The Wendy Obernauer Foundation
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation is a private foundation, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2022. In 2022, it awarded 5 grants totaling $1.6M. Net investment income was $16K.
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wendy Obernauer Foundation gave $1.6M across 5 grants in 2022 (avg $319K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $1,596,392
- +1580.4% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $319,278
- +1916.5% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Primary geography
- Florida (88% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
Who The Wendy Obernauer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Wendy Damon and Family Charitable Fund ($1.4M). Together the top 5 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 16 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wendy Obernauer Foundation gives
- In 2022 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $70K (2020) to $1.6M (2022). In 2022 it made 5 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wendy Damon and Family Charitable Fund Miami Beach, FL | General Charitable Purpose | $1,406,392 |
| Phillips Academy (Andover) Andover, MA | The Maria Damon Class of 1995 Scholarship Fund | $80,000 |
| New York Road Runners Inc New York, NY | General Support | $75,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc San Francisco, CA | Okapi Conservation Project | $20,000 |
| Ethical Culture Fieldston School New York, NY | Design Studios Project | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Wendy Obernauer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $75,414 | $1,708,729 | $1,596,392 | 5 | $1,649,409 | $16,094 | $42,999 |
| 2021 | $1,633,315 | $161,867 | $168,887 | $95,000 | 6 | $124,198 | $117,178 | $112,476 |
| 2020 | $1,640,225 | $26,886 | $128,092 | $70,000 | 5 | — | $8,190 | $99,862 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wendy Obernauer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation is led by Jesse L. Damon, Director, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Jesse L. Damon
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wendy O. Damon
Director & Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mari Moroi Damon
Director, Vice President & Sec'y
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Damon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 Wendy Obernauer Foundation
How much does The Wendy Obernauer Foundation give each year?
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation gave $1.6M across 5 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $95K across 6 grants.
What is The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $75,000, and its average grant was $319,278, across 5 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wendy Obernauer Foundation give grants?
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (6%) and Massachusetts (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Wendy Obernauer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include Wendy Damon and Family Charitable Fund ($1,406,392), Phillips Academy (Andover) ($80,000) and New York Road Runners Inc ($75,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
How much is The Wendy Obernauer Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, The Wendy Obernauer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's EIN?
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3969757. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wendy Obernauer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Park Avenue Charitable Fund
New York, NY
The fund supports a wide range of charitable causes through grants to selected public charities, including education, human rights, hunger relief, health, and fire-safety programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $556,985, with a median of $15,000; funding was concentrated in Massachusetts and New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.3M
Grants
30
Total Given
$1.1M
National Geographic Society
Washington, DC
The National Geographic Society funds individual-led work in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology across its focus areas, with a global reach. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,975,000, with a median of $85,530; some Level I opportunities accept requests up to $20,000. Applicants must apply through specific opportunities, but the profile does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
62
Total Given
$11.2M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
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
McKesson Foundation Inc
Dallas, TX
The McKesson Foundation funds cancer support and care, healthcare workforce pathways, and emergency response, with grants mainly supporting organizations in the United States and Canada. Its 2025 grants had a median of $100,000, though amounts ranged from $10,000 to about $2.47 million. Its filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests, while its application page describes an online application process with stated submission windows.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
76
Total Given
$16.6M
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 New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Wendy Obernauer 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.
The Wendy Obernauer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?