The Higley Foundation Inc
The Higley Foundation Inc is a private foundation located in Norwich, New York. It makes grants to preselected charitable organizations; its 2024 grants supported organizations in New York.
The Higley Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Higley Foundation Inc gave $630K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $42K), mostly in New York. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $629,800
- -41.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,987
- -49.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,700
- Total assets
- $19,454,987
- +1.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (5 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Higley Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 551, Norwich, NY 13815
Phone: (607) 316-1650
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Higley Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundatio ($255K). Together the top 10 received $596K.
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 68 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Higley Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 15 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 74% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $630K (2024) to $1.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $630K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundatio Norwich, NY | Renovations south broad park, fairgrounds, & curb appeal program | $255,000 |
| Broad Street United Methodist Churc Norwich, NY | Roof & Steeple, Good Program | $107,500 |
| Aunt Mary's House Norwich, NY | Operations | $75,000 |
| Impact Project Greene, NY | Materials- Operations | $45,000 |
| Northeast Classic Car Museum Norwich, NY | Equipment Purchase | $30,000 |
| Catholic Charities of CNY Norwich, NY | Food Pantry | $20,000 |
| Chenango County Blues Society Norwich, NY | Music Festival Concerts in the Park | $20,000 |
| Promote Oxford Now Oxford, NY | Pool Pavilion & Housing Project | $16,700 |
| Chenango Valley Amateur Radio Assn Norwich, NY | Radio Tower & Antennas | $15,000 |
| Colorscape Norwich, NY | Art Festival | $12,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Higley Foundation Inc?
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 | $19,454,987 | $1,135,212 | $876,349 | $629,800 | 15 | $739,942 | $1,007,342 | $999,946 |
| 2023 | $19,196,124 | $384,238 | $1,324,583 | $1,075,571 | 13 | $1,198,421 | $474,850 | $943,662 |
| 2022 | $20,136,469 | $737,493 | $1,225,938 | $944,629 | 15 | $1,051,986 | $599,553 | $990,317 |
| 2021 | $20,624,914 | $2,251,313 | $1,492,092 | $1,242,321 | 14 | $1,341,020 | $1,057,112 | $1,085,300 |
| 2020 | $19,865,693 | $352,504 | $1,010,386 | $812,197 | 11 | — | $298,631 | $951,934 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Higley Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1000K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants supported activities including renovations and community projects, operations, food pantries, arts and music events, equipment purchases, and preservation and presentation of local heritage.
Among its grantees, Northeast Classic Car Museum Inc describes its mission as providing participatory, educational exhibits about vehicles and the evolution of transportation. Chenango County Historical Society describes its mission as exploring Chenango County’s culture and traditions through preserving and presenting local heritage.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $629,800. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $255,000, with a median of $16,700. Its largest 2024 awards included $255,000 to Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation for renovations at South Broad Park and the fairgrounds, and a curb appeal program; $107,500 to Broad Street United Methodist Church for a roof and steeple and a “good program”; and $75,000 to Aunt Mary’s House for operations. Other awards included $45,000 to Impact Project for materials and operations, $30,000 to Northeast Classic Car Museum for an equipment purchase, and $20,000 to Catholic Charities of CNY for a food pantry.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kurt T. Edwards as Trustee, Roy E. Fuller as Treasurer, Richard M. Runyon as President & CEO, and Jessica C. Thompson as Secretary.
The Higley Foundation Inc is led by Richard M. Runyon, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard M. Runyon
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$68K (2020) → $81K (2024)
Kurt T. Edwards
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
$4K (2024)
Jessica C. Thompson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Roy E. Fuller
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $20K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $81K, to Richard M Runyon (President & CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Higley Foundation Inc
How much does The Higley Foundation Inc give each year?
The Higley Foundation Inc gave $630K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 13 grants.
What is The Higley Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Higley Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $16,700, and its average grant was $41,987, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Higley Foundation Inc that year got $24K on average.
Where does The Higley Foundation Inc give grants?
The Higley Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Norwich, NY (10 grants).
Does The Higley Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on The Higley Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Higley Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Higley Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundatio ($255,000), Broad Street United Methodist Churc ($107,500) and Aunt Mary's House ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Higley Foundation Inc?
The Higley Foundation Inc reported $19.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $740K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1000K (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.
What does The Higley Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants supported activities including renovations and community projects, operations, food pantries, arts and music events, equipment purchases, and preservation and presentation of local heritage. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Higley Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Higley Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Higley Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0217792. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Higley Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Higley Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Higley Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Higley Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-higley-foundation-inc-morg_ef305c4d256442c28f1251f3b791b963
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200217792_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Higley Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-higley-foundation-inc-morg_ef305c4d256442c28f1251f3b791b963},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Higley Foundation Inc'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.
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