The John Bickford Foundation
The John Bickford Foundation is a private, family-based philanthropic organization established in 1971 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization since July 1972, the foundation operates as a grantmaking entity with a focus on supporting charitable initiatives across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.8M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$188K
+12.9% YoY
Grant Count
52
+10.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+2.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John Bickford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $250K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Arts and Culture
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Museums
- Family Services
- Child Welfare
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation does not restrict grantmaking to preselected organizations only, indicating openness to applications.
Grant Range
$250–$20,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across numerous U.S. locations, including:
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,755,967 |
| Total Revenue | $356,563 |
| Total Expenses | $274,562 |
| Net Income | $82,001 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 |
| Total Giving | $188,000 |
Revenue Sources:
- Investment income and dividends: $144,217
- Contributions received: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,755,967 | $3,672,966 | $2,976,197 |
| Revenue | $356,563 | $118,964 | $250,613 |
| Expenses | $274,562 | $250,416 | $301,042 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $250,846 | $227,876 | $270,325 |
| Net Investment Income | $335,046 | $98,596 | $215,145 |
| Distributable Amount | $249,855 | $226,776 | $227,972 |
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
247 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Morris Museum Inc ($15,000), Art in the Atrium Inc ($10,000), Reproductive Freedom for All Foundation ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ART IN THE ATRIUM INC MORRISTOWN, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| CHAPIN SCHOOL PRINCETON, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| COMMUNITY ACTION SERVICE CENTER HIGHTSTOWN, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| COMMUNITY HOPE INC PARSIPPANY, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| CORNERSTONE FAMILY PROGRAMS MORRISTOWN, NJ | after school program | $5,000 |
| CORPORATION OF HAVERFORD COLLEGE HAVERFORD, PA | General & Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF MORRIS AND SU CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY TRENTON, NJ | General Operating Support for All Saints' Episcopal Church in Bay Head, NJ | $250 |
| DOVER CHILDRENS HOME DOVER, NH | General & Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF MORRIS COUNTY INC MORRISTOWN, NJ | Funds to support motel stays to individuals who have disabilities with ADA accommodations or keep family units together while in transition to permanent housing | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by a board of trustees, all serving without compensation:
- Charles G Bickford – Director, President
- Andrew V Bickford – Treasurer, Trustee
- Benjamin Gray Bickford – Trustee
- Tatyana L Bickford – Trustee
- Wilson M Compton – Director, Secretary
- Diane Kahn – Trustee
- Annie Howe Novak – Trustee, Vice President
- Catherine Walsh – Vice President, President, Director
The foundation operates with limited staffing, relying on board members who each dedicate approximately one hour per week.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew V Bickford | Treas, Trustee | 1 | — |
| Benjamin Gray Bickford | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Charles G Bickford | Dir, Pres | 1 | — |
| Tatyana L Bickford | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Wilson M Compton | Dir, Sec | 1 | — |
| Diane Kahn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Annie Howe Novak | Trustee, VP | 1 | — |
| Catherine Walsh | VP, Pres, Dir | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Road Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Telephone: 800-839-1754
EIN: 23-7167663
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The John Bickford Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • **Education** • **Human Services** • **Arts and Culture** • **Performing Arts** • **Music** • **Museums** • **Family Services** • **Child Welfare** • **Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking**
How do I apply for a grant from The John Bickford Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $250–$20,000 • Median grant size: $2,800 • Recent annual grant activity: 52–57 grants awarded **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Morris Museum: $15,000 (General Operating Support for Exhibitions, Performing Arts, Facility Maintenance, and Personnel Costs) • Reproductive Freedom for All Foundation: $10,000 (General & Unrestricted) • Art in the Atrium: $10,000 (General & Unrestricted) **Application Approach:** The foundation does not restrict gra…
Where does The John Bickford Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports projects across numerous U.S. locations, including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington
What size grants does The John Bickford Foundation award?
In 2024, The John Bickford Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $188K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The John Bickford Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The John Bickford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $250K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The John Bickford Foundation's EIN?
The John Bickford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7167663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The John Bickford 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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