The Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas, established in 1997. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and functions as a grantmaking foundation supporting various charitable causes across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.7M
-1.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+43.4% YoY
Grant Count
33
+6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+34.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman reported a distributable amount of $678K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking history, the foundation supports education, Holocaust studies, health initiatives, food security, and Ukraine relief. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to educational institutions and Holocaust remembrance through sustained support of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 25 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular concentration in Texas, New York, and Virginia. Grantees are located in major cities including Dallas, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,743,696
- Total Revenues: $929,437
- Total Expenses: $1,086,127
- Total Liabilities: $41,500 (as of 2023)
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $12.9 million
- Total Revenues: -$37,600
- Total Expenses: $763,000
The foundation employs no staff members.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,743,696 | $12,913,905 | $13,698,707 |
| Revenue | $929,437 | $-37,585 | $282,944 |
| Expenses | $1,086,127 | $762,615 | $620,131 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,033,101 | $720,350 | $504,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $883,691 | $359,716 | $193,423 |
| Distributable Amount | $678,312 | $616,152 | $661,400 |
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
142 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Temple Emanu-el ($410,000), Hockaday School ($337,124), University of Texas at Dallas - Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | HEALTH | $523 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YAHAD-IN UNUM NEW YORK, NY | EDUCATION | $1,041 |
| AUSTIN TENNIS ACADEMY AUSTIN, TX | EDUCATION | $1,500 |
| CATCH UP & READ DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF DALLAS DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $6,179 |
| DALLAS URBAN DEBATE ALLIANCE DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $30,858 |
| DUBLIN SCHOOL DUBLIN, NH | EDUCATION | $1,151 |
| HOCKADAY SCHOOL DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $337,124 |
| KERA DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $1,000 |
| LUMIN EDUCATION DALLAS, TX | EDUCATION | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
David B. Ackerman serves as President, Treasurer, and Director of the foundation. Other family members hold vice-presidential and director roles. None of the leadership team receives compensation for their positions.
The foundation was established by Edward M. Ackerman and his wife Wilhelmina (Helma) Ackerman. Edward Ackerman was a prominent Dallas investment advisor, philanthropist, and community leader who founded Ackerman Associates, L.P., the first hedge fund in Dallas, in 1969. He was a graduate of the University of Texas and served as a lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean War. Edward Ackerman passed away on October 1, 2016.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID B ACKERMAN | PRESIDENT/TREASURER/DIRECT | — | — |
| SAMANTHA ACKERMAN ASCH | VICE-PRESIDENT/SECRETARY/D | — | — |
| EDWARD W ACKERMAN | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PAULA ACKERMAN MENENDEZ | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2022, the Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman Foundation made a $1.1 million gift to the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. This gift continued the family's multigenerational support of the center, which was established in 2006 through generous support from Edward and Wilhelmina Ackerman. The 2022 gift was designated to enhance the center's internationally recognized scholarship and expand its outreach mission through online learning initiatives.
New Ackerman Gift Enhances Online Learning in Holocaust StudiesEdward Ackerman made his first donation to the Holocaust Studies Program in 1993, demonstrating the family's long-standing commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance.
New Ackerman Gift Enhances Online Learning in Holocaust StudiesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking history, the foundation supports education, Holocaust studies, health initiatives, food security, and Ukraine relief. The foundation has demonstrated particular commitment to educational institutions and Holocaust remembrance through sustained support of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.
How do I apply for a grant from Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman?
The foundation made 25 grants in its most recent fiscal year. Recent grants include: • Hockaday School: $337,124 (Education) • St Mark's School of Texas: $37,500 (Education) • Dallas Urban Debate Alliance: $30,858 (Education) Total giving in 2024 was $1,033,101. The foundation's typical award range falls between $300,000 and $410,000, though grants vary significantly in size.
Where does Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, with particular concentration in Texas, New York, and Virginia. Grantees are located in major cities including Dallas, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
What size grants does Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman award?
In 2024, Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman awarded 33 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman reported a distributable amount of $678K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman's EIN?
Edward & Wilhelmina Ackerman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2681488. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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