The Highstead Fund Inc
The Highstead Fund Inc is a private foundation, based in Palm Beach, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $41.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $2.0M. Net investment income was $2.3M.
The Highstead Fund Inc at a glance
In short: The Highstead Fund Inc gave $2.0M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $2.0M), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,000,000
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,000,000
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000,000
- Total assets
- $41,681,896
- +4.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Highstead Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Highstead Foundation Inc ($2.0M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The Highstead Fund Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+14%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2021) to $2.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Highstead Foundation Inc Redding, CT | Research & Education | $2,000,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,681,896 | $2,553,870 | $2,266,508 | $2,000,000 | 1 | $2,000,000 | $2,312,955 | $1,980,440 |
| 2024 | $39,859,239 | $2,274,364 | $1,916,873 | $1,675,000 | 1 | $1,675,000 | $1,928,212 | $1,740,831 |
| 2023 | $35,038,060 | $3,449,200 | $1,834,669 | $1,650,000 | 1 | $1,650,000 | $1,623,859 | $1,561,764 |
| 2022 | $31,269,511 | $-569,525 | $1,994,949 | $1,750,000 | 1 | $1,750,000 | $132,398 | $1,649,234 |
| 2021 | $36,278,126 | $4,117,185 | $1,837,580 | $1,625,000 | 1 | — | $2,736,640 | $1,601,634 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Highstead Fund Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Highstead Fund Inc is led by Henry C. Dudley, President, CEO & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Henry C. Dudley
President, CEO & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elisabeth C. Dudley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank E. Shanley
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane C. Dudley
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Dudley Plimpton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorothy D. Adams
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christiane McNamara
Assistant Treasurer & Secretary
Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Assistant Treasurer & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Irina Fayman
Assistant Secretary
Secretary → Assistant Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David R. Foster (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Highstead Fund Inc
How much does The Highstead Fund Inc give each year?
The Highstead Fund Inc gave $2.0M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 1 grant.
How large is The Highstead Fund Inc?
The Highstead Fund Inc reported $41.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Highstead Fund Inc operate?
The Highstead Fund Inc has awarded grants in Connecticut.
What is The Highstead Fund Inc's EIN?
The Highstead Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5823379. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
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