Matilda R Wilson Fund

DETROIT, MI EIN: 38-6087665

The Matilda R Wilson Fund is a private foundation based in Detroit, Michigan, incorporated in 1944. The foundation was established by Matilda Dodge Wilson and received the majority of her remaining wealth through bequest upon her death in 1967. The fund operates as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a focus on philanthropic giving in the Great Lakes region.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$1.3M

+0.8% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$54K

+0.8% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Matilda R Wilson Fund provides support for:

Arts and culture
Youth agencies and youth development
Higher education
Social services and human services
Health and in-patient medical care

The foundation's philanthropic approach was shaped by Matilda Dodge Wilson's commitment to community uplift and cultural enhancement. In her early philanthropic years, Wilson focused on serving the needy in her community through settlement houses and women's charitable organizations. Her later work concentrated on higher education and cultural enhancement in southeastern Michigan.

Grantmaking

Recent grants include:

Grant Range

$227

Average Grant

$227

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in:

Michigan
Wisconsin

With particular emphasis on southeastern Michigan communities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.

Grant Distribution by State

Michigan $7.5M (96%)

Wisconsin $275K (4%)

States

Michigan Wisconsin

Cities

ALMABELOITBINGHAM FARMSBIRMINGHAMCHELSEADEARBORNDEARBORN HEIGHTSDETROITEAST LANSINGFARMINGTON HILLSGRAND HAVENGRAND RAPIDSGROSSE POINTE FARMSGROSSE POINTE WOODSINTERLOCHENLANSINGMT CLEMENSROCHESTERROYAL OAKSOUTHFIELD

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (2024):

Total assets: $12,409,857
Total revenues: $2,639,264
Total expenses: $1,773,281
Investment income and dividends: $234,249
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $2,405,015

Historical Assets (2023):

Total assets: $13,000,000 (approximately)

Staffing:

The foundation operates with zero employees

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	—	—
Revenue	—	—	—
Expenses	—	—	—
Qualifying Distributions	—	—	—
Net Investment Income	—	—	—
Distributable Amount	—	—	—

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

126 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Michigan State University ($400,000), Meadow Brook Hall ($200,000), Beloit College ($75,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ALMA COLLEGE ALMA, MI	CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS	$50,000
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN DETROIT, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$15,000
BELOIT COLLEGE BELOIT, WI	CAPITAL CAMPAIGN	$75,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$25,000
CATCH DETROIT, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$10,000
COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES DETROIT, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS	$50,000
COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONS GRAND RAPIDS, MI	MEMBERSHIP	$4,050
COVENANT CHRISTIAN CENTER MT CLEMENS, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$30,000
DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY DETROIT, MI	GENERAL OPERATIONS	$5,000
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS DETROIT, MI	ENDOWMENT	$75,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Key personnel include:

David M. Hempstead (President)
David P. Larsen (Secretary)
David B. Stephens (Treasurer, compensation of $22,917)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
DAVID M HEMPSTEAD	PRESIDENT	1	—
DAVID P LARSEN	SECRETARY	1	—
DAVID B STEPHENS	TREASURER	2	$25,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

Oakland University received a $7 million grant from the Matilda R Wilson Fund for building restoration, reflecting the foundation's continued commitment to higher education in the region.

Healthcare Foundation of Wilson awards $933,000 in project grants

Contact Information

Address: 6 Floor, Ford Field 1901 St Antoine Street Detroit, MI 48226 United States

Telephone: 313-392-1040

EIN: 38-6087665

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Matilda R Wilson Fund fund?

The Matilda R Wilson Fund provides support for: • Arts and culture • Youth agencies and youth development • Higher education • Social services and human services • Health and in-patient medical care The foundation's philanthropic approach was shaped by Matilda Dodge Wilson's commitment to community uplift and cultural enhancement. In her early philanthropic years, Wilson focused on serving the needy in her community through settlement houses and women's charitable organizations. Her later work …

How do I apply for a grant from Matilda R Wilson Fund?

**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $3,900 to $400,000 • Average grant size: $227 • Median grant amount data available in recent filings **Recent Grant Activity:** Recent grants include: • Michigan State University: $400,000 (Capital Improvements and Scholarships, 2024) • The Detroit Institute of Arts: $75,000 (Endowment, 2024) • Beloit College: $75,000 (Capital Campaign, 2024) **Total Annual Giving:** • 2024: $1,294,050 in total giving • The foundation is open to new applicants, wit…

Where does Matilda R Wilson Fund make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Michigan • Wisconsin With particular emphasis on southeastern Michigan communities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.