Opportunity Grants Guide 2024-25

High Foundation Opportunity Grants

A Bridge to Opportunity

The High Family has long been keenly aware of our community and its needs, recognizing that with all that we are given, whether in assets, leadership influence, or opportunities of other sorts, we are accountable to aid and serve others. With the formation of High Foundation in 1980, we established a structure by which we could invest in more transformative initiatives and programs that lead to thriving communities and an improved quality of life for everyone.

My gift of ownership interest in High companies to High Foundation represents the continuation of our legacy and our commitment to the communities where the companies provide economic investment and employment. Our company culture has endured as one that is forever mindful of our role in the

community, which includes creating family-sustaining jobs and doing so in healthy work environments.

As we embark on each new chapter, the future is full of anticipation and excitement. We are dedicated to our mission and confident in the new vision and strategy for High Foundation. I am grateful for the efforts of Board and Committee members, staff, and our consultants who have participated with us on this journey. We know that along with High companies and our community partners, our collective efforts will lead to a brighter future for everyone as we continue to engage, to collaborate, to lead, to inspire, and to commit to making a positive difference that serves as a Bridge to Opportunity for others.

S. Dale High Chair of the Board

“

What if we could do more?

What if we could do more?”

The words of our benefactor S. Dale High have been stirring in our hearts as we watch his vision come to life. Dale’s generous gift of transferring his ownership interest in High companies to High Foundation represents the continuation of Dale’s legacy and our collective commitment to the communities we serve. With every step we take on this journey, we are not just planning for tomorrow—we are shaping the world that we leave behind. In line with Donor Intent, we began the process of strategic thinking, research, and engagement with Board and Committee members and staff, with the following goals in mind:

❖ Clear definition and agreement about our core values and how we see our role in community

❖ Well-developed strategy that will help drive impactful change in key areas

❖ A reporting structure that is clear and helps us measure and communicate our impact in compelling ways

❖ A method by which we invest more significantly in communities where High has a business presence outside of South Central Pennsylvania

❖ A plan to consistently apply an equity lens to grants and programming

❖ Strengthened organizational capacity to achieve results and execute on our plan

❖ A communication plan that supports the new direction, both within High companies and with community partners and stakeholders

We have made impressive progress toward these goals with a strong and clear direction for the Foundation’s next chapter. I am particularly proud of the depth of engagement in the process by all our Board and Committee members; I feel that the vision for our direction and approach is truly shared, and we have a clear path forward.

As we complete this phase of visioning forward and strategic planning, we are confident that along with High companies and our community partners, our collective efforts will lead to a brighter future for all!

Robin D. Stauffer Executive Director

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

“We are on this earth for a purpose that is larger than our own self-interests, and we must strive to make the world a better place.”

— S. Dale High

MISSION

With a heart of service and a spirit of collaboration, High Foundation builds bridges to opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities, striving for an equitable world of beauty, prosperity, and peace.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

❖ We listen carefully.

❖ We approach our work with humility.

❖ We develop trustworthy relationships.

❖ We actively collaborate with community partners, coworkers, and peers.

❖ We operate with a high level of integrity and transparency.

BOLDNESS

❖ We have the courage to take risks, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties.

❖ We seek out and support innovation to keep our ideas fresh and to find new solutions.

❖ We are committed to transformative impact, by actively convening the resources and talent in our communities.

❖ We are forward thinking and are patient when necessary.

❖ We are a catalyst for change.

VALUES

EQUITY

❖ We seek to ensure that everyone in our communities has the opportunity to be successful, recognizing that everyone is starting from a different place.

❖ We believe that everyone deserves dignity and respect.

❖ We include the people who are most affected by an issue in the dialogue about the solutions.

STEWARDSHIP

❖ We honor what has been given to us and the contributions of High coworkers, and we commit to being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

❖ We hold ourselves accountable to having an impact with the Foundation’s resources and to staying true to the Donor Intent and our guiding values.

❖ We understand our ownership of High companies creates employment opportunities and positive community impact that is consistent with our mission.

THE HIGH PHILOSOPHY OF HIGH COMPANIES

Every company dreams its dreams and sets its standards. These are ours...

BUILDING TRUSTWORTHY RELATIONSHIPS

❖ Valuing our customers and meeting their needs

❖ Respecting the dignity of all coworkers and their families

❖ Energizing our teamwork with participative management

OPTIMISM

❖ We are full of hope and expectation as we approach our work.

❖ We have a positive focus, and we presume good intent.

❖ We persevere, even in the face of challenges.

❖ We believe we can make a difference.

❖ Recognizing and rewarding the accomplishments of our coworkers

❖ Strengthening our partnership with suppliers

❖ Contributing to a world of beauty, prosperity, and peace

“We give good measure.”

BEING INNOVATIVE LEADERS

❖ Creating an environment for innovation since 1931

❖ “Right the first time”—high quality products and services

❖ Investing profits to secure our future

OPPORTUNITY GRANT PILLARS

This portfolio is focused on increasing equitable opportunity for everyone. It takes a holistic approach to the health, inclusiveness, economic vibrancy, and well-being of Lancaster County and the communities where High companies operate. Working across three substantive pillars, which are outlined below, High Foundation will provide grants and capacity building support to organizations and community leaders.

