The Walter E & Ruth K Wright
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright is a private foundation based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It makes charitable contributions to unrelated exempt organizations, with 29 grants totaling $94,000 reported for 2025.
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright at a glance
In short: The Walter E & Ruth K Wright gave $94K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state Ohio. 45% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $94,000
- +36.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- +38.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,241
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $764,558
- -3.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (13 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (20% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Walter E & Ruth K Wright
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7553 N Audobon Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 849-4736
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Walter E & Ruth K Wright funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Raphael House of Portland ($9K). Together the top 10 received $62K.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 108 grants of 108 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest reported shares of grant dollars went to organizations in Ohio and Oregon, at 20% each. Indiana received 15%, Washington, DC, 13%, and Virginia, 12%. Listed recipients also include organizations in Illinois and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Walter E & Ruth K Wright open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 29 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 52% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 66% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 91% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2021) to $94K (2025). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $94K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Raphael House of Portland Portland, OR | Charitable Contribution | $9,400 |
| Meals on Wheels People Portland, OR | Charitable Contribution | $9,400 |
| Sarah's Circle Chicago, IL | Charitable Contribution | $9,000 |
| Anera Washington, DC | Charitable Contribution | $9,000 |
| Cincinnati Animal Care Hamilton County Animal Shelter Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Contribution | $4,700 |
| Clermont County Animal Shelter Batavia, OH | Charitable Contribution | $4,700 |
| Tender Mercies Inc Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Contribution | $4,700 |
| Shelterhouse Esther Marie Hatton Center Cincinnati, OH | Charitable Contribution | $4,700 |
| Starfish Initiative Indianapolis, IN | Charitable Contribution | $3,000 |
| Women's Resource Center Radford, VA | Charitable Contribution | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Walter E & Ruth K Wright?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $764,558 | $74,912 | $101,499 | $94,000 | 29 | $95,765 | $69,178 | $105,392 |
| 2024 | $791,145 | $61,559 | $74,196 | $68,650 | 21 | $69,475 | $56,838 | $94,804 |
| 2023 | $797,562 | $37,042 | $66,414 | $61,900 | 21 | $61,900 | $34,207 | $68,637 |
| 2022 | $824,134 | $66,138 | $62,563 | $56,700 | 19 | $56,700 | $60,275 | $62,991 |
| 2021 | $820,559 | $75,247 | $57,173 | $51,200 | 18 | — | $69,274 | $55,690 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Walter E & Ruth K Wright reported a distributable amount of $105K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2023 filing says contributions are made to various unrelated exempt organizations following discussion and agreement among its board. Its grants have supported organizations serving seniors, women experiencing homelessness, people facing hunger, people affected by homelessness and mental illness, and communities in crisis.
Those descriptions reflect the grantees’ stated missions, not a mission statement from the foundation. For example, Meals on Wheels People says it enriches seniors’ lives through nutritious food, human connection, and social support. Sarah’s Circle says it provides housing, life necessities, and supportive services to help women end homelessness. Tender Mercies says it serves homeless adults with mental illness, while World Central Kitchen says it provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $94,000. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $9,400, with a median of $2,500. Among the largest grants were $9,400 to The Raphael House of Portland and $9,400 to Meals on Wheels People; $9,000 each to Sarah’s Circle and ANERA; and $4,700 each to Cincinnati Animal Care Hamilton County Animal Shelter, Clermont County Animal Shelter, Tender Mercies, and Shelterhouse Esther Marie Hatton Center.
Other reported 2025 grants included $3,000 to Starfish Initiative, Women’s Resource Center, Ram House, and World Central Kitchen; $2,500 to The Julian Center; $2,010 to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana; $2,000 to Smile Train; and $1,570 to Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Wright as president, Donald Wright as treasurer, Susan Wright as secretary, and Richard Wright and Carolyn Wright as directors.
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright is led by Thomas Wright, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Wright
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Wright
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Wright
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Wright
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Wright
Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Walter E & Ruth K Wright
How much does The Walter E & Ruth K Wright give each year?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright gave $94K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $69K across 21 grants.
What is The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's typical grant size?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,241, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Walter E & Ruth K Wright that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Walter E & Ruth K Wright give grants?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's top state is Ohio, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Oregon (20%) and Indiana (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Indianapolis, IN (5 grants), Cincinnati, OH (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Nashville, IN (3 grants).
Who are The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's largest grantees?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's largest 2025 grantees include The Raphael House of Portland ($9,400), Meals on Wheels People ($9,400) and Sarah's Circle ($9,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Walter E & Ruth K Wright?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright reported $765K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $96K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $105K (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 Walter E & Ruth K Wright fund?
The foundation’s 2023 filing says contributions are made to various unrelated exempt organizations following discussion and agreement among its board. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Walter E & Ruth K Wright?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's EIN?
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1825157. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Walter E & Ruth K Wright 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Walter E & Ruth K Wright's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Indiana
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Walter E & Ruth K Wright funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-walter-e-and-ruth-k-wright-morg_c932d968c6e54fa692c94caa5af83af9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201825157_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Walter E \& Ruth K Wright funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-walter-e-and-ruth-k-wright-morg_c932d968c6e54fa692c94caa5af83af9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Walter E & Ruth K Wright'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.
The Walter E & Ruth K Wright down — hundreds of funders to go?