Lancaster’s High family transitions ownership of High Industries to nonprofit foundation 

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The owners of industrial services group High Industries have sold their stake in the company to High’s nonprofit foundation, a move that the company says will greatly increase the foundation’s philanthropy in the region. 

High Industries’ majority stakeholders and founders, S. Dale High and the High family, said on Wednesday that they have transferred family ownership to the High Foundation. 

High Industries is made up of 11 businesses across 38 locations in six states. The High Foundation, founded in 1980 by the High family, has contributed over $20 million to projects and initiatives toward eliminating the cycle of poverty across Lancaster and beyond. 

By transferring ownership to the foundation, High expects to double its yearly investments and community projects and philanthropic giving from $2.5 million to $5 million annually, said Mike Shirk, CEO of High companies. 

Profits from High Industries will now be managed, grown and distributed into the community through High Foundation under the leadership of the foundation’s Board of Trustees and Robin Stauffer, executive director at the foundation. 

“In the past, dividends distributed from High Industries went to the High Family,” said Shirk. “Now they will go directly to High Foundation for investment in the communities where our companies operate. This immediately grows the resources available to High Foundation. It’s the ultimate commitment to social responsibility and doing business for good in an impactful and lasting way. It’s a truly bold and unique move made possible through Dale High’s vision and dedication to making it happen.” 

High Foundation said it will be scaling the organization to handle the growth from the new structure and has already added additional Trustees to its board. 

“This is a remarkable gift from Dale High to High co‐workers and our communities,” said Robin Stauffer, Executive Director of High Foundation. “This new structure multiplies the already generous impact High Foundation has had and emboldens the Foundation for even greater impact.” 

The announcement follows a $65 million fund established by the foundation through the Lancaster County Community Foundation, last October.