The Willingham Family Foundation
The Willingham Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Austin, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $545K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 9 grants totaling $42K. Net investment income was $36K.
The Willingham Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Willingham Family Foundation gave $42K across 9 grants in 2026 (avg $5K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $42,271
- -11.4% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 9
- +12.5% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $4,697
- -21.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $2,562
- Total assets
- $545,449
- -1.4% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Texas (82% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who The Willingham Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Oakridge School Inc ($18K). Together the top 9 received $42K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 45 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Willingham Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 35% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $31K (2023) to $48K (2025). In 2026 it made 9 grants totaling $42K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oakridge School Inc Arlington, TX | General Operations | $18,309 |
| St Theresa Catholic Church and School Austin, TX | General Operations | $10,000 |
| The V Foundation Cary, NC | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Community Foundation Kerrville, TX | General Operations | $2,584 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | General Operations | $2,562 |
| Salvation Army Austin, TX | General Operations | $1,560 |
| Central Texas Food Bank Austin, TX | General Operations | $1,000 |
| Wonders & Worries Inc Austin, TX | General Operations | $1,000 |
| Anderson High School Austin, TX | Public School Support | $256 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $545,449 | $43,019 | $50,973 | $42,271 | 9 | $43,771 | $36,272 | $34,385 |
| 2025 | $553,403 | $49,559 | $56,018 | $47,716 | 8 | $49,216 | $42,757 | $34,394 |
| 2024 | $559,864 | $25,462 | $46,228 | $36,323 | 8 | $37,723 | $18,759 | $34,577 |
| 2023 | $580,629 | $76,449 | $39,946 | $31,253 | 6 | $32,600 | $69,702 | $34,743 |
| 2022 | $544,126 | $37,243 | $52,050 | $43,707 | 14 | $44,912 | $30,498 | $35,924 |
| 2021 | $558,933 | $33,787 | $44,393 | $36,258 | 14 | — | $28,287 | $32,931 |
| 2020 | $569,539 | $81,791 | $54,683 | $31,618 | 12 | — | $60,780 | $34,334 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Willingham Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $34K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Willingham Family Foundation's 2026 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Carolyn Willingham
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
John Willingham
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jonica Lynn Willingham
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Russell Dennis Willingham
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "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 Willingham Family Foundation
How much does The Willingham Family Foundation give each year?
The Willingham Family Foundation gave $42K across 9 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $48K across 8 grants.
What is The Willingham Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Willingham Family Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $2,562, and its average grant was $4,697, across 9 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Willingham Family Foundation give grants?
The Willingham Family Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Carolina (12%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (5 grants).
Does The Willingham Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 89% of The Willingham Family Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Willingham Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Willingham Family Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Oakridge School Inc ($18,309), St Theresa Catholic Church and School ($10,000) and The V Foundation ($5,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Willingham Family Foundation?
The Willingham Family Foundation reported $545K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $34K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Willingham Family Foundation's EIN?
The Willingham Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0730471. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Willingham Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Willingham Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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