Harry T Wilks Family Foundation
The Harry T Wilks Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Covington, Kentucky. Its 2025 filing reports 48 grants totaling $3,385,465, with recipients including arts organizations, community foundations, and other charitable organizations.
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Harry T Wilks Family Foundation gave $3.4M across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $71K), mostly in Ohio. 65% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,385,465
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- +23.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $70,531
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $21,521,772
- +20.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 65% first-time grantees (31 of 48, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Harry T Wilks Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 West Rivercenter Blvd Ph4A, Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (513) 324-4668
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Harry T Wilks Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 158 grants of 188 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio. Other reported recipient-state shares were Nebraska (2%), Washington, D.C. (2%), Maine (1%), and Virginia (0%, as reported).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Harry T Wilks Family Foundation open to new grantees?
65%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 31 of 48 grantees (65%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $158K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 13% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 38% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2020) to $3.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Hamilton, OH | Program Support | $1,076,915 |
| Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Cincinnati, OH | Program Support | $1,020,000 |
| Hamilton Community Foundation Hamilton, OH | Program Support | $321,750 |
| University of Cincinnati Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Program Support | $280,000 |
| A Mindful Moment Cincinnati, OH | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Blue Hill Community Foundation Blue Hill, NE | Program Support | $60,000 |
| Great Miami Rowing Center Hamilton, OH | Program Support | $55,000 |
| Tide Pool Inc Hamilton, OH | Program Support | $50,000 |
| YWCA Washington, DC | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Arts Wave Cincinnati, OH | Program Support | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Harry T Wilks Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,521,772 | $7,085,115 | $3,519,403 | $3,385,465 | 48 | $3,428,822 | $7,012,561 | $2,921,582 |
| 2024 | $17,884,951 | $2,969,958 | $3,187,321 | $3,059,584 | 39 | $3,059,584 | $1,210,600 | $2,625,497 |
| 2023 | $18,102,314 | $2,422,778 | $2,561,590 | $2,427,750 | 38 | $2,427,750 | $1,143,642 | $2,282,279 |
| 2022 | $18,241,126 | $2,321,698 | $2,561,251 | $2,454,071 | 39 | $2,454,071 | $1,083,835 | $2,461,342 |
| 2021 | $18,480,679 | $2,383,380 | $2,453,950 | $2,339,500 | 24 | $2,339,500 | $1,050,779 | $2,501,061 |
| 2020 | $18,551,249 | $1,845,334 | $2,171,545 | $2,105,752 | 37 | — | $988,665 | $1,913,168 |
| 2019 | $18,877,460 | $1,929,956 | $2,768,366 | $2,710,260 | 32 | — | $992,738 | $2,315,583 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry T Wilks Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, community foundations, a university foundation, and organizations addressing mental and emotional well-being.
Grantees describe their own missions in varied terms. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra says its mission is “to seek and share in inspiration.” The University of Cincinnati Foundation says it aims to inspire a community of UC and UC Health supporters through philanthropy. The Hamilton Community Foundation describes its work as enriching its community through grantmaking in areas including arts, education, housing, social services, community development, and recreation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 48 grants totaling $3,385,465. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $1,076,915, with a median grant of $15,000.
The largest reported grants included $1,076,915 to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, $1,020,000 to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, $321,750 to the Hamilton Community Foundation, and $280,000 to the University of Cincinnati Foundation. Other grants included $100,000 to A Mindful Moment, $60,000 to Blue Hill Community Foundation, and $55,000 to Great Miami Rowing Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara Wilks and Nanci Lanni as trustees.
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Wilks
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2021) → $20K (2025)
Nanci Lanni
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$20K (2021) → $20K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $20K, to Barbara Wilks (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Harry T Wilks Family Foundation
How much does Harry T Wilks Family Foundation give each year?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation gave $3.4M across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.1M across 39 grants.
What is Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $70,531, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Harry T Wilks Family Foundation that year got $22K on average.
Where does Harry T Wilks Family Foundation give grants?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hamilton, OH (17 grants), Cincinnati, OH (9 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants) and Augusta, ME (2 grants).
Does Harry T Wilks Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 48 grants with a stated purpose on Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (38 grants) and "Education" (10 grants).
Who are Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park ($1,076,915), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ($1,020,000) and Hamilton Community Foundation ($321,750), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Harry T Wilks Family Foundation?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation reported $21.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Harry T Wilks Family Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for arts and cultural organizations, community foundations, a university foundation, and organizations addressing mental and emotional well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harry T Wilks Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's EIN?
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3046060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Harry T Wilks Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Onion Foundation
Auburn, ME
Onion Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working in the arts and environment, including nature learning, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $625,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online grant portal.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
245
Total Given
$4.4M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation supports nonprofits and communities in Maine through grants for areas such as community building, arts, land and water, housing, and equity, as well as scholarships. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $17,500, though awards varied widely. The profile describes online applications for competitive grants but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Cincinnati, OH
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation funds nonprofits working on education, housing, community and cultural vibrancy, and related regional needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though amounts vary widely; specific opportunities include awards of up to $35,000 for Resilient Communities and up to $450,000 through the Neighborhood Development Fund. It lists RFP and letter-of-intent opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Kentucky
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Harry T Wilks Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harry-t-wilks-family-foundation-morg_4550107618d347e5a11b9a9947d49ca8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_273046060_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harry T Wilks Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harry-t-wilks-family-foundation-morg_4550107618d347e5a11b9a9947d49ca8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
} The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Harry T Wilks Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Harry T Wilks Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?