The Wharton Foundation Inc
The Wharton Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Flagstaff, AZ. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $89K. Net investment income was $138K.
The Wharton Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Wharton Foundation Inc gave $89K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Arizona. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $89,325
- -8.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,865
- +9.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,927
- Total assets
- $2,793,470
- -1.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Arizona (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Wharton Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Grand Canyon Youth ($33K). Together the top 5 received $89K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 37 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wharton Foundation Inc gives
- Giving fell 34% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2025) to $135K (2022). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $89K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon Youth Flagstaff, AZ | Board Designated Fund | $32,600 |
| Tynkertopia Flagstaff, AZ | Board Designated Fund | $30,000 |
| United Way of Northern Arizona Flagstaff, AZ | Board Designated Fund | $15,927 |
| Friends of Camp Colton Flagstaff, AZ | Board Designated Fund | $9,798 |
| Stage Four Furniture Superior, NE | Board Designated Fund | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Wharton Foundation Inc?
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 | $2,793,470 | $203,074 | $239,339 | $89,325 | 5 | $174,690 | $138,425 | $196,310 |
| 2024 | $2,829,735 | $192,794 | $243,376 | $97,555 | 6 | $186,889 | $136,306 | $180,100 |
| 2023 | $2,880,317 | $116,720 | $240,702 | $114,000 | 12 | $187,386 | $63,407 | $167,824 |
| 2022 | $3,017,778 | $167,373 | $307,332 | $135,312 | 7 | $248,456 | $108,497 | $186,261 |
| 2021 | $3,160,967 | $413,353 | $226,020 | $107,000 | 7 | — | $362,653 | $179,225 |
| 2020 | $2,970,602 | $110,111 | $201,558 | $107,070 | 4 | — | $65,900 | $159,247 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wharton Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $196K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wharton Foundation Inc is led by Scott Pettitt, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Scott Pettitt
President
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$58K (2020) → $82K (2025)
Gordon Peterson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Pettitt
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kerry Blume
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alanna Barnett
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deandra Peterson
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean W. Pettitt
Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Edwards
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joni Meisel (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $82K, to Scott Pettitt (President).
Frequently asked questions about The Wharton Foundation Inc
How much does The Wharton Foundation Inc give each year?
The Wharton Foundation Inc gave $89K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $98K across 6 grants.
What is The Wharton Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Wharton Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,927, and its average grant was $17,865, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wharton Foundation Inc give grants?
The Wharton Foundation Inc gives mostly in Arizona: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Flagstaff, AZ (4 grants).
Does The Wharton Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on The Wharton Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Board Designated Fund" (5 grants).
Who are The Wharton Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Wharton Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Grand Canyon Youth ($32,600), Tynkertopia ($30,000) and United Way of Northern Arizona ($15,927), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Wharton Foundation Inc?
The Wharton Foundation Inc reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $175K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $196K (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 is The Wharton Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Wharton Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6130748. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wharton Foundation Inc'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
Geofamily Foundation
Flagstaff, AZ
The foundation supports conservation, education, food assistance, social justice, and other varied causes, with a geographic emphasis on Arizona; its 2025 grants also went to organizations in several other states. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $125,000, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
48
Total Given
$1.6M
United Way of Northern Arizona Inc
Flagstaff, AZ
United Way of Northern Arizona funds early childhood development, positive youth development, and basic needs and safety programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $4,896 to $68,544, with a median of $10,862, and supported organizations in Northern Arizona, including Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties. Its Community Investment Fund uses an application process; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$3.5M
Grants
26
Total Given
$488K
Molly and Joseph Herman Foundation
Flagstaff, AZ
The Molly and Joseph Herman Foundation supports food assistance, education, youth programs, health care, shelter, crisis response, and other community services, primarily in Arizona. Its 2025 grants ranged from $559 to $4,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$617K
Grants
31
Total Given
$42K
Geile Charitable Foundation
Flagstaff, AZ
The foundation supports Arizona organizations working in family services, housing, food access, homelessness, youth support, literacy, public safety, and science. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $20,500, with a median of $1,750. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$422K
Grants
36
Total Given
$161K
Phoenix Suns Charities Inc
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Suns Charities funds basketball-inspired programs that support children, youth, and families, with a focus on strengthening Arizona communities. Its general grants are typically $10,000–$100,000, with a preference for smaller requests, and applicants must serve Arizona residents. It accepts unsolicited requests through its general grant process.
Assets
$8.9M
Grants
68
Total Given
$3.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Arizona
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Wharton Foundation Inc'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 Wharton Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?