The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation
The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation is a private independent foundation established on December 28, 1968, by Alfred and Mary (Polly) Douty. Based in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, the foundation operated as a grantmaking organization for over 50 years before sunsetting at the end of 2021. The foundation was known for supporting grassroots organizations and movements working for social change in the Philadelphia region.
Financial Overview
From 2022 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+70.6% YoY
Grant Count
49
-31.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+150.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Douty Foundation is to foster equitable opportunities for children and youth by supporting organizations that demonstrate a commitment to community engagement, education, and grassroots leadership.
The foundation's funding priorities centered on:
- Organizations lacking vast resources and contacts
- Smaller organizations where foundation support could make meaningful impact
- Grassroots groups working for racial, economic, and gender justice
- Community organizing and advocacy
- Education initiatives
Grantmaking
In April 2020, the foundation released $1.5 million in emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 crisis, representing more than 25% of its investment corpus at that time. This funding supported both nonprofit organizations in its grantmaking portfolio and two local relief funds providing rental assistance and cash support for workers excluded from federal stimulus and unemployment compensation programs.
Grant Range
$20,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation limited its grantmaking to Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, with a particular focus on grassroots organizations in the Philadelphia region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Final Year (2022):
- Total Assets: $0
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Revenue: -$194,000
- Expenses: $2.85 million
Historical Assets:
- Approximately $3 million in assets reported in final years of operation
| Metric | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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 2022
Grant Size Distribution
149 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2022 grants, the largest include Bread and Roses Community Fund ($884,051), Centro De Clutura Arte Tragajo Y Educacion (ccate) ($200,000), Pa Domestic Workers Alliance ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CENTRO DE CLUTURA ARTE TRAGAJO Y EDUCACION (CCATE) NORRISTOWN, PA | DOUTY LEGACY GRANT TO INVEST IN TRAINING FOR MEMBERS, TO INVEST IN THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURES-BENCHES, BULLETIN STRUCTURES TO DISPLAY ARTWORK, COMMUNITY GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE. | $200,000 |
| MODER PATSHALA PHILADELPHIA, PA | DOUTY LEGACY GRANT TO HELP THE ORGANIZATION MOVE INTO A LARGER LOCATION. | $50,000 |
| PA DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE PHILADELPHIA, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| PA DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE PHILADELPHIA, PA | DOUTY LEGACY GRANT TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM | $200,000 |
| NEW LEASH ON LIFE USA NARBERTH, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| HEALTHY NEWSWORKS DREXEL HILL, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| EDUCATION VOTERS OF PA PHILADELPHIA, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $24,000 |
| ARDELLA'S HOUSE PHILADELPHIA, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| PAR-RECYCLE WORKS PHILADELPHIA, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| WELCOMING THE STRANGER LANGHORNE, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $13,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members (as of 2022):
- Nancy Kirby (Chair, Board of Directors)
- Thomas B Harvey, Esq. (Treasurer, Board of Directors)
- Judith L Bardes (Board Member)
- Carrolle Perry Devonish (Board Member)
- Peter Gonzales, Esq. (Board Member)
- Elbert Sampson (Board Member)
- Ludy Soderman (Board Member)
Staff:
- Jennifer Leith (Executive Director)
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
From 2022 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUDITH L BARDES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| THOMAS B HARVEY ESQ | ESQ., TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 1 | — |
| NANCY KIRBY | CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 1 | — |
| CARROLLE PERRY DEVONISH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PETER GONZALES ESQ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ELBERT SAMPSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LUDY SODERMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Sunset Decision:**
In August 2020, the Douty Foundation announced plans to sunset, with the intention to spend out remaining assets to entities similarly aligned with its mission to advance economic, racial, and gender justice in the Philadelphia region.
Douty Foundation releases $1.5 million in emergency funding amid COVID-19**Final Grants and Closure:**
In November 2021, the foundation announced its final legacy grants totaling $2.2 million distributed across nine local organizations. The foundation's sunset plan was approved by the Orphan's Court of Delaware County, and the foundation permanently closed at the end of 2021.
Douty Foundation releases $1.5 million in emergency funding amid COVID-19**Legacy:**
The foundation transferred its remaining assets (approximately $1 million) to Bread & Roses Community Fund, an organization described as a sibling organization that had been funded by Douty for over 50 years. This transfer ensured the foundation's mission of supporting grassroots organizing for racial, social, and economic justice would continue through an aligned organization.
Douty Foundation releases $1.5 million in emergency funding amid COVID-19Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation fund?
The mission of the Douty Foundation is to foster equitable opportunities for children and youth by supporting organizations that demonstrate a commitment to community engagement, education, and grassroots leadership. The foundation's funding priorities centered on: • Organizations lacking vast resources and contacts • Smaller organizations where foundation support could make meaningful impact • Grassroots groups working for racial, economic, and gender justice • Community organizing and advocacy
How do I apply for a grant from The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Median grant size: $20,000 • Grant range: $5,000 to $884,000 • Made 49 grants in the final year of operation **Recent Grantmaking Activity:** In April 2020, the foundation released $1.5 million in emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 crisis, representing more than 25% of its investment corpus at that time. This funding supported both nonprofit organizations in its grantmaking portfolio and two local relief funds providing rental assistance and cash support …
Where does The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation make grants?
The foundation limited its grantmaking to Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania, with a particular focus on grassroots organizations in the Philadelphia region.
What size grants does The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation award?
In 2022, The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $57K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation's EIN?
The Alfred and Mary Douty Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3309525. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
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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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