John M Bissell Foundation Inc
John M Bissell Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Stowe, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $244K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $20K.
John M Bissell Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: John M Bissell Foundation Inc gave $26K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Vermont. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,002
- +25.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,250
- -6.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,167
- Total assets
- $243,865
- -2.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Vermont (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who John M Bissell Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Vermont Historical Society ($6K across 2 grants). Together the top 7 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 37 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John M Bissell Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2020) to $26K (2024). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $26K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Symphony Orchestra Burlington, VT | Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival | $4,000 |
| Vermont International Film Festival Burlington, VT | 2024 Vtiff Film Festival | $3,500 |
| The Current Stowe, VT | Video Projection Equipment | $3,500 |
| Vermont Historical Society Barre, VT | PBS Documentary Film Project | $3,333 |
| Bradford Teen Center Bradford, VT | Computers for Filmmaking Program | $3,000 |
| Vermont Studio Center Johnson, VT | Residency Program | $3,000 |
| Missisquoi River Bason Assoc East Berkshire, VT | Conservation Documentary Project | $3,000 |
| Vermont Historical Society Barre, VT | Digitizing VT-Based Films | $2,669 |
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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 | $243,865 | $29,045 | $35,120 | $26,002 | 8 | $26,002 | $20,165 | $18,285 |
| 2023 | $249,940 | $28,264 | $32,641 | $20,791 | 6 | $20,791 | $16,539 | $17,224 |
| 2022 | $254,317 | $20,760 | $34,846 | $25,170 | 8 | $25,170 | $8,971 | $18,585 |
| 2021 | $268,403 | $31,999 | $25,066 | $18,700 | 8 | $18,700 | $25,633 | $20,789 |
| 2020 | $261,470 | $25,910 | $27,499 | $18,570 | 7 | — | $16,981 | $19,153 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John M Bissell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $18K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
John M Bissell Foundation Inc is led by Edward B. French Jr. Esq., President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Edward B. French Jr. Esq.
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer B. Colin Esq.
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Waterhouse
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Norder CPA
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Reen
Executive Di
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
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.
Frequently asked questions about John M Bissell Foundation Inc
How much does John M Bissell Foundation Inc give each year?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc gave $26K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $21K across 6 grants.
What is John M Bissell Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $3,167, and its average grant was $3,250, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John M Bissell Foundation Inc give grants?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc gives mostly in Vermont: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (2 grants) and Barre, VT (2 grants).
Does John M Bissell Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on John M Bissell Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are John M Bissell Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Vermont Historical Society ($6,002 across 2 grants), Vermont Symphony Orchestra ($4,000) and Vermont International Film Festival ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John M Bissell Foundation Inc?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc reported $244K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $26K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is John M Bissell Foundation Inc's EIN?
John M Bissell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1779455. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work John M Bissell Foundation Inc funds
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