The Barnwood Foundation is a private foundation established in 2007 and based in Katonah, New York. The foundation focuses on grantmaking in the areas of environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, and related philanthropic causes. The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not maintain a website.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
+8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$665K
+2.3% YoY
Grant Count
44
+2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-0.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barnwood Foundation reported a distributable amount of $714K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Barnwood Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to:
- Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture — Land conservation, organic farming, urban agriculture, and organizations that help farms adapt to climate change
- Animals and Wildlife — Organizations that promote the humane treatment of animals and those that train and place service animals
- Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services — Additional focus areas identified in tax filings
- Public and Reproductive Health — Recent giving has also addressed these areas
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $150,000.
How to Apply
** The foundation lacks transparency regarding its grantmaking priorities and application procedures. It prefers to seek out and identify its own grantees rather than accept unsolicited proposals, making it a less accessible funder for organizations seeking grants.
Ready to take the next step with The Barnwood Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in:
- Connecticut
- New York
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $10,989,868
- Total Revenues: $1,424,347
- Total Expenses: $730,693
- Total Giving: $665,000
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $11,967,079
- Total Giving: $665,000
The foundation's revenue includes investment income and dividends ($264,468 in 2023) and gains from the sale of non-inventory assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,967,079 | $10,989,868 | $10,290,312 |
| Revenue | $1,632,039 | $1,424,347 | $782,517 |
| Expenses | $770,300 | $730,693 | $742,241 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $665,000 | $650,000 | $698,227 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,585,347 | $1,370,279 | $731,353 |
| Distributable Amount | $713,728 | $627,368 | $649,486 |
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
220 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Johns Hopkins Development and Alumni Relations ($150,000), World Central Kitchen ($45,000), Planned Parenthood Federation of America ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABBEY OF REGINA LAUDIS BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $30,000 |
| ALI FORNEY CENTER NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| AMERICA-ISRAEL NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| ASPCA WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $20,000 |
| BETHLEHEM AMBULANCE BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| BETHLEHEM ASSISTANCE FUND BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| BETHLEHEM CONSERVATION COMMISSION BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| BETHLEHEM FUEL BANK BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| BETHLEHEM LAND TRUST BETHLEHEM, CT | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders: Michael G. Barnes and Lisa Underwood
Michael G. Barnes — Financier and founder. He holds an A.B. from Columbia College and has overseen various credit trading strategies at UBS, PaineWebber, and Bear Stearns. In 2003, he became a founding partner of Tricadia Holdings, LP, a privately held company providing investment management services, where he serves as chairman.
The couple maintains a low profile in their philanthropic activities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL G BARNES | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| LISA UNDERWOOD | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Barnwood Foundation fund?
The Barnwood Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to: • **Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture** — Land conservation, organic farming, urban agriculture, and organizations that help farms adapt to climate change • **Animals and Wildlife** — Organizations that promote the humane treatment of animals and those that train and place service animals • **Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services** — Additional focus areas identified in tax fili…
How do I apply for a grant from The Barnwood Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $150,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** According to 2023 tax filings, the foundation made 46 grants totaling approximately $665,000 in annual giving. **Recent Grantees Include:** • World Central Kitchen ($40,000) • Bethlehem Land Trust ($35,000) • Farm Forward ($25,000) • ASPCA • Freedom Service Dogs • Council on the Environment • Glen Highland Farms (Morris, New York) **Application Process:** The foundation lacks transparency regarding its gra…
Where does The Barnwood Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in: • Connecticut • New York • District of Columbia
What size grants does The Barnwood Foundation award?
In 2024, The Barnwood Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $665K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Barnwood Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Barnwood Foundation reported a distributable amount of $714K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Barnwood Foundation's EIN?
The Barnwood Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-7409517. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Barnwood Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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