Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit
Adams Legacy Foundation is a private foundation incorporated as a Delaware nonprofit, tax-exempt since June 2009. Based in Chicago, Illinois with historical ties to Long Beach, California, the foundation was established in 2006 by Peter and Rebecca Adams following the sale of Adams Rite Manufacturing Co. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to connecting people with nature and supporting organizations that leverage the healing benefits of outdoor experiences.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.8M
+11.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$989K
+9.5% YoY
Grant Count
39
+5.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+3.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit reported a distributable amount of $977K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Using Nature to Strengthen, Nurture, and Heal the Soul
The foundation's core belief centers on the transformative power of nature for personal development and inner peace. According to founder Peter Adams, "Our GOAL is to help connect people with nature. We believe a visit to nature is refreshment for the soul. It is God's way of recharging our lives."
The foundation invests in three primary areas:
- Organizations that get people outdoors and facilitate direct nature experiences
- Researchers working to understand the health benefits of time in nature
- Organizations dedicated to preserving outdoor space for future generations
The foundation operates through five-year funding cycles focused on specific areas. The current cycle (2022-2026) emphasizes organizations using nature to strengthen, nurture, and heal.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $1,000 to $200,000
Average Grant
amount varies by program
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities, with particular concentration in:
Primary States: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio
Notable Cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Truckee, Sausalito
The foundation maintains a national grantmaking scope while supporting both major urban centers and smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $17,752,088
- Total Revenue: $4,372,616
- Total Expenses: $1,277,471
- Total Distributions: $1.2 million
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $15,951,044
- Total Revenue: $2,230,465
- Total Expenses: $1,118,025
- Total Giving: $1,030,389
Giving Rate: 6.6% (2023)
The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates consistent annual grantmaking activity, with distributions representing a modest percentage of total assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,752,088 | $15,951,044 | $15,051,021 |
| Revenue | $4,372,616 | $2,230,465 | $-89,037 |
| Expenses | $1,277,471 | $1,118,025 | $647,958 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,211,958 | $1,030,389 | $549,346 |
| Net Investment Income | $804,050 | $806,472 | $287,832 |
| Distributable Amount | $976,755 | $737,910 | $718,912 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City Fabrick ($200,000), Resource Legacy Fund ($150,000), Elings Park Fdn ($112,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM SANTA BARBARA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| LAND TRUST FOR SANTA SANTA BARBARA, CA | STRATEGIC PLAN | $50,000 |
| ST ALBAN'S EPISCOPAL COLUMBUS, OH | TURKEY TROT | $1,500 |
| WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT SANTA BARBARA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $105,000 |
| LONG BEACH SAILING FDN LONG BEACH, CA | DOUG PYE MAA SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| WESTERN LOS ANGELES CO VAN NUYS, CA | EMERALD BAY GENERAL | $10,000 |
| NATURE TRACK VACAVILLE, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| HEARTS THERAPUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER SANTA BARBARA, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CITY FABRICK LONG BEACH, CA | WESTSIDE BARRIER & GREENING | $200,000 |
| POMONA COLLEGE CLAREMONT, CA | THE STUDENT LIFE | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Peter D. Adams – President (10 hours/week, volunteer)
- Rebecca B. Adams – Vice President (10 hours/week, volunteer)
- Blair Carty – Treasurer, Executive Director, and Chairman of Board (40 hours/week, $75,000–$78,000 annual compensation)
- Marlee Snowdon – Secretary (5 hours/week, volunteer)
The foundation operates with a lean staff structure, relying on volunteer leadership from the founding family alongside one compensated executive director.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETER D ADAMS | PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| REBECCA B ADAMS | VICE PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| BLAIR CARTY | TREASURER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CHAIRMAN OF BOARD | 40 | $77,500 |
| MARLEE SNOWDON | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit fund?
**Mission:** Using Nature to Strengthen, Nurture, and Heal the Soul The foundation's core belief centers on the transformative power of nature for personal development and inner peace. According to founder Peter Adams, "Our GOAL is to help connect people with nature. We believe a visit to nature is refreshment for the soul. It is God's way of recharging our lives." The foundation invests in three primary areas: • Organizations that get people outdoors and facilitate direct nature experiences • …
How do I apply for a grant from Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit?
**Grant Range:** $1,000 to $200,000 **Typical Awards:** $1,000–$200,000 **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • City Fabrick (Westside Barrier & Greening): $200,000 • Resources Legacy Fund (General Support): $150,000 • Elings Park Foundation (General Support): $112,500 **Recent Grant Activity (2023):** • Elings Park Foundation: $112,500 • Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (Back Country Campaign): $100,000 • Wilderness Youth Project (Bridge To Nature): $60,000 **Grant Statistics:** • Median grant amount:…
Where does Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states and cities, with particular concentration in: **Primary States:** California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio **Notable Cities:** Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Truckee, Sausalito The foundation maintains a national grantmaking scope while supporting both major urban centers and smaller communities.
What size grants does Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit award?
In 2024, Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit awarded 39 grants totaling $989K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit reported a distributable amount of $977K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit's EIN?
Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3373791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Adams Legacy Foundation a Delaware Nonprofit's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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