The Ward Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Gretna, Louisiana, formed in 2018. The foundation focuses on increasing access to education for underserved populations, with particular emphasis on communities in New Orleans, Louisiana and Guatemala.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.2M
+18.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$986K
+41.8% YoY
Grant Count
37
+23.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+14.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ward Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $617K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ward Foundation's mission centers on investing in education to connect talent with opportunity. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Disaster Preparedness and Relief
- Nonprofit support
Grantmaking
Grants are considered by invitation only, though inquiries are welcome. The foundation evaluates organizational fit before considering applications.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding areas include:
- Louisiana
- District of Columbia
- California
The foundation has a particular focus on New Orleans, Louisiana and Guatemala.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $12,155,234
- Total revenues: $3,149,228
- Total expenses: $1,223,156
- Total grants, contributions received: $2,180,000
- Investment income and dividends: $16,435
- Number of employees: 1
Year-over-year growth (2023-2024):
- Total grants and contributions increased 263.3% (from $600,000 to $2,180,000)
- Investment income increased significantly from $0 in 2023
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,155,234 | $10,229,162 | $9,840,556 |
| Revenue | $3,149,228 | $1,278,928 | $235,403 |
| Expenses | $1,223,156 | $890,322 | $605,413 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,154,882 | $799,890 | $577,261 |
| Net Investment Income | $917,156 | $652,769 | $306,944 |
| Distributable Amount | $617,307 | $494,296 | $492,821 |
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
124 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Maia ($165,400), The Sparks Foundation ($120,270), Limitless Horizons ($95,800).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANTIGUA INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION PRINCETON, NJ | UNRESRICTED | $5,500 |
| BARD EARLY COLLEGE NEW ORLEANS, LA | UNRESTRICTED | $25,000 |
| CREMOS NORTE SCARBOROUGH, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $35,000 |
| FRIENDS OF SUENOS WYNNEWOOD, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN WASHINGTON, DC | UNRESTRICTED | $15,000 |
| GUATEMALA YOUTH INITIATIVE SUMERDUCK, VA | UNRESTRICTED | $20,000 |
| LIMITLESS HORIZONS SANTA CRUZ, CA | UNRESTRICTED | $95,800 |
| LIVE OAK WILDERNESS CAMP NEW ORLEANS, LA | UNRESTRICTED | $35,500 |
| MAIA CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $165,400 |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER HOUSTON, TX | UNRESTRICTED | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Travis Ning — Program Director (2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT JAMES WARD JR | DIRECTOR - PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER VAN DERVORT | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY | 10 | $39,300 |
| ELIZABETH HEEBE-RUSSO | DIRECTOR - TREASURER | 1 | — |
| TRAVIS NING | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $110,000 |
| SARAH HEEBE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNA HEEBE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ward Foundation Inc fund?
The Ward Foundation's mission centers on investing in education to connect talent with opportunity. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Disaster Preparedness and Relief • Nonprofit support
How do I apply for a grant from The Ward Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $986,459 • Number of grants made in 2024: 15 grants • Typical award range: $100–$173,760 **Recent Grants (2024):** • The Sparks Foundation: $120,270 (Unrestricted) • MD Anderson Cancer Center: $50,000 (Unrestricted) • Natun Guatemala: $45,750 (Unrestricted) **Application Process:** Grants are considered by invitation only, though inquiries are welcome. The foundation evaluates organizational fit before considering applications.
Where does The Ward Foundation Inc make grants?
Primary funding areas include: • Louisiana • District of Columbia • California The foundation has a particular focus on New Orleans, Louisiana and Guatemala.
What size grants does The Ward Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Ward Foundation Inc awarded 37 grants totaling $986K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ward Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ward Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $617K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ward Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Ward Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2945207. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Ward Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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