The William Gillespie Foundation
The William Gillespie Foundation is a private foundation based in Corona Del Mar, California. Its 2024 filing is marked as a final return, so the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The William Gillespie Foundation at a glance
In short: The William Gillespie Foundation gave $27K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $27,178
- -94.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -76.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,436
- -77.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Primary geography
- California (79% 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 William Gillespie Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 2101 E Coast Hwy Ste 110, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Phone: (949) 395-6596
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William Gillespie Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Donations under 5K ($10K). Together the top 5 received $27K.
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 168 grants of 184 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; the filing lists the remaining 21% with the state unidentified. Named California recipients included organizations in Corona Del Mar, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Nicolaus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The William Gillespie Foundation gives
- Giving fell 97% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2024) to $1.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $27K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Donations under 5K Corona Del Mar, CA | Support Organization | $9,500 |
| Paris 2024 Olympic Society | Support Organization | $5,678 |
| Orange County Museum of Art Santa Ana, CA | Support Organization | $5,000 |
| Newport Library Foundation Newport Beach, CA | Support Organization | $5,000 |
| Hoop Justice Nicolaus, CA | Program Support | $2,000 |
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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 | — | — | $42,967 | $27,178 | 5 | $42,967 | — | — |
| 2023 | $40,255 | $311 | $512,316 | $496,797 | 21 | $496,797 | $161 | $14,589 |
| 2022 | $552,260 | $958,136 | $1,322,043 | $1,294,810 | 51 | $1,294,810 | $930,978 | $1,904 |
| 2021 | $916,167 | $157,314 | $1,110,437 | $844,500 | 55 | $844,500 | — | $68,592 |
| 2020 | $1,869,290 | $182,098 | $389,878 | $317,950 | 52 | — | $110,170 | $89,211 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. One recipient, the Orange County Museum of Art, describes its mission as enhancing the lives of a diverse and changing community through modern and contemporary art.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported five grants totaling $27,178. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $9,500, with a median of $5,000. Recipients included Donations under 5K ($9,500), Paris 2024 Olympic Society ($5,678), Orange County Museum of Art ($5,000), Newport Library Foundation ($5,000), and Hoop Justice ($2,000).
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. No application process or materials are specified.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard Gadbois III as president and John M Gunnin as director.
The William Gillespie Foundation is led by Richard Gadbois III, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard Gadbois III
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$27K (2021) → $0 (2024)
John M Gunnin
Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$17K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Tiffany McCain (2022) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $44K, to John M Gunnin (Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The William Gillespie Foundation
How much does The William Gillespie Foundation give each year?
The William Gillespie Foundation gave $27K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $497K across 21 grants.
What is The William Gillespie Foundation's typical grant size?
The William Gillespie Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,436, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The William Gillespie Foundation give grants?
The William Gillespie Foundation gives mostly in California: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The William Gillespie Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The William Gillespie Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Organization" (4 grants).
Who are The William Gillespie Foundation's largest grantees?
The William Gillespie Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Donations under 5K ($9,500), Paris 2024 Olympic Society ($5,678) and Orange County Museum of Art ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The William Gillespie Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. One recipient, the Orange County Museum of Art, describes its mission as enhancing the lives of a diverse and changing community through modern and contemporary art. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William Gillespie Foundation?
The William Gillespie Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The William Gillespie Foundation's EIN?
The William Gillespie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4480408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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Figures come from The William Gillespie Foundation'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 William Gillespie Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?