Henry O. Elsholz learned about the concept of "the community foundation" through an article he read in This Week Magazine. The year was 1959 and the concept was entirely new to him. Henry was impressed that an "average" citizen of modest means could become a philanthropist. He investigated further and learned that he could create a fund of his own through The Pittsburgh Foundation.
It was with great pride that Henry opened his fund in 1963 in memory of his father and grandfather, Christian and Gustav Elsholz. The terms of the fund were spelled out by Henry in a handwritten note on bright pink paper, which remains in Henry's file to this day. A copy of his one-page will, also hand-written, further stipulates that the residue of his estate be added to the fund upon his passing.
The fund provides annual support for the Church School of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sharpsburg, Pa. for "as long as it shall be in existence."
Type of Fund
- Unrestricted