The Little Engine Foundation Inc

Foundation · Grantmaker Waitsfield, VT EIN: 27-0651325

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

The Little Engine Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Waitsfield, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $369K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $46K. Net investment income was $16K.

Key facts about The Little Engine Foundation Inc

EIN: 27-0651325
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $45,519
Grants made (2024): 9
Average grant: $5,058
Median grant: $1,200
Total assets: $368,577
Primary geography: New York (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who The Little Engine Foundation Inc funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Little Engine Foundation Inc's 9 itemized 2024 grants were New York (71%) and Vermont (27%). The most frequent recipient cities were Waitsfield, VT (4 grants). 89% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

How The Little Engine Foundation Inc gives

In 2024 it paid out 293% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with The Little Engine Foundation Inc

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$369K

-7.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$46K

+469.0% YoY

Grant Count

+350.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

+26.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Little Engine Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $16K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Little Engine Foundation Inc

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

New York $32K (71%)

Vermont $12K (27%)

Washington $1K (2%)

Share of all 9 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Connecticut New York Vermont Washington

Cities

WaitsfieldDanburyFishkillLyndenMoretownNew YorkWarren

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$368,577	$399,793	$395,781
Revenue	$16,357	$12,825	$23
Expenses	$47,573	$8,813	$23,075
Qualifying Distributions	$47,395	$8,813	$23,075
Net Investment Income	$16,357	$12,825	$23
Distributable Amount	$16,176	$14,476	$15,905

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

12 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Roodz Express Freight Services LLC ($31,319), Mad River Valley Community Pantry ($6,000), Waitsfield United Church of Christ ($1,500).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ROODZ EXPRESS FREIGHT SERVICES LLC Fishkill, NY	PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS ENTERPRISE	$31,319
MAD RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY PANTRY Waitsfield, VT	GENERAL USE	$6,000
WAITSFIELD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Waitsfield, VT	GENERAL USE	$1,500
MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Waitsfield, VT	GENERAL USE	$1,500
FRIENDS OF MAD RIVER Waitsfield, VT	GENERAL USE	$1,200
LIVING TREE ALLIANCE Moretown, VT	GENERAL USE	$1,000
FRESH AIR FUND New York, NY	GENERAL USE	$1,000
ENGEDI REFUGE Lynden, WA	GENERAL USE	$1,000
WMRW Warren, VT	GENERAL USE	$1,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Jason Desantis	President; Director	0.5	—
Erika Desantis	Vice President; Director	0.25	—
Adam Schwartz	Director	0.25	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Community Improvement & Capacity Building

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Little Engine Foundation Inc?

The Little Engine Foundation Inc is a private foundation focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Waitsfield, VT. It holds $369K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Little Engine Foundation Inc?

As of 2024, The Little Engine Foundation Inc holds $369K in total assets with $16K in annual revenue. It awarded 9 grants totaling $46K in 2024.

Where does The Little Engine Foundation Inc operate?

The Little Engine Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Washington.

What size grants does The Little Engine Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Little Engine Foundation Inc awarded 9 grants totaling $46K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Little Engine Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Little Engine Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $16K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Little Engine Foundation Inc's EIN?

The Little Engine Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0651325. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.