The Gilliam Foundation
The Gilliam Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Established in 1998 as a family foundation, it provides financial resources to nonprofits for projects intended to improve lives and create equitable opportunities, primarily in Delaware.
The Gilliam Foundation at a glance
In short: The Gilliam Foundation gave $190K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Delaware. 83% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $190,000
- +18.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +200.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,833
- -60.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $4,099,283
- +0.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 83% first-time grantees (10 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Delaware (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Gilliam Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The website currently says applications are not being accepted. The filing describes submitting an application through the foundation’s website with the need, intended use of the requested funds, and program co-funders.
- Review Cycle
- The listed November 15, 2024 deadline is past. The website says the submission tab will reopen in 2026 but gives no specific date.
- Deadline
- The listed November 15, 2024 deadline is past.
- Contact
Application contact: Patrice Gilliam Johnson
Mailing address: PO Box 2364, Wilmington, DE 19899
Phone: (302) 888-2211
Website: HTTP://WWW.THEGILLIAMFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Gilliam Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Braven Inc ($30K). Together the top 10 received $175K.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 33 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its proposals are intended to enhance quality of life primarily for Delawareans. In 2025, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Delaware and 8% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Gilliam Foundation open to new grantees?
83%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 12 grantees (83%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 0% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2021) to $200K (2022). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $190K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Braven Inc Wilmington, DE | Expanding Economic Opporturnity | $30,000 |
| United Way of Delaware Wilmington, DE | Get Delaware Reading | $25,000 |
| Cab Calloway Fund Wilmington, DE | Cross Cultural Curriculm | $20,000 |
| Edge for Tomorrow Wilmington, DE | After School Enrichment Program | $20,000 |
| First State Educate Wilmington, DE | Ambassador Program | $20,000 |
| Delaware Academy of Vocal Arts Wilmington, DE | Elevate Vocal Arts Summer Institute | $15,000 |
| Reading Assist Wilmington, DE | High Impact Tutoring | $15,000 |
| Family Counseling Center Wilmington, DE | Amanecer Counseling & Resource Center | $10,000 |
| Network Delaware Wilmington, DE | Social Good Development | $10,000 |
| Northbay Education Inc North East, MD | Outdoor Learning | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Gilliam Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,099,283 | $307,398 | $293,004 | $190,000 | 12 | $243,716 | $261,048 | $240,184 |
| 2024 | $4,084,889 | $156,889 | $266,147 | $160,000 | 4 | $217,115 | $111,210 | $225,198 |
| 2023 | $4,194,147 | $107,720 | $276,252 | $179,860 | 7 | $233,062 | $76,391 | $217,245 |
| 2022 | $4,362,679 | $353,564 | $325,000 | $200,000 | 5 | $254,711 | $287,806 | $245,616 |
| 2021 | $4,334,115 | $797,713 | $223,056 | $125,000 | 5 | — | $750,033 | $227,217 |
| 2020 | $3,759,458 | $115,697 | $282,774 | $185,000 | 5 | — | $62,984 | $218,041 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gilliam Foundation reported a distributable amount of $240K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its mission as improving quality of life and promoting equitable opportunities and outcomes for historically marginalized communities, primarily in Delaware. Its stated interests include opportunity and access to quality education, cultural arts, and services that enhance family well-being. It favors proactive, preventative, and future-thinking proposals that create positive outcomes. Its website says grants are generally short-term, usually for one year, though organizations may apply in a following year for the same program.
Recent grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. United Way of Delaware says its mission is to maximize community resources to improve the quality of life of Delawareans. EDGE For Tomorrow describes its work as culturally responsive enrichment for at-risk and underserved youth, including academic support, social-emotional learning, and STEAM activities. First State Educate says it works to equip school boards with resources to support thriving schools and student success. West End Neighborhood House describes outcomes-driven programming to help people achieve self-sufficiency, while Network Delaware says its mission is to activate change agents. NorthBay Education says it provides transformative educational and retreat experiences focused on people’s impact on their lives, communities, and the environment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $190,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $30,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $30,000 to Braven Inc. for “Expanding Economic Opportunity,” $25,000 to United Way of Delaware for “Get Delaware Reading,” and $20,000 each to Cab Calloway Fund, Edge for Tomorrow, and First State Educate for cultural curriculum, after-school enrichment, and an ambassador program, respectively. Other 2025 grantees included Delaware Academy of Vocal Arts, Reading Assist, Family Counseling Center, Network Delaware, NorthBay Education, West End Neighborhood House, and Rob’s Barber Shop Community Foundation.
