Ames Automotive Foundation

## Operating Foundation Model

The Ames Automotive Foundation operates as a private operating foundation rather than a traditional grantmaking institution. Founded in 2016 by Steve and Joan Ames, the foundation's primary charitable purpose is the maintenance and operation of a classic automobile museum in Marlborough, New Hampshire. The museum houses over 90 ultra-rare, low-mileage muscle cars and classics spanning 100 years of automotive history, with most vehicles retaining original paint, tires, and fewer than 10,000 miles on their odometers.

The foundation's strategy centers on direct program operation — preserving American automotive heritage by maintaining a world-class collection that educates future generations about the significance of the American assembly line and the craftsmanship of classic vehicles. Steve Ames, a Columbia University-trained mechanical engineer and 2023 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee, built this collection over decades, initially focusing on rare "one of" vehicles before shifting to ultra-low-mileage originals after discovering a 1966 Pontiac GTO with just 4,210 miles. After Steve's passing in December 2020, Joan Ames and the board of trustees have continued the foundation's mission.

Rather than soliciting grant applications, the foundation directs its charitable disbursements toward museum operations and, on occasion, preselected charitable organizations. The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This operating model means the vast majority of its $16.5 million in assets (primarily invested securities) supports the museum's ongoing preservation and educational activities.

## Financial Profile and Distribution Patterns

The Ames Automotive Foundation manages approximately $16.5 million in total assets as of its most recent filing (fiscal year 2024). The foundation's revenue derives almost entirely from investment income rather than donations:

• Dividends: $141,948 (87.7% of 2024 revenue)
• Interest: $11,841 (7.3%)
• Contributions received: $8,010 (5.0%)
• Total 2024 revenue: $161,799

The foundation's annual charitable disbursements totaled $126,537 in 2024, representing approximately 0.77% of total assets. This is below the typical 5% minimum distribution requirement for private foundations, though operating foundations receive credit for direct charitable activities (museum operations) which count toward this threshold. Total expenses in 2024 were $197,564, with officer compensation of $27,015 going to trustee Douglas J. Byam.

Critically, the foundation awarded zero traditional grants in 2024, and grant databases show no documented grants in recent years (2022-2024). This confirms the foundation operates as a direct-service organization rather than a grantmaker. Its charitable expenditures are directed toward museum facility maintenance, vehicle preservation, insurance, and operational costs rather than external grant awards.

## Peer Comparison: NH Operating Foundations with Museum/Preservation Missions

The Ames Automotive Foundation occupies a niche among New Hampshire-based operating foundations focused on preservation and heritage education. Below is a comparison with peer organizations:

The Ames Foundation's $16.5M asset base places it among the larger preservation-focused organizations in New Hampshire, though its annual spending ($198K) is notably conservative relative to its asset size. This is typical of foundations where the collection itself constitutes the majority of asset value — the vehicles in the museum represent significant embedded worth beyond the $4.7M in cash and investments.

Compared to peer automotive museums nationally (such as the Revs Institute in Naples, FL or the Simeone Foundation in Philadelphia), the Ames Foundation is smaller in scale but distinctive in its focus on ultra-low-mileage original vehicles rather than restored or racing-heritage cars.

## Recent Activity and Organizational Changes

The most significant event in the foundation's recent history was the passing of founder Steve Ames on December 20, 2020, at age 78, following a fall. Steve had been the driving force behind both the collection and the foundation since its establishment in 2016. His legacy in the automotive parts industry was substantial — he founded Ames Performance Engineering in the 1970s, pioneered reproduction parts manufacturing through Taiwanese factory partnerships, co-founded the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), and was posthumously inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2023.

Following Steve's death, the foundation continues under the governance of five trustees: Joan R. Ames (co-founder), Douglas J. Byam (compensated trustee at $27,015/year for approximately 10 hours of work), Timothy L. Stuart, Susan Tonseth, and Jeffrey Adams. Joan Ames serves as the primary steward of the collection and the foundation's mission.

Financial trends show stable asset growth from $15.9M (2020) to $16.5M (2024), indicating sound investment management. Revenue has remained modest but consistent, primarily from dividend and interest income. The foundation's website (amesautomotivefoundation.org) remains active as a Wix-hosted site, and the museum continues to operate in Marlborough, NH.

In 2018, Steve Ames received ARMO's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the foundation's profile in the collector car community remains strong through its association with the Pontiac Preservation Association (Steve was inducted in 2019) and the broader classic car preservation movement.

## Guidance for Prospective Applicants

Important: The Ames Automotive Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. According to its IRS filings and public profiles, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." There is no public application form, published deadline, or formal grant program.

However, organizations with missions aligned to automotive preservation, heritage education, or related fields may consider these approaches:

1. Do not submit cold applications. The foundation has no formal grant program and has awarded zero grants in recent documented years. Unsolicited requests will not be reviewed.

2. Build relationships through the automotive preservation community. The foundation is connected to organizations like the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO), the Pontiac Preservation Association, and SEMA. Engagement through these networks may create awareness of your organization's work.

3. Focus on alignment with the museum's mission. If your organization works in automotive heritage education, classic vehicle preservation, or American industrial history, there may be potential for collaborative programming rather than direct grants.

4. Contact through proper channels. The foundation's mailing address is PO Box 159, Marlborough, NH 03455-0159. The website (amesautomotivefoundation.org) may have a contact form. Any outreach should be respectful of the foundation's stated preference against unsolicited requests.

5. Consider the foundation as a programmatic partner rather than a funder. Given its operating model, the Ames Automotive Foundation is better understood as a potential collaboration partner for educational programs, community events, or automotive history projects rather than a source of grant funding.