The Wight Foundation
The Wight Foundation is a private foundation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Founded in 1987, the organization operates as an education administration program that provides opportunities for talented, economically disadvantaged students from the Greater Newark area to achieve academic success and personal development in a college preparatory boarding school environment.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.4M
-12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$426K
-19.3% YoY
Grant Count
120
+87.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-57.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Wight Foundation's mission is to nurture future leaders who will positively impact their local communities. The organization focuses on:
- Scholarships for talented students from the Greater Newark, New Jersey vicinity
- College preparatory education through boarding school placement
- Personal development alongside academic achievement
- Community leadership development with emphasis on local impact
Grantmaking
The Wight Foundation operates as a grantmaking foundation with the following characteristics:
Ready to take the next step with The Wight Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Wight Foundation's funding is primarily concentrated in New Jersey, with particular emphasis on the Greater Newark area and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,063,875
- Total Revenues: $3,289,222
- Total Expenses: $2,192,521
- Investment Income and Dividends: $697,986
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $591,236
- Total Grants and Contributions: $2,000,000
Staffing: 6 employees (as of 2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,412,087 | $13,063,875 | $11,967,174 |
| Revenue | $633,414 | $3,289,222 | $2,283,343 |
| Expenses | $2,285,202 | $2,192,521 | $1,744,227 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,283,452 | $2,190,884 | $1,756,809 |
| Net Investment Income | $651,246 | $1,287,585 | $331,334 |
| Distributable Amount | $728,841 | $694,011 | $687,624 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Rhonda Auguste – Executive Director (compensation: $228,490 as of 2024)
- William Wilson – Step Director (compensation: $60,223 as of 2024)
- Catherine Mitchell – Office Manager (compensation: $55,883 as of 2023)
- Derrick Wallace – Human Resources and Financial Aid Coordinator (compensation: $52,123 as of 2024)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUSSELL WIGHT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALFRED WOODS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAMES ADLAM | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| YVONNE GOYINS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SHAKIRAH MILLER-HARRINGTON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GWEN RUKEYSER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 550 Broad Street, Suite #717 Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 824-1195 Fax: (973) 824-1199 Email: wightfoundation@wightfoundation.org Website: wightfoundation.org
EIN: 22-2743349
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Laborers Intl Union of 472 Hcl
NEWARK, NJ
Assets
$61.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$179K
The Community Chest of Englewood
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Assets
$491K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
61
Total Given
$6.9M
Anplr Religious Education Inc
PASSAIC, NJ
Assets
$19K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
New Digital Trade Coalition Ndtc
NORTH BERGEN, NJ
Assets
$300
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Stephen J Machuta Scholarship Trust
PENNINGTON, NJ
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$70K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Wight Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities