Fair Play Foundation
Fair Play Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 grants supported organizations working on land and wildlife conservation, museums, education, youth vocational training, and other activities, with the largest share of grant dollars going to recipients in Delaware.
Fair Play Foundation at a glance
In short: Fair Play Foundation gave $749K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Delaware. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $749,000
- +0.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,419
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $14,965,521
- +59.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Delaware (50% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fair Play Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists a letter explaining needs as the application material, identifies Blaine T. Phillips Jr. as the contact, and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Blaine T Phillips Jr Executive Dire
Mailing address: 100 West 10Th Street Suite 1010, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 777-4711
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fair Play Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fauna and Flora International ($75K). Together the top 10 received $505K.
Grant Size Distribution
215 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 215 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 50% of grant dollars went to recipients in Delaware, 20% to Virginia, 11% to Maryland, and 5% to Pennsylvania. The filing lists another 10% under “?”, without identifying the state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fair Play Foundation open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 43 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $695K (2020) to $781K (2022). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $749K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fauna and Flora International | Support Program and Operations Within Discretion of CEO | $75,000 |
| Delaware Wild Lands Odessa, DE | To Support Milford Neck Preserve Land Acquisition Project | $70,000 |
| Wild Earth Allies Chevy Chase, MD | Support for continuing work and new initiatives to increase protection for endangered wildlife and habitats | $70,000 |
| Conservation Fund Arlington, VA | Continued support for highly successful mid- atlantic land protection efforts and to build the revolving fund | $60,000 |
| Delaware Museum of Nature and Science Wilmington, DE | General Operations. | $55,000 |
| Hagley Museum & Library Wilmington, DE | For program support and operations within discretion of executive director | $50,000 |
| Friends of First State Inc Wilmington, DE | To support the new executive director's position and for ongoing projects at the brandywine valley unit of first state national historical park | $40,000 |
| University of Virgina Law School Foundation Charlottesville, VA | To support the environmental resilience programs at the Virginia coastal research center on eastern shore of va | $35,000 |
| Down Syndrome Association of Delaware Middletown, DE | To Support Education Programs and General Operations | $25,000 |
| University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA | To support the blaine t. Phillips lawn tree endowment fund | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fair Play Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,965,521 | $810,497 | $1,034,085 | $749,000 | 43 | $883,483 | $659,895 | $734,189 |
| 2023 | $9,371,620 | $1,001,598 | $980,906 | $746,000 | 44 | $852,429 | $873,121 | $672,446 |
| 2022 | $9,333,613 | $766,217 | $965,722 | $781,000 | 46 | $861,625 | $662,121 | $698,029 |
| 2021 | $9,603,968 | $2,059,621 | $1,012,013 | $754,500 | 44 | $852,157 | $1,944,297 | $764,049 |
| 2020 | $8,537,316 | $850,902 | $929,088 | $694,875 | 38 | — | $739,197 | $666,999 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided in the available information. The foundation’s grants show support for conservation and wildlife protection, museums, education, and youth programs. For example, it funded land acquisition, endangered-wildlife protection, environmental resilience programs, museum exhibits, and education and general operations.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Delaware Wild Lands says it is dedicated to conserving and preserving natural areas through land acquisition and management. Wild Earth Allies describes its mission as protecting natural areas for wildlife, habitats, and people. The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science says it aims to foster a lifelong interest in exploring, discovering, and valuing nature and science. The Challenge Program describes its work as vocational training for Delaware at-risk youth, including construction skills, high-school diploma or GED assistance, and job placement services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $749,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest were $75,000 to Fauna and Flora International for program and operating support; $70,000 to Delaware Wild Lands for the Milford Neck Preserve land acquisition project; and $70,000 to Wild Earth Allies for continuing work and new initiatives to protect endangered wildlife and habitats.
Other notable 2024 awards included $60,000 to the Conservation Fund for Mid-Atlantic land-protection efforts and its revolving fund; $55,000 to the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science for general operations; $50,000 to Hagley Museum & Library for program and operating support; and $40,000 to Friends of First State for support of a new executive director position and ongoing projects at the Brandywine Valley unit of First State National Historical Park. The foundation also awarded $25,000 to the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware for education programs and general operations and $20,000 to the Challenge Program for its new headquarters and shop location.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Blaine T. Phillips Jr. as executive director; Jeanne S. Gazzillo as president; W. Halsey Spruance Jr. as vice president; Gregory A. Inskip as trustee and secretary; and Blaine T. Phillips, Kristin L. DeMesse, Milbrey R. Jacobs, and Charles Elson as trustees.
