Donald Guthrie Foundation Awards $52,500 in Grants to Six Regional Nonprofits

December 5, 2025

The Donald Guthrie Foundation Community Benefits Committee recently awarded $52,500 in grants to six organizations across the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.  

The funding supports vital local programs addressing critical community health needs, including efforts focused on obesity prevention and increased access to mental health services. 

The grants reflect the foundation's commitment to partnering with organizations providing frontline care in underserved areas, supporting projects identified in the Community Needs Assessment. 

Combating Food Insecurity, Promoting Wellness 
A significant portion of the funding supports programs focusing on nutrition, food security and healthy family habits — aligning with regional strategies to reduce chronic disease risks: 

  • Broome County Council of Churches ($10,000): Funding will support the council's "Making Abundant Nutrition Neighborhood Accessible" (MANNA) program by supplying protein ingredients for 4,500 chef-inspired, nutritionally balanced prepared meals distributed to food-insecure residents in Broome County, N.Y. 

  • Horseheads Family Resource Center ($10,000): The grant will launch "Healthy Families, Healthy Futures," a year-round program in Chemung County, N.Y., that combats childhood obesity through family fitness sessions, nutrition education workshops and resource navigation services. 

  • CHOP Out Hunger ($7,500): The organization will use the funding to support its mobile "Pop Up Pantries," which deliver fresh groceries, produce and lean proteins directly to food-insecure students and families in Bradford, Tioga and Sullivan counties in Pennsylvania. 

  • The Sisters of Hope ($10,000): This grant will help develop a Faith Community Nurse-run health and wellness office in Elmira, N.Y., providing wellness screenings, resources and a "Crisis Closet" of essential toiletries for low-income residents. 

Expanding Mental Health Access and Trauma Support 
Funding was also allocated to organizations providing specialized mental health and supportive services to vulnerable populations: 

  • The Children's House Child Advocacy Center ($10,000): Funding will support facility and programmatic enhancements, including the renovation of a new therapy room and the development of an outdoor therapeutic space for child abuse victims in Bradford and Sullivan counties in Pennsylvania. 

  • Endless Mountain Mission Center ($5,000): This grant will support case management services and safe housing efforts for homeless individuals in Bradford County with a focus on helping clients access mental health treatment and wellness support.