The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation is a private foundation based in Little Rock, Arkansas. It supports work to advance equity and expand opportunity for Arkansans, including strategies focused on ALICE families—Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed households.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation at a glance
In short: The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation gave $6.5M across 106 grants in 2024 (avg $61K), mostly in Arkansas. 54% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,459,300
- +24.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 106
- +23.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $60,937
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $151,505,317
- -0.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (42 of 78, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s stated process begins with an idea submitted through its online portal. If there is alignment, a team member may discuss the proposed work and potential partnership; if there is a strong fit, the foundation says it will co-create a proposal with the applicant. Detailed guidelines are available on its website. Submissions are rolling. The foundation generally does not fund individuals, capital expenditures, operating support to cover budget shortfalls, fundraising campaigns, basic scientific research, or endowments. It also generally does not support initiatives without direct or significant impact in Arkansas. Funding recommendations are presented to the board at quarterly meetings in March, June, September, and December.
- Contact
Application contact: Online At Wwwwrfoundationorg
Mailing address: 225 East Markham Street Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 376-6854
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Grant
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation: Changing the Narrative
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation: General Operating Support
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arkansas Community Foundation (Arcf) - Little Rock AR ($790K across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($295,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
385 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 217 grants of 385 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grant restrictions require initiatives to directly or significantly impact Arkansas, and it says grants and program-related investments are primarily provided to organizations located in the state. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 106 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 42 of 78 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $116K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 78% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 152% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.6M (2021) to $6.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 106 grants totaling $6.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Arkansas - Little Rock AR Little Rock, AR | General Operating Support | $600,000 |
| Arkansas Community Foundation (Arcf) - Little Rock AR Little Rock, AR | To support operations and implementation of its 2024-25 work plan and strategies | $500,000 |
| Communities Unlimited - Fayetteville AR Little Rock, AR | Flexible Funding for Broadband Expansion in Rural Arkansas | $200,000 |
| Innovative Poverty Solutions - Fayetteville AR Little Rock, AR | To build long-term infrastructure and people-centered capacity for local and statewide policy change in Arkansas. | $200,000 |
| Possibility Labs - San Francisco CA Little Rock, AR | Enterprise Capital Lite RWJF Passthrough | $150,000 |
| Neo Philanthropy Inc - New York New York Little Rock, AR | Enterprise Capital Lite RWJF Passthrough | $150,000 |
| Delta Circles Inc - Helena-West Helena AR Little Rock, AR | Enterprise Capital Lite RWJF Passthrough | $150,000 |
| Arkansas Public Policy Panel - Little Rock AR Little Rock, AR | Gos to Support the Arkansas Public Policy Panel | $150,000 |
| Winrock Solutions LLC - North Little Rock AR Little Rock, AR | Multicultural Business Xcellerator Program | $150,000 |
| The Liberty Initiative - Rogers AR Little Rock, AR | To build long-term infrastructure and people-centered capacity for local and statewide policy change in Arkansas. | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation?
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 | $151,505,317 | $2,010,735 | $10,498,835 | $6,459,300 | 106 | $10,731,064 | $5,102,011 | $7,049,212 |
| 2023 | $151,671,301 | $4,343,654 | $9,054,302 | $5,194,750 | 86 | $9,013,045 | $2,443,756 | $6,785,269 |
| 2022 | $145,505,045 | $6,577,954 | $9,660,103 | $4,411,722 | 74 | $7,664,177 | $6,403,962 | $7,124,650 |
| 2021 | $169,499,273 | $12,187,719 | $10,218,260 | $3,620,000 | 65 | $6,771,966 | $12,087,041 | $7,525,508 |
| 2020 | $157,147,472 | $3,991,446 | $7,233,428 | $4,020,070 | 54 | — | $6,397,141 | $6,574,285 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic, and racial equity for all Arkansans. Its website describes a vision in which all Arkansas residents have jobs that pay a livable wage, quality education, and the chance to thrive.
Its funding and other support include narrative change, policy and advocacy, movement building, and program-related investments. The foundation also describes support for capacity building, strategic communications, partnerships, and convenings. Its 2024 filing reports work to elevate ALICE families’ experiences through data, policy engagement, employer practices, media, and public presentations, as well as support for nonprofit capacity building and flexible capital.
The foundation funds organizations and leaders working to expand opportunity in Arkansas. Its filing says initiatives must directly or significantly impact the state and are primarily supported when led by organizations located there. If an initiative is not led by a nonprofit, government agency, school, college, or university, the foundation requires a fiscal sponsor. In describing their own work, grantees include organizations focused on Arkansas policy advocacy, rural broadband expansion, and local and statewide policy change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 106 grants totaling $6,459,300. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median of $30,000. The largest reported grants included $600,000 to Forward Arkansas for general operating support and $500,000 to Arkansas Community Foundation to support operations and implementation of its 2024–25 work plan and strategies. Other grants included $200,000 to Communities Unlimited for flexible funding for rural Arkansas broadband expansion and $200,000 to Innovative Poverty Solutions to build capacity for policy change in Arkansas.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sherece West-Scantlebury as president and CEO and Andrea Dobson as CFO. Cedric Williams is listed as chair, Alejandro Avils Rodrguez as vice chair, and Naccaman Williams as board secretary. The filing also lists Melissa Bradley, Detria Austin Everson, Terry Mazany, Mike Ramirez, and Latanyua T Robinson as directors.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation is led by Sherece West-Scantlebury, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sherece West-Scantlebury
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$381K (2020) → $385K (2024)
Cedric Williams
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisenne Rockefeller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Ramirez
Director
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Toomer
Director
On filings since 2020
1.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Mazany
Director
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Bradley
Director
On filings since 2022
1.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Saviers
Director
Director → Board Secretary, 2023
Board Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Detria Austin Everson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Smith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latanyua T. Robinson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Warwick Sabin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Dobson
Cofo
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$283K (2020) → $322K (2024)
Naccaman Williams
Board Secretary
Director → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alejandro Avils Rodrguez
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Kiisha Morrow (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Parham (2022–2023) — Chair
- Former: Chris Cardona (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Win Rockefeller Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Alejandro Aviles (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Green (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Vincent (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Mike Malone (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Regan Gruber Moffitt (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Kilolo Kijakazi (2020) — Director
- Former: Rosa Velazquez (2020) — Director
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 $385K, to Sherece West-Scantlebury (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
How much does The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation give each year?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation gave $6.5M across 106 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 86 grants.
What is The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's typical grant size?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $60,937, across 106 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation that year got $54K on average.
Where does The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation give grants?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation gives mostly in Arkansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Little Rock, AR (101 grants).
Does The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 106) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Capacity for Equity" (4 grants) and "Enterprise Capital Lite RWJF Passthrough" (4 grants).
Who are The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's largest grantees?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arkansas Community Foundation (Arcf) - Little Rock AR ($790,000 across 7 grants), Forward Arkansas - Little Rock AR ($600,000) and Arkansas Public Policy Panel - Little Rock AR ($315,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($295,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation reported $151.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic, and racial equity for all Arkansans. Its website describes a vision in which all Arkansas residents have jobs that pay a livable wage, quality education, and the chance to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation?
The foundation’s stated process begins with an idea submitted through its online portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's EIN?
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-0285871. 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 October 2026.
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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