The Shames Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilton, Connecticut. Established in 1998, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on philanthropic grantmaking to support charitable causes across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
-3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$389K
+53.8% YoY
Grant Count
38
-13.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+78.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Community Health
- Children's Services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$2,500
Average Grant
$5,400–$7,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Connecticut
- New York
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,486,071
- Total Giving: $389,255
- Total Revenues: $248,689
- Total Expenses: $409,779
- Investment Income and Dividends: $149,625
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $99,064
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Revenues: $230,931
- Investment Income and Dividends: $136,308
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,486,071 | $4,647,161 | $4,705,509 |
| Revenue | $248,689 | $231,124 | $259,819 |
| Expenses | $409,779 | $276,072 | $300,727 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $390,753 | $255,665 | $282,620 |
| Net Investment Income | $232,794 | $214,164 | $243,712 |
| Distributable Amount | $318,513 | $308,023 | $347,349 |
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
165 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key individuals associated with the foundation include:
- Ervin R. Shames – Trustee and primary supporter
- Louise G Shames – Trustee
- Allyson Robyn Shames – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERVIN R SHAMES | Trustee | — | — |
| LOUISE G SHAMES | Trustee | — | — |
| ALLYSON ROBYN SHAMES | Trustee | — | — |
| STEVEN SHAMES | Trustee | — | — |
| SARA SHAMES | Trustee | — | — |
| CURTIS ARGO | Trustee | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 35 Mollbrook Dr, Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: 203-762-0298 (or 203-762-1205)
EIN: 06-1520789
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Assets
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Grants
7
Total Given
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Assets
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Total Given
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Alderman Family Foundation
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Total Given
$650
Calf Island Foundation
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Assets
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Grants
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Total Given
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Russel R Taylor Foundation
GREENWICH, CT
Assets
$2.6M
Grants
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Total Given
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Nancy a Larson Foundation Inc
OLD LYME, CT
Assets
$9K
Grants
8
Total Given
$12K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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