The Spofford Foundation Inc
The Spofford Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It reported making 15 grants totaling $103,400 in 2024.
The Spofford Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Spofford Foundation Inc gave $103K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in New York. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $103,400
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -46.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,893
- +89.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $1,647,803
- +23.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (4 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Spofford 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.
- 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 Spofford Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fishers Island Recreational Path Foundation ($35K). Together the top 10 received $98K.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 86 grants of 86 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, recipient-state shares of grant dollars were NY 62%, NC 26%, MA 3%, SC 3%, and CT 3%. The listed grants also included a recipient in New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Spofford Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 15 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $67K (2019) to $103K (2024). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $103K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fishers Island Recreational Path Foundation Fishers Island, NY | Bridge Replacements Fund | $35,000 |
| Educational Foundation Inc Chapel Hill, NC | Bell McGowan '78 Hitting Bay Name Fund | $27,000 |
| Assembly House 150 Inc Buffalo, NY | AH150 Special Design Project | $10,000 |
| Pennys Flight Foundation Inc Locust Valley, NY | General & Unrestricted | $7,800 |
| Fishers Island Community Center Inc Fisher Island, NY | Fishersisland.net Program | $5,000 |
| Bluffton Self Help Inc Bluffton, SC | General & Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Stoneridge Residents Association Mystic, CT | General & Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| St Johns Church Fishers Isle, NY | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Stephen S Johnson Memorial Fund Greenland, NH | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Island Health Project Inc Fishers Isle, NY | General & Unrestricted | $2,100 |
Ready to take the next step with The Spofford Foundation Inc?
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 | $1,647,803 | $463,328 | $145,071 | $103,400 | 15 | $116,449 | $436,606 | $126,979 |
| 2023 | $1,329,546 | $119,024 | $138,101 | $102,079 | 28 | $114,323 | $95,246 | $116,473 |
| 2022 | $1,348,623 | $121,647 | $112,357 | $76,200 | 12 | $88,338 | $98,328 | $114,037 |
| 2021 | $1,339,333 | $156,107 | $140,738 | $98,000 | 17 | $109,735 | $133,711 | $112,960 |
| 2020 | $1,323,964 | $401,725 | $134,607 | $102,000 | 14 | — | $381,667 | $94,659 |
| 2019 | $1,056,846 | $84,794 | $102,749 | $67,000 | 16 | — | $64,090 | $103,949 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Spofford Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $127K 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 grantees describe work in areas including community activities, health care, scientific research, arts and architecture, education, brain health, and river conservation. For example, Fishers Island Community Center Inc says it provides cultural, educational, athletic, and social activities for island residents; Pennys Flight Foundation Inc says it advances scientific research and improves the lives of people affected by NF1; and Assembly House 150 Inc says it operates an experimental art and architecture space and hosts public exhibitions and educational programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 15 grants totaling $103,400 in 2024. Individual grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $2,500. The largest grants included $35,000 to Fishers Island Recreational Path Foundation for its Bridge Replacements Fund, $27,000 to Educational Foundation Inc for the Bell McGowan ’78 Hitting Bay Name Fund, and $10,000 to Assembly House 150 Inc for its AH150 Special Design Project. Other grants included $7,800 to Pennys Flight Foundation Inc and $5,000 to Fishers Island Community Center Inc.
Additional 2024 recipients included Bluffton Self Help Inc, which describes its work as supporting Lowcountry neighbors through education and training, basic needs, and access to community resources; Stoneridge Residents Association, which says it provides college scholarships to employees and their families; Island Health Project Inc, which says it supports quality health care for Fishers Island residents; and OARS Inc, which says it works to protect and enhance the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers and their watersheds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Holly Bell, Alexandra Johnston, Jennifer Sanger, Charles Spofford, and Nick Spofford as directors. Alexandra Johnston is also listed as vice president; Charles Spofford as secretary and treasurer; and Nick Spofford as president.
The Spofford Foundation Inc is led by Nick Spofford, Director & President on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nick Spofford
Director & President
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Johnston
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Spofford
Director, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Holly Bell
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Sanger
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Spofford Foundation Inc
How much does The Spofford Foundation Inc give each year?
The Spofford Foundation Inc gave $103K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $102K across 28 grants.
What is The Spofford Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Spofford Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $6,893, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Spofford Foundation Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does The Spofford Foundation Inc give grants?
The Spofford Foundation Inc gives mostly in New York: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (26%). The most frequent recipient cities were Concord, MA (4 grants) and Fishers Isle, NY (3 grants).
Does The Spofford Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 73% of The Spofford Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Spofford Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Spofford Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Fishers Island Recreational Path Foundation ($35,000), Educational Foundation Inc ($27,000) and Assembly House 150 Inc ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 70% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Spofford Foundation Inc?
The Spofford Foundation Inc reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $116K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $127K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Spofford Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees describe work in areas including community activities, health care, scientific research, arts and architecture, education, brain health, and river conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Spofford Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Spofford Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Spofford Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2593771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Spofford 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Spofford Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Spofford Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Spofford Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-spofford-foundation-inc-morg_4d46127ac7a3474cad193fdd7c34be73
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472593771_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Spofford Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-spofford-foundation-inc-morg_4d46127ac7a3474cad193fdd7c34be73},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Spofford 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.
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