstones, Downtown Inc, Martin Library, York County Heritage Trust, and the YWCA. They support downtown’s restaurants and Central Market weekly. And they cheer on the York Revolution every season. And now, with the Ralph Serpe and Bryan Tate Fund for York County, they are able to support the greatest needs of the York community… forever.

Randy Stetler’s family established this scholarship in memory of Randy, his love of basketball, and his dedication to the youths in our community. Scholarships are awarded to deserving young men and women who have demonstrated exceptional qualities of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and personal commitment to achieving their potential, both on and off the basketball court.

Richard Shue attended his first Spring Garden Band rehearsal more than 50 years ago. Since then, he and his daughter, who joined the band in 1967, have enjoyed a long career as the band’s bassoon section. His daughter, Alice Marie Boustead, and her husband, Michael, created the Fund in 1998 in Mr. Shue’s honor “to ensure the continued existence of this valuable asset to York and York County.” Since then, other Spring Garden Band enthusiasts have helped build the Fund, in response to matching funds for their gifts.

Rick and Carol Smith have known since their children were very young that they wanted to give back to the community. When they discussed their charitable intentions and what they wanted to accomplish, their friend and advisor Bill Anstine recommended the Community Foundation. That recommendation stayed with the Smiths for many years and when the time was right they looked to their financial advisor, Holly Mayer, to pull all the pieces together. Rick and Carol became 1749 Legacy Society members in 2011 and were able in 2013 to use the IRA charitable rollover to start their fund. Their fund gives both to the Fund for York County and Carol’s lifetime passion, the Martin Library. Rick and Carol believe in the importance of giving back and they feel they are lucky to be in the position they are today. “It’s not so much about what you make in life but what you give back,” says Rick. Carol adds, “Being able to ensure the future of the library for others to enjoy is a reward in itself.”

Mr. Stauffer, a U.S. Congressman and York County Community Foundation president, established the Fund by will with social security benefits he had accumulated over the years. His will read, in part, “The memories of those who have passed must not be allowed to perish and the achievements of the living must be encouraged. The health and welfare of the needy are a concern and responsibility of all citizens. These are in the tradition of a free society.” The Fund benefits York College of Pennsylvania, York County Heritage Trust, and York Hospital.

This Field of Interest Fund was created to provide college scholarships to children or grandchildren of Shipley employees or retirees. Scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate character and leadership, with a preference to those studying Business or Marketing.

Southern York County Rotary Scholarship Fund was established to provide educational opportunities to students living in Southern York County. Rotary partners with the Southern York County Dollars for Scholars, South Eastern Dollars for Scholars, and private schools to provide scholarships to deserving high school graduates. The men and women of the Southern York County Rotary are community business leaders who volunteer their time and talents to carry out a variety of service projects locally and abroad.

The Stahlheber Family Fund was created by Mr. and Mrs. William Stahlheber to fund their charitable giving in the community. In years to come, the Stahlhebers intend to pass this responsibility on to their daughters, Linda and Sharon.

The Steigelman and Zerbe Family Fund was established by Susan and Richard Zerbe. “My parents were very quiet, inward reflecting people who left a large part of their estate to charity. Honoring them with this named fund seemed the right thing to do,” said Susan Zerbe. The Zerbes, who have travelled extensively around the globe, observed how many in this world struggle on a daily basis for their basic needs. They understand how fortunate they are and wanted to use some of their resources to help make a difference in other people’s lives. “We were impressed by the diversity of programming options the Community Foundation offers. It allows us to tailor our fund to support the programs we feel most passionate about,” says Susan Zerbe. The Zerbes feel it is also a way to continue to make a difference after they’re gone. They appreciate that monies left in their fund after their death will be used to fund future York County needs that may not currently exist. Richard writes, “It is also a way for our children and grandchildren to have an understanding of our values and what is and was important to us. “

Since its establishment, the Fund has supported broad charitable purposes as provided for by the Schmidts, active community leaders and former York County Community Foundation Board members. Mr. Schmidt was president of the former York Bank and Trust Company. His father, Henry D. Schmidt, was a founder of York County Community Foundation.

The Fund was created by Steve and Polly Stetler to provide scholarships for York City School District students. “My parents’ generosity, their concerns for quality education for all, and their unwavering pride in their alma mater inspired its creation,” Steve Stetler said. Nevin Stetler was a 1936 graduate of York High School. His wife, Jeanette, was a 1939 graduate of the school.

The William H. and Judith A. Simpson Family Fund was created with a bequest from the estate of Bill Simpson, who passed away in 2012. Judy Simpson is proud to have her husband’s legacy continue through the Community Foundation. “Bill had a tremendous impact on York County Community Foundation and its role in the community,” she said. “He was a member of the board in the Foundation’s early years and had a firm commitment to promoting philanthropy in our community.” Bill was a strong supporter of the York Academy Regional Charter School, where the new playground is dedicated in his honor; and had the vision for Steam into History. It was Bill’s energy and enthusiasm that brought Steam Into History’s replica steam locomotive, “The William H. Simpson #17,” to life. Judy is also active in giving back. She served as a Community Foundation board director, founded the Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle along with Carolyn Steinhauser, and also served as its chair. In addition, Judy is founder and current chair of the York County Honors Choir and is involved in numerous other community efforts. Judy is pleased to be able to continue the Simpson legacy. “Bill will be remembered for his talent, compassion, and dedication to his community, friends, and family,” said Judy. “This fund will allow me to continue to support his interests as well as develop new ways to help meet the needs of our community.”

The William H. Simpson Fund was established in 2011 to recognize Bill’s 40-year association with Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co. and his unique and remarkable service to charitable organizations dating from his first years in York. At the time of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff’s sale in 2006, Bill was President and CEO, having joined the company in 1971 in the role of General Counsel. Upon his death in 2012, Bill was still serving as Vice Chairman of Susquehanna Real Esate, L.P. Bill had a tremendous impact on York County Community Foundation and its role in the community, having served as Assistant Treasurer from 1975-1979; Board Director from 1976-1985; and Secretary from 1981-1985. Bill gave generously of his time and talent not only to Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff and the Community Foundation, but to numerous other organizations that have benefitted from his strong commitment to creating a vibrant York County.