The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio
The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundation is a private foundation based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, established in 2010. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization with a staffing level of one employee and operates exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes.
Key facts about The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio
- EIN
- 27-3420226
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $750,600
- Grants made (2024)
- 83
- Average grant
- $9,043
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (15 of 83, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,525,594
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio's 83 itemized 2024 grants were Connecticut (53%), Massachusetts (29%) and Vermont (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Norwalk, CT (8 grants), Holyoke, MA (8 grants), Springfield, MA (7 grants) and Stamford, CT (5 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 83 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 78% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 86% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio
- How to evaluate The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$751K
+20.8% YoY
Grant Count
83
+2.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+17.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio reported a distributable amount of $56K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to further the works of other 501(c)(3) exempt organizations, giving priority to organizations that support programs and initiatives designed to strengthen communities and families and improve education and opportunities for deprived or disadvantaged persons. The foundation may also make educational grants to individuals in furtherance of its charitable purposes.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a median grant size of $5,000 and a maximum grant observed at $94,000. In 2023, the foundation made 81 grants totaling approximately $692,000 in distributions.
Grant Range
of $5,000 and a maximum grant observed at $94,000. In 2023, the foundation made 81 grants totaling approximately $692,000 in distributions.
Ready to take the next step with The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has demonstrated funding activity in Massachusetts and Connecticut, with grants supporting organizations in Holyoke, New Canaan, and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 83 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,371,450
- Total Revenues: $1,000,948
- Total Expenses: $715,235
- Distributions: $692,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,525,594 | $1,371,450 | $1,085,737 |
| Revenue | $1,001,123 | $1,000,948 | $1,000,839 |
| Expenses | $846,979 | $715,235 | $896,156 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $822,867 | $691,745 | $873,268 |
| Net Investment Income | $868 | $693 | $624 |
| Distributable Amount | $55,850 | $44,848 | $40,641 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
324 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Carver Center ($175,000), Girls Inc of the Valley ($50,000), Norwalk Community College Foundation ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CARVER CENTER Norwalk, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $175,000 |
| GIRLS INC OF THE VALLEY Holyoke, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION Norwalk, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| NORWALK HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Norwalk, CT | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| BELLOWS FALLS AREA SENIOR CENTER INC Bellows Falls, VT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| YMCA Holyoke, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| DRESS FOR SUCCESS Hartford, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| NORWALK COMMUNITY COLLEGE Norwalk, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| NYC FIRE & POLICE WIDOWS FUND New York, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT Bridgeport, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Andrea L. Whitcomb — Director, President, Secretary (30 hours/week, $75,000 compensation)
- Kevin Ashley — Vice President (1 hour/week, no compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Ashley | Vice President | 1 | — |
| Andrea L Whitcomb | Director, President, Secre | 30 | $75,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 44 Lindbergh Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040-1906
EIN: 27-3420226
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio fund?
The foundation's mission is to further the works of other 501(c)(3) exempt organizations, giving priority to organizations that support programs and initiatives designed to strengthen communities and families and improve education and opportunities for deprived or disadvantaged persons. The foundation may also make educational grants to individuals in furtherance of its charitable purposes.
How do I apply for a grant from The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a median grant size of $5,000 and a maximum grant observed at $94,000. In 2023, the foundation made 81 grants totaling approximately $692,000 in distributions. Recent grants have supported: • **George Washington Carver Community Center** — Educational, social, and recreational programs serving approximately 4,000 individuals annually • **St. Luke's School** — Educational support for approximately 500 students • **New Canaan Community Foundation** — Ph…
Where does The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio make grants?
The foundation has demonstrated funding activity in Massachusetts and Connecticut, with grants supporting organizations in Holyoke, New Canaan, and surrounding communities.
What size grants does The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio award?
In 2024, The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio awarded 83 grants totaling $751K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio reported a distributable amount of $56K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio's EIN?
The Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundatio's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3420226. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.