The Barker Welfare Foundation logo

The Barker Welfare Foundation

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL EIN: 36-6018526 Website

The Barker Welfare Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Established in 1934, the foundation evolved from the Barker Annuity Fund, which was created in 1924 following the sale of the Haskell-Barker Car Company to the Pullman Company. The foundation operates with the involvement of numerous Barker-Hickox heirs and provides grants to qualified charitable organizations.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$1.8M

-18.9% YoY

Grant Count

167

-17.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

-1.4% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The mission of the Barker Welfare Foundation is to make grants to qualified charitable organizations whose initiatives improve the quality of life, with an emphasis on strengthening youth and families, reflecting the philanthropy of Catherine Barker Hickox, the founder.

The foundation considers grant applications from institutions and agencies operating in the following fields:

  • Health and welfare
  • Education
  • Cultural activities
  • Civic affairs
  • Youth and family services
  • Child welfare and youth agencies
  • Health services and rehabilitation
  • Aid to the handicapped
  • Family planning
  • Libraries
  • Environmental programs
  • Recreation
  • Programs for the elderly
  • Museums and fine and performing arts

Grantmaking

The foundation made 322 grants in its most recent reporting year. Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $50,000, with a median grant size of approximately $13,000.

Grant Range

of approximately $13,000.

How to Apply

**

Ready to take the next step with The Barker Welfare Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily serves:

  • New York City (the five boroughs only)
  • Michigan City, Indiana

The foundation also supports organizations across multiple states including Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, and South Carolina, as well as major urban areas including Chicago and Washington DC.

Grant Distribution by State

18states
+10 more states

Cities

AIKENALBUQUERQUEBAYSIDEBELLMOREBERRIEN SPRINGSBEWSTERBOCA RATONBOSTONBREWSTERBRONXBROOKLYNCHARLESTONCHICAGOCOCONUT CREEKCORONA PARKCOS COBDANBURYDEERFIELDDURHAMFARMINGTON

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2024:

  • Total Assets: $104,073,946
  • Total Revenue: $4,872,089
  • Total Expenses: $3,803,483
  • Net Income: $1,068,606
  • Total Liabilities: $0

As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2023:

  • Total Assets: $93,200,855
  • Total Revenue: $3,077,555
  • Total Expenses: $4,175,155
  • Total Giving: $1,848,531

The foundation has been tax-exempt since June 1935.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$4M$5M322 grants2020237 grants2021212 grants2022203 grants2023167 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

TOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITE…$35KPLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ME…$25KTOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITE…$25KTOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITE…$20KCHICAGO YOUTH CENTERS$20KBIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS…$15KART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO$15KYWCA OF METROPOLITAN CHI…$15KHOUSING OPPORTUNITIES & …$14KPROJECT LIFT INC$13K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

250<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from The Barker Welfare Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board and Staff:

  • Danielle H. Moore – President and Director
  • Alline Matheson – 1st Vice President and Director
  • Frances B. Hickox – 2nd Vice President and Director
  • Betsy L. Turner – Treasurer and Director
  • Sarane R. O'Connor – Secretary and Director
  • Susan M. DeMaio – Assistant Secretary and Executive Director (compensated staff member)
  • Alexander B. Ross – Director
  • Sarane H. Ross – Director
  • Stephen B. Ross – Director
  • Walter L. Ross III – Director
  • James A. B. Hickox – Director
  • Frances H. Barker – Director

The foundation employs 4 staff members.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

SUSAN M DEMAIOASST. SECRETARY, EXECUTIVE D…$346K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DANIELLE H MOOREPRESIDENT, DIRECTOR1
ALLINE MATHESON1ST VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR1
FRANCES B HICKOX2ND VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR1
BETSY L TURNERTREASURER, DIRECTOR1
SARANE R O'CONNORSECRETARY, DIRECTOR1
SUSAN M DEMAIOASST. SECRETARY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR40$345,838
ALEXANDER B ROSSDIRECTOR1
SARANE H ROSSDIRECTOR1
STEPHEN B ROSSDIRECTOR1
WALTER L ROSS IIIDIRECTOR1
JAMES A B HICKOXDIRECTOR1
FRANCES H BARKERDIRECTOR1
THORNTON MATHESONDIRECTOR1
ADAM WAWRYNEKDIRECTOR1

Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 31432 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Phone: +1 (561) 677-9119

Website: www.barkerwelfare.org

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with The Barker Welfare Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities