Matilda R Wilson Fund
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
24
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$54K
+0.8% YoY
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
Cities
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
| 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
No grants recorded for .
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 grantsContact Information
Address: 6 Floor, Ford Field 1901 St Antoine Street Detroit, MI 48226 United States
Telephone: 313-392-1040
EIN: 38-6087665
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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