Marie C and Joseph C Wilson
The Marie C and Joseph C Wilson is a private foundation based in Rochester, New York. Established in 1963 by Joseph C. Wilson and his wife Peggy, the foundation supports work to reduce poverty in Rochester by increasing housing stability and trauma-informed responsiveness for youth and families.
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson at a glance
In short: Marie C and Joseph C Wilson gave $1.1M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in New York. 44% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,105,075
- +8.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,503
- +8.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $18,058,551
- -3.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (11 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Marie C and Joseph C Wilson
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants can obtain an application online or from the foundation office. Grants are limited to the Rochester, New York area and must align with the foundation’s mission. Contact Rachel Sherman about consideration for a future invitation.
- Review Cycle
- No submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- No submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Rachel Sherman
Mailing address: Wilson Foundation, 389 Gregory Street 3, Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: (585) 461-4696
Email: rsherman@wilsonfdn.org
Website: https://wilsonfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Marie C and Joseph C Wilson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Connected Communities ($140K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $675K.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 127 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its grants are limited to the Rochester, New York area. All grant dollars listed for 2024 went to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Marie C and Joseph C Wilson open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 25 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2023) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Connected Communities Rochester, NY | Beechwood Family Apartments | $100,005 |
| Empire Justice Center Rochester, NY | Affordable Housing and Lending Advoc | $80,005 |
| HOPE585 Rochester, NY | General Operating Expenses | $80,000 |
| Commonground Health Rochester, NY | Healer's Village | $65,000 |
| Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Rochester, NY | UTR Ministries Comm Vanguard Prog | $60,050 |
| House of Mercy Rochester, NY | General Operating Expenses | $60,000 |
| Person Centered Housing Rochester, NY | Housing First & Care MGT Program | $50,000 |
| YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County Rochester, NY | Housing Program | $50,000 |
| Breathedeep Inc Rochester, NY | General Operating Expenses | $45,000 |
| Public Policy & Education Fund of Albany, NY | General Operating Expenses | $45,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Marie C and Joseph C Wilson?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,058,551 | $1,033,020 | $1,573,852 | $1,105,075 | 26 | $1,373,770 | $852,907 | $1,084,796 |
| 2023 | $18,674,628 | $624,267 | $1,395,438 | $1,017,250 | 26 | $1,210,848 | $407,069 | $1,021,717 |
| 2022 | $19,515,141 | $703,079 | $1,572,139 | $1,057,055 | 28 | $1,386,295 | $478,642 | $1,061,845 |
| 2021 | $20,384,201 | $2,684,103 | $1,593,639 | $1,102,402 | 47 | $1,392,299 | $2,327,540 | $1,166,901 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Marie C and Joseph C Wilson reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to affect poverty by increasing housing stability and trauma-informed responsiveness for the youth and families of Rochester, New York. It supports work aligned with that mission through capacity building, collaboration, prevention, and advocacy.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Connected Communities describes its mission as breaking the cycle of poverty and revitalizing Rochester’s Emma and Beechwood neighborhoods. Empire Justice Center says it protects and strengthens the legal rights of people in New York who are poor, disabled, or disenfranchised. Hope585 describes its work as creating a relationship-centered community where marginalized youth and families can hope, heal, and thrive. Other grantees include House of Mercy, whose mission includes providing assistance and shelter to people experiencing homelessness; BreatheDeep, which works to improve the mental health of people of color; and The Children’s Agenda, which advocates for policies and evidence-based solutions for children.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $1,105,075. Grants ranged from $20,000 to $100,005, with a median of $40,000. Larger awards included $100,005 to Connected Communities for Beechwood Family Apartments; $80,005 to Empire Justice Center for affordable housing and lending advocacy; $80,000 to Hope585 for general operating expenses; $65,000 to CommonGround Health for Healer’s Village; and $60,000 to Multi-Craft Apprenticeship for the UTR Ministries Community Vanguard Program.
The foundation’s website describes its strategic grants process as invitation-based, with applications opened once or twice per year for specific partner organizations. It states that the process, from any required Statement of Intent through application and award notice, typically spans eight weeks.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists R. Scott Wilson as chairperson; Elenore Garton as treasurer; and Joan Donahue as secretary. Directors listed are Jessa McIntosh, Marie Mimi Tabah, Taylor Ensign, Benjamin Tabah, Joseph Robert Wilson, Olivia Tabah, and Alexandra Wilson. The foundation’s website identifies Rachel Sherman as executive director.
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson is led by R. Scott Wilson, Chairperson since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
R. Scott Wilson
Chairperson
Co-Chairpers → Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Sherman
Executor Director
Vice President of Ops → Executor Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$73K (2021) → $151K (2024)
Alexandra Wilson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Tabah
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deirdre Garton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deirdre Hart Wilson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessa McIntosh
Director
Co-Chairpers → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Robert Wilson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Mimi Tabah
Director
Vice Chairperson → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Tabah
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Taylor Ensign
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Kling
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Wilson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emma Donahue
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Wilson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isabelle Tabah
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elenore Garton
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Donahue
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Chloe Tabah (2021–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $151K, to Rachel Sherman (Executor DIR).
Frequently asked questions about Marie C and Joseph C Wilson
How much does Marie C and Joseph C Wilson give each year?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson gave $1.1M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 26 grants.
What is Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's typical grant size?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $42,503, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Marie C and Joseph C Wilson that year got $45K on average.
Where does Marie C and Joseph C Wilson give grants?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (25 grants).
Does Marie C and Joseph C Wilson give general operating support?
Yes: 31% of Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's largest grantees?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's largest 2024 grantees include Connected Communities ($140,005 across 2 grants), Empire Justice Center ($80,005) and HOPE585 ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Marie C and Joseph C Wilson?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson reported $18.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Marie C and Joseph C Wilson fund?
The foundation’s mission is to affect poverty by increasing housing stability and trauma-informed responsiveness for the youth and families of Rochester, New York. It supports work aligned with that mission through capacity building, collaboration, prevention, and advocacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Marie C and Joseph C Wilson?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's EIN?
Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3582646. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Marie C and Joseph C Wilson funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marie C and Joseph C Wilson's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Marie C and Joseph C Wilson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/marie-c-and-joseph-c-wilson-morg_60511e0650c24feebe15053eae47030b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843582646_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Marie C and Joseph C Wilson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/marie-c-and-joseph-c-wilson-morg_60511e0650c24feebe15053eae47030b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Marie C and Joseph C 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.
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