The Alcyon Foundation appears to concentrate its philanthropic support on a single cultural institution, providing multi-year operational funding to sustain museum activities and core operations. Its giving suggests a preference for preserving regional cultural heritage and ensuring institutional stability rather than funding many small projects or diverse causes. The foundation is distinctively focused and hands-on in its allocations, channeling nearly all reported dollars to one grantee.
Highly concentrated giving: almost all reported grants go to a single repeat grantee, delivered as unrestricted/general operations support rather than project-restricted funding.
Alcyon Foundation’s recent giving is dominated by sustained support for The Bennington Museum, with six-figure general-operations grants in both 2023 and 2024. That pattern makes the foundation’s priorities unusually clear: preserve a cultural institution, keep it operating, and back related community-facing work in and around Bennington. Beyond the museum, the foundation has funded organizations tied to local heritage, land, health, and public access to arts and collections, but the overall profile remains narrow and institution-centered. The largest recent grant in the data is $200,229 to The Bennington Museum in 2024 for general operations, following a $176,252 grant to the same institution in 2023. Other substantial grants include $60,644 to Smokey House Center and $55,095 to Southwestern Vt Healthcare Foundation, both in 2024, showing that the foundation also supports a small set of Vermont nonprofits with operating needs. Its giving is not broad-based across many issue areas; instead, it repeatedly returns to a limited group of recipients, often with unrestricted or general-operations support.
A clear theme in the recent grants is institutional support for museums and cultural organizations. The Bennington Museum received $200,229 in 2024 and $176,252 in 2023, both for general operations, indicating a sustained role in the foundation’s portfolio. Friends of Hildene also received repeated support, including $30,775 in 2024 and $25,052 in 2023 for general operations. The foundation also backs community and public-interest work. Vermont Public Interest Research & Education Foundation received $25,748 in 2023, split between a $15,000 research and education fund and $10,000 for rapid response, then another $15,238 in 2024 for the research and education fund. Environmental and land-related work appears as well, including $25,052 to Vermont Land Trust and $20,024 to The Nature Conservancy of Vermont, both for general operations.
Typical grants cluster tightly around a small-dollar operating range: p25 is $5,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,020. The recent record also includes a smaller set of larger awards, including six-figure support for one recurring recipient and multiple five-figure operating grants to Vermont nonprofits. The pattern suggests a mix of recurring support and selective one-off awards, with the same organizations appearing in multiple years. Alcyon Foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, funds organizations rather than individuals, and makes no program-related investments. Grant purposes are often general operations, with occasional project-designated support such as research and education or rapid response.
$748K
$7.7M
$1M
$838K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in VT.
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Notable grantees: The Bennington Museum
Alcyon Foundation gives nationally, but the grant record is heavily concentrated in Vermont. The top state by grant count is VT, and the recipient list includes Bennington, Manchester, Montpelier, Middlebury, Stowe, Richmond, and Danby. Outside Vermont, the recent grants list shows smaller numbers of recipients in Oregon, California, and Virginia, including Netarts, Valencia, and Chatham. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent record centers on nonprofit organizations, especially museums, cultural institutions, and Vermont-based groups. Examples in the data include museum operating support, heritage and folklore organizations, environmental land trusts, public-interest education, healthcare-related foundations, and community service groups.
The typical grant size is small and tightly grouped: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,020. That means many awards land at or near the $5,000 level, with some larger operating grants above that.
The record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years. The Bennington Museum appears in both 2023 and 2024 with major operating grants, and several other Vermont nonprofits also recur, indicating an ongoing relationship with a limited set of grantees.
Most awards are listed as general operations. A smaller number are designated for specific purposes, including a research and education fund and rapid response for Vermont Public Interest Research & Education Foundation. The foundation also uses general-operating support for cultural, environmental, and community-serving nonprofits.
