The William Bingham Foundation
The William Bingham Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1955 by Elizabeth Bingham Blossom from the estate of her brother, William Bingham II, the foundation operates as a family foundation with a focus on strengthening civil society and supporting nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.0M
-0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$981K
-2.5% YoY
Grant Count
15
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
-35.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William Bingham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission, as articulated by its founder Elizabeth Bingham Blossom, centers on:
- Furthering philanthropic intent through strategic grantmaking
- Supporting organizations in education, science, health and human services, and the arts
- Working toward environmental sustainability
- Strengthening civil society and its institutions
- Educating family members and others in the values and practices of philanthropy, community service, and stewardship
- Building a sense of community
Primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Health and human services
- Arts and culture
- Environmental conservation
- Social services
Grantmaking
The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $500,000
Average Grant
$68,500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides support geographically with no formal restrictions, though grants often reflect the needs of communities in which trustees reside. Primary focus areas include Ohio, Virginia, and Rhode Island, with some international giving capacity.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $19,068,941
- Total Revenue: $938,403
- Total Expenses: $1,200,517
- Total Liabilities: $0
Income Breakdown (2023):
- Investment income and dividends: $471,137
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $467,266
Giving Activity:
- 2023: $966,000 in total giving across 9 grants
- 2022: $890,200 in total giving across 13 grants
- Giving rate: 5.1% of assets
Historical Context:
- 1993: Assets of $32.9 million; disbursed $1.6 million for 38 grants
- 2022: Disbursed $559,175
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,010,898 | $19,068,941 | $18,873,677 |
| Revenue | $1,136,112 | $938,403 | $703,462 |
| Expenses | $1,194,155 | $1,200,517 | $1,149,605 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,037,761 | $1,061,223 | $964,391 |
| Net Investment Income | $991,059 | $806,313 | $518,246 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,129,028 | $1,011,955 | $1,032,073 |
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
74 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northern Forest Center Inc ($250,000), University Settlement ($125,000), Children's Museum of Sonoma County ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH | To support the CASE Quad outdoor greenspace renovation project, over five years. | $50,000 |
| Children's Museum of Sonoma County Santa Rosa, CA | To support museum expansion | $100,000 |
| Cleveland Ballet Cleveland, OH | To support general operations | $40,000 |
| Cleveland Foundation Cleveland, OH | Cleveland Carbon Fund or Cleveland Climate Action Fund | $1,000 |
| Earth Sangha Annandale, VA | To support general operations | $50,000 |
| Edna House for Women The Cleveland, OH | To support capital improvements | $70,000 |
| Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center Chagrin Falls, OH | To support general operations | $50,000 |
| Lake View Cemetery Foundation Cleveland, OH | To support preserving and protecting the trees and shrubs of Lake View Cemetery | $70,000 |
| Looking Upwards Inc Middletown, RI | To support Parents as Teachers program | $30,000 |
| Math Movement The Shaker Heights, OH | To support summer camp program | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jonathan B. Blossom – President (as of 2023)
- Daniel L. Horn – Foundation Administrator and Secretary
- David B. Blossom – Treasurer/Trustee
- C Perry Blossom – Trustee
- C Bingham Blossom – Emeritus Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Perry Blossom | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David B Blossom | Treasurer/Trustee | 2 | — |
| Laurel Blossom | Emeritus Trustee | 0.5 | — |
| Robin Dunn Blossom | Trustee | 1 | — |
| James B Heffernan | Vice President/Trustee | 1 | — |
| Daniel L Horn | Secretary | 9 | $34,126 |
| Rebecca B Kovacik | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Elizabeth B Meers | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kevin S B Meers | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Katherine J Heffernan | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jonathan B Blossom | President / Trustee | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to support cultural and educational initiatives. Recent notable grants include significant support for the Blossom Musical Festival through The Cleveland Orchestra and ongoing commitments to capital campaigns and organizational development positions at regional nonprofits.
Eau Claire Community Foundation Announces Nearly $200,000 in Grants fromSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The William Bingham Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission, as articulated by its founder Elizabeth Bingham Blossom, centers on: • Furthering philanthropic intent through strategic grantmaking • Supporting organizations in education, science, health and human services, and the arts • Working toward environmental sustainability • Strengthening civil society and its institutions • Educating family members and others in the values and practices of philanthropy, community service, and stewardship • Building a sense of community Pri…
How do I apply for a grant from The William Bingham Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $1,000 to $500,000 • Median grant size: $75,000 (2023) • Average grant size: $68,500 **Recent Grants (2023):** • The Cleveland Orchestra: $500,000 (to support the Blossom Musical Festival) • May Dugan Center: $100,000 (capital campaign support) • The Natural History Society of Maryland: $75,000 (development officer position) **Application Policy:** The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis. …
Where does The William Bingham Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides support geographically with no formal restrictions, though grants often reflect the needs of communities in which trustees reside. Primary focus areas include Ohio, Virginia, and Rhode Island, with some international giving capacity.
What size grants does The William Bingham Foundation award?
In 2024, The William Bingham Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $981K — an average of about $65K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The William Bingham Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The William Bingham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The William Bingham Foundation's EIN?
The William Bingham Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6513791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The William Bingham Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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