The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2025 filing is marked as a final return: the foundation reported making distributions from assets in complete liquidation and filing a Certificate of Dissolution on July 24, 2025. It therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc gave $387K across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state New York. 37% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $387,025
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- Average grant
- $8,414
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (17 of 46, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lighthouse Guild International Inc ($20K). Together the top 10 received $160K.
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 131 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to New York (22%), New Jersey (17%), Virginia (9%), Florida (8%), and Tennessee (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 46 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- Giving grew 1082% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 $24K (2020) to $387K (2025). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $387K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse Guild International Inc New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc Memphis, TN | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Associati Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| American Cancer Society Cedar Knolls, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| American Institute for Cancer Research Arlington, VA | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Cornell University New York, NY | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trus Erlanger, KY | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Saint Peters University Hospital New Brunswick, NJ | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Samaritans Purse Boone, NC | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Special Operations Warrior Foundation Tampa, FL | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports grants totaling $387,025. It also states that distributions during the year ending July 24, 2025, came from assets from sources other than current income and were made in complete liquidation.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | $168,948 | $396,415 | $387,025 | 46 | $393,990 | $167,783 | $2,424 |
| 2024 | $227,467 | $4,097 | $12,772 | — | — | $11,527 | $4,052 | $20,207 |
| 2023 | $236,142 | $10,633 | $80 | — | — | $25 | $10,578 | $15,727 |
| 2022 | $225,589 | $1,420 | $36,541 | $32,750 | 44 | $36,525 | $2,808 | $15,007 |
| 2021 | $260,710 | $52,318 | $34,075 | $28,250 | 41 | $33,275 | $52,318 | $18,923 |
| 2020 | $242,467 | $1,319 | $30,469 | $24,050 | 43 | — | $3,282 | $16,335 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2K 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
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital describes its mission as advancing cures and prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Lighthouse Guild International says it provides services to help people who are visually impaired attain their goals. The American Institute for Cancer Research says it supports scientific research on cancer prevention and survival, while the Special Operations Warrior Foundation describes education support for children of special operations personnel.
Other recipients included hospitals, a cancer society, a veterans’ charity, a humanitarian organization, and an arts organization. These are the recipients’ stated missions and descriptions, not a statement of the foundation’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $387,025. Grant amounts ranged from $2,025 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest listed awards included $20,000 each to Lighthouse Guild International Inc and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Inc. Other listed grants included $15,000 each to the American Institute for Cancer Research, Samaritan’s Purse, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, and The RWJ University Hospital Foundation Inc. Carnegie Hall Corporation received $10,000.
The filing says the foundation contributed only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. It does not describe an application process or materials for applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sharon A Fordham as president, director, and secretary.
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc is led by Sharon A Fordham, President, Director & Secretary on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sharon A Fordham
President, Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc
How much does The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc give each year?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc gave $387K across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $8,414, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc give grants?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Jersey (17%) and Virginia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants), New Brunswick, NJ (3 grants) and Arlington, VA (2 grants).
Does The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Lighthouse Guild International Inc ($20,000), St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc ($20,000) and Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Associati ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
What does The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines.
How much is The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0983799. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Sharon A Fordham 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Delaware
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
American Electric Power Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The American Electric Power Foundation funds education, especially STEM, basic human services, social justice, and environmental protection, primarily for organizations in AEP’s service territory or with broader beneficial impact. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $1,428,570, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations need an invitation from their local AEP Operating Company.
Assets
$43.6M
Grants
753
Total Given
$23.0M
Puget Sound Energy Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Puget Sound Energy Foundation funds nonprofits serving communities where PSE has a service or generation presence, primarily in Washington, across household needs, education and workforce pathways, climate resilience, and community safety. Grants vary widely; in 2024 they ranged from $13 to $100,000, with a $500 median, while its 2026 disaster-focused competitive program offers up to $15,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but eligible local nonprofits can apply through that competitive program.
Assets
$19.6M
Grants
451
Total Given
$1.2M
First Eagle Investments Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$747K
Grants
389
Total Given
$1.2M
Hagerty Drivers Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$193K
Grants
330
Total Given
$192K
McNabb Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The McNabb Foundation’s website describes support for behavioral health and social services in East Tennessee, while its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions, mostly in California. Grants ranged from $500 to $5,000, with a median of $1,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.
Assets
$4.8M
Grants
328
Total Given
$358K
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sharon-a-fordham-foundation-inc-morg_645158072d154d73892dcd53642365f4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200983799_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sharon-a-fordham-foundation-inc-morg_645158072d154d73892dcd53642365f4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc'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.
The Sharon A Fordham Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?