Bridgemill Foundation
Bridgemill Foundation is a private foundation based in New Canaan, Connecticut. In 2024, it reported 19 grants totaling $3,060,240 to charitable organizations and funds, including environmental, educational, humanitarian, and health-related recipients.
Key facts about Bridgemill Foundation
In short: Bridgemill Foundation gave $3.1M across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $161K), top state New York. 74% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-3671059
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,060,240
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- Average grant
- $161,065
- Median grant
- $50,764
- New grantees (estimate)
- 74% first-time grantees (14 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $20,553,257
- Primary geography
- New York (25% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.6M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.1M
+44.8% YoY
Grant Count
19
+5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$161K
+37.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bridgemill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Bridgemill Foundation open to new grantees?
74%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 19 grantees (74%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $90K; repeat grants $360K. How we count
Medians: $36K first-time, $563K repeat.
- 26% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for environmental problem-solving and conservation, nature and science education, disaster relief and medical aid, girls’ wellbeing in Kenya, and Parkinson’s research.
Among its grantees, New Canaan Nature Center Association describes itself as an environmental education center and sanctuary that helps people understand, appreciate, and care for nature. Adam J. Lewis Academy says it provides an enriching, nurturing, high-quality elementary experience for underserved children in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 19 grants totaling $3,060,240. Awards ranged from $4,809 to $563,444, with a median grant of $50,764. Three of its largest contributions—$563,444 each—were designated to manage and administer donor-advised funds.
Other notable 2024 grants included $367,352 and $357,572 to Environmental Defense Fund for work addressing critical environmental problems; $127,178 to The Nature Conservancy for nature and conservation education; $106,298 to Ecology Project International to engage young people with nature and science; and $101,148 to Americares Foundation for disaster relief and humanitarian medical aid. The foundation also gave $100,000 to ZanaAfrica Foundation to support girls in Kenya and $27,054 to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. New Canaan Nature Center Association received $10,000, and Adam J. Lewis Academy received $5,000.
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Ready to take the next step with Bridgemill Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The reported distribution of 2024 grant dollars by recipient state was New York 25%, Connecticut 25%, Massachusetts 18%, Colorado 18%, and Montana 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2022) to $3.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ms Global Impact Funding-the Willow Fund (See Attached) ($563K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 92 (45%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ms Global Impact Funding-the Willow Fund (See Attached) Wellesley, MA | Charitable contribution - manage and administer donor advised fund | $563,444 |
| Ms Global Impact Funding-David C Wilson Fund DAF (See Attached) Boulder, CO | Charitable contribution - manage and administer donor advised fund | $563,444 |
| Ms Global Impact Funding-Burns Family Fund (See Attached) New Canaan, CT | Charitable contribution - manage and administer donor advised fund | $563,444 |
| Environmental Defense Fund - 1899 SHS Alphabet Inc CL a New York, NY | Charitable contribution - solving the most critical environmental problems facing the planet | $367,352 |
| Environmental Defense Fund - 1559 SHS Amazon Com Inc New York, NY | Charitable contribution - solving the most critical environmental problems facing the planet | $357,572 |
| Nature Conservancy - 238 SHS Mastercard Inc CL a Arlington, VA | Charitable Contribution - Nature and Conservation Education | $127,178 |
| Ecology Project International - 338 SHS Visa Inc CL a Missoula, MT | Charitable contribution - to inspire and empower the world's youth through immersive experiences with nature and science. | $106,298 |
| Americares Foundation Inc - 441 SHS Amazon Com Inc Stamford, CT | Charitable contribution - disaster relief and humanitarian medical aid to people in crisis | $101,148 |
| Zanaafrica Foundation Washington, DC | Charitable contribution - ensure girls across kenya can safely navigate puberty. | $100,000 |
| Waterside School Inc - 95 SHS Mastercard Inc CL a Stamford, CT | Charitable contribution - support annual fund and endowment for indepedent elementary school in stamford ct | $50,764 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,553,257 | $658,978 | $3,396,648 | $3,060,240 | 19 |
| 2023 | $20,767,626 | -$594,803 | $2,394,238 | $2,112,945 | 18 |
| 2022 | $22,097,884 | -$399,476 | $1,344,807 | $1,056,728 | 14 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,553,257 | $20,767,626 | $22,097,884 |
| Revenue | $658,978 | $-594,803 | $-399,476 |
| Expenses | $3,396,648 | $2,394,238 | $1,344,807 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,081,079 | $2,128,524 | $1,072,174 |
| Net Investment Income | $340,237 | $35,360 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $3,056,036 | $2,540,133 | $2,475,196 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Emily Wilson Burns as chairperson, William Wilson as vice chairperson, John H Tucker Wilson Jr as secretary, and David Wilson as treasurer. Sandra Wilson Deceased-Revocable Tr and John HT Wilson Deceased-Appt Tr 2 are listed as foundation managers.
Bridgemill Foundation is led by Emily Wilson Burns, Chairperson on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Emily Wilson Burns
Chairperson
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Wilson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John H. Tucker Wilson Jr.
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Wilson
Vice Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: John Ht Wilson (2023–2024) — Foundation Manager · Filing note: DECEASED-APPT tr 2
- Former: Sandra Wilson (2023–2024) — Foundation Manager · Filing note: DECEASED-REVOCABLE tr
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 58 Lambert Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 249-7210
Frequently asked questions about Bridgemill Foundation
How much does Bridgemill Foundation give each year?
Bridgemill Foundation gave $3.1M across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 18 grants.
What is Bridgemill Foundation's typical grant size?
Bridgemill Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,764, and its average grant was $161,065, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bridgemill Foundation that year got $90K on average.
Where does Bridgemill Foundation give grants?
Bridgemill Foundation's top state is New York, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Connecticut (25%) and Massachusetts (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants), Stamford, CT (3 grants), New Canaan, CT (2 grants) and Missoula, MT (2 grants).
Does Bridgemill Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of Bridgemill Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bridgemill Foundation's largest grantees?
Bridgemill Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ms Global Impact Funding-the Willow Fund (See Attached) ($563,444), Ms Global Impact Funding-David C Wilson Fund DAF (See Attached) ($563,444) and Ms Global Impact Funding-Burns Family Fund (See Attached) ($563,444), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bridgemill Foundation?
Bridgemill Foundation reported $20.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bridgemill Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for environmental problem-solving and conservation, nature and science education, disaster relief and medical aid, girls’ wellbeing in Kenya, and Parkinson’s research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bridgemill Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bridgemill Foundation's EIN?
Bridgemill Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3671059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bridgemill Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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