Bafflin Foundation
The Bafflin Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Providence, Rhode Island. Established in 1991, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on supporting nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.9M
+7.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-1.9% YoY
Grant Count
28
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
-1.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bafflin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is to support nonprofit organizations that focus on art, animals, plants, and the earth. In the art field, the foundation concentrates on painting and sculpture from France and the United States.
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Environmental and land conservation initiatives
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Although the Bafflin Foundation's grantmaking does not have geographic restrictions, the majority of grants are made to organizations located in southern New England, specifically:
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $12,969,930 (as of most recent 990 filing in 2023)
Total Giving: $1,132,974 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,891,314 | $12,969,930 | $19,975,839 |
| Revenue | $905,288 | $1,029,262 | $682,793 |
| Expenses | $1,208,132 | $1,254,365 | $1,335,438 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,168,477 | $1,202,232 | $1,272,120 |
| Net Investment Income | $865,633 | $1,011,948 | $664,763 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,181,217 | $1,067,476 | $1,088,138 |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wyndham Land Trust ($100,000), The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island ($100,000), Forest Society of Maine ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOREST SOCIETY OF MAINE BANGOR, ME | LAND CONSERVATION | $75,000 |
| AQUIDNECK LAND TRUST MIDDLETOWN, RI | LAND CONSERVATION | $20,000 |
| BARTLETT ABORETUM & GARDENS STAMFORD, CT | LAND CONSERVATION | $25,000 |
| BERKSHIRE NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL LENOX, MA | LAND CONSERVATION | $20,000 |
| CAMP JORI WAKEFIELD, RI | LAND CONSERVATION | $15,000 |
| CENTER FOR WILDLIFE CAPE NEDDICK, ME | LAND CONSERVATION | $25,000 |
| ESSEX COUNTY GREENBELT ESSEX, MA | LAND CONSERVATION | $25,000 |
| WINDMILL HILL PINNACLE ASSOCIATION ATHENS, VT | LAND CONSERVATION | $10,000 |
| SOUTHBURY LAND TRUSTINC SOUTHBURY, CT | LAND CONSERVATION | $25,000 |
| NORTHERN CONNECTICUT LAND TRUST SOMERS, CT | LAND CONSERVATION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL A SILVER | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 4 | $35,394 |
| MICHAEL M EDWARDS | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 4 | $35,394 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Colchester Land Trust, supporting land conservation efforts in Connecticut.
Bafflin Foundation awards $25K grant to Colchester Land TrustFrequently Asked Questions
What does Bafflin Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary mission is to support nonprofit organizations that focus on art, animals, plants, and the earth. In the art field, the foundation concentrates on painting and sculpture from France and the United States. The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Environmental and land conservation initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Bafflin Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $200,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $1,132,974 in total giving according to its most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2023). **Recent Activity:** The foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Colchester Land Trust, demonstrating active grantmaking in land conservation efforts.
Where does Bafflin Foundation make grants?
Although the Bafflin Foundation's grantmaking does not have geographic restrictions, the majority of grants are made to organizations located in southern New England, specifically: • Connecticut • Massachusetts • Rhode Island
What size grants does Bafflin Foundation award?
In 2024, Bafflin Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Bafflin Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Bafflin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bafflin Foundation's EIN?
Bafflin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0454795. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bafflin Foundation'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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