The Choptank Foundation
The Choptank Foundation is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $9.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $460K. Net investment income was $876K.
The Choptank Foundation at a glance
In short: The Choptank Foundation gave $460K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $230K), mostly in Delaware. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $460,000
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $230,000
- +42.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $230,000
- Total assets
- $9,285,472
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Delaware (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Choptank Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Biggs Museum of American Art ($450K). Together the top 2 received $460K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 14 (29%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Choptank Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $77K (2022) to $505K (2021). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $460K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Biggs Museum of American Art Dover, DE | To Support the Museum's Exhibitions. | $450,000 |
| Delaware Art Mueseum Wilmington, DE | To Support the Museum's Exhibitions. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,285,472 | $953,845 | $545,114 | $460,000 | 2 | $461,593 | $876,324 | $506,240 |
| 2023 | $8,876,741 | $577,668 | $561,144 | $485,622 | 3 | $487,236 | $509,760 | $455,176 |
| 2022 | $8,860,217 | $130,527 | $157,758 | $77,000 | 2 | $478,534 | $57,915 | $484,923 |
| 2021 | $9,287,448 | $880,602 | $1,001,079 | $505,000 | 3 | $506,602 | $800,605 | $537,913 |
| 2020 | $9,007,925 | $691,311 | $440,079 | $454,900 | 4 | — | $617,684 | $458,926 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Choptank Foundation reported a distributable amount of $506K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Choptank Foundation is led by Michael Ratchford, Trustee & President Part-Ti on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michael Ratchford
Trustee & President Part-Ti
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn C. Kenton
Trustee & Vice President Pa
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas R. Pulsifer
Trustee, Secretary & Treasurer Part-
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Choptank Foundation
How much does The Choptank Foundation give each year?
The Choptank Foundation gave $460K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $486K across 3 grants.
How large is The Choptank Foundation?
The Choptank Foundation reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $462K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $506K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does The Choptank Foundation operate?
The Choptank Foundation has awarded grants in Delaware.
What is The Choptank Foundation's EIN?
The Choptank Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6019601. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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