History

The Bethlehem Steel Foundation was founded in 1993. Its principal office is located in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Foundation is funded solely by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and has been declared tax exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Areas Of Interest

The Foundation concentrates its grantmaking in the areas of education, human services, health care, economic education, public policy research, culture and the arts, and civic and community improvement. The objectives of the Foundation are to:

• Promote excellence in education;
• Enhance the quality of life in communities where Bethlehem Steel has operations or other important interests, and where its employees and their families live;
• Support continuous improvement in the environment and safety in the workplace;
• Advance the development and dissemination of knowledge;
• Sustain and strengthen the economic, social and political environment necessary to nurture our free society.

Grant Applications

The Foundation does not have a standard application form nor an application deadline. Requests are reviewed periodically. Initial inquiries to the Bethlehem Steel Foundation should be in the form of a brief letter and proposal which should include the following information:

• A complete description of the organization and a statement of objectives
• An explanation of the purpose or goals of the activity for which support is requested
• Amount requested from the Bethlehem Steel Foundation, justification for the request, how the funding will be used, and a description of the benefits and geographic area to be served
• Financial information, including an explanation of disbursements as well as contributions and other sources of revenue
• Plans for reporting and measuring results
• Verification of 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

All inquiries should be directed to James F. Kostecky, Executive Director, Bethlehem Steel Foundation, in Bethlehem, Pa.

Generally, an initial response from the Foundation to a funding request can be expected in four weeks.

Grant Limitations

In accordance with established policy, preference will be given to organizations serving communities where Bethlehem Steel has operations or where a significant number of its employees and their families live. The Foundation will not provide support to:

• Organizations not exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Political organizations
• Organizations which are engaged in, or may be engaged in, influencing legislation
• Foreign institutions and organizations
• Individuals
• Religious organizations (except for programs sponsored by religious groups that will provide services or facilities to the community on a broad basis, without restrictions by reason of race, color or religion).

Foundation Staff

Stephen G. Donches, President
James F. Kostecky, Executive Director
Frank L. Fisher, Administrator

Bethlehem Steel Foundation
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
Phone: (610) 694-6940
Fax: (610) 694-1509
e-mail: [email protected]