The Willis M Ross Foundation
The Willis M Ross Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boca Raton, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $533K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $26K. Net investment income was $48K.
The Willis M Ross Foundation at a glance
In short: The Willis M Ross Foundation gave $26K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $25,500
- -15.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,750
- +27.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,750
- Total assets
- $532,642
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (53% 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 Willis M Ross Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ($14K). Together the top 2 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 14 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Willis M Ross Foundation gives
- Giving fell 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 97% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $26K (2024) to $32K (2022). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $26K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Belleville, IL | Religious | $13,500 |
| Wittenberg University Springfield, OH | Educational | $12,000 |
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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 | $532,642 | $56,373 | $37,332 | $25,500 | 2 | $25,500 | $47,618 | $26,220 |
| 2023 | $513,601 | $23,246 | $50,590 | $30,000 | 3 | $30,000 | $5,539 | $25,430 |
| 2022 | $540,945 | $32,259 | $53,329 | $32,000 | 3 | $35,000 | $15,296 | $28,413 |
| 2021 | $562,015 | $86,787 | $44,808 | $32,000 | 3 | $35,000 | $76,979 | $30,812 |
| 2020 | $520,036 | $559,803 | $39,767 | $30,000 | 3 | — | $20,827 | $29,451 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Willis M Ross Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Willis M Ross Foundation is led by Paul S. Gravenhorst, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paul S. Gravenhorst
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $6K (2024)
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 $6K, to Paul S Gravenhorst (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Willis M Ross Foundation
How much does The Willis M Ross Foundation give each year?
The Willis M Ross Foundation gave $26K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $30K across 3 grants.
How large is The Willis M Ross Foundation?
The Willis M Ross Foundation reported $533K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $26K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26K (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.
Where does The Willis M Ross Foundation operate?
The Willis M Ross Foundation has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Illinois, Ohio.
What is The Willis M Ross Foundation's EIN?
The Willis M Ross Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-6876841. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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