The Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber Charitable Foundation is an independent charitable foundation established in 1999 and based in Sandusky, Ohio. The foundation was created as a permanent memorial to Michelle Wightman and Karrie Wieber, who tragically lost their lives in a car-train collision on February 19, 1989. Operating as a public charity with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, the foundation serves the Sandusky and Erie County community through strategic grantmaking and community engagement.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.2M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$333K
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
68
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-0.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber reported a distributable amount of $343K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The mission of the Wightman/Wieber Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Michelle Wightman and Karrie Wieber by establishing a permanent, charitable foundation for the benefit of the Sandusky/Erie County Community and the safety of all public citizens.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Public Charities
- Family Support
- Social Welfare
- Education
- Safety (with particular emphasis on railway crossing safety)
Funding Priorities: The foundation provides funding for programs designed to:
- Assist other community resources with common goals
- Help people achieve their potential
- Foster the development of responsible young people
- Provide resources to families in need
- Enable families to develop skills needed to support and nurture
- Create safe living environments
- Meet community needs and expand existing programs
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants to non-profit, charitable organizations designated as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as governmental bodies such as Boards of Education.
Ready to take the next step with The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on the Sandusky and Erie County community in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Organization Details:
- EIN: 34-1831533
- Address: 100 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870-2524
- Established: 1999
Grant Distribution: The foundation has distributed grants totaling $335,309 across its grantmaking history through 2025.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,208,312 | $5,086,296 | $5,212,950 |
| Revenue | $512,765 | $258,385 | $122,242 |
| Expenses | $390,749 | $385,039 | $444,854 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $332,724 | $335,948 | $380,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $447,195 | $193,707 | $65,097 |
| Distributable Amount | $342,911 | $325,491 | $325,055 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Sandusky ($30,000), Greater Erie Co Marketing Group Chr ($20,000), Care and Share of Erie County ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACORN MINISTIRES SANDUSKY, OH | HOLIDAY DISTRIBUTION | $750 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS SANDUSKY, OH | HELPING ERIE CO FAMILIES | $2,000 |
| ANTHONYS VILLA SANDUSKY, OH | HOUSING & FOSTER CARE SERVICES | $5,000 |
| BACK TO THE WILD CASTALIA, OH | AMBASSADOR FEED | $5,000 |
| BACK TO THE WILD CASTALIA, OH | PRE-RELEASE RAPTOR FLIGHT UNIT | $3,000 |
| BGSU FOUNDATION SANDUSKY, OH | GEORGE MYLANDER SCHOLARSHIP NEW | $5,000 |
| CAMBELL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTER SANDUSKY, OH | BREAKFAST BUDDIES | $5,000 |
| CANCER SERVICES SANDUSKY, OH | PATIENT CARE PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY SANDUSKY, OH | MY CHOICE PANTRY & BOXES | $10,000 |
| CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY SANDUSKY, OH | HOLIDAY DISTRIBUTION | $750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founder: Darlene M. Wightman Lowery, who established the foundation in memory of her daughter, Michelle Wightman, with assistance from attorney Tom Murray.
Board Guidance: Darlene and Karleen guided the vision of the foundation and established crucial priorities that continue to impact its contributions to the community. George Mylander served as an original member of the Board of Trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DARLENE LOWERY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANN MURRAY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RHONDA WATT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GENE KIDWELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER CHAPMAN | VICE PRESIDE | 1 | — |
| KEVIN LUTZ | SECRETARY/TR | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN HARRIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TRICIA PATTEN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JIM MURRAY | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation co-sponsors, along with The City of Sandusky and Sandusky City Schools, the annual Wightman Wieber Celebration Safety Fair and Kids Fun Festival held each May at the Sandusky Bay Pavilion. This event attracts thousands of parents and children from the community.
The foundation has supported a diverse range of organizations across Erie County, including youth sports leagues, educational institutions, health services, wildlife organizations, and community centers. The foundation emphasizes collaboration with existing nonprofits and encourages sustainable community partnerships.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber fund?
**Mission Statement:** The mission of the Wightman/Wieber Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Michelle Wightman and Karrie Wieber by establishing a permanent, charitable foundation for the benefit of the Sandusky/Erie County Community and the safety of all public citizens. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Public Charities • Family Support • Social Welfare • Education • Safety (with particular emphasis on railway crossing safety) **Funding Priorities:** The foundation provides funding for prog…
How do I apply for a grant from The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber?
The foundation awards grants to non-profit, charitable organizations designated as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as governmental bodies such as Boards of Education. **Recent Grant Activity:** Recent grants include $15,000 to Sandusky Blue Streak Boosters Club for a turf project at Strobel Field (2024) and $3,000 to Firelands Regional Health System for a community garden shed (2023). **Scholarship Program:** The foundation administers the George Mylande…
Where does The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber make grants?
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on the Sandusky and Erie County community in Ohio.
What size grants does The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber award?
In 2024, The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber awarded 68 grants totaling $333K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber reported a distributable amount of $343K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber's EIN?
The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1831533. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Michelle Wightman-karrie Wieber to a real strategy.