John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation
The John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Established in 1956, the foundation supports museums, arts organizations, and educational institutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$985K
+18.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$108K
-10.3% YoY
Grant Count
44
-6.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
-4.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $149K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Museums and arts organizations
- Education
- Arts and culture (including film and video)
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants to support its stated focus areas, with recent activity documented in 2024 IRS filings.
Grant Range
$500–$11,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has funded organizations in Illinois, Maine, and New York, though its primary location is Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024):
- Total assets: $984,687
- Total giving: $107,625
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $984,687 | $831,553 | $881,872 |
| Revenue | $420,218 | $96,622 | $62,373 |
| Expenses | $137,826 | $148,392 | $184,125 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $109,506 | $122,998 | $148,339 |
| Net Investment Income | $259,099 | $71,228 | $26,587 |
| Distributable Amount | $149,032 | $122,416 | $122,049 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Animal Humane Association of New Mexico ($10,000), Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Pka Candy ($5,250), Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity ($5,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNT DESERT ISLAND SALISBURY COVE, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| ISLAND CONNECTIONS BAR HARBOR, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION SILVER SPRINGS, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,167 |
| ROCKEND INC NE HARBOR, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,333 |
| SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO TRENTON, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,375 |
| ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS AN INITIATIVE MOUNT DESERT, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ACADIA WILDLIFE FOUNDATION MT DESERT, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MAINE PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ARTIST ORGANIZED ART INC WEST HATFIELD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| EMILY HARVEY FOUNDATION OLD SAYBROOK, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERONICA WILDING-WHITE WINTERS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HEATHER J WILDING | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SUMNER B TILTON JR | POWER OF ATTORNEY | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 100 Front St Fl 5 Worcester, MA 01608-1425
Phone: 508-459-8000
Website: Fletchertilton.com
EIN: 04-6026914
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Museums and arts organizations • Education • Arts and culture (including film and video)
How do I apply for a grant from John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation?
**Financial Profile:** • Total assets: $984,687 • Total annual giving: $107,625 • Typical grant range: $500–$11,000 The foundation distributes grants to support its stated focus areas, with recent activity documented in 2024 IRS filings.
Where does John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation make grants?
The foundation has funded organizations in Illinois, Maine, and New York, though its primary location is Massachusetts.
What size grants does John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation award?
In 2024, John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $108K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $149K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation's EIN?
John W and Clara C Higgins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6026914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John W and Clara C Higgins 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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