Fair Play Foundation
Fair Play Foundation is a private foundation established in 1961 and based in Wilmington, Delaware. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on grantmaking to nonprofit organizations across multiple regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.0M
+59.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$749K
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
43
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+2.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fair Play Foundation reported a distributable amount of $734K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement to public databases. However, based on grant activity, Fair Play Foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:
- Environmental Conservation: Wilderness protection, watershed protection, marine issues and wetlands, environmental protection and justice, and environmental education
- Wildlife & Animal Welfare: Endangered species conservation, wildlife preservation, and animal welfare
- Education: Support for educational institutions and children's development programs
- Arts & Culture: Historic preservation, historic buildings preservation, and arts organizations
- Human Services: General nonprofit operations and community support
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Delaware, with emphasis on the Wilmington area, though some national organizations also receive support.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded $852,429 in total giving with 103 grants awarded in recent years, reflecting a giving rate of approximately 9.1% of assets.
Grant Range
Range:** $1,000–$85,000
Average Grant
Amount:** Varies by program ($2,500–$66,667 depending on initiative)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Fair Play Foundation supports organizations in the following states:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Primary focus is Delaware, particularly the Wilmington area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $14,965,521
- Total Giving: $749,000
- Total Revenue: $810,497
- Total Expenses: $1,034,085
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $9,371,620
- Total Revenue: $1,001,598
- Total Expenses: $980,906
- Total Liabilities: $67,000
The foundation maintains a healthy asset base and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity year over year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,965,521 | $9,371,620 | $9,333,613 |
| Revenue | $810,497 | $1,001,598 | $766,217 |
| Expenses | $1,034,085 | $980,906 | $965,722 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $883,483 | $852,429 | $861,625 |
| Net Investment Income | $659,895 | $873,121 | $662,121 |
| Distributable Amount | $734,189 | $672,446 | $698,029 |
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
215 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fauna and Flora International ($75,000), Delaware Wild Lands ($70,000), Wild Earth Allies ($70,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1103 MARKET STREET FOUNDATION WILMINGTON, DE | PRESERVATION OF WILMINGTON'S OLDEST MANSION HOUSE - THE MERRICK HOUSE AT 1103 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON, DE | $10,000 |
| AMBOSELI TRUST FOR ELEPHANTS NEWBURY, MA | TO SUPPORT CYNTHIA MOSS' CONTINUED RESEARCH OF THE POPULATION OF ELEPHANTS AT THE FOOT OF MT. KILIMANJARO, WITH EMPHASIS ON ELIMINATING POACHING | $2,500 |
| ASHLEY ADDICTION TREATMENT HAVRE DE GRACE, MD | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUPPORT FOR ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION CALAIS, ME | SUPPORT FOR LAND-BASED, CLOSED CONTAINMENT SALMON AQUACULTURE AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO OPEN NET PENS IN THE OCEAN | $2,500 |
| BRANDYWINE RED CLAY ALLIANCE WEST CHESTER, PA | BRANDYWINE WATERSHED MONITORING AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES | $10,000 |
| BRIGHT'S CREEK CONSERVANCYINC HAVERFORD, PA | TO SUPPORT FORESTRY AND RIPARIAN ENCHANCEMENT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE BUSHKILL WATERSHED AND UPPER DELWARE HEADWATERS REGION | $12,500 |
| CHADDS FORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHADDS FORD, PA | FOR GENERAL OPERATING COSTS | $1,000 |
| CHALLENGE PROGRAM WILMINGTON, DE | TO SUPPORT THE NEW HEADQUARTERS AND SHOP LOCATION | $20,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE MEDIA SERVICE SEVEN VALLEYS, PA | CONTINUED SUPPORT OF "BAY JOURNAL" PUBLICATION. | $2,500 |
| CONSERVATION FUND ARLINGTON, VA | CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MID- ATLANTIC LAND PROTECTION EFFORTS AND TO BUILD THE REVOLVING FUND | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Blaine T. Phillips Jr. – Executive Director (30 hours/week, $48,000 compensation)
- Jeanne S. Gazzillo – President
- W. Halsey Spruance Jr. – Vice President
- Gregory A. Inskip – Trustee, Secretary
- Blaine T. Phillips – Trustee
- Kristin L. DeMesse – Trustee
- Milbrey R. Jacobs – Trustee
- Charles Elson – Trustee
The foundation operates with one full-time equivalent employee.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAINE T PHILLIPS JR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 30 | $92,917 |
| BLAINE T PHILLIPS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| KRISTIN L DEMESSE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| GREGORY A INSKIP | TRUSTEE, SECRETARY | — | — |
| MILBREY R JACOBS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| W HALSEY SPRUANCE JR | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JEANNE S GAZZILLO | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| CHARLES ELSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fair Play Foundation fund?
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement to public databases. However, based on grant activity, Fair Play Foundation supports organizations working in the following areas: • **Environmental Conservation:** Wilderness protection, watershed protection, marine issues and wetlands, environmental protection and justice, and environmental education • **Wildlife & Animal Welfare:** Endangered species conservation, wildlife preservation, and animal welfare • **Education:** Support for…
How do I apply for a grant from Fair Play Foundation?
**Grant Size Range:** $1,000–$85,000 **Median Grant Amount:** $10,000 **Average Grant Amount:** Varies by program ($2,500–$66,667 depending on initiative) **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Fauna and Flora International USA: $75,000 • Delaware Wild Lands: $70,000 • Wild Earth Allies: $70,000 • Total grants made in 2024: $686,300 across 31 grants **Historical Grant Activity:** The foundation awarded $852,429 in total giving with 103 grants awarded in recent years, reflecting a giving rate of ap…
Where does Fair Play Foundation make grants?
Fair Play Foundation supports organizations in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia Primary focus is Delaware, particularly the Wilmington area.
What size grants does Fair Play Foundation award?
In 2024, Fair Play Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $749K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Fair Play Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Fair Play Foundation reported a distributable amount of $734K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Fair Play Foundation's EIN?
Fair Play Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6017779. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fair Play 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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