The top state by grant count is Vermont. Recent recipient cities in the state include Bennington, Manchester, Montpelier, Middlebury, Stowe, Richmond, and Danby, showing a strong Vermont concentration even though the foundation’s geographic scope is national.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERMONT YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS | RICHMOND, VT | $109,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BENNINGTON MUSEUM | BENNINGTON, VT | $101,667 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SMOKEY HOUSE CENTER | DANBY, VT | $74,829 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ANTIDOTE | APACHE JUNCTION, AZ | $50,833 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHWESTERN VT HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | BENNINGTON, VT | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPEARTIONS |
| THE CURRENT | STOWE, VT | $30,584 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VERMONT PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MONTPELIER, VT | $30,128 | 2026 | $15,000 FOR RESEARCH & EDUCATION FUND |
| VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MONTPELIER, VT | $15,292 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VERMONT LAND TRUST | MONTPELIER, VT | $15,292 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RAINFOREST FLOW | VALENCIA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MANCHESTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY | MANCHESTER, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VERMONT FOOD BANK | BARRE, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LONG TRAIL SCHOOL | DORSET, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHATHAM HALL SCHOOL | CHATHAM, VA | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONSGENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION IN MEDICINE | BENNINGTON, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL | LANDER, WY | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OLD FIRST CHURCH BENNINGTON VT | OLD BENNINGTON, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF VERMONT | ARLINGTON, VA | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BENNINGTON AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | MANCHESTER, VT | $9,938 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NAMI SANTA CRUZ COUNTY | WATSONVILLE, CA | $7,619 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | WATSONVILLE, CA | $7,619 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MONTEREY BAY | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $7,619 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SHIRES HOUSING | BENNINGTON, VT | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STUDENT CONSERVATON ASSOCIATION | CHARLESTON, NH | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COCHRAN'S SKI CLUB | RICHMOND, VA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED COUNSELING OF BENNINGTON COUNTY | BENNINGTON, VT | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NOFA VT | RICHMOND, VT | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STOWE SWIMMING HOLE | STOWE, VT | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TACONIC MUSIC | MANCHESTER, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GRATEFUL HEARTS MANCHESTER | DORSET, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COPLEY HOSPITAL | MORRISVILLE, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY FOOD CUPBOARD | MANCHESTER, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER | MIDDLEBURY, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WATERBURY COMMON MARKET | WATERBURY, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MIDDLEBURY, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY | HARLAN, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HOMELESS GARDEN PROJECT | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATIONS | BURLINGTON, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF HILDENE | MANCHESTER, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HOSPICE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY | SCOTTS VALLEY, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MERCK FOREST AND FARMLAND CENTER | RUPERT, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER | MANCHESTER, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LAMOILLE FAMILY CENTER | MORRISVILLE, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LAMOILLE COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE | MORRISVILLE, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RIVER ARTS | MORRISVILLE, VT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STOWE LAND TRUST | STOWE, VT | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VERMONT FARMERS FOOD CENTER | RUTLAND, VT | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LAMOILLE COMMUNITY HOUSE | HYDE PARK, VT | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCEITY | MANCHESTER, VT | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MANCHESTER RIVERWALK ASSOCIATION | MANCHESTER, VT | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
BENNINGTON MUSEUM
$101,667GENERAL OPERATIONS
SMOKEY HOUSE CENTER
$74,829GENERAL OPERATIONS
ANTIDOTE
$50,833GENERAL OPERATIONS
SOUTHWESTERN VT HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$45,000GENERAL OPEARTIONS
THE CURRENT
$30,584GENERAL OPERATIONS
VERMONT PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$30,128$15,000 FOR RESEARCH & EDUCATION FUND
VERMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$15,292GENERAL OPERATIONS
RAINFOREST FLOW
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANCHESTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
LONG TRAIL SCHOOL
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION IN MEDICINE
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
OLD FIRST CHURCH BENNINGTON VT
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF VERMONT
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
BENNINGTON AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$9,938GENERAL OPERATIONS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MONTEREY BAY
$7,619GENERAL OPERATIONS
SHIRES HOUSING
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
STUDENT CONSERVATON ASSOCIATION
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
COCHRAN'S SKI CLUB
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNITED COUNSELING OF BENNINGTON COUNTY
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
NOFA VT
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
STOWE SWIMMING HOLE
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
TACONIC MUSIC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GRATEFUL HEARTS MANCHESTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COPLEY HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY FOOD CUPBOARD
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WATERBURY COMMON MARKET
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATIONS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF HILDENE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MERCK FOREST AND FARMLAND CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LAMOILLE FAMILY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LAMOILLE COMMUNITY FOOD SHARE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
RIVER ARTS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LAMOILLE COMMUNITY HOUSE
$3,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCEITY
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANCHESTER RIVERWALK ASSOCIATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS