Established in 1935 by Milton Hershey, The M.S. Hershey Foundation was created to provide educational and cultural opportunities for the citizens of Derry Township. In the early years, The M.S. Hershey Foundation concentrated on providing educational opportunities through the former Hershey Junior College, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — a teaching hospital, and the former Hershey Educational and Cultural Center — an alternative to formal education. The Foundation also helped manage the sports and recreation programs of the Hershey Recreation Center at Cocoa Plaza before turning over operations to Derry Township.

Starting in the 1970s, the Foundation continued its mission to provide cultural and educational opportunities to the Hershey community by first assuming the operation of the Hershey Theatre. In the 1980s, the Foundation also accepted responsibility for the Hershey Museum, now The Hershey Story, and Hershey Gardens. The M.S. Hershey Foundation has always been a non-profit organization and as operating divisions of the Foundation, The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens gained non-profit status enabling them to accept donations and grants. During this same time, the Foundation helped establish the Hershey Community Archives. Most recently in the 1990s, the Foundation took ownership of ChocolateTown Square community park as a welcome addition to furthering its mission.

Milton S. Hershey established the non-profit Hershey Foundation for the educational and cultural enrichment of Derry Township residents and visitors. When he set aside 5000 shares of company stock in 1935, he couldn't have possibly envisioned that in the 21st century, the Foundation would support five outstanding sites - The Hershey Story, Hershey Gardens, Hershey Theatre, Hershey Community Archives and ChocolateTown Square. As the M.S. Hershey Foundation has expanded its scope, so has the need for community support.

As a non-profit organization, The M.S. Hershey Foundation operates independently of Hershey Company, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company and the Hershey Trust Company.

The M.S. Hershey Foundation Board of Managers

Raymond L. Gover, President and Chairman
Retired President and Publisher, The Patriot News

James M. Mead
Retired CEO, Capital BlueCross

Velma Redmond, Esq.
Vice President and General Counsel, Pennsylvania-American Water Company

Robert Reese, Esq.
Chairman & President, Reese Trusts

LeRoy S. Zimmerman, Esq.
Senior Counsel, Eckert Seamans