William T and Frances A Little Foundation
The William T and Frances A Little Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2025 filing reports 46 grants totaling $3,555,000 to charitable organizations, including organizations supporting health research, education, food access, community services, and other causes.
Key facts about William T and Frances A Little Foundation
In short: William T and Frances A Little Foundation gave $3.6M across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $77K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 38-3443723
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,555,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- Average grant
- $77,283
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $259,119,334
- Primary geography
- Michigan (66% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$259.1M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.6M
Grant Count
46
Avg Grant Size
$77K
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William T and Frances A Little Foundation reported a distributable amount of $15.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How William T and Frances A Little Foundation gives
- In 2025 it paid out 24% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for a range of organizations. For example, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes says its mission is to feed hungry people and engage the community in the fight to end hunger. Mayo Clinic describes its mission as providing care, education, and research to contribute to health and well-being. Culver Educational Foundation says it seeks to educate students for leadership and responsible citizenship through programs that cultivate character.
Other 2025 recipients include organizations whose stated missions concern Williams syndrome, peace and justice education, racial and economic justice, neighborhood services, and pathways to personal and economic growth.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $3,555,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $60,000. Examples include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Michigan organizations received 66% of grant dollars. Other leading recipient states were Florida (7%), New Jersey (6%), Minnesota (5%), and Indiana (5%). The listed grants also include recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2021) to $3.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association ($200K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 23 grants of 47 (49%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association Mattawan, MI | Red Arrow Golf Course Project | $200,000 |
| Michigan Fraternal Order of Police Foundation Madison HTS, MI | Scholarship fund | $200,000 |
| Williams Syndrome Association Inc Newark, NJ | R&D, Communications, Education | $200,000 |
| Dolphins Plus Oceanside Marine Mammal Responder IN Key Largo, FL | Funds for the Construction of a Whale & Dolphin Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in The Florida Keys at the Protect Center | $190,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN | Funds for Experimental Antisense Oligonucleotide treatment in AA Amyliodosis Clinical Trial under the direction of Dr. Nelson Leung | $180,000 |
| Young Womens Christian Assoc of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI | Domestic Violence/Victim Services Programs | $165,000 |
| Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes Kalamazoo, MI | General & Unrestricted | $130,000 |
| Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative Inc Kalamazoo, MI | General operations support of staff positions to meet the expanded needs of KRRC's target population | $110,000 |
| Lake Michigan Junior Golf Association Inc Grand Rapids, MI | Program Funding | $106,500 |
| Culver Educational Foundation Culver, IN | Virginia S. & Mark T. Little Summer Scholarship Fund | $100,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $259,119,334 | $1,172,042 | $3,829,411 | $3,555,000; 46 grants |
| 2024 | $261,776,703 | $239,341,768 | $158,618 | 0 grants |
| 2023 | $22,593,553 | $3,955,047 | $29,383 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $259,119,334 | $261,776,703 | $22,593,553 |
| Revenue | $1,172,042 | $239,341,768 | $3,955,047 |
| Expenses | $3,829,411 | $158,618 | $29,383 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,802,825 | $134,278 | $16,473 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,170,869 | $1,314,890 | $695,275 |
| Distributable Amount | $15,747,686 | $9,332,558 | $1,073,003 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following officers and trustees:
- Mark Donovan — Trustee
- James M Elsworth — Trustee
- Frances A Little — President, Trustee, Secretary
- Virginia S Little — Vice President, Trustee
- James G Thompson — Treasurer, Trustee
- Andrew J Weisman — Trustee
- Joel W Weisman — Trustee
- Shirley L Palmer — Honorary Trustee
William T and Frances A Little Foundation is led by Frances A Little, President, Trustee & Secretary since 2020 (on filings since 2019); 6 of 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Frances A Little
President, Trustee & Secretary
President, Secretary & Treasurer → President, Secretary & Trustee, 2020
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James M Elsworth
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2020
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Andrew J Weisman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $500 (2025)
James G Thompson
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Joel W Weisman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Mark Donovan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Virginia S Little
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $500 (2025)
Shirley L Palmer
Honorary Trustee
Non-Voting Trustee → Honorary Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: William Tedrow Little (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $500, to Mark Donovan (Trustee). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Frequently asked questions about William T and Frances A Little Foundation
How much does William T and Frances A Little Foundation give each year?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation gave $3.6M across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is William T and Frances A Little Foundation's typical grant size?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $77,283, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does William T and Frances A Little Foundation give grants?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (7%) and New Jersey (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (14 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (5 grants) and Portage, MI (2 grants).
Does William T and Frances A Little Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of William T and Frances A Little Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are William T and Frances A Little Foundation's largest grantees?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association ($200,000), Michigan Fraternal Order of Police Foundation ($200,000) and Williams Syndrome Association Inc ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is William T and Frances A Little Foundation?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation reported $259.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $15.7M (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 William T and Frances A Little Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for a range of organizations. For example, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes says its mission is to feed hungry people and engage the community in the fight to end hunger. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William T and Frances A Little Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is William T and Frances A Little Foundation's EIN?
William T and Frances A Little Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3443723. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does William T and Frances A Little Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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