The Robert A and Susan C Wilson Foundation is a private foundation based in Memphis, Tennessee. The foundation reflects the philanthropic interests of Robert A. Wilson and his wife Susan C. Wilson, who have demonstrated a commitment to education and environmental conservation across multiple regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.9M
+1649.7% YoY
Grant Count
7
-66.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.6M
+5149.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert a and Susan C Wilson reported a distributable amount of $366K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grant-making priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Environmental Education
The Wilsons have shown particular dedication to environmental education and conservation, notably through their support of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery at Grandfather Mountain, which focuses on helping people of all ages understand the planet and natural resources.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $200 to $10,834,850
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Mississippi. The Wilsons have deep regional connections, particularly to the North Carolina mountains where Susan's family has historical roots dating back generations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $0 (as of most recent filing)
Total Giving: $10,872,768 (2024 IRS 990 filing)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $10,312,817 | $9,728,014 |
| Revenue | $214,164 | $-773,554 | $132,461 |
| Expenses | $10,905,484 | $713,233 | $635,800 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,875,139 | $622,041 | $571,025 |
| Net Investment Income | $190,799 | $315,848 | $262,887 |
| Distributable Amount | $365,668 | $507,786 | $541,167 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
129 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bob and Susan Wilson Foundation ($10,834,850), Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation ($20,000), Wreaths Across America ($12,648).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DON'T EVER GIVE UP INC CARY, NC | GENERAL - OPERATING | $250 |
| GETWELL CHURCH SOUTHAVEN, MS | GENERAL - OPERATING | $500 |
| GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION LINVILLE, NC | GENERAL - OPERATING | $20,000 |
| HONORING THE SACRIFICE FOUNDATION CHATTANOOGA, TN | GENERAL - OPERATING | $2,220 |
| MAKE-A-WISH MEMPHIS, TN | GENERAL - OPERATING | $2,300 |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | GENERAL - OPERATING | $12,648 |
| BOB AND SUSAN WILSON FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | GENERAL - OPERATING | $10,834,850 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert A. Wilson - Founder and philanthropist. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he is the son of Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inn hotels. Robert A. Wilson graduated from Southern Methodist University and has served as Vice Chairman of The Kemmons Wilson Companies for 46 years. He is also founder and President of Wilson Air Center, LLC at Memphis International Airport.
Susan C. Wilson - Co-founder. Susan has family heritage in the Jonas Ridge area of North Carolina, where her ancestors were among the first settlers. Her mother, Dr. Marguerite Barrier Cooper, was a chemistry teacher at Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT A WILSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Wilsons broke ground on the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery at Grandfather Mountain on September 2, 2019. This conservation campus represents their commitment to environmental education and reflects their deep connections to the North Carolina mountain region. The Wilsons have also been actively engaged with Grandfather Mountain's operations, including providing transportation assistance for the facility's cougar residents.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robert a and Susan C Wilson fund?
The foundation's grant-making priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Environmental Education The Wilsons have shown particular dedication to environmental education and conservation, notably through their support of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery at Grandfather Mountain, which focuses on helping people of all ages understand the planet and natural resources.
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert a and Susan C Wilson?
**Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $200 to $10,834,850 **Total Giving:** $10,872,768 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing from 2024) **Geographic Service Areas:** Tennessee, North Carolina, and Mississippi
Where does The Robert a and Susan C Wilson make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Mississippi. The Wilsons have deep regional connections, particularly to the North Carolina mountains where Susan's family has historical roots dating back generations.
What size grants does The Robert a and Susan C Wilson award?
In 2024, The Robert a and Susan C Wilson awarded 7 grants totaling $10.9M — an average of about $1.6M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert a and Susan C Wilson required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert a and Susan C Wilson reported a distributable amount of $366K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert a and Susan C Wilson's EIN?
The Robert a and Susan C Wilson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0798711. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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