The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm
The Wilhelm Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. It supports nonprofit arts organizations and arts programming across the United States, with the aim of expanding access to creative expression, public programming, and discourse.
Key facts about The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm
In short: The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm gave $219K across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in California. 87% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 46-2796479
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $218,670
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- Average grant
- $9,111
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 87% first-time grantees (20 of 23, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,403,469
- Primary geography
- California (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The Foundation accepts applications through its online portal during its annual grant cycle. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2024 grant-cycle deadline was April 12, 2024.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
-12.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$219K
+28.3% YoY
Grant Count
24
+9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+17.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm reported a distributable amount of $69K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm open to new grantees?
87%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 23 grantees (87%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 9% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 319% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to expand artists’ access to resources by supporting organizations that make creative expression, experimentation, public programming, and discourse accessible to artists and non-artists alike. It says it values equality, diversity, democracy, and environmental wellbeing, and is especially interested in work engaging diverse, marginalized, at-risk, or underserved communities. Its approach is holistic: it considers an organization’s work, ethos, history, and community engagement rather than focusing on a specific funding area. It frequently supports general operations, programming, and other broader grant types.
Recent recipients illustrate the range of organizations supported. Womens Audio Mission describes its mission as advancing women’s participation in creative technology and digital media production. GYOPO says it builds progressive, intersectional, and intergenerational discourse and community alliances through free public programs. Indigenous Roots describes its work as cultivating opportunities with and for Brown, Black, Native, and Indigenous communities through cultural arts and activism. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation made 24 grants totaling $218,670. The grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,900, with a median of $10,000. The Foundation describes its average grant as around $10,000.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $10,900 to Community Partners for support of the Los Fotos Project, and $10,000 each to Active Cultures for projects and community-oriented programs in Los Angeles; Womens Audio Mission for Local Sirens artists’ recording residencies; Bob Baker Marionette Theater for a sustainability initiative; and Indigenous Roots for a culture bearer and community organizer residency. Other $10,000 awards included LAXART, Youth Arts Unlocked, Manifest Works, A Studio in the Woods, The In Series, and Kuumba Lynx.
Review Cycle
The 2024 grant-cycle deadline was April 12, 2024. The 2026 cycle ran from March 30 to May 1 and is closed; the Foundation says to check back in January 2027 for information about what it describes as its final funding cycle.
How to Apply
The Foundation accepts applications through its online portal during its annual grant cycle. Its website says cycles take place between March and May; applicants should review the eligibility requirements and funding philosophy before applying. The 2024 filing refers applicants to the 2024 grant-cycle guidelines and states that awards had no restrictions or limitations.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its recipients are not geographically restricted and that it welcomes applicants from across the United States, though many recipients operate in California. In 2024, 51% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, followed by New York (9%), Colorado (8%), Minnesota (5%), and Michigan (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $171K (2023) to $297K (2020). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $219K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Partners ($19K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $109K.
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 138 (99%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Partners Los Angeles, CA | Support for Los Fotos Project. | $10,900 |
| Active Cultures Los Angeles, CA | Support for new series of projects and community oriented programs in los angeles. | $10,000 |
| Womens Audio Mission San Francisco, CA | Support for Local Sirens Artists Recording Residencies | $10,000 |
| Bob Baker Marionette Theater Los Angeles, CA | Support for Sustainability Initiative During Bob Baker Day. | $10,000 |
| Indigenous Roots St. Paul, MN | Support for Culture Bearer and Community Organizer Residency. | $10,000 |
| Laxart Los Angeles, CA | Support for Life on Earth: Art and Ecofeminism | $10,000 |
| The Curtis Legacy Foundation Burena Vista, CO | Support for the descendants project a multi media venture. | $10,000 |
| Youth Arts Unlocked Swartz Creek, MI | General Operating Support. | $10,000 |
| Manifest Works Los Angeles, CA | Funding for Workforce Training Program. | $10,000 |
| A Studio in the Woods New Orleans, LA | Support for self as universe: mending our collective ecosystem residencies. | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $218,670 | 24 |
| 2023 | $170,500 | 22 |
| 2022 | $295,500 | 31 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,403,469 | $1,597,448 | $1,684,823 |
| Revenue | $106,623 | $168,916 | $74,671 |
| Expenses | $300,602 | $256,291 | $366,390 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $218,670 | $170,500 | $295,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $94,669 | $154,101 | $59,122 |
| Distributable Amount | $68,513 | $77,488 | $95,577 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2024 filing lists Cascade Wilhelm as CEO, Matthew O’Donnell as Secretary, and Leland Evans as CFO. The Foundation’s website identifies Cascade Wilhelm as Director and Co-founder, O’Donnell as Secretary, and Evans as Treasurer.
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm is led by Cascade Wilhelm, CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cascade Wilhelm
CEO
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $55K (2024)
Leland Evans
CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew O'Donnell
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $55K, to Cascade Wilhelm (CEO).
Contact
Application contact: Cascade Wilhelm
Mailing address: 3041 5Th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Phone: (415) 828-4086
Email: cascade@wilhelmfamilyfoundation.com
Website: https://wilhelmfamilyfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm
How much does The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm give each year?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm gave $219K across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $171K across 22 grants.
What is The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's typical grant size?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $9,111, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm that year got $10K on average.
Where does The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm give grants?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm gives mostly in California: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (9%) and Colorado (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (12 grants).
Does The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's largest grantees?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's largest 2024 grantees include Community Partners ($18,530 across 2 grants), Active Cultures ($10,000) and Womens Audio Mission ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $219K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $69K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to expand artists’ access to resources by supporting organizations that make creative expression, experimentation, public programming, and discourse accessible to artists and non-artists alike. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm?
The Foundation accepts applications through its online portal during its annual grant cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's EIN?
The Wilhelm Family Foundation Co Cascade Wilhelm's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2796479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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