Helen and Will Webster Foundation
The Helen and Will Webster Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Arcadia, California, established in 1997. The foundation holds approximately $226.6 million in assets and operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of young people through strategic charitable giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$226.6M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.6M
+24.2% YoY
Grant Count
54
+3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$307K
+19.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Helen and Will Webster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on the advancement of young people with a focus on equitable access to health, education, and welfare. The foundation's approach reflects Will Webster's background as a medical device innovator, with particular emphasis on investments in technological innovation that advance medicine and improve lives, especially in pediatric cardiac care.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education: Support for schools and supplemental educational programs, with emphasis on educational advancement and developing life skills
- Children's Health and Welfare: Medical research and support, particularly for children's health and heart-related programs
- Health Services and Nutrition: Nutritional programs and health services for young people
- Environmental Causes: Support for environmental-related initiatives
- Medical Innovation: Technological advancement in medicine
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion rather than formal application programs. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding.
Grant Range
$35,000 to $6,000,000+
Average Grant
Varies significantly based on project scope
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states, with primary focus on California. Additional states receiving support include New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Specific cities funded include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $226,628,301
- Total revenue: $20,914,316
- Total expenses: $18,471,337
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $224,000,000
- Total revenue: $7,740,000
- Total expenses: $15,200,000
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since September 1997 (EIN: 95-4624483)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $226,628,301 | $224,485,668 | $233,313,242 |
| Revenue | $20,914,316 | $7,743,121 | $5,552,315 |
| Expenses | $18,471,337 | $15,173,653 | $12,752,315 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,086,417 | $13,787,866 | $11,049,069 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,784,470 | $7,412,808 | $4,486,285 |
| Distributable Amount | $11,732,447 | $11,320,186 | $11,977,555 |
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
247 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Oklahoma Foundation ($3,920,000), Uc Santa Cruz Foundation ($2,239,000), Elkhorn Slough Foundation ($1,505,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A NOISE WITHIN PASADENA, CA | THE ARTS AND EDUCATION | $43,710 |
| ACCESS BOOKS LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUCATION | $158,800 |
| ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PSF LOS ANGELES, CA | EDUCATION | $500,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DALLAS, TX | HEALTH CARE | $1,000,000 |
| ARROYOS & FOOTHILLS CONSERVANCY ALTADENA, CA | WILDLIFE PRESERVATION | $65,000 |
| AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY AZUSA, CA | EDUCATION | $200,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF PASADENA PASADENA, CA | EDUCATION AND HEALTH | $305,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SANTA CRUZ CO SANTA CRUZ, CA | EDUCATION AND HEALTH | $35,000 |
| CLIMATE CENTRAL PRINCETON, NJ | CLIMATE | $40,000 |
| COASTAL WATERSHED COUNCIL SANTA CRUZ, CA | EDUCATION | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Current Leadership:
- Alec J. Webster - President (full-time, compensation: $287,500)
- Richard B. Webster - Secretary and Treasurer (full-time, compensation: $287,500)
Both are sons of the foundation's founders and continue their parents' legacy of supporting technological innovation in medicine and education.
Staff: The foundation operates with 2 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD B WEBSTER | Secretary and Treasurer | 40 | $324,000 |
| ALEC J WEBSTER | President | 40 | $324,000 |
| THEODORE M JOYCE | Board Member | 15 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant commitments to pediatric cardiac care, including a $5 million pledge to Rady Children's Hospital to support cardiac care excellence. The foundation continues to fund educational initiatives, including support for the UC Santa Cruz Foundation and The University of Oklahoma Foundation.
HELEN AND WILL WEBSTER FOUNDATION - GrantableSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Helen and Will Webster Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on the advancement of young people with a focus on equitable access to health, education, and welfare. The foundation's approach reflects Will Webster's background as a medical device innovator, with particular emphasis on investments in technological innovation that advance medicine and improve lives, especially in pediatric cardiac care. Primary funding areas include: • **Education**: Support for schools and supplemental educational programs, with emphasis on …
How do I apply for a grant from Helen and Will Webster Foundation?
The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion rather than formal application programs. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. **Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $13.3 million to $16.5 million • Number of grants: 36-52 awards annually • Grant range: $35,000 to $6,000,000+ • Average grant size: Varies significantly based on project scope **Recent Notable Grants:** • $5 million pledge to Rady Children's Hospital for cardiac care excellence • S…
Where does Helen and Will Webster Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple U.S. states, with primary focus on California. Additional states receiving support include New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Specific cities funded include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.
What size grants does Helen and Will Webster Foundation award?
In 2024, Helen and Will Webster Foundation awarded 54 grants totaling $16.6M — an average of about $307K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Helen and Will Webster Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Helen and Will Webster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Helen and Will Webster Foundation's EIN?
Helen and Will Webster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4624483. 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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