Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is a public charity based in Wilson, North Carolina. It makes grants and supports nonprofit capacity building to improve health and wellness in the greater Wilson community.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson at a glance
In short: Healthcare Foundation of Wilson gave $963K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $51K), mostly in North Carolina. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $962,844
- -80.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- +72.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,676
- -88.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,930
- Total assets
- $203,675,231
- +10.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (9 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its responsive grant process: submit a Letter of Interest or application through the online portal. Strategic grants are by invitation; the foundation also accepts proposals for strategic ideas on a rolling basis.
- Review Cycle
- Responsive grant Letter of Interest submissions normally open at the start of each calendar year. CAREs Flexible Funding applications are available in mid-September.
- Deadline
- Responsive grant Letter of Interest submissions normally open at the start of each calendar year.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3697, Wilson, NC 27895
Phone: (252) 281-2105
Website: https://healthcarefoundationofwilson.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
CAREs Flexible Funding
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CAREs Flexible Funding Grant
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
College – Healthcare Career Scholarship
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Healthcare Foundation of Wilson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wilson County Schools ($482K). Together the top 10 received $869K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 62 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s grant programs serve organizations in Wilson, North Carolina, and the greater Wilson community. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Healthcare Foundation of Wilson open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 19 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $76K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $36K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+20%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $798K (2020) to $5.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $963K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson County Schools Wilson, NC | General Support | $481,747 |
| Wilson Forward Wilson, NC | General Support | $70,000 |
| Wilson County Health Department Wilson, NC | General Support | $64,528 |
| Wilson County Department of Social Services Wilson, NC | General Support | $49,800 |
| Wilson County Interfaith Services Inc Wilson, NC | General Support | $41,160 |
| Wilson County EMS - Community Paramedic Program Wilson, NC | General Support | $38,000 |
| Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition Wilson, NC | General Support | $37,500 |
| Wilson County Senior Center Wilson, NC | General Support | $33,700 |
| Wilson Community College Wilson, NC | General Support | $32,044 |
| Wilson Youth United Inc Wilson, NC | General Support | $20,930 |
Ready to take the next step with Healthcare Foundation of Wilson?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $203,675,231 | $18,835,826 | $2,487,223 | $962,844 | 19 | $15,408,157 |
| 2023 | $184,876,571 | $5,608,991 | $6,588,776 | $5,027,431 | 11 | $3,378,008 |
| 2022 | $169,139,042 | $3,957,650 | $12,179,480 | $814,161 | 11 | $5,112,562 |
| 2021 | $207,911,505 | $10,473,791 | $15,252,399 | $802,886 | 11 | $13,217,973 |
| 2020 | $202,901,907 | $12,044,405 | $2,262,611 | $797,766 | 10 | $6,536,881 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to invest in collaborative efforts that measurably improve the health and wellness of the greater Wilson community. Its website identifies four focus areas: access to healthcare; active living and healthy eating; alcohol and substance misuse; and behavioral and mental health.
The foundation supports eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government organizations, and schools in the greater Wilson community. It prioritizes innovative programs, programs focused on youth through age 29, and evidence-based models with significant outcomes. Its grantmaking considerations include financial viability, sustainability, collaboration, and outcome measurement.
Examples of 2024 grantees include Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition Inc, whose stated mission is to focus on youth substance-abuse prevention through community mobilization, and Wilson Youth United Inc, whose stated mission describes its work with children and families in Wilson through accountability, confidence, and self-esteem building. Wesley Shelter Inc describes its mission as assisting battered and homeless women.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $962,844. Grant amounts ranged from $5,400 to $481,747, with a median of $20,930. The largest awards included $481,747 to Wilson County Schools, $70,000 to Wilson Forward, $64,528 to Wilson County Health Department, and $49,800 to Wilson County Department of Social Services. The stated purpose for these grants was general support.
The foundation offers yearly responsive grants, with requests from $15,000 to $150,000 and a one-year reporting term. Organizations may submit up to three applications per cycle, but their combined requests may not exceed $150,000; the same program may receive requests for no more than two consecutive years. Responsive applicants submit a Letter of Interest or an application through the online portal. Eligible organizations must have at least three years of successful operations; nonprofits must provide IRS tax-exemption documentation and evidence of filing a Form 990 or 990-N each year, while government applicants must provide an EIN.
