The Wilson Foundation
The Wilson Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas, established in May 1993. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with the EIN 95-4400754. The foundation is also known as the Wilson Thornhill Foundation and functions as an independent, self-funded charitable organization dedicated to supporting high-quality organizations that create positive change in people's lives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.6M
-4.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+83.2% YoY
Grant Count
14
-12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
+109.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wilson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $721K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on breaking down barriers to help people reach their full potential through strategic investments in social institutions and creating meaningful connections that change lives.
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts & Culture: Advancing the public's appreciation of the arts
- Criminal Justice & Legal Reform: Supporting the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law, which focuses on accuracy in criminal cases, equity in criminal outcomes, and behavioral health needs
- Education: Including scholarships and educational access initiatives
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: Specifically for veterans
- Services for Homeless Children and Families: Direct support for vulnerable populations
- Religious Organizations: Faith-based charitable work
- Medical Research: Including AIDS research and treatment advancement
Grantmaking
The foundation made 16 grants in 2024, with notable recent grants including:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Texas, and Louisiana, with a broader national reach through its grantmaking activities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,647,316
- Total Revenues: $851,040
- Total Expenses: $1,347,095
- Number of Employees: 0
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2023:
- Total Assets: $10.1 Million
- Total Revenues: $199,142
- Total Expenses: $847,710
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation operates with no employees, indicating it likely uses professional advisors and consultants for its grantmaking and administrative functions.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,647,316 | $10,143,371 | $10,796,738 |
| Revenue | $851,040 | $199,142 | $120,572 |
| Expenses | $1,347,095 | $847,710 | $1,549,539 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,194,869 | $765,252 | $1,312,328 |
| Net Investment Income | $708,391 | $120,418 | $73,845 |
| Distributable Amount | $721,235 | $693,772 | $569,778 |
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
92 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Duke University ($800,152), Aids Research Foundation (amfar) ($60,000), Nasher Sculpture Center ($51,333).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University Durham, NC | EDUCATION INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS | $800,152 |
| Nasher Sculpture Center Dallas, TX | ADVANCING THE PUBLIC'S APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS | $51,333 |
| Tate Americas Foundation New York, NY | ADVANCING THE PUBLIC'S APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS | $43,722 |
| The Tiny Miracles Foundation Darien, CT | HELPING FAMILIES OF INFANTS BORN PREMATURELY | $20,000 |
| COUNCIL FOR CANADIAN AMERICAN RELATIONS NEW YORK, NY | ADVANCING THE PUBLIC'S APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS | $5,000 |
| Children's Diabetes Foundation Aurora, CO | The Children's Diabetes Foundation is the fundraising arm of the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, focusing on patient support, diabetes research, and public awareness. | $25,000 |
| ALLIANCE HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION OF ALLIANCE OHIO ALLIANCE, OH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AIDS RESEARCH FOUNDATION (AMFAR) New York, NY | RESEARCH FOR THE CURE TO END AIDS | $60,000 |
| Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX | To support education through research and teaching that shapes engaged citizens and future leaders who positively impact their communities and the global society | $13,500 |
| Judith Center LOS ANGELES, CA | To support addressing the urgent need for equitable gender representation in American culture and various professional fields | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEREK WILSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | $125,000 |
| GARY WILSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking across its priority areas, with 2024 representing a year of significant grant distribution. Its support extends to major research institutions, cultural organizations, and specialized service providers addressing critical social needs including criminal justice reform, educational access, and support for vulnerable populations.
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson Announces over $590,000 in Responsive GrantsFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Wilson Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on breaking down barriers to help people reach their full potential through strategic investments in social institutions and creating meaningful connections that change lives. Primary funding areas include: • **Arts & Culture**: Advancing the public's appreciation of the arts • **Criminal Justice & Legal Reform**: Supporting the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law, which focuses on accuracy in criminal cases, equity in criminal outcomes, and behavi…
How do I apply for a grant from The Wilson Foundation?
The foundation made 16 grants in 2024, with notable recent grants including: • Duke University: $800,152 (Education including scholarships) • AIDS Research Foundation AMFAR: $60,000 (Research for the cure to end AIDS) • Nasher Sculpture Center: $51,333 (Advancing the public's appreciation of the arts) The foundation also supports initiatives such as Schoolhouse.world, a free peer-to-peer tutoring platform offering live help and certifications in high school math and SAT prep, and The Tiny Mirac…
Where does The Wilson Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, Texas, and Louisiana, with a broader national reach through its grantmaking activities.
What size grants does The Wilson Foundation award?
In 2024, The Wilson Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Wilson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Wilson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $721K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Wilson Foundation's EIN?
The Wilson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4400754. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Wilson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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