The Reba a Will Foundation
The Reba A Will Foundation is a private foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland. In filing year 2026, it reported 14 grants totaling $212,537, including awards for music education, community food assistance, and religious purposes.
The Reba a Will Foundation at a glance
In short: The Reba a Will Foundation gave $213K across 14 grants in 2026 (avg $15K), top state Maryland. 30% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $212,537
- +36.8% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 14
- +40.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $15,181
- -2.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $8,500
- Total assets
- $1,339,507
- -11.3% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2026; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (38% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Reba a Will Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7501 Wisconsin Avenue 600E, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 718-6100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Reba a Will Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Johns Hopkins University - Peabody Institute ($80K). Together the top 10 received $181K.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 55 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2026 filing reports that grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland (38%), Virginia (31%), the District of Columbia (23%), West Virginia (4%), and Pennsylvania (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Reba a Will Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 70% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving grew 30% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $148K (2022) to $213K (2026). In 2026 it made 14 grants totaling $213K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University - Peabody Institute Baltimore, MD | Music Education | $80,000 |
| Northern Virginia Food Rescue Manassas, VA | Community aid - providing meals and groceries to those in need | $20,000 |
| Soloman's Lutheran Church Quicksburg, VA | Religious Purposes | $17,533 |
| Grace United Church of Christ Mount Jackson, VA | Religious Purposes | $12,204 |
| Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Verona, VA | Community aid - providing meals and groceries to those in need | $8,500 |
| Capital Area Food Bank Washington, DC | Community aid - provide meals and groceries to those in need | $8,500 |
| DC Central Kitchen Washington, DC | Community aid - providing meals and groceries to those in need | $8,500 |
| United Way of Northern Shenendoah Valley Winchester, VA | Aid to Residents Impacted by the Pandemic | $8,500 |
| DC Food Project Washington, DC | Community aid - providing meals and groceries to those in need | $8,500 |
| DC Youth Orchestra Program Washington, DC | Music Education | $8,300 |
Ready to take the next step with The Reba a Will Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,339,507 | $142,024 | $312,298 | $212,537 | 14 | $212,537 | $87,928 | $226,799 |
| 2025 | $1,509,781 | $202,955 | $244,667 | $155,343 | 10 | $155,343 | $152,839 | $213,379 |
| 2024 | $1,551,491 | $134,448 | $233,125 | $151,882 | 10 | $187,529 | $88,852 | $191,138 |
| 2023 | $1,650,167 | $27,883 | $231,518 | $163,461 | 11 | $197,578 | $51,109 | $187,511 |
| 2022 | $1,853,802 | $208,941 | $225,330 | $147,600 | 10 | $185,822 | $169,433 | $198,526 |
| 2021 | $1,870,190 | $122,819 | $243,315 | $164,285 | 10 | — | $77,040 | $181,527 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Reba a Will Foundation reported a distributable amount of $227K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2026 grants show support for organizations working in areas including music education and food assistance, as well as grants designated for religious purposes.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Northern Virginia Food Rescue says it rescues food at risk of waste and distributes it to organizations serving communities in need. The Capital Area Food Bank describes its mission as helping neighbors thrive through more equitable access to food and opportunity. DC Youth Orchestra Program says it empowers young people through music and community, while Paul Public Charter School says it aims to develop independent, productive, and responsible individuals.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $212,537. Grants ranged from $8,000 to $80,000, with a median grant of $8,500.
The largest reported award was $80,000 to Johns Hopkins University – Peabody Institute for music education. Other notable grants included $20,000 to Northern Virginia Food Rescue for community aid; $17,533 to Soloman's Lutheran Church and $12,204 to Grace United Church of Christ for religious purposes; and $8,500 each to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank, DC Central Kitchen, United Way of Northern Shenendoah Valley, and DC Food Project. The filing also lists $8,300 to DC Youth Orchestra Program and $8,000 each to Delta Omicron Foundation and Paul Public Charter School for music education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Merritt L. Wingate is listed as a director on the 2026 filing.
The Reba a Will Foundation is led by Merritt L. Wingate, Director on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Merritt L. Wingate
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$33K (2021) → $43K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $43K, to Merritt L Wingate (Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Reba a Will Foundation
How much does The Reba a Will Foundation give each year?
The Reba a Will Foundation gave $213K across 14 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $155K across 10 grants.
What is The Reba a Will Foundation's typical grant size?
The Reba a Will Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $8,500, and its average grant was $15,181, across 14 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Reba a Will Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Reba a Will Foundation give grants?
The Reba a Will Foundation's top state is Maryland, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (31%) and District of Columbia (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants).
Does The Reba a Will Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Reba a Will Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Music Education" (5 grants).
Who are The Reba a Will Foundation's largest grantees?
The Reba a Will Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Johns Hopkins University - Peabody Institute ($80,000), Northern Virginia Food Rescue ($20,000) and Soloman's Lutheran Church ($17,533), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Reba a Will Foundation?
The Reba a Will Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $213K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $227K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Reba a Will Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2026 grants show support for organizations working in areas including music education and food assistance, as well as grants designated for religious purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Reba a Will Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Reba a Will Foundation's EIN?
The Reba a Will Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2427395. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does The Reba a Will Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Reba a Will Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Reba a Will Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Reba a Will Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-reba-a-will-foundation-morg_7f82f41d2df445aeb70394ed7d502bf3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_822427395_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Reba a Will Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-reba-a-will-foundation-morg_7f82f41d2df445aeb70394ed7d502bf3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 The Reba a Will Foundation'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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