The Wana Brands Foundation
The Wana Brands Foundation is a private foundation based in Boulder, Colorado. Its website describes the Whiteman Family Foundation, founded in December 2021, as working to enhance the world by giving people resources to live happy, healthy lives. The foundation supports nonprofits across the country.
The Wana Brands Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wana Brands Foundation gave $4.5M across 130 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), top state Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,509,075
- +62.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 130
- +23.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,685
- +31.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $55,766,283
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (45% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Wana Brands Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website says grant application cycles are invitation-only.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2995 55Th St Unit 19377, Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: (720) 467-6662
Website: https://wanabrandsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wana Brands Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Johns Hopkins University 2024 ($600K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($190,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
236 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 236 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across the country. In 2024, Colorado organizations received 45% of grant dollars, Maryland 18%, and Oklahoma, New York, and Michigan 5% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 130 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Wana Brands Foundation gives
- 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 11173% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 165% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $4.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 130 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University 2024 Baltimore, MD | To benefit the Department of Pyschiatry and Behaviorial Sciences in support of cannabis and cannabinoid research | $400,000 |
| 4MyCiTy Inc Baltimore, MD | General Operating | $200,000 |
| CCD Foundation Denver, CO | Scholarships, Belonging, Leadership and Support Services | $200,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University 2024 Baltimore, MD | To benefit the Department of Pyschiatry and Behaviorial Sciences in support of psychedelic research | $200,000 |
| Oasis Fresh Foundation Tulsa, OK | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Boulder Pride dba Out Boulder County Boulder, CO | General Operating | $150,000 |
| One Colorado Education Fund Denver, CO | General Operating | $150,000 |
| South Oakland Shelter dba Lighthouse MI Pontiac, MI | Capital Campaign | $150,000 |
| The Loveland Foundation Brooklyn, NY | General Operating | $150,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $190,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $55,766,283 | $-3,729,981 | $5,010,673 | $4,509,075 | 130 | $4,623,364 | $405,716 | $2,797,514 |
| 2023 | $52,905,210 | $-2,393,000 | $3,008,022 | $2,779,670 | 105 | $2,786,305 | $609,595 | $2,569,112 |
| 2021 | $49,960,591 | $50,000,616 | $40,025 | $40,000 | 1 | $40,025 | $616 | $36,761 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wana Brands Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “enhancing our world by giving people the resources they need to live happy, healthy lives.” Its website identifies four areas of impact: basic needs, mental health, environment, and access and opportunity. It describes support for essentials such as food, shelter, and safety; mental health research and accessible care; community-driven environmental solutions; and efforts to address systemic barriers and expand opportunity.
Grantees’ missions illustrate the range of organizations it supports. 4MyCity says it works to reduce food insecurity and food waste by transferring usable food to families. One Colorado Education Fund says it works to secure and protect equality and opportunity for LGBT Coloradans and their families. The Loveland Foundation says it focuses on supporting communities of color, particularly Black women and girls. FAST Blackfeet says it works on food security, nutrition education, and food sovereignty within the Blackfeet Nation. The Delores Project says it provides shelter and services for unaccompanied women and transgender people experiencing homelessness, while advocating for housing solutions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 130 grants totaling $4,509,075. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $400,000, with a median of $10,000. In 2023, it reported 105 grants totaling $2,779,670. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 130 grants totaling $4.5 million.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $400,000 to Johns Hopkins University for cannabis and cannabinoid research; $200,000 to Johns Hopkins University for psychedelic research; $200,000 each to 4MyCiTy Inc, CCD Foundation, and Oasis Fresh Foundation; and $150,000 each to Boulder Pride dba Out Boulder County, One Colorado Education Fund, South Oakland Shelter dba Lighthouse MI, and The Loveland Foundation. Other notable grants included $140,000 to Colorado Nonprofit Development an individual recipient, $112,500 to Unlimited Sciences, and $100,000 to FAST Blackfeet.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy Whiteman as trustee.
The Wana Brands Foundation is led by Nancy Whiteman, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy Whiteman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Wana Brands Foundation
How much does The Wana Brands Foundation give each year?
The Wana Brands Foundation gave $4.5M across 130 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.8M across 105 grants.
What is The Wana Brands Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wana Brands Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $34,685, across 130 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wana Brands Foundation give grants?
The Wana Brands Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 45% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was Maryland (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (30 grants), Boulder, CO (10 grants), Lakewood, CO (6 grants) and Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does The Wana Brands Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 93% of The Wana Brands Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (121 of 130) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign" (4 grants).
Who are The Wana Brands Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wana Brands Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Johns Hopkins University 2024 ($600,000 across 2 grants), Oasis Fresh Foundation ($220,000 across 2 grants) and CCD Foundation ($202,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($190,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wana Brands Foundation?
The Wana Brands Foundation reported $55.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Wana Brands Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “enhancing our world by giving people the resources they need to live happy, healthy lives.” Its website identifies four areas of impact: basic needs, mental health, environment, and access and opportunity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wana Brands Foundation?
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 Wana Brands Foundation's EIN?
The Wana Brands Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4098170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does The Wana Brands 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Wana Brands Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wana-brands-foundation-morg_ea2d5f9a0aa24ea2a189c1a6cf569211
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_874098170_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Wana Brands Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wana-brands-foundation-morg_ea2d5f9a0aa24ea2a189c1a6cf569211},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Wana Brands 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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