Fair Play Foundation is led by Blaine T. Phillips Jr., Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Blaine T. Phillips Jr.
Executive Director
Trustee & Executive Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $93K (2024)
Jeanne S. Gazzillo
President
Trustee → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Blaine T. Phillips
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gregory A. Inskip
Trustee & Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kristin L. Demesse
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Milbrey R. Jacobs
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Charles Elson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
W. Halsey Spruance Jr.
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $93K, to Blaine T Phillips Jr (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fair Play Foundation
How much does Fair Play Foundation give each year?
Fair Play Foundation gave $749K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $746K across 44 grants.
What is Fair Play Foundation's typical grant size?
Fair Play Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,419, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fair Play Foundation that year got $26K on average.
Where does Fair Play Foundation give grants?
Fair Play Foundation gives mostly in Delaware: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (20%) and Maryland (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, DE (13 grants), Charlottesville, VA (4 grants), Odessa, DE (2 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does Fair Play Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Fair Play Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Fair Play Foundation's largest grantees?
Fair Play Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Fauna and Flora International ($75,000), Delaware Wild Lands ($70,000) and Wild Earth Allies ($70,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fair Play Foundation?
Fair Play Foundation reported $15.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $883K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $734K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Fair Play Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement is provided in the available information. The foundation’s grants show support for conservation and wildlife protection, museums, education, and youth programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fair Play Foundation?
The filing lists a letter explaining needs as the application material, identifies Blaine T. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fair Play Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Nor' Easter Foundation Inc
Greenville, DE
The Nor’ Easter Foundation funds charitable, educational, scientific, religious, and related purposes; its 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including conservation, education, health, and community services. It awarded grants of $1,000 to $343,000, with a median of $1,000, and all reported grants went to Delaware recipients. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.8M
Grants
82
Total Given
$773K
Crestlea Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Crestlea Foundation supports nonprofits working in social services, education, health care, arts and culture, the environment, housing, and civic causes, primarily in Delaware and parts of southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its typical grant is about $15,000, with recent awards ranging from $4,250 to $50,000. It accepts applications, but organizations must first meet with foundation staff and receive an access code; annual applications are due January 15.
Assets
$21.7M
Grants
65
Total Given
$1.0M
Welfare Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Welfare Foundation Inc. primarily funds capital projects in social services, housing, health, education, environment, civic work, and arts and humanities in Delaware and southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. It gives about $5 million annually; recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online system, but applicants must first meet with Foundation staff.
Assets
$106.7M
Grants
69
Total Given
$4.7M
Sharp Foundation
Wilmington, DE
SHARP FOUNDATION funds a mix of charitable organizations, including those focused on education, environmental learning and conservation, and community development, with the largest share of recent grants going to Delaware and Florida, followed by Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina. Its 2025 grants ranged from $75 to $15,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
61
Total Given
$145K
Ellice & Rosa McDonald Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The foundation supports Mid-Atlantic 501(c)(3) organizations across areas including education, social services, health, animal welfare, and cultural and environmental activities, with 85% of its 2025 grant dollars going to Delaware. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $127,980, with a median of $40,000. The filing lists a letter request and pamphlet as application materials and says awards are not limited to preselected organizations.
Assets
$29.1M
Grants
47
Total Given
$2.1M
Wakefield Family Fund Inc
Wilmington, DE
The Wakefield Family Fund supports a range of charitable organizations, including food, healthcare, religious, education, arts, and media organizations; its 2025 grants ranged from $60 to $11,500, with a median of $3,500. All 2025 grants went to recipients in Delaware, and the fund says it supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$453K
Grants
16
Total Given
$80K
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fair Play Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fair-play-foundation-morg_ca47de241db2427cb6722724357c4b66
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_516017779_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fair Play Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fair-play-foundation-morg_ca47de241db2427cb6722724357c4b66},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fair Play 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.
Fair Play Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?