ECONOMIC VIBRANCY

“A vibrant economy is one that has a talented, diverse workforce; is prosperous, resilient, innovative, and competitive; and has equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.”— The Vibrant Economy Index

Possible areas for High Foundation funding in this pillar:

❖ Economic security and mobility

❖ Generational wealth-building

❖ Education

❖ Workforce development

❖ Supportive services

❖ Housing

❖ Re-entry after prison and support to justice-impacted families

COMMUNITY VITALITY

Community vitality is evident when people have pride in the place where they live, have safe places to live and play, are engaged in the civic life of their neighborhoods and towns, have access to diverse cultural and artistic activities, and feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to one another.

Possible areas for High Foundation funding in this pillar:

❖ Culture

❖ Physical infrastructure & open space

❖ Arts

❖ Civic engagement

❖ Historic preservation

❖ Environment

INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING “Well-being can be understood as how people feel and how they function, both on a personal and a social level, and how they evaluate their lives as a whole.”

— New Economics Foundation

Possible areas for High Foundation funding in this pillar:

❖ Health (social determinants of health)

❖ Nutrition

❖ Physical activity

❖ Mental health and social emotional well-being

❖ Seniors

❖ Disabled accessibility

❖ Safety

CORE REQUIREMENTS

High Foundation contributes only to non-political, 501(c)3 Community Benefit Organizations.

High Foundation is most interested in capital projects, with a mission of aligning with Community Benefit Organizations to support positive change within areas of identified need. It will also consider requests for seed funding to explore and launch sustainable projects that address a demonstrated gap in the community landscape. Neither contributions nor loans are made to individuals or for-profit entities.

LOCATION

The organization must be located in Lancaster City, Lancaster County, or another community in which High companies provide economic investment and employment. These communities include:

❖ Lancaster, PA

❖ Allentown, PA

❖ Denver, PA

❖ Harrisburg, PA

❖ Reading, PA

❖ Williamsport, PA

MISSION

❖ York, PA

❖ Sarasota, FL

❖ Mt. Laurel, NJ

❖ Trenton/Ewing, NJ

❖ Charlotte, NC

❖ Springboro, OH

Organizational mission must be aligned with High Foundation’s Opportunity Grant Pillars.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Organization must have a belief in and mindset for promoting an environment of equality and helping to advance a diverse and stimulating world for all.

IMPACT MEASUREMENT

Our community partners are the heartbeat of what we do, and it is our desire to champion the work of our partners and create more awareness about the good work happening in our communities, while telling High Foundation’s story. If you receive funding from us, we ask that you provide information that will help demonstrate the impact High Foundation’s investments and initiatives have had on your organization in the following ways:

❖ Providing social media content

❖ Submitting a report regarding the completion of your project/program

❖ Scheduling a site visit or meeting when requested

OPPORTUNITY GRANTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS NOT FUNDED THROUGH HIGH FOUNDATION?

❖ Organizations outside of communities in which High companies operate

❖ Individuals

❖ For-profit entities

DO YOU FUND OPERATIONAL REQUESTS?

High Foundation is most interested in capital projects, with a mission of aligning with Community Benefit Organizations to support positive change within areas of identified need. It will also consider requests for seed funding to explore and launch sustainable projects that address a demonstrated gap in the community landscape. Neither contributions nor loans are made to individuals or for-profit entities.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUESTED ON A GRANT APPLICATION?

Organization Information

❖ Mission Statement

❖ Board Members and Key Staff

Project Information

❖ Project Name

❖ Summary

❖ Objectives

❖ Need

❖ DEI Statement

❖ Audited Financial Statement

❖ Impact

❖ Collaboration

❖ Budget

❖ 990 Form

❖ IRS Determination Letter

❖ Breakdown of Funding

❖ Funding Schedule

❖ Amount of Request

WHY DO YOU REQUIRE A DEI STATEMENT AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION?

A world in which all people have access to opportunity is the world High Foundation wants to help build. Our investments and initiatives further the goal of embracing diversity, promoting mutual respect, and broadening opportunity for everyone.

MY ORGANIZATION ’ S PROJECT FITS IN WITH YOUR PRIORITIES. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NOT TO FUND?

The allocation of funds is determined through a review process that takes into account various factors such as funds available for distribution, alignment with our Pillars of Investment, project impact, and the number of applications received in the current round. While we understand the needs and aspirations of many Community Benefit Organizations, it is not always possible to fully fund every request due to budgetary constraints and the nature of the grant process.

WHY WAS THE GRANT AMOUNT AWARDED TO OUR ORGANIZATION A FRACTION OF OUR REQUEST?

See the response above. Additionally, High Foundation appreciates partnerships and collaboration with other funders, as this demonstrates a broader base of support for the project and increases its sustainability.

WHAT IF I HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THE ONLINE APPLICATION?

Please contact csnyder@high.net for assistance.

IMPORTANT DATES

Grant Application Window JUNE 1 - SEPTEMBER 1

Grant Review Process SEPTEMBER 2 - DECEMBER 31

Grant Award Notification & Checks Distributed JANUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 28

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your grant application on the GRANTS page at highfoundation.org.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Chris Snyder Grants Manager csnyder@high.net