Polaris Foundation Inc
Polaris Foundation Inc was a private foundation based in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Its 2021 filing states that the foundation had dissolved and donated its remaining assets to various charities. Its reported 2021 giving supported charitable organizations working in areas including human welfare, child welfare, medical care, and animal welfare.
Polaris Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Polaris Foundation Inc gave $310K across 25 grants in 2021 (avg $12K), top state New York. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $310,150
- +2607.6% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 25
- +127.3% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $12,406
- +1091.3% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Primary geography
- New York (35% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Polaris Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 16 Frost Pond Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452
Phone: (603) 532-5907
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Polaris Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 46 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (35%), the District of Columbia (15%), California (11%), Florida (10%), and Arkansas (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2019) to $310K (2021). In 2021 it made 25 grants totaling $310K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 25 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $310,150 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2021 grant total covered 25 grants; the 2020 grant total covered 11 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $150,153 | $326,271 | $310,150 | 25 | $310,150 | $146,707 |
| 2020 | $176,118 | $41,435 | $14,078 | $11,455 | 11 | — | $31,136 |
| 2019 | $148,761 | $5,945 | $17,706 | $10,450 | 10 | — | $5,664 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2021 grants included support for organizations focused on human and child welfare, medical care, and animal welfare. For example, the Animal Welfare Institute says it works to alleviate animal suffering and improve animal welfare; Guardians of Rescue describes work on animal abuse, rescue, and disaster response; and Feed the Children says it works to end child hunger by providing food, essentials, and opportunities.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $310,150. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $40,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable recipients included an individual recipient ($40,000), Food for the Poor ($30,000), Animal Welfare Institute ($25,000), Heifer International ($25,000), Guardians of Rescue ($25,000), Doctors Without Borders ($20,000), Last Chance for Animals ($20,000), and Feed the Children ($20,000).
The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of supported work. Food for the Poor describes serving materially poor people through local churches and community leaders. Last Chance for Animals says it works to end animal abuse and exploitation through education, outreach, and investigations. Paws With A Cause says it transforms lives and strengthens communities through custom-trained working dogs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing listed Perrylin McKelvie as president and William Johnson, Myles M. Dryden, Allison DiLanni, Alan Z. Shulman, and Kathleen Shulman as directors.
Polaris Foundation Inc is led by Perrylin R McKelvie, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 6 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Perrylin R McKelvie
President
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Z. Shulman
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Dilanni
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Shulman
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myles M. Dryden
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Johnson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "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 Polaris Foundation Inc
How much does Polaris Foundation Inc give each year?
Polaris Foundation Inc gave $310K across 25 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $11K across 11 grants.
What is Polaris Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Polaris Foundation Inc's median grant in 2021 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,406, across 25 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Polaris Foundation Inc give grants?
Polaris Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (15%) and California (11%).
Does Polaris Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Polaris Foundation Inc's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Animal Welfare" (13 grants) and "Human Welfare" (10 grants).
What does Polaris Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2021 grants included support for organizations focused on human and child welfare, medical care, and animal welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Polaris Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Polaris Foundation Inc's EIN?
Polaris Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4012835. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Does Polaris Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work Polaris Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Polaris Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Polaris Foundation Inc'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.
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