John M Bissell Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker Stowe, VT EIN: 26-1779455

John M Bissell Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.

Key facts about John M Bissell Foundation Inc

EIN: 26-1779455
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $26,002
Grants made (2024): 8
Average grant: $3,250
Median grant: $3,167
Total assets: $243,865
Primary geography: Vermont (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who John M Bissell Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for John M Bissell Foundation Inc's 8 itemized 2024 grants were Vermont (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Burlington, VT (2 grants) and Barre, VT (2 grants). None of its 8 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with John M Bissell Foundation Inc

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$244K

-2.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$26K

+25.1% YoY

Grant Count

+33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

-6.2% YoY

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.

About John M Bissell Foundation Inc

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Vermont $26K (100%)

Share of all 8 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Vermont

Cities

BarreBurlingtonStoweJohnsonGreensboroWaitsfieldBarnetBradfordBrandonCraftsburyE MontpelierEast Berkshire

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$243,865	$249,940	$254,317
Revenue	$29,045	$28,264	$20,760
Expenses	$35,120	$32,641	$34,846
Qualifying Distributions	$26,002	$20,791	$25,170
Net Investment Income	$20,165	$16,539	$8,971
Distributable Amount	$18,285	$17,224	$18,585

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

37 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Vermont Historical Society ($6,002 across 2 grants), Vermont Symphony Orchestra ($4,000), Vermont International Film Festival ($3,500).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Edward B French Jr Esq	President	1	—
Angela Norder CPA	Treasurer	1	—
Laurie Waterhouse	Director	1	—
Jennifer B Colin Esq	Director	0.5	—
Katie Reen	Executive Di	0.5	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is John M Bissell Foundation Inc?

John M Bissell Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Stowe, VT. It holds $244K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is John M Bissell Foundation Inc?

As of 2024, John M Bissell Foundation Inc holds $244K in total assets with $29K in annual revenue. It awarded 8 grants totaling $26K in 2024.

Where does John M Bissell Foundation Inc operate?

John M Bissell Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Vermont.

What size grants does John M Bissell Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, John M Bissell Foundation Inc awarded 8 grants totaling $26K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is John M Bissell Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, John M Bissell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $18K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.