Birds Eat Free Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Downingtown, PA EIN: 47-5667726

Birds Eat Free Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Downingtown, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3K in total assets.

Birds Eat Free Foundation at a glance

Total assets
$3,391
-24.6% vs 2024
Expenses (2025)
$1,106
+4.2% vs 2024
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Who Birds Eat Free Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Grant Size Distribution

9 grants across all recorded years

9<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Cities

ExtonMiddleton

How Birds Eat Free Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 69% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2021 it paid out 872% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1K$2K$3K$4K1 grant2020 2 grants2021 2 grants2022 2 grants2023 3 grants2024 0 grants2025

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $831 (2023) to $3K (2021). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $1K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
William Gadbow Middleton, WIMonthly Website expenses and 990 pf filing for prior year$671
William Gadbow Middleton, WIdonation for North Carolina hurricane relief$200
William Gadbow Middleton, PAorganic garden site fee plants and seedlings$190
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Birds Eat Free Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsDistributable Amount
2025$3,391—$1,106————
2024$4,497—$1,061$1,0613——
2023$5,558$8$831$8312$831—
2022$6,381$4$1,568$1,5682$1,568—
2021$7,945$6$3,435$3,4352$3,435$394
2020$11,374$6$870$8701—$591

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Birds Eat Free Foundation is led by William Gadbow, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • William Gadbow

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Greg Allen

    Treasurer & Vice President

    Vice President & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022

    Treasurer → Treasurer & Vice President, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kathryn Gadbow

    Secretary & Vice President

    Vice President & Secretary → Secretary, 2022

    Secretary → Secretary & Vice President, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Birds Eat Free Foundation

How large is Birds Eat Free Foundation?

Birds Eat Free Foundation reported $3K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

What is Birds Eat Free Foundation?

Birds Eat Free Foundation is a private foundation focused on Environment & Animals, based in Downingtown, PA. It holds $3K in total assets as of 2025.

Where does Birds Eat Free Foundation operate?

Birds Eat Free Foundation has awarded grants in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

What is Birds Eat Free Foundation's EIN?

Birds Eat Free Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5667726. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 17, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 7, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Birds Eat Free Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.5B

Grants

1,132

Total Given

$64.0M

The William Penn Foundation

Philadelphia, PA

The William Penn Foundation funds arts and culture, children and families, civic participation, the environment and public spaces, and workforce training, primarily in the Philadelphia region. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts unsolicited requests through limited open applications and invites letters of inquiry from public charities.

Assets

$3.4B

Grants

1,027

Total Given

$148.8M

Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation

Coraopolis, PA

DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation primarily funds youth sports participation in under-resourced communities, including equipment, registration costs and facilities, and also supports outdoor access and education. Its 2025 grants ranged from $626 to $2.5 million, with a median of $5,000, and Sports Matter funding has reached all 50 states. Sports Matter opportunities are by invitation only; the foundation says 501(c)(3) grant requests should be submitted in writing.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$34.5M

Grants

964

Total Given

$18.0M

Hillman Family Foundations

Pittsburgh, PA

The 18 independently operated foundations support projects in areas such as arts and culture, health, education, economic development, and community improvement, with a preference for Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania; each foundation has its own geographic focus. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median of $20,000. The 2024 filing says unsolicited requests are accepted, beginning with a brief letter of intent through the online portal.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

814

Total Given

$88.8M

Pidc Financing Corporation

Philadelphia, PA

PIDC Financing Corporation administers Pennsylvania business loans for real estate, leasehold improvements, and equipment, as well as partner-funded grants for Philadelphia economic, cultural, civic, historical, storefront, and stormwater projects. Its 2024 filing reports no grants, so no typical giving level is stated; grant partners select recipients, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Assets

$6.7M

Grants

774

Total Given

$16.4M

The Philadelphia Foundation

Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Foundation supports economic mobility and other community needs through grants to nonprofits, including workforce development, direct services, and initiatives addressing urgent regional challenges. In 2024, its median grant was $25,500, and its primary service area is Greater Philadelphia; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$704.6M

Grants

715

Total Given

$39.1M

More similar funders

More Funders in Pennsylvania

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Birds Eat Free 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.

Birds Eat Free Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?