Strategic grants are by invitation, although the board invites innovative ideas and proposals may be submitted on a rolling basis. The amount varies, and the board prefers to partner on a project rather than fund the entire project. The foundation also describes CAREs Flexible Funding as unrestricted funding for nonprofit organizations located in Wilson; its website says applications are available in mid-September.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kurt Schmidt as chair, Chris Hill as past chair, and Rosario Ochoa as treasurer. Trustees listed were Tom Hooper MD, Blake Godwin, Ken Jones, Arthur Hanson, Teresa Ellen, Denise Stinagle, and Jess McKee. The foundation’s website identifies Paula Benson as president/CEO.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is led by Denise O'Hara, Retiring Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Denise O'Hara
Retiring Executive Director
Executive Director → Retiring Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$191K (2020) → $123K (2024)
Paula Benson
Executive Director
Treasurer → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$221K (2024)
Kurt Schmidt
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arthur Skip Hanson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Jones
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Perez-Navarro
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Ellen
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blake Godwin
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlotte Vick
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Stinagle
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jess McKee
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Hooper MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Krystal Cox
Programs Specialist
Trustee → Programs Specialist, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024)
Chris Hill
Past Chair
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosario Ochoa
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Jerry Woodard (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jessica McKee (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Paula Michalak (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Vance Forbes (2020–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Debbie Bradshaw (2023) — Programs Specialist
- Former: Jerome Vick (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: John Anthony (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sharon Melvin (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: George Isaacs MD (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $221K, to Paula Benson (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Healthcare Foundation of Wilson
How much does Healthcare Foundation of Wilson give each year?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson gave $963K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 11 grants.
What is Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's typical grant size?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's median grant in 2024 was $20,930, and its average grant was $50,676, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Healthcare Foundation of Wilson that year got $22K on average.
Where does Healthcare Foundation of Wilson give grants?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wilson, NC (18 grants).
Does Healthcare Foundation of Wilson give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's largest grantees?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's largest 2024 grantees include Wilson County Schools ($481,747), Wilson Forward ($70,000) and Wilson County Health Department ($64,528), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Healthcare Foundation of Wilson?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson reported $203.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.8M.
What does Healthcare Foundation of Wilson fund?
The foundation’s mission is to invest in collaborative efforts that measurably improve the health and wellness of the greater Wilson community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Healthcare Foundation of Wilson?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its responsive grant process: submit a Letter of Interest or application through the online portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's EIN?
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6024172. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Healthcare Foundation of Wilson accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 20, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Healthcare Foundation of Wilson's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of Wilson County Inc
Wilson, NC
United Way of Wilson County funds human-service agencies and programs serving Wilson County, including efforts addressing poverty, family support, safety, and services for people with disabilities. In 2024, its 11 grants ranged from $10,064 to $78,740, with a median of $33,000; mini grants are also available for $500 to $1,500 for eligible returning agencies and up to $500 for new applicants. Applications for new United Way partner agencies are closed; the profile describes a separate City of Wilson grant process but does not state whether general unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
11
Total Given
$456K
Ta Blue Bell Foundation Main
Las Vegas, NV
In its final reported year, 2022, the foundation gave to organizations addressing poverty, food assistance, shelter, philanthropy, and health care, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million and a median of $30,000. Funding went to communities in states where Blue Bell, Wrangler, or ERD KAP operated, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Oklahoma. The filing says it did not limit grants to preselected organizations and provides application information, but does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
13
Total Given
$1.9M
John Lynn & Luisa Lee
Nashville, NC
The foundation supports religious and educational institutions and charitable organizations, with recent grants including schools, colleges, churches, and children’s organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $250,000, with a median of $2,500; nearly all grant dollars went to North Carolina recipients. It accepts unsolicited requests, with no stated deadline.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
18
Total Given
$337K
Merck Foundation a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation
Rahway, NJ
The Merck Foundation supports health access and well-being, including efforts to reduce disparities and help underserved communities affected by cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS, as well as local community programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $149,000, with awards ranging from $25,000 to $10.1 million, and support is directed to communities where Merck operates or employees live and work; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$337.9M
Grants
74
Total Given
$29.1M
Turner B Bunn Jr and Catherine E Bunn
Wilson, NC
The foundation supports religious activities, education, community outreach, historical preservation, medical research, and other charitable purposes, primarily in North Carolina. In 2024, it made 51 grants ranging from $200 to $25,000, with a median grant of $2,000. It accepts unsolicited requests; no specific application form or deadline is listed.
Assets
$768K
Grants
51
Total Given
$131K
Camber Foundation
Raleigh, NC
Camber Foundation funds community-driven nonprofit work in health and wellness, education, and economic development, with priorities including healthcare access, mental health, workforce development, youth programs, and digital opportunity in Eastern North Carolina. Its 2025 grants ranged from $13,500 to $331,000, with a median of $45,000. It invited applications through specific RFPs and an online system; the 2026 application period is closed.
Assets
$168.9M
Grants
61
Total Given
$3.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Healthcare Foundation of Wilson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/healthcare-foundation-of-wilson-morg_fead560dcfdc44899507b672d550de42
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566024172_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Healthcare Foundation of Wilson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/healthcare-foundation-of-wilson-morg_fead560dcfdc44899507b672d550de42},
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 Healthcare Foundation of Wilson'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.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson down — hundreds of funders to go?