Richard a Henson Foundation Inc

SALISBURY, MD EIN: 52-1642558 Website

Arts and culture Education Higher education Philanthropy Foundations

The Richard A. Henson Foundation is a private foundation based in Salisbury, Maryland, established in 1989 and funded in 1990. The foundation was created by the late Richard A. Henson, who founded Henson Aviation in 1962—the nation's first commuter airline service, which later became Piedmont Airlines. The foundation carries forward Henson's legacy of excellence and community commitment.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$36.7M

+2.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.4M

-33.2% YoY

Grant Count

+10.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$45K

-39.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard a Henson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Primary funding focus areas include:

Education
Science and technology programs
Human services
Philanthropy and voluntarism

Grantmaking

The foundation made 18 grants in 2024. The foundation also provides office space to other exempt organizations at minimal cost, below fair market value.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, with particular emphasis on the greater Salisbury, Maryland area and the Eastern Shore region.

Grant Distribution by State

Maryland $8.7M (96%)

Delaware $329K (4%)

Virginia $33K (0%)

States

Delaware Maryland Virginia

Cities

BaltimoreBerlinChanceDoverHagerstownHebronMaugansvilleParsonsburgPrincess AnneSalisburySelbyvilleWallops Island

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

Total Assets: $36,674,438
Total Revenue: $2,595,779
Total Expenses: $1,792,222
Total Liabilities: $3,970
Number of Employees: 1

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since February 1990 EIN: 52-1642558

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$36,674,438	$35,866,913	$35,731,783
Revenue	$2,595,779	$2,602,213	$1,460,819
Expenses	$1,792,222	$2,464,683	$1,953,038
Qualifying Distributions	$1,522,230	$2,230,611	$1,608,795
Net Investment Income	$2,367,641	$2,271,477	$1,248,922
Distributable Amount	$2,227,399	$1,992,488	$2,052,863

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

133 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wor Wic Community College Foundation ($400,000), Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore ($205,500), Delmarva Council Boy Scouts of America ($146,157).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$18,375
CHESAPEAKE HOUSING MISSION SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$25,000
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE EASTERN SHORE SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$205,500
DELMARVA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA DOVER, DE	SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN	$146,157
ELEVEN 21 INC EPOCH DREAM CENTER HEBRON, MD	OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES	$102,309
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WICOMICO COUNTY SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$11,000
HAITIAN DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF DELMARVA SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$25,000
HORIZONS DELMARVA SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$10,500
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE EASTERN SHORE SALISBURY, MD	CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND OPERATIONS	$30,000
LIFE CRISIS CENTER SALISBURY, MD	OPERATING EXPENSES	$1,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Executive Director: Stacey Bayline McMichael (appointed May 2021)

McMichael brings 9 years of experience working with local nonprofits, including TidalHealth Foundation and United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, plus over 20 years of small business ownership and management experience.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
STEPHEN R FARROW	TRUSTEE	2	—
SUSANNE A HOLLOWAY	VICE CHAIR/TREASURER	2	—
JON P SHERWELL	SECRETARY	2	—
THOMAS H EVANS	TRUSTEE	2	—
VICTOR H LAWS III	TRUSTEE	2	—
GREGORY J OLINDE	CHAIRMAN	2	—
CYNTHIA MACDONALD	TRUSTEE	2	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2025

**2025:** The foundation donated $1 million to support the creation of the grand meeting hall in the new Paul S. Sarbanes Library on Schumaker Pond in Wicomico, with the library expected to open in Summer 2027.

Women Supporting Women Receives Grant from Richard A. Henson Foundation

2025

**2025:** Women Supporting Women received a $30,000 grant to provide free services to those affected by breast cancer, with funds distributed over three years.

Women Supporting Women Receives Grant from Richard A. Henson Foundation

2024

**2024:** The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore announced the Feeding Our Neighbors Fund, backed by a $250,000 gift from the Richard A. Henson Foundation.

Women Supporting Women Receives Grant from Richard A. Henson Foundation

2017

**2017:** The foundation announced a $2.5 million gift for science and mathematics programs at Salisbury University.

Richard A. Henson Foundation Announces $2.5 Million Gift for SU Science and

2014

**2014:** The Richard A. Henson Foundation received the Salisbury University President's Distinguished Community Leadership Award.

Women Supporting Women Receives Grant from Richard A. Henson Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Arts and culture Education Higher education Philanthropy Foundations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Richard a Henson Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation's primary purpose is to enrich the quality of life, particularly in the greater Salisbury, Maryland area. The foundation's philosophy reflects Richard A. Henson's single goal: to excel in every endeavor, large and small. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Science and technology programs • Human services • Philanthropy and voluntarism

How do I apply for a grant from Richard a Henson Foundation Inc?

**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $446,667. **Recent Grants (2024):** • Wor-Wic Community College Foundation: $400,000 (Capital Campaign) • Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore: $205,500 (Operating Expenses) • HealthPort: $125,000 (Capital Campaign) • Women Supporting Women: $30,000 (distributed over three years) • Wicomico Public Library: $1,000,000 (toward the Paul S. Sarbanes Library meeting hall) **Total Giving:** $1,432,096 in 2024 The foundation made 18 grants in…

Where does Richard a Henson Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, with particular emphasis on the greater Salisbury, Maryland area and the Eastern Shore region.

What size grants does Richard a Henson Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Richard a Henson Foundation Inc awarded 32 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Richard a Henson Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Richard a Henson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Richard a Henson Foundation Inc's EIN?

Richard a Henson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1642558. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.