The Wilke Family Foundation
The Wilke Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2007 and based in Wilmington, Delaware. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, community groups, and other initiatives aimed at creating lasting impact across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$39.2M
+32.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
-15.8% YoY
Grant Count
30
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
-21.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to supporting programs that create opportunities for young people and improve quality of life in communities. Primary focus areas include:
Youth & Education
The foundation prioritizes investments in education at all levels, with particular emphasis on:
Access to Quality Education: Funding initiatives that increase educational access for underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, including scholarships, school infrastructure in remote or impoverished areas, and programs addressing educational disparities.
Literacy & Language Skills: Supporting programs focused on improving literacy rates, language acquisition, and multilingual education to empower individuals with communication skills for success in a globalized world.
Beyond the Classroom: Funding educational projects extending beyond traditional schooling, including early childhood education, literacy programs, STEM education, and innovative learning methods for children from diverse backgrounds, especially in underserved communities.
Lifelong Learning: Supporting adult education, continuing education, and community learning centers that promote learning as a lifelong journey.
Human Services
The foundation provides funding for initiatives that improve health, wellbeing, address social challenges, and enhance quality of life for individuals and communities in need.
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for education and youth development initiatives, with documented grants to organizations including the American Indian College Fund and Whitman University.
Ready to take the next step with The Wilke Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across numerous U.S. cities and states, including major urban centers such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Geographic reach extends to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $39,242,438
- Total revenues: $11,960,977
- Total expenses: $2,395,956
- Number of employees: 0
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $29,677,417
- Total revenues: $406,000
- Total expenses: $2,650,000
- Total liabilities: $0
The foundation's revenue includes investment income and dividends, with 2024 showing investment income of $1,162,135 and net gains from asset sales of $10,797,194.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $39,242,438 | $29,677,417 | $31,926,730 |
| Revenue | $11,960,977 | $405,631 | $389,934 |
| Expenses | $2,395,956 | $2,654,944 | $2,763,638 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,071,893 | $2,445,131 | $2,650,025 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,985,512 | $7,669,194 | $282,221 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,673,053 | $2,220,381 | $2,407,187 |
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
167 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
The foundation is led by family members who serve without compensation:
- Liesl D Wilke - President, Director, and Secretary
- Jeffrey Allan Wilke - Vice President and Director
- Julia Wilke - Director
- Taylor Wilke - Director
All leadership dedicates minimal time to foundation activities and receives no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Allan Wilke | VP, Dir | 1 | — |
| Julia Wilke | Dir | 1 | — |
| Liesl D Wilke | Pres, Dir, Sec | 1 | — |
| Taylor Wilke | Dir | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made significant grants to support computer science and technology education. In 2020, the foundation granted $1 million to the American Indian College Fund to grow computer science programs at tribal colleges. The foundation has also provided $1 million in support to Whitman University for science and technology initiatives.
The Wilke Family Foundation Grants $1 Million to AmericanSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Ttee Trustees of Univ of Mass - Art 5
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$380K
Grants
1
Total Given
$14K
The Jonsson Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$784K
Grants
3
Total Given
$15K
Engineering Information Foundation Inc
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
13
Total Given
$220K
The Cucci Family Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$579K
Grants
4
Total Given
$45K
Caroline K Barber Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$257K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Give Back Brands Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
—
Grants
19
Total Given
$178K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Wilke Family 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