The foundation’s website requires organizations to have IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Its filing describes an application submitted through the foundation’s website that explains the need, planned use of funds, and program co-funders; it lists no restrictions on awards. The website lists a November 15, 2024 submission deadline, which is a past application cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Patrice Gilliam-Johnson as president, Alexis R. Gilliam-Lerner as secretary, Leslie B. Gilliam as treasurer, Bernard Fisher as assistant treasurer, Cydney Teal as vice president, and Micah Johnson as an officer.
The Gilliam Foundation is led by Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, President on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patrice Gilliam-Johnson
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2025)
Alexis R. Gilliam-Lerner
Secretary
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2025)
Bernard Fisher
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $9K (2025)
Cydney Teal
Vice President
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2025)
Leslie B. Gilliam
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
9 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2025)
Micah Johnson
Officer
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $6K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $9K, to Bernard Fisher (Assistant Treasurer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Gilliam Foundation
How much does The Gilliam Foundation give each year?
The Gilliam Foundation gave $190K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $160K across 4 grants.
What is The Gilliam Foundation's typical grant size?
The Gilliam Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,833, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Gilliam Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does The Gilliam Foundation give grants?
The Gilliam Foundation gives mostly in Delaware: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilmington, DE (10 grants).
Does The Gilliam Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Gilliam Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Gilliam Foundation's largest grantees?
The Gilliam Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Braven Inc ($30,000), United Way of Delaware ($25,000) and Cab Calloway Fund ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Gilliam Foundation?
The Gilliam Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $244K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $240K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Gilliam Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its mission as improving quality of life and promoting equitable opportunities and outcomes for historically marginalized communities, primarily in Delaware. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Gilliam Foundation?
The website currently says applications are not being accepted. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Gilliam Foundation's EIN?
The Gilliam Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0386285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gilliam Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Longwood Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Longwood Foundation supports nonprofit organizations across sectors, funding operating, program, and capital requests that strengthen their work and impact. Recent average awards are $250,000–$400,000, with requests capped at $2 million; it serves Delaware and the area within four miles of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. It accepts online grant requests, with Spring and Fall deadlines of March 1 and September 1.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
94
Total Given
$40.8M
Crestlea Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Crestlea Foundation supports nonprofits working in social services, education, health care, arts and culture, the environment, housing, and civic causes, primarily in Delaware and parts of southeastern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Its typical grant is about $15,000, with recent awards ranging from $4,250 to $50,000. It accepts applications, but organizations must first meet with foundation staff and receive an access code; annual applications are due January 15.
Assets
$21.7M
Grants
65
Total Given
$1.0M
Welfare Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Welfare Foundation Inc. primarily funds capital projects in social services, housing, health, education, environment, civic work, and arts and humanities in Delaware and southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. It gives about $5 million annually; recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online system, but applicants must first meet with Foundation staff.
Assets
$106.7M
Grants
69
Total Given
$4.7M
Delaware Community Foundation Inc
Wilmington, DE
Delaware Community Foundation supports nonprofits and students addressing community needs in Delaware, including community-impact projects, capital improvements, and scholarships. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $21,500, though awards varied widely. Applicants are directed to apply through the relevant program’s online portal; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$392.5M
Grants
323
Total Given
$20.4M
Laffey-McHugh Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Laffey-McHugh Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing poverty and community needs, including food access, housing, education, youth development, and health, primarily in underserved communities in Delaware. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $150,000, with a median of $20,000. It accepts applications through an online portal in two annual cycles; applicants may request an application through its website.
Assets
$66.1M
Grants
153
Total Given
$3.7M
Incyte Charitable Giving Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Incyte Charitable Giving Foundation supports Delaware nonprofits providing cancer-patient and family resources or other community services for people in need. Its typical grant was $10,000 in 2025, though awards ranged from $1,500 to $400,000. It accepts electronic applications; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$12K
Grants
54
Total Given
$1.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Gilliam Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-gilliam-foundation-morg_334699a9c9be4b82be77e80379eee94a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510386285_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Gilliam Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-gilliam-foundation-morg_334699a9c9be4b82be77e80379eee94a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Gilliam Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Gilliam Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?