Harold L. Brake & Dolores K. Brake Legacy Fund

The Harold L. Brake & Dolores K. Brake Legacy Fund is a community-focused charitable fund established through the estate of Harold L. Brake, a long-standing resident of St. Thomas, Pennsylvania. The fund reflects the shared values of Harold and Dolores Brake, particularly their commitment to preserving the rural quality of life and supporting organizations that strengthen local communities. The fund provides annual financial support to charitable initiatives that align with these priorities, including but not limited to organizations such as the St. Thomas Sports Association, St. Thomas Cemetery Association, and Menno Haven, while also reserving resources for broader community needs as identified by a local advisory committee. The primary purpose of this grant opportunity is to support nonprofit organizations undertaking projects that benefit residents within St. Thomas, Peters, and Hamilton Townships in Franklin County. Funding is intended for projects that demonstrate clear community impact and align with the fund’s mission of enhancing quality of life in these rural areas. Awards of up to 75000 dollars are available, with the expectation that funded projects will address identified local needs and deliver measurable outcomes within the defined grant period. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) entities or must partner with a qualified fiscal sponsor that holds such status. The fund explicitly excludes certain organizations from eligibility, including those already named as beneficiaries of the fund and specific institutions such as the St. Thomas Ambulance Company and WellSpan Summit Foundation for the Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women’s Center. Additionally, organizations may not receive funding more than once within a three-year consecutive period, ensuring broader distribution of resources across the community. The application process opens annually on February 1 and closes on May 1, with all submissions required to be completed online. Applicants may request a draft review of their application up to two weeks prior to the submission deadline by contacting the Community Investment Team. Applications are evaluated by a dedicated grant review committee, which may request additional information during the review process. Final funding decisions are communicated to applicants by August 1. Evaluation criteria are structured around a 50-point system, assessing alignment with the fund’s mission, clarity of project design, defined roles and partnerships, financial sustainability, measurable outcomes, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Projects must clearly articulate their objectives, target audience, implementation plan, and anticipated results. Budget documentation must demonstrate diversified funding sources and specify how grant funds will be used. Grant-funded projects must take place within a defined grant year running from September 1 through August 31 of the following year. Only activities occurring within this timeframe are eligible for funding consideration. The fund does not support certain activities, including capital campaigns, lobbying efforts, retroactive funding, or projects lacking sustainability planning. Additionally, grants may not cover more than 50 percent of a project’s total cost, encouraging applicants to secure complementary funding sources. Recipients are expected to participate in an annual grant presentation event held in the fall, where award checks are distributed and community impact is celebrated. For inquiries or assistance, applicants may contact the Community Investment Team via email or phone, or reach out directly to Teresa Gonzalez. This structured and community-driven approach ensures that the fund continues to support impactful, locally relevant initiatives on an annual basis.

Ensure strong alignment with mission; clearly define measurable outcomes; demonstrate diversified funding sources; provide detailed project plan and roles