Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family
The Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Burlington, Vermont. Established in 1997, the foundation operates as a tax-exempt organization (EIN: 04-3359381) dedicated to philanthropic giving in support of vulnerable populations and the arts in Vermont.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
-19.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-56.1% YoY
Grant Count
16
+14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$101K
-61.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family reported a distributable amount of $70K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support:
- Women and children at risk
- Single mothers
- Persons with brain injuries
- Children with disabilities
- Families in need
- Access to the arts
The foundation was created by Victoria Buffum to address these priority areas within the community.
Grantmaking
The Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation has demonstrated significant grantmaking activity:
Ready to take the next step with Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Vermont, with particular emphasis on the Chittenden County region and Burlington area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on available data, the foundation has demonstrated substantial giving capacity with multi-million dollar annual commitments. The foundation appears among the top funders in the Burlington area by total giving.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,406,894 | $1,753,848 | $2,361,573 |
| Revenue | $1,281,868 | $3,205,093 | $10,277,755 |
| Expenses | $1,628,822 | $3,812,818 | $9,803,858 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,626,886 | $3,698,441 | $9,772,890 |
| Net Investment Income | $686,411 | $793,418 | $5,107,654 |
| Distributable Amount | $70,036 | $121,230 | $167,274 |
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
74 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Vermont Community Foundation ($1,000,000), Boys and Girls Club of Burlington Inc ($505,000), Vermont Community Foundation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BURLINGTON INC BURLINGTON, VT | EARLY PROMISE ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INTO THE SUMMER AND CREAT LIFE GAP ENDOWMENT | $505,000 |
| CAMP TA KUM TA SOUTH HERO, VT | OPERATING SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN MOBILE THERAPY BURLINGTON, VT | OPERATING SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| JOHN GRAHAM HOUSING & SERVICES VERGENNES, VT | OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| NEIGHBORS IN ACTION CABOT, VT | OPERATING SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| PARTNERS IN ADVENTURE INC ESSEX, VT | OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| RESOURCE WILLISTON, VT | YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM | $4,000 |
| VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MIDDLEBURY, VT | SUPPORT HUNGER PROGRAMS | $1,000,000 |
| VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MIDDLEBURY, VT | SUPPORT VERMONT FLOOD RELIEF PROGRAMS | $25,000 |
| VERMONT WORKS FOR WOMEN WINOOSKI, VT | ROSIE'S GIRLS PROGRAM | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Tom Gauntlett - President of the Board of Directors
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS J GAUNTLETT | PRESIDENT/CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MARY ALICE MCKENZIE | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| PATRICIA MOTCH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DAVID H COATES | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MELISSA GAUNTLETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY COLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2023:** The foundation announced $3.5 million in endowment gifts to the Vermont Community Foundation to support four Vermont nonprofit organizations, honoring the legacy of Victoria Buffum and Courtney Buffum.
Vermont Community Foundation and Buffum Family Foundation Announce Endowments\**2022:** The foundation announced $9.5 million in donations to seven Vermont charities, citing growing community needs in areas aligned with its mission.
Vermont Community Foundation and Buffum Family Foundation Announce Endowments\The foundation continues to make strategic investments in capital campaigns and endowments to ensure long-term impact for its supported organizations.
Vermont Community Foundation and Buffum Family Foundation Announce Endowments\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family fund?
The foundation's mission is to support: • Women and children at risk • Single mothers • Persons with brain injuries • Children with disabilities • Families in need • Access to the arts The foundation was created by Victoria Buffum to address these priority areas within the community.
How do I apply for a grant from Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family?
The Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family Foundation has demonstrated significant grantmaking activity: **Recent Major Grants:** • $3.5 million in 2023 to the Vermont Community Foundation to create endowments benefiting four organizations: Spectrum Youth & Family Services, King Street Center, Dismas of Vermont, and the Flynn Theatre • $9.5 million in donations announced in June 2022 to seven Vermont charities • $200,000 challenge grant to COTS for the Waystation adult overnight shelter capital ca…
Where does Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Vermont, with particular emphasis on the Chittenden County region and Burlington area.
What size grants does Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family award?
In 2024, Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family awarded 16 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $101K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family reported a distributable amount of $70K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family's EIN?
Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3359381. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Antonio B and Rita M Pomerleau
BURLINGTON, VT
Assets
$2.1M
Grants
57
Total Given
$1.6M
The Kelsey Trust
LINCOLN, MA
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
30
Total Given
$224K
The Vermont Community Foundation
MIDDLEBURY, VT
Assets
$370.6M
Grants
728
Total Given
$46.3M
Oakland Foundation Inc
STOWE, VT
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
72
Total Given
$233K
National Life Group Charitable
MONTPELIER, VT
Assets
$27.4M
Grants
757
Total Given
$2.7M
Community Bank Na Foundation of New
WILLISTON, VT
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
64
Total Given
$90K
George W Mergens Foundation
MILTON, VT
Assets
$16.3M
Grants
95
Total Given
$1.0M
United Way of Northwest Vermont Inc
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT
Assets
$5.8M
Grants
49
Total Given
$1.4M
Td Charitable Foundation
PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$9.0M
Grants
1,078
Total Given
$24.3M
Francis T & Louis T Nichols
BANGOR, ME
Assets
$20.8M
Grants
88
Total Given
$2.6M
Agnes M Lindsay Trust
CHELMSFORD, MA
Assets
$36.9M
Grants
316
Total Given
$1.1M
The Morris & Bessie Altman Foundation
SHELBURNE, VT
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
67
Total Given
$602K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Courtney and Victoria Buffum Family to a real strategy.