Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation
The Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation is a private foundation based in Penobscot, Maine. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in several states, including Massachusetts, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation at a glance
In short: Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation gave $99K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), top state Massachusetts. 4% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $98,600
- -45.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- -24.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,944
- -27.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,100
- Total assets
- $4,134,762
- +7.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (35% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. A request should include, at a minimum, the organization’s IRS tax-exempt letter, proper name and address, a description of the proposed use of the grant and whether it is a matching grant, and the requested amount. Contact Caroline P. Buttner. The filing states no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Caroline P Buttner
Mailing address: P O Box 212, Penobscot, ME 04476
Phone: (207) 702-0280
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Captains for Clean Water ($25K). Together the top 10 received $72K.
Grant Size Distribution
144 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 143 grants of 144 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (35%), Florida (34%), and New Hampshire (17%). North Carolina and Virginia each accounted for 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 25 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 96% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $99K (2024) to $220K (2021). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $99K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Captains for Clean Water Fort Myers, FL | General Grant | $25,000 |
| Overlook Food Awareness Resource MA Rutland, MA | General Grant | $7,000 |
| South Shore Health South Weymouth, MA | Grant Perinatal Behavioral HLTH Prog | $7,000 |
| South Shore YMCA Quincy, MA | General Grant | $7,000 |
| Canaan Firefighter's Association Canaan, NH | General Grant | $5,000 |
| Lakeland Bible Church Lakeland, FL | General Grant | $5,000 |
| Town of Wayland Wayland, MA | Grant: Hannah Williams Playground | $5,000 |
| Harry Chapin Food Bank Inc Fort Myers, FL | General Grant | $4,000 |
| Gala Community Center Wolfeboro, NH | General Grant | $3,500 |
| Wake Education Partnership Raleigh, NC | Grant: TOOLS4SCHOOLS | $3,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,134,762 | $242,724 | $192,087 | $98,600 | 25 | $158,435 | $209,072 | $198,663 |
| 2023 | $3,841,716 | $224,699 | $263,505 | $180,000 | 33 | $237,760 | $198,954 | $182,531 |
| 2022 | $3,606,521 | $209,186 | $245,017 | $150,000 | 28 | $208,965 | $173,134 | $187,411 |
| 2021 | $4,442,583 | $490,232 | $296,874 | $220,000 | 34 | $280,177 | $473,535 | $209,429 |
| 2020 | $4,085,875 | $181,416 | $196,213 | $155,000 | 24 | — | $178,929 | $182,657 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation reported a distributable amount of $199K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its direct charitable activity as distributing contributions to “deserving charitable organizations.” Its 2024 grants included support for environmental, educational, food-access, health, community, religious, cultural, and animal-welfare organizations.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Captains for Clean Water says it works to protect marine ecosystems through education, awareness, and scientifically supported solutions. Wake Education Partnership describes its work as mobilizing the community and business sector to support educational opportunities in Wake County public schools. Upper Valley Humane Society says it improves quality of life for people and pets through animal sheltering, adoption, and related services. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not stated foundation priorities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $98,600. Awards ranged from $700 to $25,000, with a median grant of $3,100. Its largest reported awards included $25,000 to Captains for Clean Water; $7,000 each to Overlook Food Awareness Resource, South Shore Health, and South Shore YMCA; and $5,000 each to Canaan Firefighter’s Association, Lakeland Bible Church, and the Town of Wayland.
Other reported 2024 grants included $4,000 to Harry Chapin Food Bank; $3,500 each to GALA Community Center, Wake Education Partnership, Kearsarge Food Hub, and Danville Museum Fine Arts & History; and $3,000 to Upper Valley Humane Society.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Caroline P. Buttner as president; Nancy C. Rose, Dr. Jennifer W. Willlliams, and Dustin P. Laverack as directors; Warren F. Baker, Esq., as treasurer; and Emily W. Andersen as clerk.
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation is led by Caroline P. Buttner, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Caroline P. Buttner
President
Chairman & Treasurer → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
$23K (2020) → $27K (2024)
Dustin P. Laverack
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Jennifer W. Willliams
Director
Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Nancy C. Rose
Director
Trustee → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Warren F. Baker Esq.
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Emily W. Andersen
Clerk
On filings since 2021
$700 (2021) → $700 (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $27K, to Caroline P Buttner (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation
How much does Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation give each year?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation gave $99K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $180K across 33 grants.
What is Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's typical grant size?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,100, and its average grant was $3,944, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation give grants?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (34%) and New Hampshire (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (5 grants), Fort Myers, FL (2 grants), Rutland, MA (2 grants) and Canaan, NH (2 grants).
Does Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's largest grantees?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Captains for Clean Water ($25,000), Overlook Food Awareness Resource MA ($7,000) and South Shore Health ($7,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $158K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $199K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its direct charitable activity as distributing contributions to “deserving charitable organizations.” Its 2024 grants included support for environmental, educational, food-access, health, community, religious, cultural, and animal-welfare organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's EIN?
Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6044714. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arthur-ashley-williams-foundation-morg_d5bbf799629e4bf09b8507fdc28ec7ca
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046044714_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arthur-ashley-williams-foundation-morg_d5bbf799629e4bf09b8507fdc28ec7ca},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arthur Ashley Williams Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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