Fair Play Foundation
Fair Play Foundation is a private foundation established in 1961 and based in Wilmington, Delaware. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on grantmaking to nonprofit organizations across multiple regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.0M
+59.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$749K
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
43
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+2.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement to public databases. However, based on grant activity, Fair Play Foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:
- Environmental Conservation: Wilderness protection, watershed protection, marine issues and wetlands, environmental protection and justice, and environmental education
- Wildlife & Animal Welfare: Endangered species conservation, wildlife preservation, and animal welfare
- Education: Support for educational institutions and children's development programs
- Arts & Culture: Historic preservation, historic buildings preservation, and arts organizations
- Human Services: General nonprofit operations and community support
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Delaware, with emphasis on the Wilmington area, though some national organizations also receive support.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded $852,429 in total giving with 103 grants awarded in recent years, reflecting a giving rate of approximately 9.1% of assets.
Grant Range
Range:** $1,000–$85,000
Average Grant
Amount:** Varies by program ($2,500–$66,667 depending on initiative)
Ready to take the next step with Fair Play Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Fair Play Foundation supports organizations in the following states:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Primary focus is Delaware, particularly the Wilmington area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $14,965,521
- Total Giving: $749,000
- Total Revenue: $810,497
- Total Expenses: $1,034,085
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $9,371,620
- Total Revenue: $1,001,598
- Total Expenses: $980,906
- Total Liabilities: $67,000
The foundation maintains a healthy asset base and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity year over year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,965,521 | $9,371,620 | $9,333,613 |
| Revenue | $810,497 | $1,001,598 | $766,217 |
| Expenses | $1,034,085 | $980,906 | $965,722 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $883,483 | $852,429 | $861,625 |
| Net Investment Income | $659,895 | $873,121 | $662,121 |
| Distributable Amount | $734,189 | $672,446 | $698,029 |
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
215 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Blaine T. Phillips Jr. – Executive Director (30 hours/week, $48,000 compensation)
- Jeanne S. Gazzillo – President
- W. Halsey Spruance Jr. – Vice President
- Gregory A. Inskip – Trustee, Secretary
- Blaine T. Phillips – Trustee
- Kristin L. DeMesse – Trustee
- Milbrey R. Jacobs – Trustee
- Charles Elson – Trustee
The foundation operates with one full-time equivalent employee.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAINE T PHILLIPS JR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 30 | $92,917 |
| BLAINE T PHILLIPS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| KRISTIN L DEMESSE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| GREGORY A INSKIP | TRUSTEE, SECRETARY | — | — |
| MILBREY R JACOBS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| W HALSEY SPRUANCE JR | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JEANNE S GAZZILLO | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| CHARLES ELSON | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Ttee Trustees of Univ of Mass - Art 5
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$380K
Grants
1
Total Given
$14K
The Jonsson Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$784K
Grants
3
Total Given
$15K
Engineering Information Foundation Inc
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
13
Total Given
$220K
The Cucci Family Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$579K
Grants
4
Total Given
$45K
Caroline K Barber Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$257K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Give Back Brands Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
—
Grants
19
Total Given
$178K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Fair Play Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities