The Wilbakes Fund
The Wilbakes Fund is a private foundation, based in Wilmington, DE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $208K. Net investment income was $298K.
The Wilbakes Fund at a glance
In short: The Wilbakes Fund gave $208K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $52K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $208,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- Average grant
- $52,000
- Median grant
- $44,000
- Total assets
- $5,690,382
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Wilbakes Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Duke University ($110K). Together the top 4 received $208K.
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Wilbakes Fund gives
- In 2024 it paid out 92% 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
In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $208K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University Durham, NC | FUNDS FOR unrestricted support, Environmental Education Training Camp; Marojejy field trips; TO PURCHASE Stoves; Educational Vids, Research Exchange, FOR 2 Interns, Intern transportation, Nocturnal housing, Animal enrichment AND ATS Receiver-Datalogger | $110,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Durham, NC | FUNDS FOR North Carolina, Belize, Colombia and Ecuador | $48,000 |
| Natureserve Arlington, VA | General & Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| New River Conservancy W Jefferson, NC | For restoration of the Trash Trout or as needed for unrestricted use | $10,000 |
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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 | $5,690,382 | $497,650 | $233,760 | $208,000 | 4 | $229,160 | $297,650 | $248,063 |
| 2022 | $5,185,509 | $200,822 | $25,840 | — | — | $23,340 | $200,822 | $232,022 |
| 2021 | $5,010,527 | $5,010,527 | — | — | — | — | $527 | $8,951 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wilbakes Fund reported a distributable amount of $248K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Wilbakes Fund is led by Barbara Wendell Baker, Director, President & Secretary on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara Wendell Baker
Director, President & Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Edward Wilfong Jr.
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Wilbakes Fund
How much does The Wilbakes Fund give each year?
The Wilbakes Fund gave $208K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Wilbakes Fund's typical grant size?
The Wilbakes Fund's median grant in 2024 was $44,000, and its average grant was $52,000, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wilbakes Fund give grants?
The Wilbakes Fund gives mostly in North Carolina: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (2 grants).
Does The Wilbakes Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of The Wilbakes Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Wilbakes Fund?
The Wilbakes Fund reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $229K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $248K (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 Wilbakes Fund's EIN?
The Wilbakes Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3495509. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Wilbakes Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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