The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Clayton, New York. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, all of which were in New York, and identifies support for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce concert series as direct charitable activity.
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc gave $19K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $19,087
- +157.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- -13.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,468
- +197.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $350
- Total assets
- $163,548
- +8.3% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 900 James St, Clayton, NY 13624
Phone: (315) 686-5271
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Clayton Chamber of Commerce Inc ($13K). Together the top 10 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 48 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc gives
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 214% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $4K (2020) to $19K (2024). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $19K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton Chamber of Commerce Inc Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $13,000 |
| Thousand Islands Land Trust Inc Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $2,500 |
| Thousand Islands Youth Hockey Association Inc Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $587 |
| Clayton Area Preschool Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $525 |
| Northern New York Community Foundation Watertown, NY | Charitable Donation | $500 |
| Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund Inc Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $400 |
| Thousand Islands High School Sadd Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $350 |
| Clayton Fire Dept Inc Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $250 |
| Clayton Rotary Club Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $250 |
| Thousand Islands Arts Center Clayton, NY | Charitable Donation | $250 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $163,548 | $61,868 | $49,323 | $19,087 | 13 | $22,775 | $5,121 | $10,646 |
| 2023 | $151,003 | $65,258 | $41,202 | $7,410 | 15 | $7,410 | $2,364 | $9,435 |
| 2022 | $126,947 | $62,098 | $37,442 | $11,325 | 16 | $11,325 | $6,913 | $6,998 |
| 2021 | $102,291 | $27,628 | $13,602 | $13,138 | 1 | $13,602 | $4,144 | — |
| 2020 | $88,265 | $23,441 | $14,204 | $3,779 | 3 | — | $2,441 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $11K 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 included support for arts, conservation, youth, community, and emergency-service organizations. The Thousand Islands Land Trust describes its mission as safeguarding the 1000 Islands regional landscape through conservation easements, property acquisition, and accessible areas for public enjoyment. The Northern New York Community Foundation describes its mission as inspiring and celebrating giving, stewarding resources honorably, and fostering vibrant North Country communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $19,087. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $13,000, with a median of $350. The largest grants included $13,000 to the Clayton Chamber of Commerce Inc, $2,500 to the Thousand Islands Land Trust Inc, $587 to the Thousand Islands Youth Hockey Association Inc, and $525 to Clayton Area Preschool. The foundation also gave $500 to the Northern New York Community Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Matthew R. Phinney as president, Christian P. Phinney as vice president, and Nathan J. Phinney as treasurer.
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc is led by Matthew R. Phinney, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Matthew R. Phinney
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christian P. Phinney
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan J. Phinney
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc
How much does The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc give each year?
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc gave $19K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7K across 15 grants.
What is The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $350, and its average grant was $1,468, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc give grants?
The Phinney Charitable 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 Clayton, NY (11 grants).
Does The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Donation" (13 grants).
Who are The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Clayton Chamber of Commerce Inc ($13,000), Thousand Islands Land Trust Inc ($2,500) and Thousand Islands Youth Hockey Association Inc ($587), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc?
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc reported $164K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for arts, conservation, youth, community, and emergency-service organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it 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 Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Phinney Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1658370. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Phinney Charitable 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
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