The Wheeler Foundation
The Wheeler Foundation is a private foundation, based in Vero Beach, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $167K. Net investment income was $73K.
The Wheeler Foundation at a glance
In short: The Wheeler Foundation gave $167K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $166,850
- +10.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -46.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,836
- +105.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,252,235
- +18.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Wheeler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Piano Cleveland ($100K). Together the top 7 received $167K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 40 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wheeler Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 66% 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2020) to $567K (2022). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $167K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Cleveland Shaker Heights, OH | Annual Fund / Cleveland International Piano Competition | $100,000 |
| Senior Resource Association Vero Beach, FL | Charitable Contribution | $28,850 |
| The Sola Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Contribution | $25,000 |
| Kirtland Country Club Scholarship Fund Willoughby, OH | Scholarship Fund | $10,000 |
| VNA & Hospice Foundation Vero Beach, FL | Charitable Contribution | $1,000 |
| The Curt Kriedman Foundation Port Orange, FL | Scholarship Fund | $1,000 |
| National Trappers Association Bedford, IN | Charitable Contribution | $1,000 |
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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 | $2,252,235 | $938,818 | $169,495 | $166,850 | 7 | $166,850 | $73,021 | $251,425 |
| 2023 | $1,899,614 | $78,316 | $152,860 | $151,000 | 13 | $151,000 | $64,946 | $179,737 |
| 2022 | $1,974,158 | $350,297 | $573,196 | $567,000 | 9 | $567,000 | $63,333 | $170,567 |
| 2021 | $2,197,057 | $434,744 | $166,931 | $161,500 | 7 | $161,500 | $222,656 | $192,037 |
| 2020 | $1,929,244 | $164,264 | $11,586 | $7,500 | 4 | — | $164,076 | $135,764 |
| 2019 | $1,826,655 | $321,622 | $232,142 | $230,000 | 5 | — | $70,520 | $135,252 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wheeler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $251K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wheeler Foundation is led by Thomas E. Wheeler, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas E. Wheeler
President
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy J. Wheeler
Vice President
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Mears
Secretary
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca W. Lewandowski
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Wheeler Foundation
How much does The Wheeler Foundation give each year?
The Wheeler Foundation gave $167K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $151K across 13 grants.
What is The Wheeler Foundation's typical grant size?
The Wheeler Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,836, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wheeler Foundation give grants?
The Wheeler Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (18%) and California (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Vero Beach, FL (2 grants).
Who are The Wheeler Foundation's largest grantees?
The Wheeler Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Piano Cleveland ($100,000), Senior Resource Association ($28,850) and The Sola Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wheeler Foundation?
The Wheeler Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $167K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $251K (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 Wheeler Foundation's EIN?
The Wheeler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1852595. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 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 2019 (received by the IRS June 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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