The West Foundation Inc
The West Foundation Inc is a family foundation based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with a 67-year history of supporting international community development. The foundation works through effective partnerships with U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations to advance sustainable development in the Global South.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$616K
-94.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.3M
+1656.7% YoY
Grant Count
1
-90.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12.3M
+19223.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The West Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $200K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to further the progress of nations in the Global South and promote the elimination of various forms of poverty by fostering community development, particularly at the grassroots level.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education (with focus on girls and women)
- Livelihoods Development
- Grassroots Healthcare (community-based healthcare)
- Environmental Management (with focus on potable water supply)
The foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate beneficiary-driven change and community leadership of programs and projects. Special consideration is given to:
- Expansion of services for programs with a proven record of success
- Programs that may serve as models for a particular field
- Programs for which funding may be difficult to obtain due to lack of general public appeal
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, though historical giving has been significantly larger.
Invitation Only
** Application is by invitation only. In 2014, the West Foundation placed a moratorium on new partnerships. Only previous grantees are eligible to apply, and all proposals must be by invitation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations working internationally in the Global South, with some domestic giving in Arkansas and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $615,671
- Total Giving: $12,263,293
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $615,671 | $11,937,420 | $12,422,572 |
| Revenue | $103,735 | $507,962 | $312,350 |
| Expenses | $12,285,599 | $799,684 | $324,201 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $12,263,293 | $698,095 | $268,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $84,257 | $410,308 | $256,649 |
| Distributable Amount | $200,473 | $608,819 | $267,262 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arkansas Community Foundation ($12,263,293).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LITTLE ROCK, AR | DONOR ADVISED ENDOWMENT | $12,263,293 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Debra Des Vignes – Program & Communication Officer
- Contact: debra@thewestfoundation.org
- Phone: 317-972-0204
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TED DRAKE | SECRETARY | — | — |
| HAILEY EASLEY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DABNEY PELTON | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| BILLY STONE | TREASURER | — | — |
| ETHEL DUNKLIN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active blog featuring partner news and organizational updates. Recent coverage has highlighted partnerships with organizations like TechnoServe, which works to lift people out of poverty by harnessing the power of the private sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The West Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to further the progress of nations in the Global South and promote the elimination of various forms of poverty by fostering community development, particularly at the grassroots level. Primary funding areas include: • **Education** (with focus on girls and women) • **Livelihoods Development** • **Grassroots Healthcare** (community-based healthcare) • **Environmental Management** (with focus on potable water supply) The foundation prioritizes organizations that demons…
How do I apply for a grant from The West Foundation Inc?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, though historical giving has been significantly larger. **Application Process:** Application is by invitation only. In 2014, the West Foundation placed a moratorium on new partnerships. Only previous grantees are eligible to apply, and all proposals must be by invitation. **Recent Grant Examples:** • Hope Ignites (Boys Hope Girls Hope) – Esperanza Juvenil: $10,000 in unrestricted support • ProLiteracy: $10,000 unrestricted support **F…
Where does The West Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds organizations working internationally in the Global South, with some domestic giving in Arkansas and Virginia.
What size grants does The West Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The West Foundation Inc awarded 1 grants totaling $12.3M — an average of about $12.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The West Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The West Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $200K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The West Foundation Inc's EIN?
The West Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-0743078. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The West 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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