Burnham Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Burnham Family Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmington, Delaware. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.3 million in 45 grants; the typical grant was $29,662 and the largest $200,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.3 million
- Number of grants45
- Typical grant$29,662
- Largest grant$200,000
- Assets$83.7 million
- New grantees72%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.0 million the year before.
72% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.0 million | 16 | $65.3 million |
| 2024 | $2.3 million | 45 | $83.7 million |
How to apply
Burnham Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Burnham Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 32 | $1.7 million |
| California | 6 | $252,958 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $98,697 |
| Georgia | 1 | $98,697 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $59,842 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $50,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $20,022 |
| Texas | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New City Parks Inc | General & Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Billion Oyster Project | Mitigation Bank Development Fund (see general explanation) | $155,499 |
| Lighthouse Works Inc | Hoffort House Maintenance Reserve Fund (see general explanation) | $155,499 |
| Lighthouse Works Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $120,804 |
| Architectural League of New York | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $100,907 |
| Trust for Public Land | NYC Community Schoolyards | $100,000 |
| Walsh Park Benevolent Corporation | Maintenance Fund | $100,000 |
| Teaching Matters Inc | Teacher Professional Development in connection with NYC Reads (see general explanation) | $98,996 |
| New Story Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $98,697 |
| Teaching Lab | Teacher Professional Development in connection with NYC Reads (see general explanation) | $98,697 |
| Earthjustice | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $74,154 |
| Free and Fair Litigation Group Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $73,931 |
| Natural Areas Conservancy Inc | Wetland Mitigation (see general explanation) | $60,402 |
| American Academy in Rome | General & Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Cambiar Education | FBO Magpie Literacy for ROAR Integration Work | $50,000 |
| New Visions for Public Schools Inc | Literacy Academy Collective Fund | $50,000 |
| The Academy in Manayunk Inc | AIM Institute for Learning & Research in New York City Public Schools - Brooklyn/Brownsville - Expand AIM pathways licenses & implementation of science coaching and fidelity tools | $50,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $49,533 |
| Electronic Frontier Foundation Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $49,533 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition; Long Island Sound Program; Wildlife Mitigation | $42,500 |
| Billion Oyster Project | Scholarship Fund; General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $40,505 |
| Fight for the Future Education Fund | General & Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| Wikimedia Endowment | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $29,662 |
| Literacy Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $25,227 |
| Open Space Institute Land Trust Inc | Conservation Capital Program (see general explanation) | $25,227 |
| Fund for Public Schools Inc | NYC Public Schools Educator and Student Programming at the Arts Hub - Studio Artist Stipends and Fund for Public Schools' Administrative Fee | $25,000 |
| Henry L Ferguson Museum | General & unrestricted; Seagrass coalition | $25,000 |
| Learning Through an Expanded Arts Program Inc | Exploring Creative Futures | $25,000 |
| Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Inc | Catalyst Fund and Data Visualization Fund (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| Echoing Green Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| El Education Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| Environmental Advocates Ny Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| FFWD | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| New Profit Inc | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,842 |
| Farmlink Project | General & Unrestricted (see general explanation) | $24,767 |
| Save the Sound Inc | Water Quality Monitoring (see general explanation) | $20,022 |
| The New York Community Trust | Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (see general explanation) | $20,022 |
| Sure We Can Inc | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Newtown Creek Alliance Incorporated | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| The Little Orchestra Society- Orpheon Inc | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Mary Buttrick Burnham
- R Bradford Burnham III
Questions people ask
Does Burnham Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Burnham Family Foundation give?
$2.3 million in tax year 2024, across 45 grants, with a typical grant of $29,662.
Who runs Burnham Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Mary Buttrick Burnham (Trustee) and R Bradford Burnham III (Trustee).
What does Burnham Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and arts and culture.