The Oaklawn Foundationinc
The Oaklawn Foundationinc is a private foundation based in Wilton, Connecticut. Its 2025 grants show support for scholarships and educational programs, as well as organizations working with children and young people and providing environmental education.
The Oaklawn Foundationinc at a glance
In short: The Oaklawn Foundationinc gave $1.1M across 60 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Connecticut. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,121,000
- +9.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 60
- +5.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,683
- +3.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $16,795,448
- +2.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (8 of 55, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (52% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Oaklawn Foundationinc
- 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: Co Betsy Raftery Pob 7065, Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: (203) 249-8035
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Oaklawn Foundationinc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Hill School ($66K). Together the top 10 received $426K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($140,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
274 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 263 grants of 274 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Connecticut organizations received 52% of grant dollars. Other leading recipient states were New York (9%), North Carolina (8%), Florida (8%), and Pennsylvania (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Oaklawn Foundationinc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 55 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% 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 $820K (2020) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 60 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Hill School Pottstown, PA | Grants 5 of 5 multi year grant pledge; class of '93 scholarship 2023-2025 year 3 of 3;director's grant to 501c organization | $65,500 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Oaklawn foundation scholarship year 1 of 5 and director's 2025 grant to 501c organization | $50,000 |
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | Director's grant to 501c organization;grant wake forest baseball and oaklawn scholarship 1 of 5 | $50,000 |
| Kids in Crisis Cos Cob, CT | Kic educational services and director's grant to 501c organization | $45,000 |
| 4 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $140,000 |
| SCSU Foundation Inc New Haven, CT | Scholarship pledge year 5 of 5 and director's grant to 501c organization | $40,000 |
| Stamford Museum and Nature Center Stamford, CT | Pledge for education programs and director's grant to 501c organization | $37,750 |
| Domus Kids Inc Stamford, CT | Domus Knights 2025 Grant | $35,000 |
| Soundwaters Stamford, CT | Scholarship fund year 5 of 5 and director's grant to 501c organization | $35,000 |
| Waterside School Stamford, CT | Grant for annual fund & oaklawn foundation scholarships 2024-2028 and director's grant to 501c organization | $35,000 |
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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 | $16,795,448 | $1,744,763 | $1,336,261 | $1,121,000 | 60 | $1,187,787 | $1,644,912 | $1,154,297 |
| 2024 | $16,386,976 | $2,627,397 | $1,238,486 | $1,025,000 | 57 | $1,096,779 | $2,494,822 | $1,139,234 |
| 2023 | $14,999,063 | $934,704 | $1,156,656 | $945,000 | 55 | $1,014,035 | $813,510 | $1,048,787 |
| 2022 | $15,220,273 | $1,659,113 | $1,145,246 | $940,000 | 51 | $1,010,724 | $1,532,011 | $1,073,739 |
| 2021 | $14,706,148 | $1,835,182 | $1,201,710 | $970,000 | 51 | $1,037,448 | $1,703,371 | $1,153,316 |
| 2020 | $14,072,610 | $2,270,416 | $1,040,587 | $820,000 | 48 | — | $2,262,947 | $968,470 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Oaklawn Foundationinc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M 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
No mission statement is provided. Grant purposes listed in the 2025 filing include scholarship funds and educational programs. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Kids in Crisis says it provides prevention, counseling, and crisis services for children and families; Domus Kids says it supports young people facing adversity; and SoundWaters says it provides environmental education, jobs and skills training, and public engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 60 grants totaling $1,121,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $65,500, with a median of $20,000. Among the largest were $65,500 to The Hill School for a multi-year pledge and scholarship, and $50,000 each to Colby College and Wake Forest University for scholarship-related purposes. Other large grants included $45,000 to Kids in Crisis for educational services and a director’s grant, and $40,000 to SCSU Foundation Inc. for a scholarship pledge and a director’s grant.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephen K. Grimm, Joseph Paight, Jonathan M. Wells, William S. Kies III, and Samuel B. Kies as directors; Elizabeth K. Raftery as treasurer and director; and William S. Kies IV as president and director.
The Oaklawn Foundationinc is led by William S. Kies IV, President & Director since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William S. Kies IV
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$10K (2025)
William S. Kies III
Director
President & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
$30K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Elizabeth K. Raftery
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2022
25 hrs/week
$25K (2022) → $40K (2025)
Jonathan M. Wells
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joseph Paight
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Stephen K. Grimm
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Samuel B. Kies
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Audrey S. Paight (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Betsy K. Raftery (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director
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 $40K, to Elizabeth K Raftery (Treasurer/Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Oaklawn Foundationinc
How much does The Oaklawn Foundationinc give each year?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc gave $1.1M across 60 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 57 grants.
What is The Oaklawn Foundationinc's typical grant size?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $18,683, across 60 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Oaklawn Foundationinc that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Oaklawn Foundationinc give grants?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc gives mostly in Connecticut: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (9%) and North Carolina (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stamford, CT (10 grants), Greenwich, CT (10 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Wilton, CT (3 grants).
Does The Oaklawn Foundationinc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of The Oaklawn Foundationinc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 60) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Director's Grant to 501C Organization" (23 grants).
Who are The Oaklawn Foundationinc's largest grantees?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc's largest 2025 grantees include The Hill School ($65,500), Colby College ($50,000) and Wake Forest University ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($140,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Oaklawn Foundationinc?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc reported $16.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Oaklawn Foundationinc fund?
No mission statement is provided. Grant purposes listed in the 2025 filing include scholarship funds and educational programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Oaklawn Foundationinc?
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 Oaklawn Foundationinc's EIN?
The Oaklawn Foundationinc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6127896. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Oaklawn Foundationinc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Oaklawn Foundationinc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Oaklawn Foundationinc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-oaklawn-foundationinc-morg_377b6bf06ca64fb0bb89fac88daf2e6e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136127896_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Oaklawn Foundationinc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-oaklawn-foundationinc-morg_377b6bf06ca64fb0bb89fac88daf2e6e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Oaklawn Foundationinc'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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