Otto H York Foundation Inc
Otto H York Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Providence, Rhode Island. The foundation was established to support charitable causes and has been tax-exempt since June 1986. The foundation relocated to Rhode Island in 2011 following a strategic planning process to reestablish its mission and focus.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.0M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$245K
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
13
-7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+6.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Otto H York Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $366K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to help young people develop as creative thinkers and doers, and to encourage them to make their mark on the world. This is accomplished by working with community partners who activate the imagination of young people and support them as they envision and define their futures.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $50,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Rhode Island, California, and Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of February 2024:
- Total Assets: $5,942,263
- Total Revenue: $357,519
- Total Expenses: $392,524
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $247,000
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,044,996 | $5,942,263 | $6,070,601 |
| Revenue | $425,029 | $357,519 | $529,161 |
| Expenses | $398,200 | $392,524 | $388,371 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $337,304 | $336,687 | $351,719 |
| Net Investment Income | $373,955 | $304,068 | $485,954 |
| Distributable Amount | $365,542 | $334,501 | $333,445 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
65 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include As220 ($25,000), Community Music Works ($25,000), Gamm Theatre ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AS220 Providence, RI | Education | $25,000 |
| Aurea Providence, RI | Education | $10,000 |
| Camfed San Francisco, CA | Education | $15,000 |
| Community Music Works Providence, RI | Arts/Culture | $25,000 |
| DownCity Design Providence, RI | Education | $5,000 |
| Gamm Theatre Warwick, RI | Arts/Culture | $25,000 |
| Generation Citizen Providence, RI | Education | $25,000 |
| New Urban Arts Providence, RI | Arts/Culture | $25,000 |
| Planned Parenthood SENE Providence, RI | Health/Welfare | $25,000 |
| Sequiland Institute Georgetown, ME | Education | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Otto H. York was a distinguished chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who founded the Otto H. York Company in 1947. He was an alumnus of Purdue University and a long-time benefactor of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he established an endowment for scholarships and faculty research. York passed away in 2007.
His daughter, Myrth York (former Rhode Island State Senator), took over the foundation after her father's death and oversaw its relocation to Rhode Island and the completion of its strategic long-term plan in 2011.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrth York | President | — | — |
| Amy Gabarra | Trustee | — | $1,000 |
| Deborah M Brayton | Trustee | — | $66,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Otto H York Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to help young people develop as creative thinkers and doers, and to encourage them to make their mark on the world. This is accomplished by working with community partners who activate the imagination of young people and support them as they envision and define their futures. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from Otto H York Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $50,000. **Recent Activity:** According to the most recent Form 990 filing (fiscal year ending February 2024), the foundation distributed $247,000 in grants. **Grant Recipients:** The foundation supports organizations including: • College Visions • Inspiring Minds • Breakthrough Providence • Trinity Repertory Company • Youth in Action • New Urban Arts • Junior Achievement • City Year • Everett Company Stage & School
Where does Otto H York Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Rhode Island, California, and Maine.
What size grants does Otto H York Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Otto H York Foundation Inc awarded 13 grants totaling $245K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Otto H York Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Otto H York Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $366K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Otto H York Foundation Inc's EIN?
Otto H York Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-5154083. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Otto H York Foundation Inc'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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